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Earth System Science (ESS) observational data are often inadequately semantically enriched by geo-observational information systems to capture the true meaning of the associated data sets. Data models underpinning these information systems are often too rigid in their data representation to allow for the ever-changing and evolving nature of ESS domain concepts. This impoverished approach to observational data representation reduces the ability of multi-disciplinary practitioners to share information in a computable way. Object oriented techniques that are typically employed to model data in a complex domain (with evolving domain concepts) can unnecessarily exclude domain specialists from the design process, invariably leading to a mismatch between the needs of the domain specialists, and how the concepts are modelled. In many cases, an over simplification of the domain concept is captured by the computer scientist. This paper proposes that two-level modelling methodologies developed by health informaticians to tackle problems of domain specific use-case knowledge modelling can be re-used within ESS informatics. A translational approach to enable a two-level modelling process within geo-observational sensor systems design is described. We show how the Open Geospatial Consortium’s (OGC) Observations & Measurements (O&M) standard can act as a pragmatic solution for a stable reference-model (necessary for two-level modelling), and upon which more volatile domain specific concepts can be defined and managed using archetypes. A rudimentary use-case is presented, followed by a worked example showing the implementation methodology and considerations leading to an O&M based, two-level modelling design approach, to realise semantically rich and interoperable Earth System Science based geo-observational sensor systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to design and implement a digital interactive globe system (DIGS), by integrating low-cost equipment to make DIGS cost-effective. DIGS includes a data processing unit, a wireless control unit, an image-capturing unit, a laser emission unit, and a three-dimensional hemispheric body-imaging screen. A quasi-experimental study was conducted to evaluate the learning effectiveness of our system. A total of 105 junior high-school students from Taiwan participated in this 8-week experiment. The students were divided into three individual groups of 35 students each, with one control group and two experimental groups (EG1 and EG2). The results of one-way mixed design ANOVA indicated that participants in the experimental group, who used the DIGS, outperformed the other two groups, in the post-test as well as in the delayed test. These findings demonstrate that the proposed DIGS can effectively enhance the performance of the learners in an Earth Science course. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digital Earth is a global reference model for integrating, processing and visualizing geospatial datasets. In this reference model, various data-types, including Digital Elevation Models (DEM) and imagery (orthophotos), are universally and openly available for the entire globe. However, 3D content such as detailed terrains with features, man-made structures, 3D water bodies and 3D vegetation are not commonly available in Digital Earth. In this paper, we present an interactive system for the rapid creation and integration of these types of 3D content to augment Digital Earth. The inputs to our system include available data sources, such as DEM and imagery information depicting landscapes and urban environments. The proposed system employs sketch-based and image-assisted tools to support interactive creation of textured 3D content. For adding terrain features visible in orthophotos, and also the basin of water bodies, we use a multiscale least square surface fitting to generate an adaptive triangular subdivision. For modeling forests and vegetation, we use image-based techniques and take advantage of visible regions and colors of forests in orthophotos. For 3D man-made structures, starting from a single photograph, we provide a simple image-assisted sketching tool to extract these objects, correct for perspective distortion and place them into desired locations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maps have always been tools that have fascinated men, for their ability to make us see the world that surrounds us. They were and are the outcome of models and methods applied to the observation of the world, starting from geodesy, surveying photogrammetry and remote sensing. All these disciplines, which we now group under the new name of geomatics, have had a tremendous boost in recent years. However, the synergy with information computer technology is probably the aspect that is revolutionizing more cartography. Earlier computers and after the Internet have brought us to new concepts and tools that will have profound effects not only in the world of niche of cartographers, but also more generally in the life of all human beings. The Digital Earth, proposed in 1998 by Al Gore, has been enriched in just twenty years of a set of new demands, which make even more interesting and challenging being cartographers today. The paper, without claiming to be comprehensive, aims at providing a concise overview of the state of art and of the advancement in this area. Moreover, it urges the community of geomatics to be protagonist and promoter of a new cartography, largely to be reinvented, and that would put us at the center of processes of knowledge and management of the Earth. The map makers in the past helped discovering new worlds, now the challenge is to rediscover our common world with new eyes of environmental, social, economic equity, sustainability and participation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Big data has been a focus of research in science, technology, economics, and social studies. Many countries have already incorporated big data research into their national strategies. This paper elaborates upon the origin, connotation, and development of big data from both a spatial and temporal perspective. It proposes that scientific big data will become a new solution in scientific research as the paradigm changes from being model-driven to data-driven. This paper defines the concept of 'scientific big data' and proposes strategies for solving 'big data problems'. Theoretical frameworks and data systems for Digital Earth are discussed with a clear conclusion that scientific big data is a prominent feature of Digital Earth. As an example, spatial cognition of the formation mechanism of China's Heihe-Tengchong Line-a geo-demographic demarcation line dividing China into two parts-is discussed within the context of big data computation and analysis for Digital Earth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although many of the first-generation Digital Earth systems have proven to be quite useful for the modeling and visualization of geospatial objects relevant to the Earth's surface and near-surface, they were not designed for the purpose of modeling and application in geological or atmospheric space. There is a pressing need for a new Digital Earth system that can process geospatial information with full dimensionality. In this paper, we present a new Digital Earth system, termed SolidEarth, as an alternative virtual globe for the modeling and visualization of the whole Earth space including its surface, interior, and exterior space. SolidEarth consists of four functional components: modeling in geographical space, modeling in geological space, modeling in atmospheric space, and, integrated visualization and analysis. SolidEarth has a comprehensive treatment to the third spatial dimension and a series of sophisticated 3D spatial analysis functions. Therefore, it is well-suited to the volumetric representation and visual analysis of the inner/ outer spheres in Earth space. SolidEarth can be used in a number of fields such as geoscience research and education, the construction of Digital Earth applications, and other professional practices of Earth science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article will analyze the achievements of the digital Earth concept and further introduce two key technologies, the internet of things and cloud computing. Both these technologies are accelerating the development of digital Earth toward a new concept-smart Earth. The objective of this article is to discuss the architecture, infrastructure, and typical applications for smart Earth and to elaborate on trends of the movement from digital Earth to smart Earth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Virtual globe has been recognized as an appealing technology to support the digital earth. It provides an intuitive and appealing way to visualize geospatial information, and is being used frequently to bring the globe-scale geospatial information to our fingertips. The easy access to virtual globes such as Google Earth, Microsoft Virtual Earth, and NASA World Wind allows both the general public users and professionals to use them for educational and research purposes. While virtual globes provide a number of functions for geospatial data visualization and annotation, the geospatial analysis functions available in the current virtual globes are limited. This paper addresses an approach to the establishment of an analysis-enhanced virtual globe. The approach is based on the integration of virtual globe and interoperable geoprocessing services. Such an analysis-enhanced virtual globe combines the visualization and communication power of virtual globes with the conventional powerful analysis functions of GIS, thus meeting the analysis demands in digital earth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

real-time algorithm for constructing contour maps from grid DEM data is pre-sented. It runs completely within the pro grammable 3D visualization pipeline. The interpolation is paralleled by rasterizer units in the graphics card, and contour litw extraction is paralleled by pixel shader. During each frame of the rendering, we first make an elevation gradient map out of original terrain vertex data, then figure out the final contour lines with image-space processing, and directly blend the result on the original scene to obtain a final scene with contour map using alpha-blending. We implement this method in our globa 3D-digitalearth system with Direct3D®9.0c API and tested on some consumer level PC platforms. For arbitrary scene witl certain LOD level, the process takes less than 10 ms, giving topologically correct, anti-aliased contour lines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

visual engine is the core of a Digital Earth system. There is a wide variety of functional requirements in Digital Earth system and different requirements correspond to different operations. Based on the development of the visual engine for ChinaStar, a 3D Digital China prototype software platform, and analysis of 3D Digital Earth platforms such as Google Earth, Virtual Earth, Skyline, etc, are discussed. A common core framework for a visual engine is proposed in this paper to construct a visual engine and then with this framework various Digital Earth application systems can be developed efficient. The parametric model of the Earth, scheduling and optimization in visual field, choice of 3D graphics library, and designing component-based visual engine framework of Digital Earth are discussed in detail. In addition, the relationships among these four basic components and the construction of visualization applications of Digital Earth by this method are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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“How do the rescue helicopters find out an optimized path to arrive at the site of a disaster as soon as possible?” or “How are the flight procedures over mountains and plateaus simulated?” and so on. In this paper a script language on spatial moving objects is presented by abstracting 3D spatial moving objects’ behavior when implementing moving objects simulation in 3D digital Earth scene, which is based on a platform of digital China named “ChinaStar”. The definition of this script language, its morphology and syntax, its compiling and mediate language generating, and the behavior and state control of spatial moving objects are discussed emphatically. In addition, the language’s applications and implementation are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Analyzed and compared with some digitizeed mine build state first. Secondly analyzed opportunity and challenge that the Chinese mine faces, and pointed out certainty and necessity of building digitization of mine, Summarized the present task that characteristic, DM, MGIS of the digital mine develop and construct and employ finally, and carry on the summary to structure and function of the component mine integrated information system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digital China (DC) has recently drawn much attention. It is a strategic project for China in response to the challenge of sustainable development of population, resource, and environment. Intending to establish the national information infrastructure (NII), the DC project forms a solid foundation for Chinese informatization. In such an NII, multi-sourced spatial data are integrated. They focus on various themes and have different space and time features. Based on the NII, numerous applications and services can be developed so that spatial information will benefit everyone. Since lots of organizations, such as governments, universities, and enterprises, are involved in the implementation of DC, the DC project will significantly prompt the relevant scientific research as well as economic progress in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digital Forestry as a concept was developed after the Digital Earth program. The Chinese scientists were not only among the pioneers who first proposed the concept of Digital Forestry, but also contributed a lot to the development of Digital Forestry. Digital Forestry is a digital framework to maintain forest planting, management, using, and protect. The synergetic use of computationally-intensive quantitative methods together with information technologies is the most important foundation for the development of Digital Forestry. Under this situation, the experience of Digital Forestry development in China is relatively rich. A number of academicians, scholars, and professional administrators were involved in discussing the Digital Forestry Construction Scheme. The Project of Digital Forestry Practicability approved by the State Forestry Administration is a major instance in developing Digital Forestry standard and key techniques. By introducing a case study of Digital Forestry, this paper reviews the concept of Digital Forestry, the way turning traditional forestry into Digital Forestry, and the future development of Digital Forestry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]