The Future of Geospatial Data Management: A Natural Resource Perspective
Burley, T.E., and Peine, J.D., 2010, The Future of Geospatial Data Management: A Natural Resource Perspective, GeoWorld, v.23, no. 7, p. 20-23.
Do you know where your data are or how they came to be? This question has been pondered by nearly everyone working in natural-resource management. Spatial data, in particular, are being collected at a significant rate, and an increasing number of sources are freely available. Geospatial tools and technology that were “cutting edge” 10 years ago now are expected as a component of most natural-resource studies. And an increased realization that spatial data are unique and valuable has shaped the types of data and information used in decision making.New types of geospatial data and information have led to exciting approaches to resource-management issues. These new geospatial data and information come with many considerations, such as spatial accuracy, projection and datum, field methods, and electronic formats. Although GIS and GPS technology greatly contribute to improved resource management and decision making, such tools don’t automatically lead to greater efficiency and effectiveness. When these tools are used without careful pre-planning, the ability to capitalize on their potential is lost or greatly diminished. Data deficiencies resulting from poor data documentation and overall data management shortcomings can greatly reduce the value and utility of spatial data, and impede the ability to address natural-resource management issues in the most effective manner. …
For full text of the article, click here.
Related Articles
- GeoData Policy: FGDC Briefing on Geospatial Platform and OMB Circular A-16 Supplemental Guidance (geodatapolicy.wordpress.com)
How does the cloud enable advanced analysis against massive volumes of data?
Image via Wikipedia
Big Data: Advancing the Art of Analytics
Source: Federal News Radio, October 20th, 2010 at 11 AM
The application of knowledge discovery within the cloud is immensely powerful, but not inbuilt. We are collectively moving past the question of “what is cloud computing“, and swiftly moving towards “how does the cloud enable advanced analysis against massive volumes of data?” With industry and government leveraging multiple clouds, how do we successfully share and search large collections of data across systems, departments, and geographies? Organizations will continue to discuss and better understand the analytic power and economies of cloud computing, in the sense of data storage, sharing, and management; but we are quickly discovering that creating knowledge from data is more than just a discussion of technology. It’s a discussion of what can be accomplished when massive data and cloud computing efficiencies combine to make advanced analysis and innovation possible.
For link to podcast, click here.
Panelists:
- Michael Byrne- Geographic Information Officer, Federal Communications Commission
- Jeff Jonas- Chief Scientist, IBM Entity Analytics Group
- David Mihelcic- Chief Technology Officer, Defense Information Systems Agency
- Chris Nissen- National Security Analysis Group, MITRE
- Mike Olson- Chief Executive Officer, Cloudera
Moderator: Chris Kelly – Senior Vice President, Booz Allen Hamilton
Building a National Spatial Data Infrastructure 2.0
In the United States, a lively discussion is emerging on the next generation of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure, with a focus on its governance and coordination. Below are links to articles, reports and editorials on this topic:
National Geospatial Advisory Council Reports
- NGAC Report: The Changing Geospatial Landscape [PDF 4.38 MB]
- NGAC Transition Recommendations [PDF]
- Recommendations Summary [July 2011, PDF]
- Proposal to Measure Progress Toward Realizing the NSDI Vision [PDF]
Federal Geographic Data Committee Reports and Presentations
- NSDI 2.0: Implementing Change, Challenges and Opportunities [Ivan Deloatch, October 2009]
- A History of Spatial Data Coordination [Milo Robinson, May 2008]
- National Spatial Data Infrastructure Webpage
2009 Proposals for a “National GIS”
- A Proposal for National Economic Recovery: An Investment in Geospatial Information Infrastructure Building a National GIS [Jack Dangermond, ESRI]
- A Concept for American Recovery and Reinvestment - NSDI 2.0: Powering our National Economy, Renewing our Infrastructure, Protecting our Environment [Jeff Harrison, John Moeller, Julia Harvell and others]
- A Proposal for Reinvigorating the American Economy Through Investment in the US National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) [Autodesk, Microsoft, Oracle, Google, Intergraph]
- Stimulus Proposal #4 – Funding the National Map [John Palatiello]
- A Strategic Framework for a National Spatial Data Infrastructure [NSGIC]
- Governance of the NSDI [Will Craig, President of NSGIC]
Commentary
- Mapping and Spatial Data: Infrastructures and Imagination (John Moeller, Communia Blog, Sept 6, 2011)
- Obama Should Finish What Nixon Failed to Do (Christopher Tucker, Directions Magazine, Oct 2, 2009)
- Is a National GIS on the map? (GCN, July 13, 2009)
- Update 9: ESRI Invites Support for GIS for the Nation as Part of Stimulus Bill
- Three Geospatial Proposals and U.S. Economic Stimulus: Background and Status (Directions Magazine, Feb 5, 2009)
- Landscape of National GIS (David G. Smith, February 1, 2009)
- A Second Proposal Regarding Geo and the Stimulus: NSDI 2.0 (All Points Blog, Directions Magazine, Jan 24, 2009)
- Grassroots Group Releases NSDI 2.0 Concept Paper (GISCafe, January 23, 2009)
- A Rebuttal to “Building a National GIS” (Sean Gorman, January 13, 2009)
NSDI Related Legislation and Hearings
Legislation:
- E-Government Act of 2002 (PL 107-347) See Section 216 – Common Protocols for Geographic Information Systems, as well as Hearing Transcript, House Report No. 107-787 , Part 1 (H.R. 2458), and Senate Reports No. 107-174 (S. 803)
Congressional Oversight Hearings:
-
House Committee on Government Reform, Subcommittee on Technology, Information Policy, Intergovernmental Relations and the Census (June 23, 2004) See GAO Testimony – “Geospatial Information: Better Coordination and Oversight Could Help Reduce Duplicative Investments“
-
House Committee on Government Reform, Subcommittee on Technology, Information Policy, Intergovernmental Relations and the Census (June 10, 2003) See GAO Testimony – “Geographic Information Systems: Challenges to Effective Data Sharing“
Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports to Congress:
- Geospatial Information and Geographic Information Systems (GIS): An Overview for Congress (CRS, May 18, 2011)
- Issues and Challenges for Federal Geospatial Information” (CRS, May 18, 201)
- Geospatial Information and Geograpahic Information Systems (GIS): Current Issues and Future Challenges (CRS, June 2009)
- Issues Regarding a National Land Parcel Database (CRS, July 2009)
Government Accountability Office (GAO) Reports to Congress and Testimony:
- Geographic Information Systems : Challenges to Effective Data Sharing (GAO-03-874T, June 2003) [Testimony]
- Geospatial Information: Better Coordination Needed To Identify and Reduce Duplicative Investments (GAO-04-743, June 2004) [Testimony]
- Geospatial Informaiton: Better Coordination Needed to Identify and Reduce Duplicative Investments (GAO-04-703, June 2004) [Report to Congressional Requesters]
Executive Orders, Regulations and Guidelines
Executive Orders:
- Executive Order 12906: Coordinating Geographic Data Acquisition and Access: The National Spatial Data Infrastructure
- Executive Order 13286, published in the March 5, 2003, edition of the Federal Register, Volume 68, Number 43, pp. 10619-10633 amended Executive Order 12906
OMB Circulars and Memos:
- OMB Circular A-16 Revised Coordination of Geographic Information and Related Spatial Data Activities
- OMB Circular A-130: Management of Federal Information Resources
- OMB Circular A-119: Federal Participation in the Development and Use of Voluntary Consensus Standards and in Conformity Assessment Activities
- OMB Memo M-09-28: Developing Effective Place-Based Policies for the FY2011 Budget
- OMB Memo M-06-07: Designation of a Senior Agency Official for Geospatial Information (President Bush)
NSDI-related Reports and Publications
National Academy of Public Administration Reports:
- Geographic Information for the 21st Century: Building a Strategy for the Nation (NAPA 98-01, January 1998)
- Legal Limits on Access to and Disclosure of Disaster Information (NAPA 99-09S, May 1999)
- Enabling Collaboration: Three Priorities for the New Administration (NAPA Jan 2009)
- Conversations with Leaders: Place-Based Public Management: A National Academy of Public Administration Initiative (NAPA 2011)
- Forum on Place-Based Public Management (May 2011)
National Academy of Sciences Reports (PDFs are now free; for full list of Mapping Science Committee reports click here):
- Land Parcel Data: A Vision for the Future (NAS 2007)
- Weaving a National Map: A Review of the U.S. Geological Survey Concept of the National Map (NAS 2003)
- National Spatial Data Infrastructure Partnership Programs: Rethinking the Focus (NAS 2001)
- A Data Foundation for the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NAS 1995)
- Promoting the National Spatial Data Infrastructure Through Partnerships (NAS 1994)
- Toward a Coordinated Spatial Data Infrastructure for the Nation (NAS 1993)
- Spatial Data Needs: The Future of the National Mapping Program (NAS 1990)
- Federal Surveying and Mapping: An Organizational Review (NAS 1981), including a summary of the Federal Mapping Task Force Report (OMB 1973).
Academic Studies:
-
A Policy Appraisal of the National Map, A Federal Program to Provide Basic Geospatial Data For the Nation (Maeve A. Boland, PhD Dissertation, 2005)
Earth Observation Governance, Priorities and Benefit to Society:
If you know of additional related documents or commentaries, please email us the links!
DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed in the links and resources listed above are not necessarily those of this blog site.
ABOUT
Disclaimer: This is a personal blog of links to relevant news, events, and reports, provided for educational purposes only. The opinions and views contained therein are those only of the authors of the original articles. These opinions do not necessarily reflect those of the editor of this blog; the Woodrow Wilson Center; the Science and Technology Innovation Program; its staff, scholars, or interns.
