The development of integrated geo-information systems

Abstract

The paper provides a review of research and development in the field of integrated geo-information systems (IGIS) in general and at the Natural Environment Research Council's Thematic Information Service in particular. Advanced data-structures based on quadtrees are emphasized and tesseral addressing techniques and intelligent knowledge-based system approaches introduced. The paper first identifies how digital cartography and remote sensing have developed and merged within the IGIS concept. Recognition of the need for IGIS systems has stimulated research which increasingly is being based on hierarchical data models and incorporating knowledge-based programming techniques. A number of relevant research programmes are reviewed before presenting a more detailed description of NERC research into spatial data-base design, spatial addressing and arithmetic, knowledge-based image segmentation and classification and an expert system for map and graphic output. The paper concludes by identifying those key areas of IGIS design and development which require continued research priority.