Monitoring the Tsunami Warning System in Indonesia

The ASM website (http://asmmag.com) reported that the existing Tsunami Warning Systems in Indonesia has been vandalised. This may have increased the number of deaths caused by the tsunami in October since no warning was sent to the people. However, a report from Australia said that even if the system is working, the result of the Tsunami would have been the same. Still, the disaster compelled the authorities to improve the disaster operational monitoring.

The tsunami caused the death of more than 100 people and displaced about 500 households (BBC).

What happened to the warning system increased issues with regards to monitoring the system on a continuous basis. When these kind of systems are monitored properly, and even if there is a glitch, the operators would be able to track and fix it. The problem in Indonesia was that the warning system, was left unmonitored until the tsunami struck.

Despite the claim of the scientist from the Australia Bureau of Meteorology that it would have not made any difference to the damage even if the warning system was properly monitored, this kind of issues should not be taken for granted. It raises the need for security and improvement.

Monitoring would help in supplying a more accurate and functional system and providing a certain level of security to the people in its area of responsibility.

Source:

Asian Surveying and Mapping

http://asmmag.com/features/indonesia-tsunami-warning-system-monitoring

Health Maps: Tracking Diseases

In Indonesia, a vital help program is helping the local communities in restoring health and preventing diseases.

Dr. Bronwyn Myers, a Charles Darwin University (CDU) Senior Research Fellow, indicated that in Eastern Indonesia health was a major concern among the poor and rural communities.

Dr. Myers set-up a two-year research project to help the local health department of East Nusa Tenggara Province (NTT) curb and control the occurrence of diseases in the province. The main objective of the project is to enable district government officers to improve health service delivery at the village level and build their capacity to make decisions in the allocation of health resources. They have created a user-friendly system with the help of GIS that the clinical officers can access and use to map the province and plan for the allocation of health resources in the area. The GIS pointed out areas in need or areas where disease outbreaks may occur.

Similarly, one of the lecturers at the University of Nusa Cendana, Frederika Rambu Ngana, has been doing health mapping projects with CDU since 2008. She is one of the recipients an Executive Endeavour Award in Darwin. “My focus in eastern Indonesia is to advice the local health department how to use GIS systems and train local health officers how to collect and map health data to use as a resource tool,” she said.

According to Ms. Rambu Ngana, she is looking forward to developing new health mapping applications in the course of her visit to Darwin. She also wants to explore animation techniques to help her show how diseases spread. She related that health data previously gathered and kept by the regional and rural clinical staff were not put into use. These maps are now used in monitoring health delivery and analysing maternal and child health data.

Ms. Rambu Ngana also teaches GIS System to the nurses and midwives in Eastern Indonesia, and she claims that even in very remote areas and those without knowledge in computer technology can use these tools.

The organizations behind this program are CDU, Menzies School of Health Research and the Health Department NTT with the grant from USAids Public Sector Linkage Project.

Source:

http://ext.cdu.edu.au/newsroom/a/2010/Pages/HealthmapshelppreventdiseaseinIndonesia.aspx

Spatial Data: Helping in Cleaning New Zealand

Spatial data and aerial imagery online helped New Zealand’s emergency clean-up of the 7.0 earthquake that rocked the country last September. The Australian Research Collaboration Services (ARCS) also known as BeSTGRID, have been sharing data with New Zealand and other research organizations. Because of the great demand from various agencies in New Zealand , ARCS had to create a common data repository where they can share information including digital maps, aerial photography, and satellite images.

The ARCS provided temporary credentials to aid workers who access the system. Anthony Williams, the Executive Director of ARCS shared that the emergency responders will be allowed to access the system so that they will be able to contact one another better. “We’re happy to make ARCS identities available to those responding to the earthquake’s aftermath,” Williams added. It made the clean-up faster and more efficient.

Source:

http://www.spatialsource.com.au/2010/09/14/article/NZ-quake-cleanup-assisted-by-spatial-data-clearing-area/OGUWNMKNEY

Tracing Viruses

Last year, Daniel Janies, a researcher from the Ohio State University tracked the H1N1 virus with the help of a super computer, Google Earth, and a network of scientists who has genetic data on the virus. His output indicates how the virus evolved, spread and make people sick all over the globe.

The H1N1 virus was thought to have originated in Mexico and Janies also discovered that its genetic ancestry is connected to the viruses found in man and animals such as pigs and birds, way back in 1956.

The program Janies developed can detect a virus that has a segment of the genetic code of H1N1 virus. Most researchers were concerned with how the virus mutates. They feared that any change in the genetic code can make any treatment useless, like in the case of the Tamiflu.

Janies was also able to create maps parallel to that of the map which tracked the evolution of the SARS virus. The map indicated the change of the standard influenza virus through time which made it invulnerable to a type of flu-fighting drug like the sample used to treat livestock in China.

Viruses are constantly mutating, they are evolving from host to host, man to animal, and animal to man. After invading a host, flu virus replicates itself several times making an exact replica of the original virus. However, during the course of evolution, a genetic “mistake” sometimes occur resulting in a new virus that can either be weaker or stronger than the original one. This new virus can also jump from animal to man.

Janies used the data from the records of the scientists who took the genetic fingerprint of the H1N1 viruses he ran it through a super computer. The computer utilized a program he developed to look for mutations.

With every mutation he recorded, the location and the date of discovery are added to the map Janies developed. It also showed the link to its most likely genetic parents. Janies also added that the sharing of map data of viruses between scientists makes the virus tracking possible.

Source:

http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/science/stories/2010/09/12/osu-researcher-honed-program-studying-flu-pandemic.html?sid=101

Image Source:

http://biomed.osu.edu/bmi/directory/faculty/janies/

Geohazard Maps: Preventing Mining Destructions

The Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM), an anti-mining advocacy network and people’s movement composed of more than 80 organizations from mining-affected communities and civil society organizations, is pushing the government to use geohazard maps to re-examine mining tenements and abandoned mines to prevent future mining disasters. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has been using the P60 million geohazard mapping study of the Philippines identify landslide and flood prone areas in the country.

According to Jaybee Garganera, ATM National Coordinator, if the geohazard maps were maximized and integrated effectively in land use planning, land development, disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation, it will strategically mitigate mining disasters.

“The top landslide prone and flood prone provinces such as Benguet, Mt. Province, Kalinga Apayao, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, etc. identified by DENR are the same provinces which host big mining operations in the country,” said Garganera. "These geohazard areas impacted both by bad weather and mining put communities at high-risk to catastrophe.”

Also according to him, as of last year, Benguet has three big mining operations and three abandoned mines. The typhoons and landslides experienced by the mining host communities of Itogon and Manyaka last year affected at least 50 families which resulted in the evacuation of their homes.

Mining is a high-risk industry especially here in the Philippines where open-pit mining is practised resulting to the disturbance of massive land areas. He further stressed that “this can decrease ground water depth and natural filtration, and increase ground water contamination. Furthermore, when an area is opened to mining, Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) may happen, which occurs when sulphide-bearing minerals in the rock are exposed to air and water, changing the sulphide into sulphuric acid that can devastate aquatic habitats.”

Santos Mero, the Deputy Secretary General of the Cordillera People’s Alliance stated that because of the province’s geohazard susceptibility and the mining impacts, Benguet have experienced a series of disasters even before the geohazard map came out. “Sadly, even the rice terraces in Benguet along the Agno and Abra rivers are not spared from mining. Mining affects the water that irrigates the terraces," he added.

According to Mero, a geohazard map strengthens the group’s argument with the government to cease the on going mining operations in Benguet. He also said that the affected communities’ want full rehabilitation of the area, reforestation, and compensation of disrupted livelihood as a result of the mining operations in their communities.

At least eight mine tailing dam failures due to the heavy rain falls and typhoons in the country have been recorded by the Philippine Indigenous Peoples Link (PIPLinks) since 1982 to 2007. According to Andy Whitmore, PIPLinks communications and research officer, dam failures caused massive fish kills, land and water contamination by toxic heavy metals, damage to agriculture, displacement and economic disruption of mining affected communities.

The Philippines has been identified as one of the top 10 countries at climate risk according to GermanWatch (2008). Whitmore said that because of climate change, the Philippines is experiencing drastic weather events, mine tailing dam failures, and other mining disasters that are most likely to happen with the government’s poor disaster risk reduction plan and mining monitoring and regulation. He further added that geohazard prone areas should be declared no-mining zones.

“The Philippines, given its geography, topography and poor regulatory regime, is prone to mining disasters and other environmental problems; tailings waste pollution has contaminated at least 14 major river systems in the country; abandoned mines are now showing signs of acid mine drainage,” said Blas Tabaranza, Executive Director of the environmental group HARIBON. He also stated that the combination of geohazard risk and the effects of mining operation impacts topped with drastic weather conditions, will all results in one big catastrophe.

“As of September 2009, there are 348 mining tenements that amount to 744,199 hectares spread across the country. The geohazards study is an added reason why government should not revitalize and prioritize mining. DENR must stop the issuance of mining permits and review previously issued mining tenements,” said Judy Pasimio, Executive Director of the Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center

Source:

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20100123-249021/Use-geohazard-maps-to-prevent-mining-disasters-environmental-alliance-urges

Image Source:

http://www.impactmagazine.net/v39n08/coverstory.htm

Korean Government Extends a Helping Hand to NEDA

The Korean Overseas International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) is giving the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) $50,000 to fund its project regarding the institutionalization of a Regional Geographic Information System Network (RGISN) in Caraga (North eastern Mindanao). According to the Region 13 office of NEDA, the funds will be released when the project is ready for implementation.

Last June 2010, Jinoh Kim, KOICA’s Resident Representative and Carmencita S. Cochingco, NEDA’s Regional Director had a meeting. Eun Sun Jang, a Korean Overseas Volunteer (KOV), presented the project. He is specializing in Geographic Information System (GIS) assigned in NEDA Caraga since November 2008.

Cochingco shared that Kim expressed KOICA’s interest in building a direct and substantial collaboration with NEDA, since Korea has been consistently providing aid to the Philippines. She said that the focus of KOICA Assistance is Caraga Region, with 14 KOVs being deployed there. “This program is a big help to the Caraganons”, Cochingco added.

The NEDA Caraga, being the socio-economic agency of the region and the secretariat of the Regional Development Council (RDC), will be the one to spearhead the institutionalization of a geographic information system (GIS) in the region. They will serve as the support group for effective planning and resource allocation and management, policy-making, decision making, investment programming and monitoring, and evaluation of socio-economic and environmental initiatives, programs and projects.

Sources:

http://www.geojunk.com/news-feeds/by-subject/gis-a-mapping/7997-gis-in-philippines-gets-a-boost-from-korean-aid

Image source:

http://www.geomanila.com/

The Coming of the Philippine Geohazard Maps

According to the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), the geohazard mapping of Zamboanga done by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Mines and Geosciences Bureau (DENR-MGB) in Region IX is almost complete. The geohazard maps will be useful in identifying places in the region that will threaten people's safety.

Emma Deverala, the Information Officer of MGB-IX said that the geohazard mapping which started in 2005, is now on its final year. According to her, 87% of Zamboanga Peninsula has already been assessed by their Geohazard Assessment Team headed by Geosciences Chief Vheina Marie P. Quintana. It is expected that they will fully accomplish the mapping of the remaining municipalities and cities in the region like the Triple S-B or the municipalities of Siocon, Sirawai, Sibuco, Baliguian, in Zamboanga del Norte, Isabela City in Basilan, and finally Zamboanga City hopefully by November.

Deverala hinted that the entire peninsula is prone to hazards like landslide and that they have already spoken to the different LGUs of the affected municipalities to give recommendations on how to prevent or mitigate threats.

The MGB in Region IX is also conducting intensive information dissemination campaigns to increase the awareness of people in the area regarding the hazards and to instruct them on what to do to ensure safety.

The landslide in Southern Leyte last February 17, 2006 killed thousands of people and because of this the geohazard mapping program was given more emphasis and support by the national government through the National Disaster Coordinating Council. The program also includes the identification and characterization of the types of geohazards present, particularly on the mass movement and flooding events in the Philippines.

According to Deverela upon the completion of the program, the bureau will provide geohazard maps that will identify what type of geohazard a particular area is prone to. It will also contain information on the location of barangay centers and other important landmarks. It will also be useful as a blue print for developing disaster risk management plans and programs of local government units, urban and rural development planners, other stakeholders and the communities.

Source:

http://www.educationgis.com/2010/08/philippines-geohazard-maps-soon-to-be.html

Image Source:

http://www.globalink.net.ph/~denrmgb5/mancon05.htm

DENR-NAMRIA Geodetic Control Points: Up for Adoption

Last January 2009 the local government units of Southern Leyte, in coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA), entered into a memorandum of agreement (MOA) that will ensure the future protection and conservation of geodetic control points (GCP) in the area. The geodetic control points database is a facility that provides location points of GCPs used by geodetic engineers, surveyors, and cartographers to correctly position rectified geodetic data.

Initially, there are 237 GCPs subject for adoption including some old GCPs which were recovered and re-observed in the different barangays of municipalities in Southern Leyte from 2007 to 2008. The GCPs that have specific locations per barangay were turned over to their respective municipal engineers for protection and conservation, with the assistance of an appointed focal person per barangay. A periodic report will also be submitted to the DENR regarding the status of the GCPs and for any occurrence of disturbance.

As part of the LGU's responsibility in the adoption of the GCPs under the Adopt a Mojon Program of the Philippine Reference System 92 (PRS 92), municipal ordinances were released by the LGUs prescribing penalties for constituents found guilty of destroying or tampering with the GCP, intentionally or otherwise.

Mr. Alfredo S. Pascual, Regional Executive Director of DENR Region 8 said that the effect of the adoption of the GCPs that were established under the PRS 92 is indirect, but its significance and development should be advocated to the people especially at the barangay level.

The PRS 92 program, mandated under EO No.321 signed by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in 2 July 2004, is a network of geodetic control points marked by survey monuments or “mojons” established using the Global Positioning System (GPS) technology. It was started in 2007 and will end in 2010 with the goal to complete and maintain the national geodetic network and integrate old surveys and maps in the network for the sustained management and development of the country’s natural resources. It also aimed to establish more accurate spatial positioning for structures and other activities. It is a homogeneous network useful to all government agencies (DPWH, DAR, DA, NIA), the academe, as well as government and private surveyors that are involved in surveying and mapping activities.

Source:

http://www.gisdevelopment.net/news/viewn.asp?id=GIS:N_zmltvnxqog

http://www.namria.gov.ph/gcps.aspx

Image Source:

http://visayanislands.ph/VisayanIslands-VIII.htm

Old Techniques: Solution to Modern Problems

The Kaya Kinondo forest on Kenya's eastern coast and the Cerro Chango reserve in the hills of Southern Mexico, are two of the most exceptionally diverse habitats in the world. They are managed by the Digo-Mijikenda and Chinanteco indigenous communities that observe traditional practices in the management of these rich habitats. In some cases, local customs take precedence over the laws of national government.

The United Nations Environment Program's World Conservation Monitoring Center (UNEP-WCMC), with support from the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme under the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), is now running a new project which focuses on the link between indigenous communities, conservation and biodiversity.

Empowered with efforts to fight threats such as climate change and deforestation, the efforts of these indigenous communities to conserve their environment caught the interest of environmentalists worldwide. The project of the UNEP-WCMC is set to gather and compile information on Indigenous and Community Conserved Areas (ICCA). These are defined by natural sites and habitats that are conserved voluntarily by the indigenous people and the local communities using traditional practices, which aim to help secure communities and habitats under threat.

UNEP-WCMC has developed the ICCA Registry in order to have a better view on how the communities contribute to biodiversity. This is done in partnership with an international consortium of NGOs and conservation groups. The registry comprises questions that cover information about the location, area, habitat type of the ICCA, how the community is governed and its social customs and conservation practices. Mexico, Kenya, Fiji and the Philippines are the first four countries targeted so far. Already 13 communities have registered ranging from fishing ports to mountain villages.

"A key part of this process has been to work slowly, gaining the support and trust of these communities", says project manager Colleen Corrigan of UNEP-WCMC. "While there is valid concern for using caution when mapping these areas, there is also genuine potential to use this initiative to help secure communities and habitats under threat. In five years, we hope to share a much better and deeper understanding of the global contributions of ICCAs to biodiversity conservation and human well-being."

By joining this registry, the conservation efforts done by the indigenous communities will be promoted, which can help in attracting potential support from government and other third parties. The registry also allows interaction between different indigenous groups worldwide, allowing communities to share experiences on issues of common concern.

One of the communities who signed up for the registry is the Maya community from San Crisanto in Mexico. It has over 1000 hectares of forest and mangroves and has been home to the Mayas since 250 BC. Their tradition dictates that the whole community is responsible for the governance of the area and an assembly of 30 elders have the key decision for the whole community.

In 1996, the Maya community suffered widespread devastation from a hurricane. They began rehabilitation work on their community canals and regenerate the local mangroves that are the community’s principal ecosystem. With these conservation efforts, the fish population increased 25%, there is also an increase in the number of birds as well as the general recovery of the entire ecosystem.

Up to date, the community in San Crisanto pursues conservation and regeneration projects and the Maya also benefits from the increase in revenues from eco-tourism. The importance of conservation within the community is enhanced by education and training projects in their area. According to one of the community representatives, the ICCA Registry has been a key part in promoting their conservation work.

“The publication of information and data will allow more people to know about our project”, Jose Ines of San Crisanto said. “It allows us to share our experience with other communities and to show those who are skeptical that community conservation and development is possible.”

The expansion of the registry is being planned by the UNEP-WCMC to be able to include more indigenous communities all over the world, thus giving greater recognition to other little success stories of the communities. It is with a great hope that by mapping and restoring the ancestral practices that date back thousands of years ago, new solutions to new problems can be found.

Source:

United Nations Environment Programme

http://www.unep.org/Documents.Multilingual/Default.asp?DocumentID=646&ArticleID=6712&l=en

Topographic Maps for Peace and Development

Topographic base maps are used in providing base data that is needed in development planning, infrastructure development, risk reduction and management, and environmental protection of the environment.

A two-year mapping project called “Topographic Mapping for Peace and Development in Mindanao” is being implemented by the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) in partnership with the Japanese Government that aims to bring about socio-economic and peace development in Mindanao. An attached agency of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources will be monitoring the activities. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has awarded the project with ¥1 billion or about R300 million worth of grant.

Compared to Luzon and Visayas, Mindanao has the oldest maps, dating back in 1950s. Maps of Luzon were made in the 1970s and is regularly updated. According to DENR, the only thing that hinders them in updating the topographic maps from Mindanao is its peace and order situation.

In the project implementation agreement signed last January 2010, JICA shall send a project team and transfer technology to the Philippines while NAMRIA and Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) will facilitate the involvement of other government and non-government organizations.

DENR Secretary Ramon Paje said that the project aims to update the 205 topographic base maps covering Mindanao at 1:50 000 scale. “Outputs of the project include reports, satellite images, ortho-image maps, ground control point coordinates, and 1:50,000 scale digital topographic data for geographic information system (GIS) application which will be distributed to local government units. These will serve as base information data that will help developers in their development projects in the region,” he added.

Sources:

Manila Bulletin ( August 18, 2010): http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/273013/namria-pushes-digital-map-project

Philippine parcel maps now available online

The Philippine Chamber of Real Estate and Builder’s Association (CREBA) announced that the Philippines now has its first fully-automated Web GIS parcellary mapping services called MapSys. It is located at www.mapsys.ph and was designed and built by CREBALAND, the technical arm of CREBA.

According to Atty. Manuel M. Serrano, CREBA’s founder and chairman, this new mapping facility can generate an accurate lot plan and information-packed vicinity map for any given parcel in the country, right in front of the user’s computer screen.

MapSys contains multi-layers of spatial information, such as major and minor road networks, rivers, waterways networks, railroad networks, LGU-approved land use, SAFDZ, land cover, Ecozones, administrative boundaries (from the provincial down to the barangay level), elevation and slope, fault lines, banks, schools, churches, hospitals, commercial/industrial establishments, tourist establishments, utilities and many others.

The map service is available nationwide and globally on the internet. Serrano said, “the map is immediately downloadable after the user enters the parcels technical descriptions from either a title or a survey plan or any other source document.”

MapSys aims to resolve the most common problems of brokers, potential buyers, banks, and investors by pinpointing a land parcel that is for sale and saves the buyer from an expensive and exhausting visit to the site.

The system uses tie points, which is the official geodetic control points, to assure the users of the accuracy of the relative geographic position/location, configuration and boundaries of the parcel as shown in the map outputs. The system also uses a scale that adjusts to the size of the parcel.

“MapSys is extremely user-friendly and does not require orientation for its use”, added Serrano.

Source:

Manila Bulletin (February 6, 2010)

http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/242175/creba-launches-web-mapping-service

Call for Action: The Challenges and Opportunities of Spatial Data Infrastructure

Last January 2010, a 6.1 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti. Buildings collapsed, roads heaved, and the damaged to power and communication lines virtually left the city blind. People were confused in the absence of guidance on where to go; the rescuers did not know where to begin. As the world stood still, humanitarian support poured in. In the midst of chaos, a direction was made. Roads were cleared with singular intent of providing the veins through which rescue and emergency support passed through. Unknown to many, the provision of such passable roads amidst the ruins was made through the use of Spatial Data Infrastructure.

Spatial Data Infrastructure is composed of policies, standards and procedures under which organizations and technologies interact to promote more efficient use, management and production of spatial data. SDI becomes a necessary tool for communications and for building stability in this uncertain world. But, as the SDIs continue to grow, a lot of questions, challenges and opportunities also arise to test the capabilities of this base data.

In answering the calls for help in the Haiti earthquake, various sectors and organizations created geospatial/mapping data to help the rescuers. The problem, however, was the differing interfaces and web protocols that made it difficult to bring data together and analyze them.

Some of the key challenges facing the implementation of SDI are: how to incorporate new technologies, how to deal with the differing quality of data, how to expand SDI into different fields or practices (ex. Business or environment), how to put in place the policy, financing, and governance mechanism that will promote and sustain SDIs through time.

Technology grows faster than one can imagine. Almost on a daily basis, a new technology or gadget is being introduced to us. This holds true in the use of SDI. Most SDIs have developed new functions such as mapping services and web features. Also, new tools are now available like the satellite imagery viewer, participatory mapping and mobile applications. All these make important how data can be readily available for use by the public.

The rapid access to data and information is crucial to the economic, environmental and social well-being of our global society. Geographic reference is needed in areas such as health, education, and social welfare, and in answering this challenge, there is a need to have standard protocols that will cut across uses and demands in our current situation.

An example where there is a growing requirements for spatial data infrastructure is in the area of environmental management. To achieve sustainable economic development and protection of sensitive natural resources, land managers need to have a deep understanding of the characteristics and special features of the territory they are working on. This understanding comes from developing an SDI on their own or making an inventory of what information already exists from other sources.
The US National Research Council’s Mapping Science Committee produced a report that recommends guidelines that can help SDI through its challenges and opportunities. These recommendations are as follows: (1) Effective national policies, strategies and organizational structures for integration of national spatial data collection, use, and distribution, (2) procedures should be established to foster access to information, and (3) a spatial data sharing program should be established to enrich national spatial data coverage. This defined the elements of NSDI and provided a conceptual framework for an enhanced spatial data infrastructure.

The key ingredient to a successful SDI implementation then is the cooperation and willingness to respond to society's needs. There are still hindrances, but solutions are also available. Metadata, data access mechanisms, standards for interoperability and other suggested best practices for implementing geospatial technologies are now accessible to those who are interested. The challenge is for us to open up our eyes to all the tools available in our quest for sustainable development.

Condensed from the original article by:

Moeller, John. Spatial data infrastructures: Challenges and opportunities. Directions Magazine (July 28, 2010). http://www.directionsmag.com/articles/spatial-data-infrastructures-challenges-and-opportunities/122331

Other sources:

National Academy Press

http://www.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=4895&page=9

http://www.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=2105&page=1

Image Source:

http://sdi08.rosa.ro/

Mapping to Conserve Coastal Habitats

Two scientists, who are part census takers and part detectives, went on mapping the coastal habitats in the six counties of Georgia, USA. Jacob Thompson and Eamonn Leonard with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, mapped the coastal habitats with the main goal to describe the characteristics of the coasts so that the local government can avoid developing on the most rare and most sensitive spots.

According to Thompson, a natural resource biologist, there has been a lot of growth in the coastal habitats, and that they are expecting more development in the coming years, “We want to work with counties to ensure that rare habitats are preserved before everything gets developed.”

With the coast expected to see its population increase in the next 20 years, the Woodruff Foundation granted the project with USD 700,000 grant. The project is part of the Coastal Georgia Land Conservation Initiative, which is a three-year collaboration of the Department of Natural Resources, Georgia Conservancy, and the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia.

A website is also developed and is expected to be launched later this August to enable different parties to interact with the habitat maps that have been developed.

Sources:

GeoSpatial World

http://www.geospatialworld.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=18201:researchers-map-rare-coastal-habitats&catid=52:application-natural-resource-management&Itemid=1

Savannahnow.com

http://savannahnow.com/news/2010-08-13/ga-researchers-map-rare-coastal-habitats

Exploiting the Benefits of Spatial Infrastructure

According to the Land Information New Zealand (LINZ), the Conservation Department and the Economic Development Ministry of New Zealand, their country is not taking advantage of the benefits of spatial infrastructure. This results to losing almost $1.3 million in productivity. The Land Information office has been looking for technology firms to be able to develop innovative websites.

Jan Pierce, LINZ Customer Service General Manager said that new services are likely to be aimed at typical users of land data. With this, the public will able to make use of the maps and map data, but the users may have to pay to use the services. “Linz’s intention is that cost should not be a barrier to access”, added Pierce.

Earlier this August, the New Zealand Government released its NZGOAL Policy, which provides assistance for releasing Government Information and material to the public for reuse. Pierce added that any move by LINZ to charge for access data would not conflict with the policy, that they are developing their services in accordance of the NZGOAL on charging data access and use. “The LINZ datasets are so important to geospatial analysis and decision-making that research has shown that the poor access to that data has shaped and limited the way that many people and organisations have established their geospatial capability.”

Source:

Geospatial World

http://www.geospatialworld.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=18206:new-zealand-to-exploit-benefits-of-spatial-information-&catid=58&Itemid=28&Itemid=1

http://www.mynetbizz.com/travelweb/index.php/hotels-and-flights-reviews/travel-tips/new-zealand-travel-guide/

Local mapping of H1N1 virus in Texas

Penny Carpenter, a Geographic Information System (GIS) teacher at the Lubbock Independent School District in Lubbock, Texas, made a special project for her students last April 2009 when the H1N1 Virus started spreading around the globe. She thought that using GIS tools would be helpful in monitoring flu outbreaks in their area. The first step that she and her students tried to answer is the question, “What counties in Texas are confirmed with H1N1 Virus?”

Her students knew that the outbreak started in Mexico, so they began collecting reports of infections in border towns. They created a list of counties in a spreadsheet and the data on confirmed cases. They then created a base map of Texas counties and joined the maps attribute table to the spreadsheet data on the county name field. When the appropriate breaks for the data range were done, the confirmed cases of the virus were mapped using graduated colors.

They found out that the highest number of confirmed cases is from the most populated areas, but not border counties. By adding another layer that shows the roadways and airports, they saw that most of these areas were connected to a major roadway.

When the first confirmed case of the virus was announced in Lubbock County, a local network featured the work of Carpenter’s students. Carpenter shared that she was more than just building maps, she also motivates her students to look into the relevant real-world issues, “When students can visualize and see the data on a map, they begin to analyze. And this promotes higher-level thinking skills.”

Source:

GIS Educator

http://www.esri.com/library/newsletter/giseducator/gised-winter10.pdf

GIS Project Helps in Improving Access to Clean Water

A group of university students and two professors from the University of Redlands (U of R) in Redlands, California, went to the communities across sub-Saharan Africa to help map the sources of water in the area as well collected water use information. They used Geographic Positioning System (GPS) and Geographic Information System (GIS) to classify water access points like wells and lakes.

The maps that were made are useful in providing the local people with accurate locations of water sources. The field collection and their model maps are going to be useful in the implementation of sustainable practices in poor nations. Maxwell Baber, associate professor at the U and R stated, “Anything that we can do to improve water quality is going to have a major impact on the population.”

For 15 days in May 2008 and 2009, the team went on field mapping and classifying the water access points with the help from the local villagers, guides, and personnel from Rwanda National University and Millennium Villagers Project (A project established to in Africa for alleviating poverty in Africa using integrated community driven activities).

Using Garmin GPS equipment and ArcGIS, the students built a database of the water sources and classified them as shallow well, open pit, lake, deep borehole, water tap or cistern. They also interviewed individuals who fetch water in the water access points that they mapped. The survey provided information on water use, household location and size, distance to the water source, and the seasonal availability of water.

This field experience also gave the student hands-on experience in learning how GIS Technology can help in supporting projects that study the relationships between human and environment. “For a few days in May, students had the opportunity to help improve the community’s access to clean, safe water”, said Katherine Noble-Goodman, a visiting lecturer in Environmental Studies at U of R. The faculty and students of U and R continued in editing and revising the project data. They are running analyses and creating spatial models to predict the productivity for new borehole well site locations.

Source:

http://www.esri.com/news/arcnews/winter0910articles/improving-access.html

Looking Beyond Spatial Data Infrastructure

Spatial Data Infrastructure is usually seen as a new innovation or a new type of technology. Most of us may tend to neglect it because of ignorance. We do not know what it is for and what can it do.

But what we do not know is that SDI has been existing for about 70 years now. Although it may provide the simplest maps, or just plain ideas and concepts on geography, for decades its products have been used by various sectors.

Beryl Markham, the first person to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean from London to North America, wrote what probably is the best description of what a good map (and a well-designed SDI) can provide. She wrote in her book “West with the Night” (1942):

A map in the hands of a pilot is a testimony of a man’s faith in other men; it is a symbol of confidence and trust. ... A map says to you "Read me, follow me closely, doubt me not." It says "I am the earth in the palm of your hand. Without me you are alone and lost." Were all of the maps in the world destroyed and vanished under the direction of some malevolent hand, each man would be blind again, each city be made a stranger to the next, and each landmark become a meaningless sign post pointing to nothing. ... Here is your map. Unfold it, follow it, then throw it away, if you will. It is only paper. It is only paper and ink, but if you think a little, if you pause a moment, you will see that these two things have seldom joined to make a document so modest and yet so full with histories of hope or sagas of conquest.

These words hold the very nature of and goal of Spatial Data Infrastructures:

Faith and trust in each other – SDI’s foundation is built in faith and trust from different people of various fields and sectors. The provision of data from SDI shows the confidence that people have in technology.

The earth in the palm of your hands – through SDIs, we can look into both the local and global perspective of the mapped data. It answers the basic human questions “Where am I? Where am I heading next?”

Without it, you are alone and lost – most people would not be able to perform tasks accurately if not for the data provided by SDI and without the ability to communicate geographically.

Each would be blind, each city be made a stranger to the next, and each landmark becomes a meaningless sign post pointing to nothing – maps make us knowledgeable of places that we have never been before. Geographic knowledge can create a thread that connects people together.

Unfold it, follow it, then throw it away, if you will – paper maps can be thrown after using them, but today, with the help of SDI, geospatial data can be kept, updated and modified for future use.

SDI has been established in the US government which provides a new initiative regarding mapping and geospatial information. On April, 1994, an executive order entitled “National Spatial Data Infrastructure” (EO 12906) was established by the United States of America. It described SDI as “the technology, policies, criteria, standards and people necessary to acquire process, store, distribute, and improved utilization of geospatial data.” The executive order also states that the Federal Geographic Data Committee, which was formed in the establishment of the EO, should involve the state, local, and tribal government in the development and implementation of pioneer projects, as well as consult the experts of the academe, private sector and professional societies.

From these initiatives, Spatial Data Infrastructure has grown and became an integral part of information networks. From the simplest data sharing, it has sprung into a dynamic and evolving infrastructure that has the capacity to integrate various data, technology and systems. SDI is also seen as a national asset, which can be used in different scales, from the local, national to global levels.

With the help of Spatial Data Infrastructure, the world can be seen as an organic whole and not as disconnected pieces. Through time, the data we have becomes better and more innovative. As people use SDI more, organizations and various sectors will have more option in implementing the best practices and spatial information infrastructures that supports the needs of the society.

Condensed from the original article:

Moeller, John and Grumman Co, Northrop. Spatial Data Infrastructures (SDIs) - Why Should We Care About Them?. (February 22, 2010). http://www.directionsmag.com/article.php? article_id=3414

Additional Sources:

http://www.fas.org/irp/offdocs/eo12906.htm

http://www.karenblixen.com/gale.html

Conserving Resources in Natural Caves with GIS

Students from Browning and Bigfork High Schools, in Northwestern Montana, have been volunteering since 2003 to map and conserve the natural resources in natural caves of Glacier National Park.

In the spring of 2009, a grant worth $10,000 from Best Buy, enabled the schools to purchase computers and GIS software, with the help of Denny Rae, a GIS specialist from Flathead County, and Bern Szukalski, ESRI’s cave and karst program coordinator. Rae approached Hans Bodenhamer, the teacher of the students, proposing to incorporate GIS in his curriculum.

After having installed the software, Bondenhamer asked help from Ben Sainsbury, a GIS specialist at Central Washington University, to help teach the kids in inputting data and learning more about GIS. After a month, all the data from the past five years of volunteering in the Glacier National Park have been entered in the software.

Bigfork High School uses GIS in geo-referencing the maps. They also filled-in a vector image of the cave as a separate layer so that if it was turned on, it can show the orientation of the cave. The over-laying topographic map serves as the background for the raster cave maps and other layers.

Other layers were also developed about the general information of the maps such as the entrance, elevation, length and depth of the cave, the average air temperature and the classification of the cave resource significance.


Source:

GIS Educator
http://www.esri.com/library/newsletter/giseducator/gised-winter10.pdf

Creating Maps for Landslide Risk Management in Pakistan

In January 2010, a series of landslides occurred in Atta Abad in the Gilgit-Baltistan area of Pakistan. This caused the blocking of the Hunzen River and resulted to the rise of the river's water level. About 20,000 residents have evacuated as some areas are completely submerged in flood water, while some downstream communities are vulnerable to flash floods.

Two Google Map users from Lahore and London, respectively, Omer Shiek and Jabran Rafique, created a website, http://www.local.com.pk/hunza/, which provides data for disaster risk management in Pakistan. Google Maps have made the publishing of post-disaster imagery possible which allowed Shiek and Rafique to identify the locations of health centers and shelters. The website is recognized in the UN-SPIDER as a primary source of information in the Hunza disaster. UN-SPIDER provides universal access to all types of space-based information and services relevant to disaster management.

Jabran stated that the gap in the map information was obvious. He added that they have used the Google map maker as their baseline data, and started adding other features like roads, submerged areas and roads.

“We hope that our effort to make reliable information more widely available will help disaster relief managers and decision makers save lives and prevent more damage to the fragile economy of this remote region. In contributing to Google Map Maker, my desire is to establish a basic framework around which we can document, understand and bring transparency to the events taking place around me. We, as a mapping community, need to better demonstrate the benefits of online collaboration and the utility of tools such as Map Maker for rapid dissemination of information”, said Omer, when asked about their motivation for this project.


Source:

Google Lat Long Blog
http://google-latlong.blogspot.com/2010/06/map-makers-respond-to-pakistan.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+blogspot/SbSV+(Google+LatLong)&utm_content=Google+Reader

UN-SPIDER

http://www.un-spider.org/

Super Filipino Mapper: Filipino wins Google Map Competition

Wayne Dell Manuel, a 24-year old Filipino, won the first-ever Google Map Maker Global Competition. Manuel is a software developer at the National Telehealth Center at the University of the Philippines in Manila. Over 700 contestants from countries around the world joined the competition, but only Manuel bagged the $50,000 donation from UNICEF and an all-expense paid trip to the Google Super Mappers 2010 conference in Switzerland. The donation is for the projects that will help empower the Filipino youth through technology in the Philippines.

The contestants were required to add maps of universities, schools, hospitals and medical clinics as features in Google Map that will help humanitarian organizations like the UNICEF do their jobs much better. According to Google, “having a complete and accurate map can help people in your community, including businesses, tourism, civil services and even emergency rescue workers.”

Manuel said that maps have always interested him because they help him get acquainted with places that he have never seen before. “As soon as I heard about Google Map Maker, I immediately joined and found its interface very intuitive and user-friendly. I love the feeling of putting together something that would be useful to many people.”

Manuel added that he will continue to edit maps because there are still many unmapped areas in the Philippines.

Angeles City, Pampanga, Central Luzon, Philippines.

Bulua, Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental, North Mindanao, Philippines.

Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, Central Visayas, Philippines.

Sources:
Asian Journal: The Filipino American Community Newspaper
(http://www.asianjournal.com/galing-pinoy/)

Google
(http://www.google.com/help/mapmaker/competitions/)

TAO-Pilipinas Launches GSDI Project

TAO-Pilipinas is conducting a project entitled "Assessing the Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) Needs of NGO’s and LGU’s in the Philippines" in partnership with Global Spatial Data Infrastructure (GSDI) Association.

The project will conduct a Technology Needs-Assessment Survey among Philippine-based NGOs to be able to recommend steps for the development and use of GIT- and SDI based services. The result of the project is aimed towards a more efficient means of data sharing and data use for the improvement of NGO-led development work in the Philippines.

TAO-Pilipinas, Inc. is a women-led, non-stock, non-profit, non-government organization established in 2001 that provides technical assistance to urban and rural poor communities in the physical planning, development, and management of their communities. It is based in Quezon City, Metro Manila. The GSDI Association promotes international cooperation and collaboration in support of local, national and international spatial data infrastructure developments that will allow nations to better address social, economic, and environmental issues of pressing importance.


Related links:
TAO Pilipinas - http://www.tao-pilipinas.org/
GSDI - http://www.gsdi.org/