A. Aboujaoude et at. : System for the Management of Agricultural Pollution
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4.3 Decision-support methodology
The decision-support methodology being developed in ISMAP is twofold:
The first component is a knowledge base aimed at helping the end-user to
understand all the interacting aspects of a given problem on a given site: in-depth
phenomenological characterization of problems and spatial characterization of
application sites. This knowledge base will consist of a collection of information
documents, interactively accessible, about the relevant environmental objects and
their attributes (parameters), the basic processes (physical, chemical, biological,
socio-economic), the principles of interactions (data processing and modeling
techniques) and the spatial distribution of georeferenced data.
The second component of the decision-support methodology is a catalogue of
procedures, defined on a problem by problem basis, characterizing the overall
integrated approach of ISMAP. A preliminary list of typical classes of problems
related to agricultural pollution has been established.
Procedures should consist of:
• guidelines and methodologies for data acquisition and monitoring;
• guidelines and methodologies for environmental and/or socioeconomical impact assessment;
• guidelines for water treatment;
• advisable sources of information and knowledge;
• catalogue of possible solutions and remedial measures to be
investigated.
This decision-support methodology is called ISMAP/ERM (Environmental
Reference Methodology). It will be computerized and integrated in the
Information and Decision Support System described hereafter.
4.4 Information and Decision-Support System
A computerized framework for information, data and knowledge management was
designed. This system consists of the following components:
• information bases for general site-independent data (regulations and
standards, characteristics of chemicals, references, information on
external data bases, ... );
information management framework for site applications: historical data
bases (hydro-meteorology, hydrology, water quality, socio-economy,
... ), forecast data bases (model results), Geographical Information
System (thematic maps), general site-dependent information bases (site
description, references, images, ... );
37
4.3 Decision-support methodology
The decision-support methodology being developed in ISMAP is twofold:
The first component is a knowledge base aimed at helping the end-user to
understand all the interacting aspects of a given problem on a given site: in-depth
phenomenological characterization of problems and spatial characterization of
application sites. This knowledge base will consist of a collection of information
documents, interactively accessible, about the relevant environmental objects and
their attributes (parameters), the basic processes (physical, chemical, biological,
socio-economic), the principles of interactions (data processing and modeling
techniques) and the spatial distribution of georeferenced data.
The second component of the decision-support methodology is a catalogue of
procedures, defined on a problem by problem basis, characterizing the overall
integrated approach of ISMAP. A preliminary list of typical classes of problems
related to agricultural pollution has been established.
Procedures should consist of:
• guidelines and methodologies for data acquisition and monitoring;
• guidelines and methodologies for environmental and/or socioeconomical impact assessment;
• guidelines for water treatment;
• advisable sources of information and knowledge;
• catalogue of possible solutions and remedial measures to be
investigated.
This decision-support methodology is called ISMAP/ERM (Environmental
Reference Methodology). It will be computerized and integrated in the
Information and Decision Support System described hereafter.
4.4 Information and Decision-Support System
A computerized framework for information, data and knowledge management was
designed. This system consists of the following components:
• information bases for general site-independent data (regulations and
standards, characteristics of chemicals, references, information on
external data bases, ... );
information management framework for site applications: historical data
bases (hydro-meteorology, hydrology, water quality, socio-economy,
... ), forecast data bases (model results), Geographical Information
System (thematic maps), general site-dependent information bases (site
description, references, images, ... );