ISPRS Book Series – serie

Many disciplines are concerned with manipulating geometric (or spatial) objects in the computer – such as geology, cartography, computer aided design (CAD), etc. – and each of these have developed their own data structures and techniques, often independently. Nevertheless, in many cases the object types and the spatial queries are similar, and this book attempts to find a common theme.

With the turn of the century our ability to collect and store geospatial information has increased considerably. This has resulted in ever-increasing amounts of heterogeneous geospatial data, an issue that poses new challenges and opportunities. As these rich sources of data are made available, users rely, now more than ever, on the geospatial data infrastructure. The availability and accessibility of such data, as well as the ability to effectively manage, model, index and query the data is becoming a cornerstone in numerous applications. Moreover, the ability to formalize and represent data is becoming key to integration and interoperability. With the introduction of distributed geospatial data infrastructure and the implementation of web-based services, the impact of such issues is becoming even more evident. Inspired by these challenges, this book on Next Generation Geospatial Information offers a collection of original contributions from leading experts in spatial information modeling, image processing and analysis, database management, ontologies and data mining. It provides a unique insight into the current state-of-the-art and future challenges in geospatial information through four thematic chapters, each of which represents a primary research theme, namely distributed spatial infrastructure, image-based geospatial information management, indexing and querying geospatial databases, and ontology and semantics for geospatial data.

Developments in Geographic Information Technology have raised the expectations of users. A static map is no longer enough; there is now demand for a dynamic representation. Time is of great importance when operating on real world geographical phenomena, especially when these are dynamic. Researchers in the field of Temporal Geographical Information Systems (TGIS) have been developing methods of incorporating time into geographical information systems. Spatio-temporal analysis embodies spatial modelling, spatio-temporal modelling and spatial reasoning and data mining. Advances in Spatio-Temporal Analysis contributes to the field of spatio-temporal analysis, presenting innovative ideas and examples that reflect current progress and achievements.

The growing market penetration of Internet mapping, satellite imaging and personal navigation has opened up great research and business opportunities to geospatial communities. Multi-platform and multi-sensor integrated mapping technology has clearly established a trend towards fast geospatial data acquisition. Sensors can be mounted on various platforms, such as satellites, aircrafts or helicopters, terrestrial vehicles, water-based vessels, and may even be hand-carried by individuals. Mobile mapping refers to a means of collecting geospatial data using mapping sensors mounted on a mobile platform. Its development was primarily driven by the advances in digital imaging and direct-georeferencing technologies. With the escalating use of telecommunication networks and the increasing availability of low-cost and portable sensors, mobile mapping has become more dynamic, and even pervasive. The book addresses a wide variety of research issues in the mobile mapping community, ranging from system development to sensor integration, imaging algorithms and mobile GIS applications. This book will provide researchers and practitioners a good overall view of what is being developed in this topical area.

Published on the occasion of the XXIst Congress of the International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ISPRS) in Beiijng, China in 2008, Advances in Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences: 2008 ISPRS Congress Book is a compilation of 34 contributions from 62 researchers active within the ISPRS. The book covers the state-of-the-art in photogrammetry, remote sensing, and spatial information sciences, and is divided into six parts:- Introduction- Sensors, Platforms and Data Acquisition Systems- Data Processing and Analysis - Data Modelling, Management and Visualisation - Applications - Education and Cooperation.Advances in Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences: 2008 ISPRS Congress Book provides a comprehensive overview of the progress made in these areas since the XXth ISPRS Congress, which was held in 2004 in Istanbul, Turkey. The volume will be invaluable not only to scientists and researchers, but also to university students and practitioners.

Satellite imagery and data are widely used in public health surveillance to provide early warning of disease outbreaks and for averting pandemics. Convergence of these technologies began in the 1970s and has gained wide acceptance in the 21st Century.Environmental Tracking for Public Health Surveillance focuses on the expanding use of satellite sensor imagery and long-term spectral measurements for assessing and modelling Earth’s environments in context of public health surveillance. It addresses vector-borne, air-borne, water-borne, and zoonotic diseases, and explores analytical methods for forecasting environmental conditions and their potential for consequent disease outbreaks. Infectious and contagious diseases are of particular interest in this volume because once parasite-vector-human host pathways are triggered by favourable biological circumstances, pandemic diseases can spread to global scale in a matter of hours. The chapters advance readers through three sets of material. Part I reviews the 1970-2012 history of satellite Earth-science surveillance technology that led to linking natural environments to human diseases, and more generally to public health applications. Part II describes specific infectious and contagious diseases and the threat of emerging and re-emerging diseases. Part III explores the kinds of satellite data, modelling, and electronic information systems being developed to expedite health intercessions and responses at local to regional and global scales of reference. Equally important are the extensive reference sections for chapters in Parts II and III. For readers interested in tracking the development of Earth-science technology, these constitute a thorough entrée to both the health and environmental literature. The chapters are written jointly by experts in both the health and Earth-science technologies. Each chapter is accompanied by an extensive list of citations to provide background and validation of the current state-of-the-art for a variety of high-interest human diseases and associated health and well-being issues. The importance of day-to-day weather patterns, the impacts of severe weather events and longer-term climate cycles form the basis for developing information systems that meet goals and expectations of national and international health monitoring bodies. Environmental Tracking for Public Health Surveillance provides a state-of-the-art overview on how environmental tracking data from satellite, airborne, and ground-based sensors are being integrated into appropriate geophysical and spatial information system models to enhance public health surveillance and decision-making from local to global levels, and is intended primarily for a cross-disciplinary professional audience consisting of public health decision-makers, spatial data analysts, modelers, Earth observation specialists, and medical researchers.

Advances in Geo-Spatial Information Science presents recent advances regarding fundamental issues of geo-spatial information science (space and time, spatial analysis, uncertainty modeling and geo-visualization), and new scientific and technological research initiatives for geo-spatial information science (such as spatial data mining, mobile data modeling, and location-based services). The book contains selected and revised papers presented at the joint International Conference on Theory, Data Handling and Modelling in GeoSpatial Information Science (Hong Kong, 26–28 May 2010), and brings together three related international academic communities: spatial information science, spatial data handling, and modeling geographic systems. Advances in Geo-Spatial Information Science will be of interest for academics and professionals interested in spatial information science, spatial data handling, and modeling of geographic systems.

Advances in Web-based GIS, Mapping Services and Applications is published as part of ISPRS WG IV/5 effort, and aims at presenting (1) Recent technological advancements, e.g., new developments under Web 2.0, map mashups, neogeography and the like; (2) Balanced theoretical discussions and technical implementations; (3) Commentary on the current stages of development; and (4) Prediction of developments over the next decade. Containing 21 contributions from 60 researchers active within ISPRS communities, most of them from academia and some from governments, the book covers a wide range of topics related to the state-of-the-art in web mapping/GIS and geographic information services. The volume is organized in five sections:1. Analytical and Geospatial Services;2. Performance;3. Augmentation and LBS;4. Collaboration and Decision Making, and 5. Open Standards for Geospatial Services.Supported by a considerable number of technical details and examples, an overall view of the current achievements and progress made in the field of web-based GIS and mapping services is given. The chapters reflect timely and future developments addressing: constant updating of related web and geospatial technologies as well as the revolution of web mapping caused by mainstream IT vendors such as Google, Yahoo and Microsoft; increased interest from industry on geo-spatial information technologies; and increasing demand from the general public for prompt and effective spatial information services. Advances in Web-based GIS, Mapping Services and Applications will appeal to academia and researchers, application specialists and developers, practitioners, and undergraduate and graduate students interested in distributed and web-based geoinformation systems and applications, geodatabases, and digital mapping.

This book provides an overview on the evolution of laser scanning technology and its noticeable impact in the structural engineering domain. It provides an up-to-date synthesis of the state-of-the-art of the technology for the reverse engineering of built constructions, including terrestrial, mobile, and different portable solutions, for laser scanning. Data processing of large point clouds has experienced an important advance in the last years, and thus, an intense activity in the development of automated data processing algorithms has been noticed. Thus, this book aims to provide an overview of state-of-the-art algorithms, different best practices and most recent processing tools in connection to particular applications.Readers will find this a comprehensive book, that updates the practice of laser scanning for researchers and professionals not only from the geomatic domain, but also other fields such as structural and construction engineering. A set of successful applications to structural engineering are illustrated, including also synergies with other technologies, that can inspire professionals to adopt laser scanning in their day-to-day activity. This cutting-edge edited volume will be a valuable resource for students, researchers and professional engineers with an interest in laser scanning and its applications in the structural engineering domain.

The early 21st century marks a new era in space exploration. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) of the United States, The European Space Agency (ESA), as well as space agencies of Japan, China, India, and other countries have sent their probes to the Moon, Mars, and other planets in the solar system. Planetary Remote Sensing and Mapping introduces original research and new developments in the areas of planetary remote sensing, photogrammetry, mapping, GIS, and planetary science resulting from the recent space exploration missions. Topics covered include: Reference systems of planetary bodiesPlanetary exploration missions and sensorsGeometric information extraction from planetary remote sensing dataFeature information extraction from planetary remote sensing dataPlanetary remote sensing data fusionPlanetary data management and presentation Planetary Remote Sensing and Mapping will serve scientists and professionals working in the planetary remote sensing and mapping areas, as well as planetary probe designers, engineers, and planetary geologists and geophysicists. It also provides useful reading material for university teachers and students in the broader areas of remote sensing, photogrammetry, cartography, GIS, and geodesy.

This book aims to summarize and report the major research achievements and validation results under the global land cover (GLC) initiative led by the Group Earth Observation (GEO). The first part of the book introduces the major tasks and challenges facing the validation of finer-resolution GLC maps and presents the concepts and overall framework of the GEO-led initiative. Chapters 2-5 provide systematic introductions to the major methodology of finer-resolution GLC map validation, including sampling design, reference data collection, sample labeling, and accuracy assessment. Chapter 6 introduces the online validation tools that have been developed, including their design, considerations, and functionalities. Chapter 7 presents the international validation practices and the results of validating GlobeLand30 at country, regional, and global scales. Future directions are also discussed in the Conclusion chapter.FeaturesPresents complete coverage of land cover validation, from concepts, methodology, and col­ laborative tools to applications.Details algorithms, techniques, and methods for land cover validation, including sampling, judgment, and accuracy assessment.Reviews some of the software tools that can be used for GLC validation and discusses the issues related to the design, usability, efficiency, and limitations of these tools.Highlights case studies of validation at global, regional, and national scales, which can serve as great references for researchers.Provides an extensive bibliography covering the whole scope of land cover validationGlobal Land Cover Validation: Methodology, Tools, and Practices serves as a reference for those engaged in land cover validation, especially at a global scale, including students, professionals, researchers, and general practitioners. It is also an excellent resource for professionals involved in sustainable development monitoring, environmental change studies, natural resource management, disaster assessment and mitigation, and many other applications.

This book aims to summarize and report the major research achievements and validation results under the global land cover (GLC) initiative led by the Group Earth Observation (GEO). The first part of the book introduces the major tasks and challenges facing the validation of finer-resolution GLC maps and presents the concepts and overall framework of the GEO-led initiative. Chapters 2-5 provide systematic introductions to the major methodology of finer-resolution GLC map validation, including sampling design, reference data collection, sample labeling, and accuracy assessment. Chapter 6 introduces the online validation tools that have been developed, including their design, considerations, and functionalities. Chapter 7 presents the international validation practices and the results of validating GlobeLand30 at country, regional, and global scales. Future directions are also discussed in the Conclusion chapter.FeaturesPresents complete coverage of land cover validation, from concepts, methodology, and col­ laborative tools to applications.Details algorithms, techniques, and methods for land cover validation, including sampling, judgment, and accuracy assessment.Reviews some of the software tools that can be used for GLC validation and discusses the issues related to the design, usability, efficiency, and limitations of these tools.Highlights case studies of validation at global, regional, and national scales, which can serve as great references for researchers.Provides an extensive bibliography covering the whole scope of land cover validationGlobal Land Cover Validation: Methodology, Tools, and Practices serves as a reference for those engaged in land cover validation, especially at a global scale, including students, professionals, researchers, and general practitioners. It is also an excellent resource for professionals involved in sustainable development monitoring, environmental change studies, natural resource management, disaster assessment and mitigation, and many other applications.

Satellite imagery and data are widely used in public health surveillance to provide early warning of disease outbreaks and for averting pandemics. Convergence of these technologies began in the 1970s and has gained wide acceptance in the 21st Century.Environmental Tracking for Public Health Surveillance focuses on the expanding use of satellite sensor imagery and long-term spectral measurements for assessing and modelling Earth’s environments in context of public health surveillance. It addresses vector-borne, air-borne, water-borne, and zoonotic diseases, and explores analytical methods for forecasting environmental conditions and their potential for consequent disease outbreaks. Infectious and contagious diseases are of particular interest in this volume because once parasite-vector-human host pathways are triggered by favourable biological circumstances, pandemic diseases can spread to global scale in a matter of hours. The chapters advance readers through three sets of material. Part I reviews the 1970-2012 history of satellite Earth-science surveillance technology that led to linking natural environments to human diseases, and more generally to public health applications. Part II describes specific infectious and contagious diseases and the threat of emerging and re-emerging diseases. Part III explores the kinds of satellite data, modelling, and electronic information systems being developed to expedite health intercessions and responses at local to regional and global scales of reference. Equally important are the extensive reference sections for chapters in Parts II and III. For readers interested in tracking the development of Earth-science technology, these constitute a thorough entrée to both the health and environmental literature. The chapters are written jointly by experts in both the health and Earth-science technologies. Each chapter is accompanied by an extensive list of citations to provide background and validation of the current state-of-the-art for a variety of high-interest human diseases and associated health and well-being issues. The importance of day-to-day weather patterns, the impacts of severe weather events and longer-term climate cycles form the basis for developing information systems that meet goals and expectations of national and international health monitoring bodies. Environmental Tracking for Public Health Surveillance provides a state-of-the-art overview on how environmental tracking data from satellite, airborne, and ground-based sensors are being integrated into appropriate geophysical and spatial information system models to enhance public health surveillance and decision-making from local to global levels, and is intended primarily for a cross-disciplinary professional audience consisting of public health decision-makers, spatial data analysts, modelers, Earth observation specialists, and medical researchers.

Advances in Geo-Spatial Information Science presents recent advances regarding fundamental issues of geo-spatial information science (space and time, spatial analysis, uncertainty modeling and geo-visualization), and new scientific and technological research initiatives for geo-spatial information science (such as spatial data mining, mobile data modeling, and location-based services). The book contains selected and revised papers presented at the joint International Conference on Theory, Data Handling and Modelling in GeoSpatial Information Science (Hong Kong, 26–28 May 2010), and brings together three related international academic communities: spatial information science, spatial data handling, and modeling geographic systems. Advances in Geo-Spatial Information Science will be of interest for academics and professionals interested in spatial information science, spatial data handling, and modeling of geographic systems.

Many disciplines are concerned with manipulating geometric (or spatial) objects in the computer – such as geology, cartography, computer aided design (CAD), etc. – and each of these have developed their own data structures and techniques, often independently. Nevertheless, in many cases the object types and the spatial queries are similar, and this book attempts to find a common theme.

Advances in Web-based GIS, Mapping Services and Applications is published as part of ISPRS WG IV/5 effort, and aims at presenting (1) Recent technological advancements, e.g., new developments under Web 2.0, map mashups, neogeography and the like; (2) Balanced theoretical discussions and technical implementations; (3) Commentary on the current stages of development; and (4) Prediction of developments over the next decade. Containing 21 contributions from 60 researchers active within ISPRS communities, most of them from academia and some from governments, the book covers a wide range of topics related to the state-of-the-art in web mapping/GIS and geographic information services. The volume is organized in five sections:1. Analytical and Geospatial Services;2. Performance;3. Augmentation and LBS;4. Collaboration and Decision Making, and 5. Open Standards for Geospatial Services.Supported by a considerable number of technical details and examples, an overall view of the current achievements and progress made in the field of web-based GIS and mapping services is given. The chapters reflect timely and future developments addressing: constant updating of related web and geospatial technologies as well as the revolution of web mapping caused by mainstream IT vendors such as Google, Yahoo and Microsoft; increased interest from industry on geo-spatial information technologies; and increasing demand from the general public for prompt and effective spatial information services. Advances in Web-based GIS, Mapping Services and Applications will appeal to academia and researchers, application specialists and developers, practitioners, and undergraduate and graduate students interested in distributed and web-based geoinformation systems and applications, geodatabases, and digital mapping.

Developments in Geographic Information Technology have raised the expectations of users. A static map is no longer enough; there is now demand for a dynamic representation. Time is of great importance when operating on real world geographical phenomena, especially when these are dynamic. Researchers in the field of Temporal Geographical Information Systems (TGIS) have been developing methods of incorporating time into geographical information systems. Spatio-temporal analysis embodies spatial modelling, spatio-temporal modelling and spatial reasoning and data mining. Advances in Spatio-Temporal Analysis contributes to the field of spatio-temporal analysis, presenting innovative ideas and examples that reflect current progress and achievements.

This book provides an overview on the evolution of laser scanning technology and its noticeable impact in the structural engineering domain. It provides an up-to-date synthesis of the state-of-the-art of the technology for the reverse engineering of built constructions, including terrestrial, mobile, and different portable solutions, for laser scanning. Data processing of large point clouds has experienced an important advance in the last years, and thus, an intense activity in the development of automated data processing algorithms has been noticed. Thus, this book aims to provide an overview of state-of-the-art algorithms, different best practices and most recent processing tools in connection to particular applications.Readers will find this a comprehensive book, that updates the practice of laser scanning for researchers and professionals not only from the geomatic domain, but also other fields such as structural and construction engineering. A set of successful applications to structural engineering are illustrated, including also synergies with other technologies, that can inspire professionals to adopt laser scanning in their day-to-day activity. This cutting-edge edited volume will be a valuable resource for students, researchers and professional engineers with an interest in laser scanning and its applications in the structural engineering domain.

The early 21st century marks a new era in space exploration. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) of the United States, The European Space Agency (ESA), as well as space agencies of Japan, China, India, and other countries have sent their probes to the Moon, Mars, and other planets in the solar system. Planetary Remote Sensing and Mapping introduces original research and new developments in the areas of planetary remote sensing, photogrammetry, mapping, GIS, and planetary science resulting from the recent space exploration missions.Topics covered include: Reference systems of planetary bodiesPlanetary exploration missions and sensorsGeometric information extraction from planetary remote sensing dataFeature information extraction from planetary remote sensing dataPlanetary remote sensing data fusionPlanetary data management and presentationPlanetary Remote Sensing and Mapping will serve scientists and professionals working in the planetary remote sensing and mapping areas, as well as planetary probe designers, engineers, and planetary geologists and geophysicists. It also provides useful reading material for university teachers and students in the broader areas of remote sensing, photogrammetry, cartography, GIS, and geodesy.

While traditional aspects of GIS have been growing rapidly in recent years, new developments have focused on the geographic information service and delivery, which will realise the benefits of spatial information to the community. The analysis and application of spatial information for decision support systems is an important development in realising these benefits. This book is a collection of peer-reviewed articles presented at the ISPRS Workshop on Spatial Analysis and Decision Making in Hong Kong in 2003. It covers topics such as image-based spatial analysis and decision making; 3-D modelling and analysis; general spatial analysis methodology; web- and mobile-based analysis; knowledge-based systems; integrated systems; visualisation and representation methodology, and some application systems.