Publicacions
Com citar aquest article: Marcer, Arnald; Pons, Xavier. "Park GIS Implementation," dins Proceedings of GIS PlaNET'98 International Conference and Exhibition on Geographic Information. 7-11 Setembre 1998. [CD-ROM]. Lisboa: [s.n.], 1998
KEYWORDS: Protected area, Management, Planning, Organization, GIS, Internet technology, intranet, Open system.
Since then, a management team, currently composed of 19 people, has been taking care of the park's natural resources. Among these stand out the geological structures of volcanic origin (cones, craters, lava beds, etc.), which are covered by a dense vegetation. The mild landscape modelled after centuries of human occupancy is also an asset of the park's interest. The declaration of the area as a natural park and the existence of a planning and management structure has led to a growing knowledge on the park's territory. This growing knowledge is materialized in an ever growing volume of data and information which the park's staff needs to analyze and process before taking the adequate decision in any management or planning issue.
In 1994, under the park's stewardship by the Department of the Environment of the Government of Catalonia, it became clear that GIS technology could be used to help in the decision-making process of park management and planning. Several years of experience in GIS technology at the Department of the Environment and the availability of GISs that could be handled by desktop computers (i.e., by the park's computer equipment) were also determining factors in this respect. The use of GIS can help decision-makers in transforming the growing volume of data into useful information for planning and management purposes [4].
The Centre for Ecological Research and Forestry Applications (CREAF) at the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) was assigned the task of building a GIS aimed at helping park managers in the decision-making process. The system had to respond to three key points: (1) encompassing the most important areas and daily needs (Cowen and Shirley (1991) talk about encompassing all areas and daily needs [3]) of current park management, (2) being able to deal with arising future needs, (3) and providing the park management team with self-sufficiency in system maintenance [4]. The use of GIS to integrate all park information processing in a system that can be self-maintained and handled by current management staff make this project a pioneering work and pilot study within the context of Catalonia. The project was assigned the name Vulcà (Vulcanus), after the God of ancient Greece.
The Cartographic Institute of Catalonia (ICC) has provided high quality base cartography in digital format: topographic maps at 1/5000 and 1/50000 scales in vector format, colour orthophotography at a resolution of 2.5m, black and white orthophotography at 0.5m resolution and a Digital Elevation Model at 15m resolution. The ICC also participates in some aspects of project implementation and in project evaluation [4].
Division of the system into modules
Management of the park is divided into clearly defined fields of action: water, soils, geology, fauna, vegetation, etc. Each of these fields of action is the responsibility of a given management unit of the park's organization, which is also under the responsibility of the head of the unit. The above mentioned fields of action have been grouped into several
modules to structure the whole system. The staff member of the park responsible for each field of action is also the person in charge of the corresponding system module. The aim was not to add a GIS unit within the park organization and hire a GIS specialist but to embed the GIS within the functioning of the park. Each park staff member needs to know the system well enough to carry out all his or her duties and the staff member in charge of the module needs to know how to apply the GIS to the field of action of his or her responsibility.
During the design phase, several meetings with the park staff were organized in order to clearly define the modules into which the system had to be divided and the management objectives for each one. Existing analogic and
digital datasets were also analyzed and their adequacy for each module evaluated. Required capture (acquisition) of new data was also evaluated.
The system finally consists of five modules: water and soil management, vegetation (forest and flora) management, fauna and hunting management, public use management and legal aspects and reports management. The order in which the modules would be developed was determined on the basis of data
availability and park needs.
Such modules would be designed as sets of well-structured data with the established protocols to perform all necessary operations on the data. This allows, in principle, not only to develop new modules in the same way
as new management needs arise but also to train the park staff in their use and maintenance.
Therefore, modules would not be self-contained, closed applications but a set of organized graphical and alphanumerical datasets with their metadata and the protocols for their maintenance and update. Although they can be very adequate for static and repetitive tasks, customized applications impose a dependency of the park on external software developers, and one of the aims of the project was precisely the opposite.
The whole system, data and applications, is located in a computer server in the park and can be accessed from any computer in the park Local Area Network (LAN). The size of all data and information, excluding software, handled by the system is of 1.5+ Gb contained in over 9000 files. This data and information are in several diferent formats: text files, tabular
data, raster files, structured and non-structured vector files, html files, images, etc.
Groundwater Control as an Example.
The park is situated in the watershed of the Fluvià river, almost at its uppermost part. Between the park and the top of the watershed lies "La Vall d'en Bas", a valley whose lands are mainly used for
agriculture and grazing. Controlling the quality and quantity of waters within the aquifer is not only a problem of environmental concern but also of public health. Over 30000 people in the park area make use of these waters for different purposes, including drinking. Due to the use of fertilizers (both artificial and natural) over the years and its progressive leaking through the soil there exists a problem of nitrogen pollution in the aquifer's waters.
The park has set a program to monitor the quality and quantity of groundwater. This program has been set under the direction of the Department of Geology of the UAB. A network of 80+ wells and springs have been chosen
where water-level depth is periodically measured as well as water samples are analysed in search of nitrates, nitrites, ammonia and their electrical conductivity is measured. Once the monitoring programme reached the state in which its methodology was clearly established and the parameters to be measured determined, it was integrated within the GIS. As with the rest of the modules the aim for the park is to be self-sufficient and independent in carrying out the monitoring programme (data gathering, analysis and handling) and only have external assessment for punctual matters.
The implementation of the monitoring programme with the GIS consists of a set of graphical layers and tables organized in a set of subdirectories within the directory of the Water and Soils Management Module, a data entry form and the protocols for update and maintenance specified in the intranet
(see below). Graphical layers consist of a point layer representing all sampled wells and springs with a linked database for all measurements made at each point and a series of raster maps representing the spatial variability for each measured parameter (nitrate, nitrite, amonia, electric conductivity and water-level depth) for each date of measure. A continous hydrological arc layer at 1/5000 scale was built out of the 1/5000 topographic maps and a derived polygon layer of buffers along the water courses was built. These buffers represent also areas on which uses and activities are regulated due to their proximity to a water course. Tabular data consist of a table containing all parameter measures, a table
containing the physical characteristics of each sample point and
a table containing measures for other known wells and springs
that were sampled at some time in the past.
Park staff users need to be able to maintain and update this dataset. They need to be able to add and eliminate sample points, to produce representation maps of the spatial variability of a given parameter for a given date and they need to make graphics of the evolution of a given parameter for a given point over time. They also need to make simple reports
that are given to the owners of the well that has been measured.
Access to the layers can be done either from within the GIS or from the intranet (see below). By appropriately configuring the GIS startup file, access to the graphical layers can be very fast and easy. The map format of
MiraMon, MMM-file types, allow to open any type of layer (vectorial
non-structured or structured point, arc/node and polygon, raster (bit, byte, integer, float and RGB composites) without having to know beforehand to which type the layer belongs to and without having to specify visualization conditions (zoom level, symbology, colour palette, etc.). The user only needs to choose the option "File|Open map..." and choose the appropriate map in the file-dialog box and the layer will be open. MiraMon maps can contain any number of layers without having to duplicate any information since they are simple text files which specify which layers are
to be open and under which visualization conditions.
All data collected in the field, measures from the wells and springs, can be entered to the system by means of a customized data entry form. This data entry form allows the manager to enter the data directly into the tables
linked to the graphical layers. The form organizes the data entered in a set of related tables and controls that data are entered correctly. In this case, a closed and customized application, the data-entry form, has been developed since the task to be performed is a well-established and repetitive one (a long-term monitoring program).
Protocols for adding or eliminating points from the network of sampling points are detailed on a page in the intranet. Adding or eliminating points from the graphical layer means digitizing, rebuilding the topology of the vector layer and reestablishing the appropriate database links. An application helps the park manager in reestablishing all those links.
From the data entry form, graphical representations of the evolution over time of any measured parameter can also be produced. Data can be easily imported from a spreadsheet and then all its graphical power utilized. Also, raster layers representing the spatial variability of any given measured parameter for a specific sample date can be generated from another form.
The form just implements the interpolation method chosen in the monitoring program. Finally, the form allows to produce the above mentioned reports that are given and to the owner.
Other information such as the legal documents that regulate water issues can also be found in the appropriate page of the intranet.
Combining GIS and intranet
Internet technology (i.e.,
web browsers and hypertext language (HTML)) has been used to build
an intranet on the park's LAN. This intranet allows access to
all GIS information and metainformation, legal texts, system specifications
and protocols for system configuration and maintenance. In addition,
some information within the intranet can be made public in Internet
in the near future with very little extra effort.
Park managers can access any type of data or information through the intranet on self-explanatory pages. Besides accessing any information in text format, from within an HTML page, a link can also be made to any file type. When clicking on an hyperlink the web browser asks the operating
system which application is associated with the file type specified
in the hyperlink and then opens that file with the appropriate application. In the case of graphical layers of the GIS, when the user clicks on a hyperlink to a graphical layer, the web browser launches the GIS associted with them, MiraMon in our case, and opens that layer.
In order for a GIS to be able to be integrated in an intranet in such a manner, it is highly recommended that the executable be small in size and fast to respond. MiraMon executable file is only about about 800Kb. Its code is entirely written in ANSI C and makes use of the Windows API, which
makes it small and fast. Its response to a call made by a web browser after a user has clicked on an hyperlink in an HTML page is very fast.
Some web browsers make a copy of the file to be opened in a temporary directory and then call the application to open them. This is a problem that needs to be overcome for two reasons. First, files need to be small in
size, otherwise it would not be possible to operate this way since disk space would be rapidly wasted and speed would be very low since the file would first have to be copied. Second, possible relative paths contained within the files would be wrong. In order to solve this problem, MiraMon uses a very small application that serves as a bridge between the browser and itself. This application, which operates invisibly to the user, launches itself before MiraMon does and gives to MiraMon the file to be opened with the correct relative paths. Also, MiraMon maps, described above, are used
to make the hyperlinks. Since they are very small text files no problem of wasting disk space and slowing down the process appears.
One of the shortcomings of using this methodology is that each time a click on a hyperlink to a file is made, a different instance of its associated application is opened and therefore each different file is opened in a different instance of the application. In the case of GIS this is an important handicap in its use since visual overlaying is made impossible.
However, MiraMon overcomes this difficulty by "listening" to user input. If one instance of the program is already opened and there is a call from the web browser (or from any other application) to open a given file, the program can open the file in the already open instance or in a new one, depending on user needs. Which the option chosen is depends on system configuration or on user choice in a dialog box. The intranet, then, can serve not only as a quick and easy access to all data but also as an interface for the GIS itself.
Moreover, since HTML editors are currently an easy to use tool and no need of HTML programming is needed to produce simple HTML pages, park managers can easily use them to maintain the system, the interface or to build their
own private interfaces.
User profiles
Ease of use and maintenance is important when trying to guarantee a success implemention of an information system as explained by Alexander (1995) [2]. The task is not easy since GIS is quite a new technology and has only been
present in academic curricula since very recently. GIS concepts and use need, therefore, to be taught from scratch. However, the effort proves worthwhile if the adequate tools are provided and if they are provided in such a manner that can be made easy to understand and where each different user can progress up to his or her will or necessities in a gradual manner. This can be achieved by carefully structuring all data and information and by using technologies such as intranet (see above) and a GIS that can be
easily customized to different user needs. Indeed, there is no need to provide to all users with all available tools. Instead, if tools can be gradually introduced as needs arise the system will be more easily learned. Park staff can be highly occupied people with tasks that can arise in a single day. In order to introduce a new way of dealing with the information it is necessary to do it in a gradual manner that can be assimilated over time.
Each different user can have the same GIS system tailored to his or her specific needs. This can be made by allowing to define user profiles which determine which GIS capabilities are available and which are not for a given
user. These profiles can be defined in the system startup file or they can be even dynamically changed from within the program. In this way, an advanced user and a beginner can be using exactly the same system but with very different levels of complexity. There are users that may only need to visualize information and query it by location, others that will almost only digitize, others which will need all system capabilities. MiraMon can be adequately configured to suit these different needs. Furthermore, users can
progressively complexify it as they learn more on the system and as new needs arise.
If the park is to have a system that can be self-maintained and updated without or almost without outside contribution a GIS culture and know-how needs to be developed inside the park. Although not an easy task, the combination of an easy to use GIS, whose degree of complexity can be configured, with an intranet with all protocols for data handling written
plus an effort in staff training can act synergistically in accomplishing
this task.
MiraMon, a raster and vector GIS entirely written in ANSI C and the Windows API of Microsoft, developed by one of the authors (Xavier Pons) at CREAF and the Department of Geography of the Autonomous University of Barcelona,
is used. Netscape Communicator of Netscape Communications Corporation
is the web browser utilized in the intranet. Visual dBase of Inprise
is used as a RDBMS and to develop data entry forms and other utilities.
Further information about the project can be found at
http://www.gencat.es/mediamb/pn/cvulcafr.htm and further
information about MiraMon can be found at
http://www.creaf.uab.es/miramon/index.htm
Arnald MARCER
Arnald Marcer is a researcher at the Centre for Ecological Research and Forestry Applications (CREAF), where he is involved in the development of Vulcanus, the GIS system of the "Zona Volcànica de la Garrotxa" Natural
Park.
Among his interests are information systems implementation, protected area management and planning, and biodiversity information management.
Arnald joined CREAF in 1995 coming from the General Directorate of Natural Heritage of the Department of the Environment of the Government of Catalonia where he worked as a protected area planner. He has also worked as environmental
writer. Born in 1965 and graduated in Biology by the Autonomous University of Barcelona, Spain. In 1991, he obtained a master's degree in environmental studies (M.E.S.) at Yale University, U.S.A.
Centre for Ecological Research and Forestry Applications (CREAF)
Xavier Pons received his BS degree in Biology in 1988, a MS degree in Botany in 1990, a MS degree in Geography in 1995, and a PhD degree in Remote Sensing and GIS in 1992, all from the Autonomous University of Barcelona. His
main work has been done in radiometric and geometric corrections of satellite imagery, in cartography of ecological and forest parameters from airborne sensors, in studies of the spectral response of Mediterranean vegetation and in GIS development, both in terms of data structure and organization and in terms of software writing.
He has recently worked in descriptive climatology models, in modeling forest fire hazards and in analysis of landscape changes from long series of satellite images.
He is professor at the Department of Geography of the Autonomous University of Barcelona and coordinates research activities in GIS and Remote Sensing at the Centre for Ecological Research and Forestry Applications.
Department of Geography andHardware and Software
The park hardware is comprised by a set of 15 PCs of which two are dedicated servers. Two laser printers and a colour inkjet printer are available through the network. All computers are interconnected using Novell Netware
software and Windows 95 as the operating system.
CONCLUSIONS
After a three-year period of system development and implementation several conclusions can be drawn:
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The authors would like to acknowledge the invaluable participation of the Department of the Environment and the Natural Park of "Zona Volcànica de la Garrotxa", without whose support and initiative this
project would not have been possible; the Cartographic Institute of Catalonia, which has provided high quality digital base cartography; and the CREAF, which provided a challenging working environment
where such a project can be developed. And most of all, the authors
would like to thank all our colleagues in those institutions,
who, after all, have made it all possible.
REFERENCES
a.marcer@uab.es
Autonomous University of Barcelona
08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona
Spain
Tel: +34 93 581 23 83
Fax: +34 93 581 13 12
URL: http://www.creaf.uab.es
Xavier PONS
x.pons@uab.es
Centre for Ecological Research and Forestry Applications, CREAF.
Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB)
08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona
Spain
Tel: +34 93 581 13 12
Fax: +34 93 581 13 12
URL: http://www.creaf.uab.es