CHAPTER 26
The Use of Dynamic Segmentation in the Coastal Information
System: Adjacency Relationships from Southeastern Newfoundland,
Canada
K. A. Jenner, A. G. Sherin, and T. Horsman
ABSTRACT: The Coastal Information System (CIS) has been developed at the
Geological Survey of Canada (Atlantic) (GSC Atlantic) to store data on shore-zone
geomorphologic form and material from the Atlantic Provinces of Canada. Data are
interpreted from coastal aerial video imagery, stored as lines and points and spatially
referenced using the dynamic segmentation feature of the geographic information
system (GIS) ArcInfo. An application of dynamic segmentation is explored in the
along-shore and across-shore identification of coastal form relationships. Examples of
binary and tertiary adjacency relationships are presented from the southeastern coast of
Newfoundland, Canada. These data quantify predominant form relationships, and
when tabulated independently for specific sections of coast, document similarities and
differences in coastal form sequences.
Introduction
The application of geographic information systems (GIS) to coastal zone research and
coastal zone management is well established. Rickman and Miller (1995) published a
comprehensive bibliography demonstrating the use and impact of GIS to the
understanding and management of the coastal zone. Jones (1995) concludes that GIS is
being utilized or developed specifically for a variety of roles in coastal management.
The advantages of dynamic segmentation for managing linear spatial objects and
associated attributes are presented by Dueker et al. (1992) with specific application to
transportation systems. The use of dynamic segmentation for representing the coastal
zone as a linear spatial object was suggested by Bartlett (1993). McCall (1995)
371
D.R. Green and S.D. King (eds.), Coastal and Marine Geo-Information Systems, 371–384.
© 2003 Kluwer Academic Publishers. Printed in the Netherlands.
The Use of Dynamic Segmentation in the Coastal Information
System: Adjacency Relationships from Southeastern Newfoundland,
Canada
K. A. Jenner, A. G. Sherin, and T. Horsman
ABSTRACT: The Coastal Information System (CIS) has been developed at the
Geological Survey of Canada (Atlantic) (GSC Atlantic) to store data on shore-zone
geomorphologic form and material from the Atlantic Provinces of Canada. Data are
interpreted from coastal aerial video imagery, stored as lines and points and spatially
referenced using the dynamic segmentation feature of the geographic information
system (GIS) ArcInfo. An application of dynamic segmentation is explored in the
along-shore and across-shore identification of coastal form relationships. Examples of
binary and tertiary adjacency relationships are presented from the southeastern coast of
Newfoundland, Canada. These data quantify predominant form relationships, and
when tabulated independently for specific sections of coast, document similarities and
differences in coastal form sequences.
Introduction
The application of geographic information systems (GIS) to coastal zone research and
coastal zone management is well established. Rickman and Miller (1995) published a
comprehensive bibliography demonstrating the use and impact of GIS to the
understanding and management of the coastal zone. Jones (1995) concludes that GIS is
being utilized or developed specifically for a variety of roles in coastal management.
The advantages of dynamic segmentation for managing linear spatial objects and
associated attributes are presented by Dueker et al. (1992) with specific application to
transportation systems. The use of dynamic segmentation for representing the coastal
zone as a linear spatial object was suggested by Bartlett (1993). McCall (1995)
371
D.R. Green and S.D. King (eds.), Coastal and Marine Geo-Information Systems, 371–384.
© 2003 Kluwer Academic Publishers. Printed in the Netherlands.