CoastGIS'99: geomatics and coastal environment
Core data sets
Despite the complex and varied needs of users ot marine and coastal
zone geographic information, there is a strong consensus ot opinion on
the need tor accurate and reliable base maps. This is obviously of fundamental importance. Publicly funded base data should be made more
readily accessible by becoming low cost and being available from a
central source. There also needs to be integration between land-based
and marine maps, which would be suitable ior coastal zone use. The
present situation is not at all satisfactory, with a choice between terrestrial or hydrographic base maps that are not readily compatible.
The UK Government should be encouraged to adopt a strong policy
regarding provision of base data sets at a reasonable cost, particularly
those produced by the Ordnance Survey (OS) and the UK Hydrographic
Office (UKHO). These should include high and low water marks and
key information relating to the seabed and the water column, coastal
habitats and adjacent land. The 1993 prototype 1:25 000 map ofThe
Solent is an excellent model (Ordnance Survey & UK Hydrographic
Office, 1993), which was unfortunately discontinued at the time due
to a perceived lack of demand.
Research needs
A framework needs to be developed within which research takes place
in order to co-ordinate efforts and to place projects m their wider
context. This would allow researchers to more easily define the questions
which research needs to answer and avoid duplication of effort. This
framework should also facilitate input from end users in setting research
agendas.
Co-ordinating mechanism
The users of marine and coastal data need to take a concerted approach
to raise the political profile of marine and coastal zone mapping, in order
to bring about necessary changes. A permanent, nation-wide mechanism
to provide proactive leadership and co-ordination may be a good way
to do this. It was suggested either that a new centre should be esrablished,
or that we make use of an existing body such as the Inter Agency
Committee for Marine Science and Technology’s (IACMST) Marine Environment Data Action Group. In whatever form it was established, it
would be vital that such a body should be cross-sectoral, with representatives of all stakeholder groups both from within and outside
Government.
Action
The final, and probably most important issue, is that there has been
enough discussion, and it is time to take action!
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Core data sets
Despite the complex and varied needs of users ot marine and coastal
zone geographic information, there is a strong consensus ot opinion on
the need tor accurate and reliable base maps. This is obviously of fundamental importance. Publicly funded base data should be made more
readily accessible by becoming low cost and being available from a
central source. There also needs to be integration between land-based
and marine maps, which would be suitable ior coastal zone use. The
present situation is not at all satisfactory, with a choice between terrestrial or hydrographic base maps that are not readily compatible.
The UK Government should be encouraged to adopt a strong policy
regarding provision of base data sets at a reasonable cost, particularly
those produced by the Ordnance Survey (OS) and the UK Hydrographic
Office (UKHO). These should include high and low water marks and
key information relating to the seabed and the water column, coastal
habitats and adjacent land. The 1993 prototype 1:25 000 map ofThe
Solent is an excellent model (Ordnance Survey & UK Hydrographic
Office, 1993), which was unfortunately discontinued at the time due
to a perceived lack of demand.
Research needs
A framework needs to be developed within which research takes place
in order to co-ordinate efforts and to place projects m their wider
context. This would allow researchers to more easily define the questions
which research needs to answer and avoid duplication of effort. This
framework should also facilitate input from end users in setting research
agendas.
Co-ordinating mechanism
The users of marine and coastal data need to take a concerted approach
to raise the political profile of marine and coastal zone mapping, in order
to bring about necessary changes. A permanent, nation-wide mechanism
to provide proactive leadership and co-ordination may be a good way
to do this. It was suggested either that a new centre should be esrablished,
or that we make use of an existing body such as the Inter Agency
Committee for Marine Science and Technology’s (IACMST) Marine Environment Data Action Group. In whatever form it was established, it
would be vital that such a body should be cross-sectoral, with representatives of all stakeholder groups both from within and outside
Government.
Action
The final, and probably most important issue, is that there has been
enough discussion, and it is time to take action!
61