Advanced GIS-Based Field Mapping Techniques for Multi-Disciplinary Research

While technologies like satellite imagery and LIDAR have improved regional data collection, many USGS field researchers rely on sketches and manual paper map corrections. Emerging information technologies offer the potential to modernize field data collection. Proposed research focuses on the development of advanced GIS-based field mapping techniques that integrate emerging mobile-computing technology, such as tablet personal computers, with USGS field-research efforts. The integration of hardware, software and developed GIS applications within this project will support USGS science and DOI programs and will address specific issues such as hazard mapping, real time monitoring, change detection and data collection.

Figure 1.Hand-held mobile-computing technology. A, Portable digital assistant (PDA). B, Scientist using a PDA in the field.
Figure 1A	Figure 1B

The proposed project has two main components: 1) an issues and needs assessment of USGS field researchers, and 2) the development of GIS-based field mapping applications.

Issues and Needs Assessment: To determine current issues and needs, a formal survey of USGS researchers was conducted (Wood and Halsing 2006). Field researchers were asked to provide insight on the form and structure of information needed in their specific field endeavor and to identify inefficiencies in their field-mappingng efforts. Results of the issues and needs assessment will guide the development of efficient mapping tools and bureau-wide strategies to leverage new technology.

Land Cover Trends Extension: To demonstrate the utility of mobile-computing technology, a GIS-based tool was created to assist researchers in the Land Cover Trends project (Wood, and others, in review). The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Land Cover Trends project seeks to (1) estimate the rates of landcover change between 1972 and 2000, 2) document the regional driving forces of landcover change, (3) determine the consequences of contemporary landcover change, and (4) prepare regional and national syntheses of late-20th century landcover and land-use change. After estimating landcover change for the sample blocks within an ecoregion, researchers conduct field work to determine local and regional driving forces and potential consequences of this change. To reduce field logistics and postfield work processing in the Land Cover Trends research project, a geographic information system (GIS) extension was created. The extension is designed to be used in the field on mobile- computing technology platforms, such as tablet-based personal computers (tablet PCs) for data collection and in the office on desktop computers for database management.

Figure 1.Portable mobile-computing technology. A, Tablet-based personal computer (tablet PC). B, Use of a table PC with a stylus
Figure 2A	Figure 2B

Publications and Websites:

Wood, N.J, Sleeter, B., and Ng, P., 2006, Trends extension to support field-data collection and management: Techniques and Methods 11-C1, Reston, Virginia, U.S. Geological Survey, 17 p., available at http://pubs.usgs.gov/tm/2006/tm11c1/.

Wood, N.J., and Halsing, D.L., 2006, Opportunities and needs for mobile computing technology to support U.S. Geological Survey fieldwork: Circular 1299, Reston, Virginia, U.S. Geological Survey, 63 p., available at http://pubs.usgs.gov/circ/2006/1299/.