CHAPTER 5
Hydrographic Data and Geographical Information Systems
P. Wright
ABSTRACT: The take-up of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) for coastal zone
and marine applications has been comparatively slow in the United Kingdom (UK).
Several factors have contributed to this, one of which has been the lack of suitable data
for use in these systems. Recognising this, and spurred on by a rising tide of concern
for the coastal zone and the recommendations of past Government Select Committees
(House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology, Remote Sensing and
Digital Mapping, 1983 and Ordnance Survey Review Committee, 1979), the UK
Hydrographic Office (HO) and the Ordnance Survey of Great Britain (OS), joined
forces in 1992 to produce a prototype coastal zone map for the UK. This chapter
describes the outcome of this project. In particular it identifies some of the many
applications for GIS in the coastal zone and offshore, some of the technical issues
which need to be considered when creating data for these systems, and a personal view
on the way ahead for coastal zone mapping in the UK and the prospects for supplying
hydrographic data for use in GIS.
Introduction
The take-up of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) for coastal zone and marine
applications has been comparatively slow in the United Kingdom (UK). Several
factors have contributed to this, one of which has been the lack of suitable data for use
in these systems. Recognising this, and spurred on by a rising tide of concern for the
coastal zone and the recommendations of past Government Select Committees (House
of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology, Remote Sensing and Digital
Mapping, 1983 and Ordnance Survey Review Committee, 1979), the UK Hydrographic
Office (HO) and the Ordnance Survey of Great Britain (OS), joined forces in 1992 to
75
D.R. Green and S.D. King (eds.), Coastal and Marine Geo-Information Systems, 75–84.
© 2003 All Rights Reserved. Printed in the Netherlands.
Hydrographic Data and Geographical Information Systems
P. Wright
ABSTRACT: The take-up of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) for coastal zone
and marine applications has been comparatively slow in the United Kingdom (UK).
Several factors have contributed to this, one of which has been the lack of suitable data
for use in these systems. Recognising this, and spurred on by a rising tide of concern
for the coastal zone and the recommendations of past Government Select Committees
(House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology, Remote Sensing and
Digital Mapping, 1983 and Ordnance Survey Review Committee, 1979), the UK
Hydrographic Office (HO) and the Ordnance Survey of Great Britain (OS), joined
forces in 1992 to produce a prototype coastal zone map for the UK. This chapter
describes the outcome of this project. In particular it identifies some of the many
applications for GIS in the coastal zone and offshore, some of the technical issues
which need to be considered when creating data for these systems, and a personal view
on the way ahead for coastal zone mapping in the UK and the prospects for supplying
hydrographic data for use in GIS.
Introduction
The take-up of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) for coastal zone and marine
applications has been comparatively slow in the United Kingdom (UK). Several
factors have contributed to this, one of which has been the lack of suitable data for use
in these systems. Recognising this, and spurred on by a rising tide of concern for the
coastal zone and the recommendations of past Government Select Committees (House
of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology, Remote Sensing and Digital
Mapping, 1983 and Ordnance Survey Review Committee, 1979), the UK Hydrographic
Office (HO) and the Ordnance Survey of Great Britain (OS), joined forces in 1992 to
75
D.R. Green and S.D. King (eds.), Coastal and Marine Geo-Information Systems, 75–84.
© 2003 All Rights Reserved. Printed in the Netherlands.