U.S. Geological SurveyEROS Data Center

Integration of Geospatial Data and Environmental Information: Technical considerations

By Eric van Praag, USGS EROS Data Center

Technical interoperability. Lessons learned by initiatives to integrate spatial information (1)

• A basic layer of digital, seamless, open access core spatial data sets most be developed for each country. New data sets are build on top of this basic data set.

• In the geospatial domain, the Open GIS standards facilitate data integration and interoperability. Initiatives such as IABIN will develop similar mechanisms.

• Spatial data catalogs facilitate data discovery. Similar mechanisms will be developed by IABIN, and follow the lead of the NBII in the U.S.

• Major problems remain in relation to the use of datum and projections in the spatial domain that will affect environmental-spatial data integration.

Technical interoperability. Lessons learned by initiatives to integrate spatial information (2)

• Environmental data management efforts need to integrate better with existing national spatial data infrastructures. They offer a legal and political platform that facilitates the achievement of common objectives.

• More and more, tools for format and datum conversion are available and facilitate data interchange.

• The recent establishment of GIS Web Services in several Latin American countries obligates data creators to follow common standards and procedures, so data can integrate seamlessly on-line.

• Limited internet bandwidth and technological know-how still act as barriers to better data dissemination in many countries

Most of these issues are being – or could be – addressed in a SDI context

View of common problems encountered

Steps to facilitate access to geospatial data (1)

Problem: A considerable volume of spatial data has been developed in L.A. in the last ten years. This data can be hard to reach.

Some solutions

• Sponsor the development and strengthening of spatial data catalogs and SDIs to facilitate data discovery.

• Make senior politicians aware of the benefits of sharing spatial information.

• Have institutions develop clear and open data policies that deal with spatial information.

• Promote legislation that facilitates and regulates spatial data sharing and solves some of the pending IP issues.

• Promote the use of OpenGis standards.• Facilitate access to new and free spatial data: Shuttle Radar

Topographic Mission, ASTER, MODIS, free Landsat databanks (i.e., MACGA)

Steps to facilitate access to geospatial data (2)

Solutions suggested:

• Evaluate the potential to use open source solutions (e.g., ILWIS, Minnesota Map Server).

• Make information available for download through web portals and GIS Web Services.

• Work on data protection schemes that make data creators feel safe when distributing and/or selling data.

• Establish data pricing schemes that lower the cost of data acquisition.

• Capacity-building in geospatial technologies . . . The magic word.

Spatially-enabled environmental information: opportunities for collaboration

IABINBiodiversity Information

MACGAGIS Web Services

SDI

PAIGHSpatial data

SDI

CP-IDEASpatial data

SDIEDCSpatial informationClearinghouse/SDI

NASA/CCADGeospatial center

for Central America

SYNERGIESINTEGRATION

COLLABORATION

SIAMEnvironmental

Data