A set of procedures for geographical information system analysis of wildlife-related problem areas associated with Virginia National Parks is presented. Analyses of both faunal and floral topics were made. The procedures presented address (1) evaluation of habitat resources available for reintroduction of bobcat (Lynx rufus); (2) mapping of avian species richness, (3) impacts of park boundary development on forest-interior bird species, and (4) identification of areas Suitable for threatened and endangered species (e.g., the small whorled pogonia, Isotria medeoloides). The GRASS GIS was used for the analyses. Inputs included data on elevation, slope, soils, landuse/landcover, roads, and hydrography. The procedures are built upon standard GIS techniques (e.g., overlays and “buffer” zones) and should be applicable to the mapping of habitat, species richness, and other information for various taxa in other resource areas. / Master of Science

This thesis proposes the use of an Advanced Engineering Geographical Information System (AEGIS) for the improved design of onshore pipelines, from concept to operation. The system is novel in that it is function rather than discipline or software specific. The thesis statement has been developed, and an aim and set of research objectives identified (along with the success criteria for the evaluation of the system), based on a review of current pipeline design methods. Drawing on a design science research methodology (DSRM), the thesis proposes the development of the system as an artefact in order to validate the proposed constructs, models, methods and implementations. The thesis discusses the underlying issues of data interoperability, the application of open data standards, and the integration of computer aided design (CAD) and geographical information systems (GIS). These challenges are addressed in the thesis and demonstrated through the implementation of the system. To support the development of the system, research was undertaken in the fields of pipeline engineering, environmental engineering and engineering design. As part of this research, a number of peer-reviewed journal papers were published, and conference papers presented in Kampala, Houston, London and Split. These papers covered the key fields contained in the thesis including, fluid mechanics, bio-systems engineering, environmental engineering, CAD/GIS integration (CGI), and the application and development of geospatial pipeline data models. The thesis concludes that the approach is valid, offering significant improvement across all fields compared to the current method of pipeline design. By taking a functional approach to the challenges of the design of pipelines, a system has been developed that addresses the requirements of the pipeline engineer, environmental engineer and engineering designer. The system enables the user to select the software of their choice, thereby reducing the problems associated with data interoperability, retraining and system integration. The sharing of data and outputs from analysis carried out within the system, provides an integrated approach, which can subsequently be used for the integrity management of the pipeline during the operational phase of the project. The scope for further development of this approach to pipeline design is also discussed. In addition to the inclusion of further engineering and environmental analysis, there is the potential for using the system for the design of subsea pipelines.

The main purpose of this research is to incorporate additional higher-level semantics into the existing data replication strategies in such a way that their flexibility and performance can be improved in favour of both data providers and consumers. The resulting approach from this research is referred to as the selective data replication system. With this system, the data that has been updated by a data provider is captured and batched into messages known as update notifications. Once update notifications are received by data consumers, they are used to evaluate so-called update policies, which are specified by data consumers containing details on when data replications need to occur and what data needs to be updated during the replications.

By dealing with aspects of coastal aquaculture and resources management, an analysis is herein presented at the macro-scale using GIS techniques for the coastal zone of Tabasco state, and at the micro-scale with the description of the characteristics of a coastal community located in the Mecoacan estuary. Transfer of appropriate aquaculture technologies and introduction of sustainable farming systems are major challenges. The total area identified for aquaculture development through the GIS modelling accounted for 23 462 ha, 80% of which were located in the Centla Biosphere Reserve (Centla and Macuspana). The suitable area identified through the multi-criteria evaluation provided a structure in which requirements for aquaculture development could be met. An analysis of the fanning systems in the Mecoacan estuary was carried out to understand local attitudes, capabilities and processes and evaluate whether the potential identified by the GIS modelling can be realised. The results from participatory assessments showed that conditions within Mecoacan cooperatives have deteriorated and increasing interest in restructuring the organisations is regarded as a means of integrating employment and income generation alternatives such as aquaculture practices, to support and improve current levels of fisheries production, and to achieve gains in market development. The analysis of the economics of Mecoacan fishermen suggests that rural problems have not yet been engaged in progressive policies. It seems that previous forms of governance have been maintained to shore up power instead of laying the groundwork for viable rural production, as it is clear that some fishermen are competitive while others are not, regardless of whether or not they are associated in cooperatives. The large-scale exploitation of resources, degradation of the environment and increased conflict over resources in coastal communities suggest the need of an integrated multi-sectoral approach. A strategy towards an integrated coastal management for Tabasco coastal zone is discussed, including those related to aquaculture development.

This thesis investigates the use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) mapping in UN Peace Operations. On the one hand, GIS use has been assumed to increase the efficiency and coordination of multi-dimensional peace missions. On the other, the Western universalist epistemology underlying GIS is thought to render its application, particularly in non-Western contexts neo-colonialist. These two framings of GIS as either inherently scientifically progressive or politically oppressive are over-deterministic. I argue that the politics of GIS use is contingent upon the ways in which understandings of the map are negotiated in practice. As an ethnographic study of three UN GIS mapping sites (a field mission in Timor-Leste, the Cartographic Section at the UN headquarters, and the GIS Center at the UN Logistics Base), drawing on interviews with practitioners, the thesis gives an account of a) the role of GIS in the field mission, b) GIS practitioners’ management of the technology and their everyday interaction with their clients, and c) its organization within the United Nations. In the thesis I conceptualize an epistemological fault between the professional communities of mappers and their clients which organizes GIS use. This fault separates those who understand the map as political abstract model from those who see it as a mere image of the world. As a consequence, it also separates those who understand mapping as a political practice from those who see it as mere matter of logistics. The meaning and organization of GIS use is thus contingent upon how these different understandings are contested or affirmed in the interaction between mappers and clients. Overall, this thesis emphasizes the role of understanding technology, space and logistics in the context of the politics of Peace Operations.

Não consta resumo na publicação. / Abstract not available.

Mobile Geographical Information Systems are becoming a more and more important tool for presenting geographical data. They are used to support decision making processes, present an overview of distributed information or are in a form of location based services. The problem lies in the fact that mobile devices have limited resources and should still be able to present massive amounts of content. Ideally, the user and the conditions in which the program runs are well defined, but this is usually not the case. This thesis provides a sample prototype implementation of a mobile GIS developed as an alternative to an existing web-based user interface (UI). It focuses on specific conditions present on mobile devices, ways of presenting the data and possibilities of reusing existing elements from the web UI that could be suitable for the mobile environment.

Tunas are the ocean highly migratory species, Taiwan is the top countries of the tropical tunas fishery in the Indian Ocean, and the tropical tunas are the main target species of our country in Indian Ocean. There were no systematic arrangement of large-scale tuna longline fishery in the past. While assessing the resource assessment, there are only few information included and discussed .The Purpose of this research based on the large-scale fishing vessels¡¦ logbooks, and analyzed the catch, CPUE and fishing effort of tropical tuna longline vessels with geographical information system. Discuss the dynamic patterns of tropical tuna vessels, and try to research the factors influencing the vessels activities. The research focus on the whole Indian Ocean, and utilizes the geographical information system to analyze and research CPUE from 1970 to 2007(38 years) with annual tropical tuna catch. Then, select the steady times of the fishery activities from 1999 to 2003 and carry on the analysis of catch data. Second, choose the first 20 fishing vessels of annual Yellow-fin tunas and Big-eye tunas with largest catch in this period, regard these as the representative researching vessels. According to the navigation route of each vessel, the results of the analysis are derived: 4 patterns of Yellow-fin tuna, 3 patterns of Big-eye tuna. On the whole, there are 5 routes of Taiwan fishing boat of tuna longline fishing vessels in the Indian Ocean: 1. The fishing vessels go back to the equator across Arabian Sea from the equator. 2. The fishing vessels go back to the equator across southern Indian Ocean from Arabian Sea. 3. The fishing vessels go back to the equator across the Bay of Bengal from the equator. 4. The fishing vessels go back to the equator across the southern Indian Ocean from the equator and stay near the equator during the whole year. Finally, conclude that tuna longline fishery of Taiwan target tropical tunas in the Indian Ocean are dominated by factors such as international fish price, climate, walrus and the relationship with fishery cooperative countries, etc.. These factors lead to the 5 kinds of vessel dynamic ways in the Indian Ocean.

RENR 405 GIS Environmental Problem Solving is a course offered at Texas A

The use of co-ordinates as a description of land boundaries and their limitations has been investigated given recent advances in GPS measurement technology and its proliferation in the surveying and mapping industry. While the use of coordinate information is in essence a representation of reality at a given point in time, it is shown that they can be used within a well-defined framework for summary purposes. The conceptual and operational elements of a measurement-based spatial information system are developed in order to determine if it could aid in the organisation of land boundary information. The fundamental concepts of this information system are that measurements are the primary carriers of metric information. The investigation reveals that measurement-based concepts can serve as the foundation of a multi-purpose spatial information system. Increasing instrument precisions available to surveyors are providing quality measurements with decreasing uncertainties from standard daily operations. Much of this measurement information is in digital form and can provide useful additions of new information as and when they become available to the system. Control measurements are integrated into the system in the same manner as cadastral measurements. The addition of measurements increases the accuracy of the information system over time. The concept of a local controlled area and surface movement indicators are briefly covered relating to geo-movements of cadastral evidence. Some issues surrounding the historical foundations of geodetic datums are studied as they provides a basis of knowledge of where future spatial information developments may occur given current understandings and technological ability. A review of International and Australian measurement systems is presented. In this context, issues surrounding GPS traceability are explored as a means of demonstrating conformance with suitably recognised quantities of length and time. Discussion is held on the legal acceptance of measurements and reviews rules of evidence questioning the term geographical position used in Australian courts. An investigative study into rural property boundary surveys for subdivision purposes has been undertaken to provide comparative discussion on issues of changing methods and evolving technology approaches to the measurement challenges using GPS techniques.