452
D. R. Green and S. D. King
with the recent developments in Internet technology both hardware and software, the
benefits of traditional networking are now possible using computers.
This chapter discusses the potential of developing computer-based spatial
information systems in the context of coastal zone management. More specifically the
paper examines the concept of networking in the framework of a pilot information
system, the Forth Estuary Forum Information System. Initially developed as a pilot
information system, the FEF pilot provides an on-line information resource for the
wide range of users of the Forth Estuary in Scotland. Initially planned as a means to
provide an electronic resource for commerce, government and education, the FEF in
conjunction with Edinburgh City Council is now developing the pilot into a fully
functional geospatial information system that will make a wide range of geographical
information (largely in the form of maps) available. The system will take advantage of
the most recent developments in Internet software that now permit WWW site
developers with map server tools, e.g. Autodesk, GRASS, ESRI, and GeoConcept, to
deliver maps interactively on the fly to the user.
Access to Information
Without a detailed knowledge and understanding of our marine and coastal
environment it is very difficult to make full use of the resources available to us; but
this requires the availability of both data and information.
Information, much of it spatial, is essential in the workplace as the basis for
planning and decision-making and access to it is vital. Together Geographical
Information Systems (GIS) and the related technologies of remote sensing, Global
Positioning Systems (GPS), digital mapping, and cartography offer one means by
which it is possible to improve our capability in this area; and information systems the
means to deliver such information to the appropriate people responsible for decisionmaking and planning.
Growing interest has been shown in the application of GIS to coastal
environments. Of the many aspects of the marine environment where GIS is thought to
be of potential benefit, estuarine environments (e.g. estuaries and firths) are of
particular interest. During the last few years, in the UK especially, research has been
undertaken by English Nature (EN) and Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), and a variety
of other organisations (e.g. English Nature, 1993a, b, c; SNH’s Firths Initiative).
But, whilst GIS offers a new, innovative and potentially useful way to help
manage our marine and coastal environmental resources, the complexity and
sophistication of much of the commercially available GIS software really only makes it
suitable for the GIS specialist involved in data analysis and research projects.
Information delivery, e.g. to Marine Resource Managers, however, is often
more important in the workplace. In most cases to date, the information delivery
mechanisms using GIS have not been entirely suitable for the increasingly broad user
base who need access to spatial information in their work environment. A number of
developments to provide 'information systems interfaces' to existing Geographical
Information Systems, e.g. ArcView (ArcInfo), SmallworldView (Smallworld) and
D. R. Green and S. D. King
with the recent developments in Internet technology both hardware and software, the
benefits of traditional networking are now possible using computers.
This chapter discusses the potential of developing computer-based spatial
information systems in the context of coastal zone management. More specifically the
paper examines the concept of networking in the framework of a pilot information
system, the Forth Estuary Forum Information System. Initially developed as a pilot
information system, the FEF pilot provides an on-line information resource for the
wide range of users of the Forth Estuary in Scotland. Initially planned as a means to
provide an electronic resource for commerce, government and education, the FEF in
conjunction with Edinburgh City Council is now developing the pilot into a fully
functional geospatial information system that will make a wide range of geographical
information (largely in the form of maps) available. The system will take advantage of
the most recent developments in Internet software that now permit WWW site
developers with map server tools, e.g. Autodesk, GRASS, ESRI, and GeoConcept, to
deliver maps interactively on the fly to the user.
Access to Information
Without a detailed knowledge and understanding of our marine and coastal
environment it is very difficult to make full use of the resources available to us; but
this requires the availability of both data and information.
Information, much of it spatial, is essential in the workplace as the basis for
planning and decision-making and access to it is vital. Together Geographical
Information Systems (GIS) and the related technologies of remote sensing, Global
Positioning Systems (GPS), digital mapping, and cartography offer one means by
which it is possible to improve our capability in this area; and information systems the
means to deliver such information to the appropriate people responsible for decisionmaking and planning.
Growing interest has been shown in the application of GIS to coastal
environments. Of the many aspects of the marine environment where GIS is thought to
be of potential benefit, estuarine environments (e.g. estuaries and firths) are of
particular interest. During the last few years, in the UK especially, research has been
undertaken by English Nature (EN) and Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), and a variety
of other organisations (e.g. English Nature, 1993a, b, c; SNH’s Firths Initiative).
But, whilst GIS offers a new, innovative and potentially useful way to help
manage our marine and coastal environmental resources, the complexity and
sophistication of much of the commercially available GIS software really only makes it
suitable for the GIS specialist involved in data analysis and research projects.
Information delivery, e.g. to Marine Resource Managers, however, is often
more important in the workplace. In most cases to date, the information delivery
mechanisms using GIS have not been entirely suitable for the increasingly broad user
base who need access to spatial information in their work environment. A number of
developments to provide 'information systems interfaces' to existing Geographical
Information Systems, e.g. ArcView (ArcInfo), SmallworldView (Smallworld) and