Inspecting map compilation in earth sciences for better communication

The use of thematic cartography in earth sciences is a frequent task for researchers when publishing. When creating a map, researchers intend to communicate important spatial information that enhances, supplements or replaces textual content. Not only visual but substantial requirements exist for those who create maps. Cartographic visualisation has several well-established rules that must be taken into account during compilation, but not all researchers apply them correctly. The present study aims to identify the factors determining the quality of geoscientific maps and what needs to be improved during a map compilation process. To get to know the tendencies, we have investigated maps in designated journals – one Hungarian and one international per earth science branch: geography, cartography, geology, geophysics, and meteorology. A system of criteria was set up for evaluating the maps objectively; basic rules of cartography, quality of visual representation, and copyright rules were investigated. The results show that better map quality is connected to journals with strict editorial rules and higher impact factors. This assessment method is suitable for analysing any kind of spatial visual representation, and individual map-composing authors can use it for evaluating their maps before submission and publication.

Application of computer technologies and their potential to develop geophysical mapping

The author describes four main work directions of creating geophysical maps using modern software, represented by specialized systems (SSS) and geographic information ones (GIS). The technological features of data processing practice stages and creating geophysical fields’ digital models, the compilation and designing geophysical maps’ thematic content as results of geological and geophysical works are considered. The main tasks of combined use of GIS and SSS tools were identified. To overcome these shortcomings, additional tools were developed for ArcGIS, as the leading system in the oil and gas industry. They ensure the preservation of design parameters for color scales adopted in the SSS; automatic calculation of the labels’ rotation angle to the objects of point localization; maintaining the layer structure of map projects at exporting to publishing program formats. The solutions considered in the article can be applied for compilation and design of isoline maps in some other areas of thematic cartography, and can also contribute to improving the cartographic component of domestic geological and geophysical software products and geographic information systems.

TECHNIQUES OF GEOMATICS AND SOFT COMPUTING FOR THE MONITORING OF UNSAFE BUILDINGS

The proposed research activity is part of the conservation of cultural heritage and is based on the study and development of advanced techniques for monitoring, inspecting and mapping building cracks in order to obtain and constantly update the state of building safety through a GIS platform. The data collection (initial and periodic) is one of the most important phases of the monitoring process and allows us to obtain information about the integrity of the buildings, essential in order to plan future design and intervention choices. This operation can be carried out both through traditional tools (3D laser scanners, GNSS receivers, motorized total station) and innovative tools (such as remote sensing or UAVs). The goal of the research was the design and construction of an innovative automated system for monitoring and continuous data acquisition (big data). Furthermore, we have implemented algorithms dedicated to the management of the amount of georeferenced data (big data) acquired. We optimized their representation on GIS (Geographic Information System) platforms in order to obtain an “open and updatable” thematic cartography, and set up a sort of Cadastre of unsafe buildings in the village of Casalvecchio Siculo (possibly extended to other villages in the future). This is intended (in our application) as an updatable IT tool for archiving, viewing, querying and managing all the data that the municipality and the regions have on their own villages. In it, it will be possible to represent the elements inherent to the geometric characteristics of the buildings, their relevance, the state of the cracks, the interventions carried out in the most important historic buildings and the systems created, having databases available that allow quick selective searches by topics.

Techniques of Geomatics and Soft Computing for the Monitoring of Infrastructures and the Management of Big Data

The proposed research activity is based on the study and development of advanced survey and monitoring techniques for the control and mapping of road infrastructures. Specifically, we want to create an automated monitoring system mainly through the use of drones that at pre-established time steps acquire the data necessary for the continuous monitoring of the functional characteristics of the road infrastructure and the public usability of dynamic data. Subsequently, through the implementation of algorithms dedicated to the management of the amount of georeferenced data acquired - big data - the same will be represented on GIS (Geographic Information System) platforms as "open and updatable" thematic cartography, which can be integrated with further data collected both with of traditional Geomatics (GNSS receivers, motorized total station and 3D laser scanner) and innovative ones (remote sensing, Mobile Mapping Systems (road vehicles and UAVs)). This context also includes the establishment and updating of the Road Cadastre, introduced by the Ministerial Decree of 01/06/2001 No. 6, intended as an IT tool for archiving, viewing, querying and managing all the data that the body owner / manager owns on its own road network.

Multidimensional Conditions of the First Wave of the COVID-19 Epidemic in the Trans-Industrial Region. An Example of the Silesian Voivodeship in Poland

The successive phases of the global COVID-19 pandemic show some differences from the first wave in 2020. The most important of these is some experience in responding to its spread and in applying vaccines. However, new, more aggressive variants of COVID-19 mean that the pandemic is often taking on the nature of the one experienced by societies a year ago. So, the knowledge about the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic is still up-to-date—significantly where the essential determinants of its spread have not changed. The article presents the Silesian Voivodeship case in Southern Poland, distinguished by different geographical conditions compared to the entire country. The authors showed the relationship between the spread of the COVID-19 epidemic and the characteristic attributes of the analysed area (post-)mining functions or urban shrinkage. The article conducted a dependence study using the Pearson correlation coefficient and the signs table method. In turn, the authors used thematic cartography to present the results of the analysis. It turned out that two attributes, namely (post-)mining and urban shrinkage, are essential in spreading the epidemic with the region analysed. This conclusion may be essential in implementing national and regional policies related to reducing the COVID-19 pandemic. However, a limitation in the scope of the presented applications is the fact that mining regions, such as the Silesian (Śląskie) Voivodeship, are currently less numerous in the world than, for example, those that develop based on services.

Geographies of Child Adoption in Greece During the Economic Crisis (2011-2018): Spatial Thinking of Inequalities, Trends, and Policies

This paper aims to investigate an area previously unexplored by human geographers: the spatial and sociodemographic structure of adoptions in Greece during the economic crisis. The main purpose is twofold: (a) to examine potential inequalities emerging either from the gender and age of the adopted child or from the spatial distribution of the children and (b) to capture agglomeration or dispersion clusters of adoptions in Greece. The study employed panel data across the 13 regions of Greece for the period 2011-2018. To detect inequalities in adoptions, demographic and spatial indicators were used as well as specific inequality measures via statistical computing (R). Through thematic cartography and spatial analysis methods, the proximity effects in child adoption during the economic crisis were examined. The results led to the conclusion that crisis periods dramatically affect the rates of child adoption. Both gender and spatial inequalities were intertemporal and particularly high. Greece is marked by uneven geographies calling for new policy measures. Thus, the present paper could serve as a basis for an ‘adoption observatory’ in Greece.

Do Different Map Types Support Map Reading Equally? Comparing Choropleth, Graduated Symbols, and Isoline Maps for Map Use Tasks

It is acknowledged that various types of thematic maps emphasize different aspects of mapped phenomena and thus support different map users’ tasks. To provide empirical evidence, a user study with 366 participants was carried out comparing three map types showing the same input data. The aim of the study is to compare the effect of using choropleth, graduated symbols, and isoline maps to solve basic map user tasks. Three metrics were examined: two performance metrics (answer accuracy and time) and one subjective metric (difficulty). The results showed that the performance metrics differed between the analyzed map types, and better performances were recorded using the choropleth map. It was also proven that map users find the most commonly applied type of the map, choropleth map, as the easiest. In addition, the subjective metric matched the performance metrics. We conclude with the statement that the choropleth map can be a sufficient solution for solving various tasks. However, it should be remembered that making this type of map correctly may seem easy, but it is not. Moreover, we believe that the richness of thematic cartography should not be abandoned, and work should not be limited to one favorable map type only.

Assessing the Existing Vegetation Around Abandoned Mining Areas With Potentially Toxic Heavy Metals

In abandoned mining areas, heavy metals may exist. Those heavy metals can cause physical consequences and death. Through the use of geographic information systems (GIS), the environmental diagnosis of vegetation potentially affected by the presence of very toxic heavy metals in abandoned mining areas in Extremadura was conducted. Initially, graphic and alphanumeric information was obtained from numerous sources, and the geospatial database generated was analyzed, allowing the location of abandoned mines. Subsequently, the mines were classified according to the degree of toxicity of the heavy metals that had been exploited. Then, taking into account the mines whose heavy metals were considered very toxic, a geospatial analysis was performed using concentric buffers at 1, 5, 10, 20, 40, and 60 kilometres. The results obtained made it possible to obtain thematic cartography representative of the areas potentially affected. The proportion of vegetation potentially affected, has been classified according to the existing vegetation series and climatic belts.

HISTORY OF AUGMENTED REALITY AND FURTHER TRENDS OF ITS USE IN CARTOGRAPHY

The article is devoted to the application of augmented reality (Augment Reality, AR) technologies in cartography. A review of the main stages of the formation of technologies and significant achievements in various spheres of human activity is carried out. An overview of the manufacturers of devices and technologies holding leading positions in the augmented reality market is made. Two main directions of AR application in cartography are highlighted: expansion of analog maps and improvement of navigation applications. A comparative analysis of navigation cartographic applications with augmented reality from the point of view of their functionality is given. A scheme of the use of AR technology in cartography is given, in which marker-based, markerless and spatial variants of augmented reality technology are considered. The conclusion about the need for wider introduction of augmented reality technologies into thematic cartography is made.