CoastGIS’99: geomatics and coastal environment
Conclusions
Whilst sophisticated coastal GIS exist, the dissemination of their results
for use by professional decision-makers and stakeholders has not been
well developed. Hence, advancements in GIS technology have not been
matched by an ability to integrate the non-GIS experts' needs and expectations (Raal et al., 1995). This article has illustrated how the results
of a traditional workstation-based GIS analysis may be incorporated
into a desktop decision support system for use by interested stakeholders
and coastal managers. Although the volume of GIS associated coastal
literature is increasing, the application of the technology within the
coastal zone has been rather slow (Jones, 1995). The general transition
of GIS from the workstation environment to mainstream desktop PCs
is welcome news, ancl innovations such as Microsoft Data Map are
blurring the distinction between specialized GIS packages and widely
used database and spreadsheet software like Microsoft Excel. The development of coastal decision support packages such as that outlined here
may well be a major step towards the more widespread day-to-day
application of GIS technologies for the management of coastal resources
(Raal e tal., 1995).
Despite the promise of the current innovations, a key issue that needs
to be addressed if GIS are to realise their full potential for the management of coastal environments concerns data availability. The analysis of
flood risks presented here could be refined by the availability of higher
quality elevation data. Our models were based on the assumption that
all areas of each management unit below the 5 m contour would be
inundated in a flood event. Whilst this is a simplification of reality,
detailed data on the internal topography of each management unit
would be a pre-requisite for any attempt to undertake a more elaborate
analysis. Obtaining such information is difficult as even the high
quality Land-Form PROFILE™ digital database produced by the UK
Ordnance Survey only provides contours at 5 m intervals. The improving
availability of high resolution LIDAR (Laser Induced Direction and
Range) derived digital elevation models is to be welcomed (Irish &
White, 1998).
The increasing need for ICZM is a logical consequence of the rapid
environmental and socio-economic changes occurring around the
world’s coastlines. For concerns such as coastal flood risk assessment,
it is easy to see how GIS-based decision support systems may assist in
the mitigation of property damage for existing structures, guide future
development, and minimise resource degradation, thus saving money
and possibly even lives (Hickey et al., 1997). Despite this, it is generally
true that there is still some way to go before the gap can be bridged
between the evolution of an academic understanding of how such
systems might work, and the provision of functional packages that are
being widely used. However, time and resources invested in development
today may pay rich rewards in the future.
208
Conclusions
Whilst sophisticated coastal GIS exist, the dissemination of their results
for use by professional decision-makers and stakeholders has not been
well developed. Hence, advancements in GIS technology have not been
matched by an ability to integrate the non-GIS experts' needs and expectations (Raal et al., 1995). This article has illustrated how the results
of a traditional workstation-based GIS analysis may be incorporated
into a desktop decision support system for use by interested stakeholders
and coastal managers. Although the volume of GIS associated coastal
literature is increasing, the application of the technology within the
coastal zone has been rather slow (Jones, 1995). The general transition
of GIS from the workstation environment to mainstream desktop PCs
is welcome news, ancl innovations such as Microsoft Data Map are
blurring the distinction between specialized GIS packages and widely
used database and spreadsheet software like Microsoft Excel. The development of coastal decision support packages such as that outlined here
may well be a major step towards the more widespread day-to-day
application of GIS technologies for the management of coastal resources
(Raal e tal., 1995).
Despite the promise of the current innovations, a key issue that needs
to be addressed if GIS are to realise their full potential for the management of coastal environments concerns data availability. The analysis of
flood risks presented here could be refined by the availability of higher
quality elevation data. Our models were based on the assumption that
all areas of each management unit below the 5 m contour would be
inundated in a flood event. Whilst this is a simplification of reality,
detailed data on the internal topography of each management unit
would be a pre-requisite for any attempt to undertake a more elaborate
analysis. Obtaining such information is difficult as even the high
quality Land-Form PROFILE™ digital database produced by the UK
Ordnance Survey only provides contours at 5 m intervals. The improving
availability of high resolution LIDAR (Laser Induced Direction and
Range) derived digital elevation models is to be welcomed (Irish &
White, 1998).
The increasing need for ICZM is a logical consequence of the rapid
environmental and socio-economic changes occurring around the
world’s coastlines. For concerns such as coastal flood risk assessment,
it is easy to see how GIS-based decision support systems may assist in
the mitigation of property damage for existing structures, guide future
development, and minimise resource degradation, thus saving money
and possibly even lives (Hickey et al., 1997). Despite this, it is generally
true that there is still some way to go before the gap can be bridged
between the evolution of an academic understanding of how such
systems might work, and the provision of functional packages that are
being widely used. However, time and resources invested in development
today may pay rich rewards in the future.
208