Transcript A Cybercartographic Atlas of Antarctica

A Cybercartographic Atlas of
Antarctica
An Initial Proposal and Conceptual Design
D.R.F Taylor, Carleton University, Canada
Daniel Vergani, CONICET, Argentina
Zulma Stanganelli, Puerto Madryn, Argentina
July, 2000
Background
• Proposal evolved from Pan American Institute of
Geography and History project:
– “Cybercartographic Atlas of Latin America”
– Completed June, 2000
– www.atlaslatinoamerica.org
• Multiparticipant - Canada, U.S. and eight Latin
American countries
• Argentina an active participant in production of atlas
that focussed on water and sustainable development
• Important result of project was production capacity
and infrastructure that can be used for similar projects
Cybercartographic Atlas : Multimedia
Interface
Cybercartographic Atlas : Map Interface
Atlas of the Antarctic Region
• Proposed is the creation of a comprehensive Atlas of
the Antarctic Region
• Cybercartographic approach would be an ideal method
for integrating results of current studies as well as
research carried out for more than a century
• Effort would build on existing international
cooperation and possibly forge new links
• Atlas will be produced by Geomatics and Cartographic
Research Centre at Carleton University in Ottawa
Cybercartography
• “Cybercartography” encompasses a series of
technological and organizational elements
• Technological elements
– Utilizes an ever increasing range of media formats and
communications networks
– A multi-dimensional cartography that allows for the
development of more than a stand alone product
– Highly interactive, engaging the user in new ways - data
exploration rather than simple communication
Cybercartography cont.
• Organizational Elements
– Cybercartography sees new partnerships created between
national mapping agencies, research centres, private sector,
non-governmental organizations and educational institutions
– Products are likely to be compiled through cooperation
between teams of individuals from different disciplines and
professions
• Cybercartographic approach results in a Cartographic
Information System. Uses elements of Geographic
Information Systems, however the map is the primary
interface rather than a simple output or display device
Main Objectives of an Atlas of the
Antarctic Region
• Integrate current and historical knowledge base using
Internet technologies
• Present a holistic view of a variety of topics (i.e.
climate change, tourism) to a broad range of users
• Create a framework to help better understand
importance of Antarctica in terms of sustainable
development
• Facilitate increased cooperation among agencies
• Foster information exchange between agencies
Methodology
• Conceptual design will attempt to address both
administrative and technical challenges
• Content will be delivered using the most current
Internet based technologies that builds on existing
infrastructure developed for Latin American project
• Data selection will be made in cooperation with
partner agencies & SCAR’s WG-GGI
• A number of databases have already been identified
including: Antarctic Digital Database, GRIDARENDAL databases, RADARSAT, GIS at Wuhan
Technical University, China and others
User
Generalized
Cartographic
Information Server
Architecture
Distributed
Servers:
Internet
Main Server:
Intranet
HTTP Server
Distributed
Multimedia
Database(s)
Local
Multimedia
Database
Spatial
Data
Request
Distributed
Spatial
Database(1)
Local Spatial
Database
MAP Server
Distributed
Spatial
Database (n)
Content
• Content must be defined in response to users’ needs
• Workshop planned for December 2001 in Puerto
Madryn, Argentina to finalize content
• Multiple sources from a number of agencies will
potentially be used
• Much information already exists in readily accessible
digital formats
• Challenge will be the organization and integration of
the existing
• Planned initial focus area 60° - 90° S / 30° - 85° W
Theme of the Atlas
• Major theme will be the integration and presentation of
existing data from a variety of different perspectives
• Role of Ice and Water will be important
• Striving for a holistic analysis to complement existing,
more focussed research programs
• Five subsystems presently proposed:
–
–
–
–
–
Geographical context
Environmental
Socio-economic
Environmental impact
Evaluation
Theme of the Atlas cont.
• General presentations to be accompanied by case
studies
• Initial idea being explored is a study of King George
Island, area of intense human activity. Meeting in
Wuhan, China planned. Agreement in principle with
Technical University in place
• Details of Atlas of the Antarctic Region to be refined
in consultation with all stakeholders over the next year
and finalized at workshop in Puerto Madryn
Timelines
• Atlas endorsed in principle by CCAR
• July 2000: Consideration of the Atlas concept by WGGGI and SCAR General Assembly
• July 2000: Application for funding for Puerto Madryn
workshop
• July 2000 - Sept 2001: Discussion and development of
approach and content. Identification of funding
sources
• December 2002 - Production of the Atlas and
launching of World Wide Web site
Budget
• Budget for all aspects of Cybercartography for the
Americas project was US $942,000
• Above included hardware, software, a number of
training workshops, establishment of metadata
clearinghouse nodes and atlas production
• Atlas of the Antartic Region production costs would be
more modest
• Total project cost should not exceed US $300,000
Key Points
• Cybercartography is an operational concept which sees
the map as central. It is different from GIS.
• The proposed atlas builds on existing experience in
Latin America with demonstrable products and results.
• A cybercartographic atlas of Antarctica would
integrate and present a wide range of information on
Antarctica in new ways.
4. The proposed budget of $300,000 is a modest one
for a project of this type.