Citation
James, L. Allan; Walsh, Stephen J.; & Bishop, Michael P. (2012). Geospatial Technologies and Geomorphological Mapping. Geomorphology, 137(1), 1-4.Abstract
The 41st International Binghamton Geomorphology Symposium (BGS) was hosted by the USC Geography Department at the University of South Carolina (USC), Columbia from October 15th to 17th, 2010. The BGS was convened to address the applications and capabilities of modern mapping technology and geospatial analyses to geomorphic science. The scientific basis for generating and understanding modern digital geomorphic mapping (DGM) was examined. For the sake of the symposium, the concept of DGM was interpreted broadly to extend well beyond static two- and three-dimensional digital representations. DGM is used here to include three-dimensionally distributed geo-referenced databases, the capabilities of dynamic visualization and virtual reality, remote sensing technologies and applications, geomorphometry and digital terrain modeling, landscape evolution models and other geospatial modeling systems, information-extraction technologies, and a variety of other modern subfields.No previous BGS has specifically addressed the topic of geomorphic mapping and modern geospatial techniques. Nor, to our knowledge, has any other dedicated geomorphic conference. The time seemed right, therefore, for an integration and synthesis in this field. The need for standardized DGM data structures, tools, analytical protocols, visualization symbology, and reporting errors is growing rapidly as data and analytical systems proliferate. Digital systems that provide data and tools for geomorphic analysis and visualization, which may be referred to as geomorphic decision support systems (GDSS), are becoming more common. Even more common are broad-based decision-support systems (DSS) and spatial data clearinghouses that provide geomorphic data and analytical software along with other applications. These resources may provide spatial data and toolboxes that can be accessed remotely and used by a wide range of clients varying in technical or geomorphic training and proficiency. Thus, a coming together of scholars, scientists, and technicians, who routinely develop, provide, and use these data and products, is timely for the purpose of discussing standard procedures and formats and modern capabilities and limitations of these rapidly changing technologies.
URL
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2011.06.002Reference Type
Journal ArticleYear Published
2012Journal Title
GeomorphologyAuthor(s)
James, L. AllanWalsh, Stephen J.
Bishop, Michael P.