This book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the Second International Conference on Geographic Information Science, GIScience 2002, held in Boulder, Colorado, USA in September 2002.The 24 revised full papers presented were carefully reviewed and selected from 64 paper submissions. Among the topics addressed are Voronoi diagram representation, geospacial database design, vector data transmission, geographic information retrieval, geo-ontologies, relative motion analysis, Web-based maps information retrieval, spatial pattern recognition, environmental decision support systems, multi-scale spatial databases, mobile journey planning, searching geographical data, indexing, terrain modeling, spatial allocation, distributed geographic internet information systems, and spatio-thematic information programming.

Geographical Information Systems (GIS) have developed rapidly in recent years and now provide powerful tools for the capture, manipulation, integration, interrogation, modelling, analysis and visualisation of data - tools that are already used for policy support in a wide range of areas at almost all geographic and administrative levels. This holds especially for emergency preparedness and health risk reduction, which are all essentially spatial problems. To date, however, many initiatives have remained disconnected and uncoordinated, leading to less powerful, less compatible and less widely implemented systems than might otherwise have been the case.
The important matters discussed here include the probabilistic nature of most environmental hazards and the semi-random factors that influence interactions between these and human exposures; the effects of temporal and spatial scales on hazard assessment and imputed risk; the effects of measurement error in risk estimation and the stratification of risks and their impacts according to socioeconomic characteristics; and the quantification of socioeconomic differences in vulnerability and susceptibility to environmental hazards.
GIS are powerful analytical tools in their own right, but what is needed is much more effective communication between the many disciplines, professions and stakeholders concerned - something which this book helps to achieve.

Geometric properties and relations play central roles in the description and processing of spatial data. The properties and relations studied by mathematicians usually have precise definitions, but verbal descriptions often involve imprecisely defined concepts such as elongatedness or proximity. The methods used in soft computing provide a framework for formulating and manipulating such concepts. This volume contains eight papers on the soft definition and manipulation of spatial relations and gives a comprehensive summary on the subject.

Geographical Information Systems (GIS) have developed rapidly in recent years and now provide powerful tools for the capture, manipulation, integration, interrogation, modelling, analysis and visualisation of data - tools that are already used for policy support in a wide range of areas at almost all geographic and administrative levels. This holds especially for emergency preparedness and health risk reduction, which are all essentially spatial problems. To date, however, many initiatives have remained disconnected and uncoordinated, leading to less powerful, less compatible and less widely implemented systems than might otherwise have been the case.
The important matters discussed here include the probabilistic nature of most environmental hazards and the semi-random factors that influence interactions between these and human exposures; the effects of temporal and spatial scales on hazard assessment and imputed risk; the effects of measurement error in risk estimation and the stratification of risks and their impacts according to socioeconomic characteristics; and the quantification of socioeconomic differences in vulnerability and susceptibility to environmental hazards.
GIS are powerful analytical tools in their own right, but what is needed is much more effective communication between the many disciplines, professions and stakeholders concerned - something which this book helps to achieve.

The 15th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant disaster offered a timely opportunity for an expert assessment of the current situation and suggestions for approaches to managing the information associated with the site and surrounding contaminated territories.
The great quantity of data coming from the contaminated region was and is very difficult to use without he aid of modern information technologies, especially Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS). Application of these technologies, and related expertise, became crucial to the region's economic recovery and sustainability planning. Given the real possibility of a similar accident at nuclear facilities elsewhere around the world, the development of recovery strategies based on experience gained at Chernobyl, using modern scientific methods and technologies, will be invaluable in the future. The presentations and discussion reported in the book have led to some key conclusions. Image maps derived from satellite imagery are the most economical, up to date and readily available basis for Chernobyl-related applications, as well as for other future applications. The study of soil-plant transfer of radionuclides afforded comparatively much more reliable data. GIS in association with adequate knowledge is a valuable tool in decision making and modelling of contaminated areas and objects.

The 15th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant disaster offered a timely opportunity for an expert assessment of the current situation and suggestions for approaches to managing the information associated with the site and surrounding contaminated territories.
The great quantity of data coming from the contaminated region was and is very difficult to use without he aid of modern information technologies, especially Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS). Application of these technologies, and related expertise, became crucial to the region's economic recovery and sustainability planning. Given the real possibility of a similar accident at nuclear facilities elsewhere around the world, the development of recovery strategies based on experience gained at Chernobyl, using modern scientific methods and technologies, will be invaluable in the future. The presentations and discussion reported in the book have led to some key conclusions. Image maps derived from satellite imagery are the most economical, up to date and readily available basis for Chernobyl-related applications, as well as for other future applications. The study of soil-plant transfer of radionuclides afforded comparatively much more reliable data. GIS in association with adequate knowledge is a valuable tool in decision making and modelling of contaminated areas and objects.

Contents:
Foreword
Acknowledgments
Contents
List of contributors
List of Figures
List of tables
List of abbreviations
List of Appendices
Preface

CHAPTER 1 SDIs
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Building Spatial Data Infrastructures
1.2.1 Building Human Capacity through Partnerships and Networks
1.2.2 Support Resources for Developing the People Developing SDIs
1.3 Strengthening Institutional Capacity
1.3.1 The Need for Capacity Building to Facilitate SDI Development.
1.3.2 The Role of Research in SDI Development.
1.4 Sustainable Development as a research driver
1.4.1 The Triple Bottom Line
1.4.2 Technology
1.5 SDI development into the future
1.6 Conclusion
1.7 References

CHAPTER 2 Spatial Data Infrastructures:Concept, Nature And SDI Hierarchy
2.1 Introduction
2.2 The Need for Spatial Data
2.2.1 Sharing Spatial Data
2.2.2 Spatial Data and Decision Support Systems
2.3 Spatial Data Infrastructure
2.3.1 SDI Nature and Characteristics
(a) Partnerships
(b) Different Views to Understanding and Development
(c) The Importance of People
(d) Dynamic Nature
2.3.2 Current SDI initiatives (Global, Regional, National, State, Local)
2.4 SDI Hierarchy
2.4.1 The Theory of Hierarchy
(a) Definition of Hierarchy
(b) Purpose and Levels of a Hierarchical Structure
2.4.2 Hierarchical Reasoning
(a) Principles of HSR
(b) Properties of Hierarchies
2.4.3 Different Views on SDI Hierarchy
2.5 Applying Hierarchy Theory on SDIs
2.5.1 Hierarchy Theory and An SDI Hierarchy
2.6 Relationships among Different SDIs
2.7 Conclusion

CHAPTER 3 Global Initiatives
3.1 Introduction
3.2 GSDI
3.2.1 History and Background
3.2.2 SDI Components and Organisational Model
3.2.3 SDI Current Status of Development
3.2.4 Issues and Challenges
3.2.5 Future Plans and Discussion
3.3 Global Map
3.3.1 Background
3.3.2 SDI Components and Organisational Model
(a) Institutional Arrangements
(b) Technical Standards
(c) Fundamental Data
3.3.3 SDI Current Status of Development
3.3.4 Issues and Challenges
3.3.5 Future Plans and Discussion
3.4 Other Multi-National Initiatives
3.5 Evaluation of Global Initiatives
3.6 Recommendations and Future Directions
3.7 References

CHAPTER 4 Regional SDIs
4.1 Introduction
4.2 European Umbrella Organisation For Geographic Information (EUROGI)
4.2.1 History and background
4.2.2. Current Status
4.2.3. Issues and Challenges
4.3 Permanent Committee On GIS Infrastructure For Asia And The Pacific (PCGIAP)
4.3.1 History and Background
4.2.1 Current Status of Development
(a) Institutional Framework
(b) Technical Standards
(c) Fundamental Datasets
(d) Access network
4.3.3 Issues and Challenges
4.3.4 Future Plans and Discussions
4.4 Permanent Committee On Spatial Data Infrastructure For The Americas (PCIDEA)
4.4.2 Current Status
4.4.3 Issues and Challenges
4.5 Comparative Evaluation
4.6 References

CHAPTER 5 Regional SDI Diffusion
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Asia and the Pacific region and Regional SDI activities: a case study
5.2.1 Current Progress of PCGIAP and APSDI development
5.3 SDI Diffusion
5.4 Influencing Factors for Regional SDI Diffusion
5.4.1 Environmental Factors
5.4.2 Capacity Factors
5.4.3 SDI Organisation Factors
5.5 SDI Development Models
5.6 Recommendations
5.6.1 Organisational Restructure
5.6.2 Redesign Future Strategy Based on Asia-Pacific Social System
5.6.3 Modify APSDI Conceptual Model
5.6.4 Adopting SDI Process-Based Model
5.7 Conclusion and Recommendations
5.8 References

CHAPTER 6 National SDI Initiatives
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Overview on National SDI
6.3 Role and Relationships within SDI Hierarchy
6.4 Current Situation
6.4.1 First Generation of National SDI Initiatives
a) Australia SDI
b) USA National SDI
6.4.2 Second Generation of National SDI Initiatives
a) National Geographic Information Infrastructure for Lebanon
b) Iranian National Spatial Data Infrastructure
6.4.3 Comparative Analysis
6.5 Recommendations and Future Directions
6.6 References

CHAPTER 7 State SDI Initiatives
7.1 Introduction
7.2 Spatial Information
8.4.1 ANZLIC
8.4.2 Public Sector Mapping Agencies
8.4.3 Spatial Information Industry Action Agenda
8.4.4 Australian Spatial Information Business Association
8.4.5 Spatial Sciences Coalition
8.4.6 Spatial Information Cooperative Research Centre
8.5 ASDI Implementation
8.5.1 Fundamental Datasets
8.5.2 Australian Spatial Data Directory (ASDD)
8.5.3 ASDI Clearinghouse Definition
8.5.4 Pricing Policy
8.6 Current Issues And Future Directions
8.7 References

CHAPTER 9 State SDI Development: A Victorian Perspective
9.1 Introduction
9.1.1 Administration of Spatial Information
9.1.2 Development of State SDI
9.1.3 Spatial Information for Victoria: Early Beginnings
9.2 Victoria's Strategy for building SDI
9.2.1 Framework Information
9.2.2 Key Business Information
9.2.3 Custody
9.2.4 Metadata
9.2.5 Access Infrastructure
9.2.6 Pricing and Licensing
9.2.7 Spatial Accuracy
9.2.8 Awareness
9.3 Role and Responsibility for Developing Victorian SDI
9.4 Building Blocks Of Victoria's SDI
9.4.1 Land Exchange
9.4.2 Property Information Project (PIP)
9.4.3 Rural Addressing
9.4.4 Online Service Delivery
9.4.5 Land Channel
9.4.6 Land Channel Sales
9.5 Role within the Australian SDI Development
9.5.1 Growing the Private Sector
9.5.2 Participation in Standards Development
9.5.3 Jurisdictional Linkages
9.6 Conclusion
9.7 References

CHAPTER 10 SDI Development: Roles of Local and Corporate SDIs
10.1 Introduction
10.1.1 The Concept of SDI
10.2 Local SDI Development at Geelong
10.2.1 History of Geelong SDI Development
10.2.2 Current Geelong SDI (components and organisation model)
10.2.3 Linkages of Greater Geelong SDI through corporate SDI
10.3 Corporate SDI in multi-level SDI development- the case of DNRE
10.3.1 Catchment and Water
10.3.2 Parks Flora and Fauna
10.3.3. Department wide effort
10.4 Some patterns of SDI development
10.4.1 Some good practices
10.4.2 Two scales of SDI development
10.5 Conclusions
10.6 References

CHAPTER 11 Sustainable Development, the Place for SDIs and the Case for E-Governance
11.1 Introduction
11.2 The Effect on Government
11.2.1 Participatory Administration
11.2.2 Social Capital
11.3 The Role for SDIs
11.4 The Case for E-Governance
11.5 Conclusion

CHAPTER 12 Spatial Data Infrastructures and Descision-Support
12.1 Introduction
12.2 Spatial Decision-Making
12.2.1 Decision Process
12.2.2 Decision Complexity
12.2.3 Participation in Decision-Making
12.2.4 Measuring Reach and Range for Decision Support
12.3 The Role of SDIs in Decision-Support
12.4 Institutional Frameworks to Support Decision-Making
12.4.1 People
12.4.2 Policies
12.4.3 Mechanisms
12.5 The Case for Decision-Enabled SDI
12.6 Conclusions
12.7 References

CHAPTER 13 Financing Spatial Data Infrastructure Development: Examining Alternative Funding Models
13.1 Introduction
13.2 The Economic issues of SDI implementation
13.3 The Concept of SDI Funding Models
13.3.1 Funding Models of the First Generation of SDIs
13.4 Alternative Funding Models
13.4.1 Infrastructure Classification
(a) Natural Monopoly
13.4.2 Funding Models for SDIs Classified as Classic Infrastructures/Natural Monopolies
13.4.3 Funding Models for SDIs Classified as Network Infrastructures
13.5 Customizing the Alternative Funding Models for Emerging Nations
13.6 Conclusion
13.7 References

CHAPTER 14 Developing Evaluation and Performance Indicators for SDIs
14.1 Introduction
14.2 Land Administration Systems and the Role of SDIs
14.3 Evaluation And A Framework For Evaluation
14.4 Evaluation of SDIs
14.5 Conclusions
14.6 References


CHAPTER 15 Administrative Boundary Design in Support of SDI Objectives
15.1 Introduction
15.2 A Definition of the Spatial Hierarchy Problem
15.2.1 The First Solution: surface modelling
15.2.2 The Second Solution: data interpolation
15.2.3 The Third Solution: derived boundaries
15.2.4 The Fourth Solution: re-aggregation
15.3 Administrative Boundaries within SDI
15.3.1 Access
15.3.2 People
15.3.3 Data
(a) Confidentiality
(b) The modifiable-area-unit problem (MAUP)
15.3.4 Technical standards
(a) Hierarchical spatial reasoning (HSR) applied to administrative boundaries
(b) The structure of administrative boundaries
15.3.5 Policy
15.3.6 Summary
15.4 Conclusion
15.5 References

CHAPTER 16 SDI and Location Based Wireless Applications
16.1 Introduction
16.2 SDI as a foundation for location based services
16.3 Augmenting the SDI Model
16.3.1 Access Network
16.3.2 Policies
16.3.3 Standards
16.3.4 Data
16.3.5 People
16.4 Framework to Facilitate Wireless Applications
16.4.1 SDI Requirements
16.4.2 User Environment
16.5 Case Study
16.5.1 Use Case Scenarios
16.6 Discussion, Recommendations and Future Directions
16.7 References

CHAPTER 17 SDI and Positional Accuracy
17.1 Introduction
17.2 SDI And Positional Accuracy
17.3 Some Definitions
17.3.1 Reference Systems and Reference Frames
17.3.2 Dynamic Reference Frames
17.3.3 Height Datums
17.3.4 Coordinate Systems
17.3.5 Error
17.3.6 Positional Accuracy
17.3.7 Precision
17.4 Spatial Data Referencing
17.5 Transforming between different reference frames
17.6 Measuring and Recording Positional ACCURACY
17.7 Case Study 1: The GEOcentric datum of Australia
17.8 Case Study 2: PCGIAP
17.9 Conclusions And Recommendations
17.10 References

CHAPTER 18 Future Direction for SDI Development
18.1 Introduction
18.2 SDI Development Issues
18.3 SDI Development Models
18.3.1 The Product and Process-based Models
18.3.2 Assessment of Current SDI Initiatives
18.4 Relationships between SDI Hierarchy and different Models of SDI Development
18.5 Conclusion and Recommendations
18.6 References

This book is a compendium of peer reviewed papers resulting from the International Symposium on Spatial Data Handling (SDH), held in Ottawa, Canada, July 9-12, 2002. It presents a selection of papers that demonstrate a maturing in geographical information science (GISc). Of the many challenges under the general topic of spatial data handling, a number of key areas provide the focus for this book. They tackle issues such as database design and architecture, interoperability, integration, fusion, spatial reasoning, visualisation and web-based mapping, among a number of other aspects.

This book is a collection of papers on spatial statistics for remote sensing. The book emerges from a study day that was organized in 1996 at the International Institute for Aerospace Survey and Earth Sciences, ITC, in Enschede, The Netherlands. It was by several means a memorable event. The beautiful new building, according to a design by the famous modern Dutch architect Max van Huet was just opened, and this workshop was the first to take place there. Of course, much went wrong during the workshop, in particular as the newest electronic equipment regularly failed. But the workshop attrackted more than hundred attendants, and was generally well received. The results of the workshop have been published in Stein et al. (1998). The aim of the workshop was to address issues of spatial statistics for remote sensing. The ITC has a long history on collecting and analyzing satellite and other remote sensing data, but its involvement into spatial statistics is of a more recent date. Uncertainties in remote sensing images and the large amounts of data in many spectral bands are now considered to be of such an impact that it requires a separate approach from a statistical point of view. To quote from the justification of the study day, we read: Modern communication means such as remote sensing require an advanced use of collected data. Satellites collect data with different resolution on different spectral bands.

Radar technology is increasingly being used to monitor the environment. This monograph provides a review of polarimetric radar techniques for remote sensing. The first four chapters cover the basics of mathematical, statistical modelling as well as physical modelling based on radiowave scattering theory. The subsequent eight chapters summarize applications of polarimetric radar monitoring for various types of earth environments, including vegetation and oceans. The last two chapters provide a summary of Western as well as former Soviet Union knowledge and the outlook. This monograph is of value to students, scientists and engineers involved in remote sensing development and applications in particular for environmental monitoring.

The 5th International Conference on Spatial Information Theory, COSIT 2001, took place at the Inn at Morro Bay, California, USA, September 19 23, 2001. COSIT grew out of a series of workshops/NATO Advanced Study Institutes/NSF Specialist Meetings during the 1990s concerned with theoretical and applied aspects of representing large scale space, particularly geographic or environmental space (this history is elaborated in the prefaces of previous COSIT proceedings). These are spaces in which (and on which) human action takes place, and which are represented and processed in digital geographic information systems. In these early meetings, the need for well founded theories of spatial information representation and processing was identified, particularly theories based on cognition and on computation. This concern for theory provided an early foundation for the newly emerging field of geographic information science. COSIT is not backed by any particular scientific society but is organized as an independent enterprise. The conference series was established in 1993 as an interdisciplinary biennial European conference on the representation and processing of large scale spatial information after a successful international conference on the topic had been organized by Andrew Frank et al. in Pisa in 1992 (frequently referred to as "COSIT 0"). After two successful European COSIT conferences with strong North American participation (COSIT '93: Island of Elba, Italy; COSIT '95: Semmering, Austria), COSIT '97 moved across the pond to the United States, and was held in the Laurel Highlands, Pennsylvania.

This volume gathers together a representative set of examples from the many varied spatial techniques and analytical approaches being used by geographers, ecologists, and biogeographers to study plant and animal distributions, to assess processes affecting the observed patterns at selected spatial and temporal scales, and to discuss these examples within a strong conceptual spatial and/or temporal framework. Therefore, the aims of this volume are to: Identify the key spatial concepts that underpin Geographic Information Science (GISc) in biogeography and ecology; Review the development of these spatial concepts within geography and how they have been taken up in ecology and biogeography; Exemplify the use of the key spatial concepts underpinning GISc in biogeography and ecology using case studies from both vegetation science and animal ecology/biogeography that cover a wide range of spatial scales (from global to micro-scale) and different geographical regions (from arctic to humid tropical); and Develop an agenda for future research in GISc, which takes into account developments in biogeography and ecology, and their applications in GISc including remote sensing, geographic information systems, quantitative methods, spatial analysis, and data visualisation. B#/LISTB# The idea for GIS and Remote Sensing Applications in Biogeography and Ecology arose from two joint symposia organized by the Biogeography Study Group of the International Geographical Union; the Biogeography, Remote Sensing, and GIS Specialty Groups of the Association of American Geographers, and the Biogeography Research Group of the Royal Geographical Society-Institute of British Geographers and held in Leicester andHonolulu in 1999. These groups represent the majority of geographers conducting research in biogeography and ecology and teaching this material to geographers. While this material is increasingly being covered in a variety of disciplines and sub-disciplines (e.g., large-area ecology, landscape ecology, remote sensing and GIS), many researchers in these fields lack the training in spatial concepts behind the techniques that they utilize. The spatial concepts that are covered in this book are richer than those found within landscape ecology at the present time, and GIS and Remote Sensing Applications in Biogeography and Ecology will promote the use of many of these concepts among landscape ecologists.GIS and Remote Sensing Applications in Biogeography and Ecology is suitable as a secondary text for a graduate level course, and as a reference for researchers and practitioners in industry.

Ideally, every tract of land has a description on paper and a physical survey on the ground. When boundary disputes arise, all parties concerned must quickly learn the vocabulary and processes involved with real estate. Written for anyone dealing in real estate transactions, Subdividing the Land: Metes and Bounds and Rectangular Survey Systems provides this background. It defines key legal terms, examines key concepts of Metes and Bounds, the structure of the U.S. Land Survey System and offers many illustrations and tables that clearly explain the concepts. Each state has its own property laws, but the book's material is generic enough to be applicable across the entire United States and even Canada. Taking into account that local laws may be influenced by many factors, the book also covers the roots of English property laws and the effects of French, Spanish, and Mexican legacies. The author discusses topics such as water law, mining claims, and the Metes and Bounds and Torrens system of property registry. He provides a section of basic legal concepts applicable to land transactions and a glossary of special or semi-technical terms. Unlike most other topics related to surveying, there is no math associated with the topics given; yet the subjects can be complex and tricky. Subdividing the Land is a resource of many interrelated topics, and thus presents a knowledge base for land surveyors and the background for handling many types of land transactions conducted by real estate agents, engineers, architects, and lawyers.

During the last decades, landscape ecology has developed tremendously. It concerns both the theoretical basis and practical application. The authors follow a hierarchical approach that is inherent in landscape structures and processes as well as in planning practice. They show first approaches for the inclusion of factors of the landscape balance into planning procedures and new methods (GIS-coupled modeling, remote sensing) combined with more classical approaches from the basis of landscape assessment. Approaches for multicriterial landscape assessments are also presented. The overall target is to give recommendations for sustainable landuse and management. Each chapter concludes with a synthesis of the theme under discussion. Ideas concerning the state of the art are integrated as well as future trends in research. All methodological approaches are explained, with examples from differing regions.

Geocomputation may be viewed as the application of a computational science paradigm to study a wide range of problems in geographical systems contexts.This volume presents a clear, comprehensive and thoroughly state-of-the-art overview of current research, written by leading figures in the field.It provides important insights into this new and rapidly developing field and attempts to establish the principles, and to develop techniques for solving real world problems in a wide array of application domains with a catalyst to greater understanding of what geocomputation is and what it entails.The broad coverage makes it invaluable reading for resarchers and professionals in geography, environmental and economic sciences as well as for graduate students of spatial science and computer science.

1 2 Michel M. VERSTRAETE and Martin BENISTON 1 Space Applications Institute, EC Joint Research Centre, Ispra, Italy 2 Department of Geography, University of Fribourg, Switzerland This volume contains the proceedings ofthe workshop entitled "Satellite Remote Sensing and Climate Simulations: Synergies and Limitations" that took place in Les Diablerets, Switzerland, September 20-24, 1999. This international scientific conference aimed at addressing the current and pot- tial role of satellite remote sensing in climate modeling, with a particular focus on land surface processes and atmospheric aerosol characterization. Global and regional circulation models incorporate our knowledge ofthe dynamics ofthe Earth's atmosphere. They are used to predict the evolution of the weather and climate. Mathematically, this system is represented by a set ofpartial differential equations whose solution requires initial and bo- dary conditions. Limitations in the accuracy and geographical distribution of these constraints, and intrinsic mathematical sensitivity to these conditions do not allow the identification of a unique solution (prediction). Additional observations on the climate system are thus used to constrain the forecasts of the mathematical model to remain close to the observed state ofthe system.

Mapping Space, Sense, and Movement in Florence explores the potential of digital mapping or Historical GIS as a research and teaching tool to enable researchers and students to uncover the spatial, kinetic and sensory dimensions of the early modern city. The exploration focuses on new digital research and mapping projects that engage the rich social, cultural, and artistic life of Florence in particular. One is a new GIS tool known as DECIMA, (Digitally-Encoded Census Information and Mapping Archive), and the other is a smartphone app called Hidden Florence. The international collaborators who have helped build these and other projects address three questions: how such projects can be created when there are typically fewer sources than for modern cities; how they facilitate more collaborative models for historical research into social relations, senses, and emotions; and how they help us interrogate older historical interpretations and create new models of analysis and communication. Four authors examine technical issues around the software programs and manuscripts. Five then describe how GIS can be used to advance and develop existing research projects. Finally, four authors look to the future and consider how digital mapping transforms the communication of research results, and makes it possible to envision new directions in research. This exciting new volume is illustrated throughout with maps, screenshots and diagrams to show the projects at work. It will be essential reading for students and scholars of early modern Italy, the Renaissance and digital humanities.

Intense uplift of the Tibetan Plateau in Late Cenozoic Era is one of the most important events in geological history of the Earth. The plateau offers an ideal region for studying of lithospheric formation and evolution, probing into the mechanism of crustal movement, and understanding of changes in environments and geo-ecosystems in Asia. Intense uplift ofthe plateau resulted in drastic changes of natural environment and apparent regional differentiation on the plateau proper and neighboring regions. The plateau therefore becomes a sensitive area of climate change in Asian monsoon region, which is closely related to the global change. As a special physical unit, its ecosystems occupy a prominent position in the world. Due to its extremely high elevation and great extent, natural types and characteristics of physical landscapes on the plateau are quite different from those in lowlands at comparable latitudes, and environments are also different from those in high latitudinal zones. Consequently, the Tibetan Plateau has been classified as one of three giant physical regions in China and considered as a unique unit on Earth. Scientific surveys and expeditions to the Tibetan Plateau on large scale began from 1950's. Amongst them, a number of comprehensive scientific expeditions to the Xizang (Tibet) Autonomous Region, Hengduan Mts. areas, Karakorum and Kunlun Mts. regions, as well as the Hoh Xii Mts. areas, have been successively carried out by the Integrated Scientific Expedition to Tibetan Plateau, sponsored by Chinese Academy of Sciences since 1973."

A close relationship exists between GIS and numerous applications, including cartography, photogrammetry, geodesy, surveying, computer and information science, and statistics, among others. Scientists coined the term "geographic information science (GIScience)" to describe the theory behind these fields. A Research Agenda for Geographic Information Science extensively details the issues and fundamental scientific problems that must be solved if the use of GIS in these and other fields is to advance. Immediately following the founding of the University Consortium for Geographic Information Science (UCGIS), the group identified in a Research Agenda the topics that represented major challenges to the GIS research community. The first chapter of this book delivers an introduction to the agenda and to the collective guidance that the agenda provides to researchers. Chapters 2-10 discuss nine original research challenges. Chapters 11-14 provide the basis of the agenda's four "Emerging Themes." Each chapter, written by researchers involved in the conception of the topics, discusses basic research elements, the UCGIS approach, the need for the National research agenda, contributions to knowledge and society, and offers a complete set of references. The final section draws general conclusions about the UCGIS approach and the defined research challenges.

Real Estate and GIS focuses on the application of geographic information systems (GIS) and mapping technologies in the expanding property and real estate discipline. Whilst a thorough understanding of location is understood to be fundamental to the property discipline, real estate professionals and students have yet to harness the full potential of spatial analysis and mapping in their work. This book demonstrates the crucial role that technological advances can play in collecting, organising and analysing large volumes of real estate data in order to improve decision-making. International case studies, chapter summaries and discussion questions make this book the perfect textbook for property and applied GIS courses. Property and real estate professionals including surveyors, valuers, property developers, urban economists and financial analysts will also find this book an invaluable guide to the understanding and application of GIS technology within a real estate industry context.

Maps make the world visible, but they also obscure, distort, idealize. This wide-ranging study traces the impact of cartography on the changing cultural meanings of space, offering a fresh analysis of the mental and material mapping of early modern England and Ireland. Combining cartographic history with critical cultural studies and literary analysis, it examines the construction of social and political space in maps, in cosmography and geography, in historical and political writing, and in the literary works of Marlowe, Shakespeare, Spenser and Drayton.

Geographis Information Systems (GIS) and related technologies have a new and powerful role to play in archaeological interpretation
Beginning with a conceptual approach to the representation of space adopted by the GIS; the book examines spatial databases; the acqusition and compilation of data; the analytical functionality of GIS and the creation and utilisation of critical foundation data layers such as the Digital Elevation Model (DEM).
The ways in which GIS can most usefully facilitaate archaeological analysis and interpretation is then explored, particularly as a tool for the management of archaeological resources. Formal analysis of archaeological material, and the use of trend surface, contouring and interpolation proceedures are considered. Predictive modeling analysis of visibility and intervisibility are explained. Finally, there is a discussion of leading-edge issues, including three-dimensional GIS, object oriented GIS, the relationship between GIS and 'Virtual Reality' technologies, and the integration of GIS with distributed systems and the internet.
The approach is light, and the detail is kept to a minimum, recognising that most readers are simply interested in using GIS effectively. The text is carefully illustrated with worked case-studies usingarchaeological data. The book provides a single reference source for archaeologists - students, professional archaeologists and academics in archaeology as well as those in anthrolpology and related disciplines.
Key Features
* accessible textbook
* heavily illustrated
* full colour section

This book is dedicated to the theory and methodology of geographical data acquisition, providing comprehensive coverage ranging from the definition of geo-referencing systems, transformation between these systems to the acquisition of geographical data using different methods. Emphasis is placed on conceptual aspects, and the book is written in a semi-technical style to enhance its readability. After reading this book, readers should have a rather good understanding of the nature of spatial data, the accuracy of spatial data, and the theory behind various data acquisition methodologies. This volume is a text book for GIS students in disciplines such as geography, environmental science, urban and town planning, natural resource management, computing and geomatics (surveying and mapping). Furthermore it is an essential reading for both GIS scientists and practitioners who need some background information on the technical aspects of geographical data acquisition.

Drive innovation, expand capacity, coordinate maintenance, and reduce costs. Location intelligence is changing the way transportation agencies and departments protect and maintain their infrastructure and achieve operational excellence. Mapping plays a big part, but geospatial analytics, real-time dashboards, and mobile applications are driving new, more efficient workflows and paving the way for innovative, cost-effective solutions. With advancements in smart technologies, location intelligence for transportation management is not just for GIS specialists. In Moving Forward: GIS for Transportation, see how ports, airports, transit authorities, and departments of transportation around the world have implemented geographic information systems (GIS) to visualize and analyze data for operational efficiency, safety and security, asset management, and planning and sustainability. In this collection of case studies and guidance, learn about how GIS was used to: * Expand airport capacity within limited space, while saving millions. * Centralize multi-faceted port security for monitoring daily operations. * Coordinate daily transit maintenance work on $1 trillion in hard assets. * Plan modern data governance for a state-wide department of transportation. Through web apps, online maps, dashboards, and other GIS solutions, transportation professionals develop a deeper understanding of infrastructure maintenance and operational performance within a real-world context, increasing efficiency, while improving communication and collaboration. Discover how GIS and location intelligence are helping transportation organizations strengthen their ability to maintain roads and highways, railway systems, and other vital infrastructures with Moving Forward: Applying GIS for Transportation. -- Keith Mann

A comprehensive source book for anybody interested in the potential of remote sensing and GIS technology for the Eastern Europe countries in transition, and less developed countries in general. Leading experts from Europe, Canada and the USA cover a wide variety of applications, from the provision of satellite data to land, water and atmosphere planning issues. The individual contributions present a nice balance between theory and proved application methods. The book is suitable for a wide spectrum of readers, such as graduate students of the environmental and geo sciences, teachers and professors, specialists at various administrative levels, political decision makers and policy makers, and technical aid GOs and NGOs.