An ontological exploration of Antarctic Environmental Governance: Towards a model for geographic information mediation [microform]
- Bib ID:
- 4740309
- Format:
- Book and Microform
- Author:
- Pulsifer, Peter L
- Online Version:
- http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&res_dat=xri:pqdiss&rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:NR43905
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- Description:
- 363 p.
- ISBN:
- 9780494439050
- Summary:
-
This thesis examines integration of digital geographic information in the context of Antarctic Environmental Governance (AEG). AEG is a complex domain that ideally draws on a wide variety of perspectives and information resources. Such complexity can present challenges with respect to semantic interoperability---the ability to effectively exchange meaning among information systems and the end users of those systems. Emerging approaches such as the development and application of formal ontologies provide new possibilities for facilitating semantic interoperability. This thesis provides an overview of general trends in the domain of geographic information technology followed by a focused review of the application of formal ontology in information systems.
The review reveals the potential power of semantic mediation for the purpose of information integration. Additionally, the examination reveals presuppositions and requirements associated with, and the potential implications of, using a formal ontology for semantic modelling and mediation. Members of the Antarctic geographic information community have established a simple semantic model---the SCAR Feature Catalogue (SCAR FC)---to support the sharing of geographic information. To ground this thesis, the content of documents reporting the results of the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting are analyzed to establish geographic feature definitions. These definitions are compared to those in SCAR FC for consistency and completeness. The evolution of features is also examined. The analysis reveals inconsistencies and gaps when comparing AEG features to SCAR FC. Through this analysis, the nuanced and dynamic nature of AEG feature semantics is established.
In considering the results of the review and the content analysis, a conceptual model for geographic information integration is proposed. Geographic mediation is proposed as a model to facilitate the conceptualization of multilevel, distributed, information systems for the purpose of providing information representation that is meaningful to the end user. This means considering technical components (including semantic mediators) as part of an overall information system that includes human and machine-based mediators. It is argued that geographic mediation can be the basis for developing effective environmental information systems for the AEG domain. The thesis concludes with a summary discussion and the establishment of future research directions.
- Notes:
-
- (UMI)AAINR43905
- Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 69-11, Section: A, page: 4454.
- Thesis (Ph.D.)--Carleton University (Canada), 2008.
- Reproduction:
- Microfiche. Ann Arbor, Mich. : University Microfilms International.
- Subject:
- Geography
- Other authors/contributors:
- Carleton University (Canada)
- Copyright:
-
In Copyright
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Copyright status was determined using the following information:
- Material type:
- Literary Dramatic Musical
- Published status:
- Unpublished
- Creation date:
- 2008
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