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Geomatics
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GIS Open Source Software Applied to Geosciences
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GIS Open Source Software Applied to Geosciences

A special issue of Geomatics (ISSN 2673-7418).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 August 2023) | Viewed by 26697

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Ana Cláudia Teodoro

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Department of Geosciences, Environment and Land Planning, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, 4169007 Porto, Portugal
2. Institute of Earth Sciences (ICT)-Porto Pole, University of Porto, 4169007 Porto, Portugal
Interests: remote sensing; image processing; environmental applications; geologic applications; GIS
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Lia Bárbara Cunha Barata Duarte

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
2. Institute of Earth Sciences, University of Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
Interests: GIS; GIS open source applications; spatial management; land use planning; spatial analysis
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Digital mapping in the geosciences world is far from ending. Open source GIS applications are experiencing a relevant expansion with many developers and scientists around the world collaborating in the development of new applications in the GIS area, in academic and professional contexts. GIS software is an essential solution to visualize, analyze, and manipulate geospatial data, and, combined with emerging technologies, is becoming critical in solving real-world problems.

This Special Issue of Geomatics will address the implementation and use of open source GIS applications for geospatial analysis in several areas, such as climate change, environment, biology, health, risk, landscape, and ecology, among others.  As well as the development of new web-based GIS solutions, which have led to easier ways to disseminate geospatial information to any user and GIS mobile applications, a powerful technology which improves the quality and speed of data collection simplifying the collaboration between field and office.

The scope of this Special Issue includes the following:

  • The implementation of new methodologies in GIS open source applications
  • The application of GIS open source tools in several areas: environment, health, and climate change, among others
  • The implementation of databases such as PostGIS or other in GIS open source applications
  • GIS technologies to manipulate big data
  • Web-based GIS solutions
  • Real-time data collection

Dr. Ana Cláudia Teodoro
Dr. Lia Bárbara Cunha Barata Duarte
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Geomatics is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1000 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Open source GIS applications
  • Open geospatial data
  • GIS databases
  • Big data
  • Web-based GIS applications

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 2143 KiB  
Article
A Planning Support System for Monitoring Aging Neighborhoods in Germany
by Markus Schaffert, Dominik Warch and Hartmut Müller
Geomatics 2024, 4(1), 66-80; https://doi.org/10.3390/geomatics4010004 - 09 Feb 2024
Viewed by 630
Abstract
Many single-family homes built in Germany in the first decades following the Second World War are now occupied by elderly residents. If local conditions are unfavorable, a large number of these buildings may enter the real estate market in a short period of [...] Read more.
Many single-family homes built in Germany in the first decades following the Second World War are now occupied by elderly residents. If local conditions are unfavorable, a large number of these buildings may enter the real estate market in a short period of time and put pressure on the local housing market. Planners and decision-makers therefore need detailed spatiotemporal information about these neighborhoods to effectively address and counteract such developments. We present the design and implementation of a planning support system that can generate the required information. The architecture of this newly developed software consists of a composite, multitier framework to perform the complex tasks of data importation, data processing, and visualization. Legally mandated municipal population registers provide the key data for the calculation of indicators as a base for spatiotemporal analyses and visualizations. These registers offer high data quality in terms of completeness, logical consistency, spatial, and temporal and thematic accuracy. We demonstrate the implemented method using population data from a local government in a rural area in southwestern Germany. The results show that the new tool, which relies on open software components, is capable to identify and prioritize areas with particularly high levels of problem pressure. The tool can be used not only for analyses in a local context, but also at a regional level. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue GIS Open Source Software Applied to Geosciences)
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19 pages, 12361 KiB  
Article
Beyond the Tide: A Comprehensive Guide to Sea-Level-Rise Inundation Mapping Using FOSS4G
by Levente Juhász, Jinwen Xu and Randall W. Parkinson
Geomatics 2023, 3(4), 522-540; https://doi.org/10.3390/geomatics3040028 - 28 Nov 2023
Viewed by 1199
Abstract
Sea-level rise (SLR) is a critical consequence of climate change, posing significant threats to coastal regions worldwide. Accurate and efficient assessment of potential inundation areas is crucial for effective coastal planning and adaptation strategies. This study aimed to explore the utility of free [...] Read more.
Sea-level rise (SLR) is a critical consequence of climate change, posing significant threats to coastal regions worldwide. Accurate and efficient assessment of potential inundation areas is crucial for effective coastal planning and adaptation strategies. This study aimed to explore the utility of free and open-source software for geospatial (FOSS4G) tools for mapping SLR inundation, providing cost-effective solutions that are accessible to researchers and policymakers. We employed a combination of geospatial data, including high-resolution elevation models, tidal data, and projected SLR scenarios. Utilizing widely available FOSS4G tools, like QGIS, GDAL/OGR, and GRASS GIS, we developed an integrated workflow to map inundation extents, using a passive bathtub approach for various SLR scenarios. We demonstrate the approach through a case study in Virginia Key, Florida, however, the methodology can be replicated in any area where the input datasets are available. This paper demonstrates that FOSS4G tools offer a reliable and accessible means to map SLR inundation, empowering stakeholders to assess coastal vulnerabilities and to devise sustainable adaptation measures. The open-source approach facilitates collaboration and reproducibility, fostering a comprehensive understanding of the potential impacts of SLR on coastal ecosystems and communities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue GIS Open Source Software Applied to Geosciences)
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13 pages, 7644 KiB  
Article
Applying a Geographic Information System and Other Open-Source Software to Geological Mapping and Modeling: History and Case Studies
by Mauro De Donatis and Giulio Fabrizio Pappafico
Geomatics 2023, 3(4), 465-477; https://doi.org/10.3390/geomatics3040025 - 13 Oct 2023
Viewed by 1161
Abstract
Open-source software applications, especially those useful for GIS, have been used in the field of geology both in research and teaching at the University of Urbino for decades. The experiences described in this article range from land-surveying cases to cartographic processing and 3D [...] Read more.
Open-source software applications, especially those useful for GIS, have been used in the field of geology both in research and teaching at the University of Urbino for decades. The experiences described in this article range from land-surveying cases to cartographic processing and 3D printing of geological models. History of their use and development is punctuated by trials, failures, and slowdowns, but the idea of using digital tools in areas where they are traditionally frowned upon, such as in soil geology, is now rooted in and validated by applications in projects of various types. Although the current situation is not definitive, given that the evolution of information technology provides increasingly faster tools that are performance-oriented and easier to use, this article aims to contribute to the development of methodologies through an exchange of information and experiences. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue GIS Open Source Software Applied to Geosciences)
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14 pages, 4083 KiB  
Article
Cloud Optimized Raster Encoding (CORE): A Web-Native Streamable Format for Large Environmental Time Series
by Ionuț Iosifescu Enescu, Lucia de Espona, Dominik Haas-Artho, Rebecca Kurup Buchholz, David Hanimann, Marius Rüetschi, Dirk Nikolaus Karger, Gian-Kasper Plattner, Martin Hägeli, Christian Ginzler, Niklaus E. Zimmermann and Loïc Pellissier
Geomatics 2021, 1(3), 369-382; https://doi.org/10.3390/geomatics1030021 - 18 Aug 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 5573
Abstract
The Environmental Data Portal EnviDat aims to fuse data publication repository functionalities with next-generation web-based environmental geospatial information systems (web-EGIS) and Earth Observation (EO) data cube functionalities. User requirements related to mapping and visualization represent a major challenge for current environmental data portals. [...] Read more.
The Environmental Data Portal EnviDat aims to fuse data publication repository functionalities with next-generation web-based environmental geospatial information systems (web-EGIS) and Earth Observation (EO) data cube functionalities. User requirements related to mapping and visualization represent a major challenge for current environmental data portals. The new Cloud Optimized Raster Encoding (CORE) format enables an efficient storage and management of gridded data by applying video encoding algorithms. Inspired by the cloud optimized GeoTIFF (COG) format, the design of CORE is based on the same principles that enable efficient workflows on the cloud, addressing web-EGIS visualization challenges for large environmental time series in geosciences. CORE is a web-native streamable format that can compactly contain raster imagery as a data hypercube. It enables simultaneous exchange, preservation, and fast visualization of time series raster data in environmental repositories. The CORE format specifications are open source and can be used by other platforms to manage and visualize large environmental time series. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue GIS Open Source Software Applied to Geosciences)
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12 pages, 5895 KiB  
Article
Bathymetric Survey for Enhancing the Volumetric Capacity of Tagwai Dam in Nigeria via Leapfrogging Approach
by Pius Onoja Ibrahim and Harald Sternberg
Geomatics 2021, 1(2), 246-257; https://doi.org/10.3390/geomatics1020014 - 02 May 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3805
Abstract
From a global perspective, dams are constructed to trap water flowing from a higher concentration to a lower concentration into a basin for several purposes to aid humanity. The continuous monitoring of dams is prudent for measuring the rate of sedimentation and siltation, [...] Read more.
From a global perspective, dams are constructed to trap water flowing from a higher concentration to a lower concentration into a basin for several purposes to aid humanity. The continuous monitoring of dams is prudent for measuring the rate of sedimentation and siltation, and to ensure that it functions to its full capacity. The Tagwai dam is used for irrigation and domestic activities. It was observed that there is a shortage in its storage capacity and supplies due to sedimentation, and coupled with this is the fact that the majority of the communities are not connected to the tap water system; if not, the problem would have been evidently pronounced. However, to determine the present volume of water and provide possible ways of increasing the reservoir’s storage capacity, the leapfrogging approach was used to improve the basin. The data were collected using a single beam echosounder and Hi-Target V30 differential global positioning system (DGPS). The sounder was used to acquire bathymetric data, while the DGPS was used to delineate the shoreline. The data were interpolated using the ordinary Kriging technique. After that, the leapfrogging method was grouped into four scenarios: Scenario A, B, C, and D. In each stage, the volume was computed using Simpson’s 3/8 integrated model. Scenario A is the present stage of the reservoir. Consequently, the results show that, while scenario B and C presented an appreciable increase in volume at the instant, scenario D illustrated a tremendous improvement in the storage capacity, and it is a win-win situation. The decision on which leapfrogging approach to employ depends on the government’s willingness to enhance the reservoir’s capacity and the resources available, such as human and financial capital to execute the project. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue GIS Open Source Software Applied to Geosciences)
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15 pages, 3465 KiB  
Article
Forest Fire Spreading Using Free and Open-Source GIS Technologies
by Michele Mangiameli, Giuseppe Mussumeci and Annalisa Cappello
Geomatics 2021, 1(1), 50-64; https://doi.org/10.3390/geomatics1010005 - 25 Jan 2021
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 5119
Abstract
Forest fires are one of the most dangerous events, causing serious land and environmental degradation. Indeed, besides the loss of a huge quantity of plant species, the effects of fires can go far beyond: desertification, increased risk of landslides, soil erosion, death of [...] Read more.
Forest fires are one of the most dangerous events, causing serious land and environmental degradation. Indeed, besides the loss of a huge quantity of plant species, the effects of fires can go far beyond: desertification, increased risk of landslides, soil erosion, death of animals, etc. For these reasons, mathematical models able to predict fire spreading are needed in order to organize and optimize the extinguishing interventions during fire emergencies. This work presents a new system to simulate and predict the movement of the fire front based on free and open source Geographic Information System (GIS) technologies and the Rothermel surface fire spread model, with the adjustments made by Albini. We describe the mathematical models used, provide an overview of the GIS design and implementation, and present the results of some simulations at Etna volcano (Sicily, Italy), characterized by high geomorphological heterogeneity, and where the native flora and fauna may be preserved and perpetuated. The results consist of raster maps representing the progress times of the fire front starting from an ignition point and as a function of the topography and wind directions. The reliability of results is strictly affected by the correct positioning of the fire ignition point, by the accuracy of the topography that describes the morphology of the territory, and by the setting of the meteorological conditions at the moment of the ignition and propagation of the fire. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue GIS Open Source Software Applied to Geosciences)
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Review

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40 pages, 3546 KiB  
Review
GIS Open-Source Plugins Development: A 10-Year Bibliometric Analysis on Scientific Literature
by Lia Duarte and Ana Cláudia Teodoro
Geomatics 2021, 1(2), 206-245; https://doi.org/10.3390/geomatics1020013 - 28 Apr 2021
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 6608
Abstract
The advent of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) has changed the way people think and interact with the world. The main objectives of this paper are: (i) to provide an overview of 10 years (2010–2020) regarding the creation/development of GIS open-source applications; and (ii) [...] Read more.
The advent of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) has changed the way people think and interact with the world. The main objectives of this paper are: (i) to provide an overview of 10 years (2010–2020) regarding the creation/development of GIS open-source applications; and (ii) to evaluate the GIS open-source plugins for environmental science. In the first objective, we evaluate the publications regarding the development of GIS open-source geospatial software in the last 10 years, considering desktop, web GIS and mobile applications, so that we can analyze the impact of this type of application for different research areas. In the second objective, we analyze the development of GIS open-source applications in the field of environmental sciences (with more focus on QGIS plugins) in the last 10 years and discuss the applicability and usability of these GIS solutions in different environmental domains. A bibliometric analysis was performed using Web of Science database and VOSViewer software. We concluded that, in general, the development of GIS open-source applications has increased in the last 10 years, especially GIS mobile applications, since the big data and Internet of Things (IoT) era, which was expected given the new advanced technologies available in every area, especially in GIS. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue GIS Open Source Software Applied to Geosciences)
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