tailieunhanh - Giscience in the mountain geography

This paper investigates the applicability and challenges of GIScience in the context of mountain geography with ample evidences and observations from the mountain specific publications, empirical research findings and reports. The contextual explanation of mountain geography, mountain specific problems, scientific concerns about the mountain geography, advances in GIScience, the role of GIScience for sustainable development, challenges on application of GIScience in the contexts of mountains are the points of discussion. Finally, conclusion has been made with some specific action oriented recommendations. | GISCIENCE IN THE MOUNTAIN GEOGRAPHY Krishna Poudel ABSTRACT Mountains have distinct geography and are dynamic in nature compared to the plains. Verticality and variation are two fundamental specificities of the mountain geography. They possess distinct temporal and spatial characteristics in a unique socio-cultural setting. There is an ever increasing need for spatial and temporal data for planning and management activities and Geo Information GI Science including Geographic Information and Earth Observation Systems . This is being recognized more and more as a common platform for integrating spatial data with social economic and environmental data and information from different sources. This paper investigates the applicability and challenges of GIScience in the context of mountain geography with ample evidences and observations from the mountain specific publications empirical research findings and reports. The contextual explanation of mountain geography mountain specific problems scientific concerns about the mountain geography advances in GIScience the role of GIScience for sustainable development challenges on application of GIScience in the contexts of mountains are the points of discussion. Finally conclusion has been made with some specific action oriented recommendations. THE MOUNTAIN GEOGRAPHY Mountains are the most prominent features of the landscape on the earth surface covering 15 to 20 percent of land area Ives 1989 289 and exist in almost all continents. These mountains are the homeland of about 10 percent of total human population Grotzbach and Stadel 1997 and provide livelihood for several millions more. Mountains of the world are dispersed in all continents with different location direction and extensions. Mountain geography is highly varied and complex. The physiographic characteristics of the mountains of all continents have some commonalities whereas the human and socio-economic dimensions potentialities of resources intensity of natural .