Mapping and GIS Analysis

Mapping technology and Geographic Information System (GIS) analysis for marine applications have developed rapidly. The concept of Marine GIS has not only advanced toward two-dimensional (2D) mapping, but has also begun to focus on how mapping concepts can be visualized in 3D and 4D systems. GIS applications for mapping objects on land are relatively simple, but mapping objects in the ocean is much more complex.

Objects on land are generally assumed to be attached to the land surface. In the ocean, however, several possibilities exist. An object may be located on the seabed, within the water column, or on the sea surface. This is why Marine GIS has developed toward 3D and 4D systems. In 3D, the dimensions are x, y, and z, or latitude, longitude, and depth. In 4D, the dimensions are x, y, z, and t, or latitude, longitude, depth, and time. The time component is important because changes in marine parameters are highly dynamic.

The application of Marine GIS in coastal areas is easier than in offshore waters when viewed from a dimensional system perspective, because coastal mapping generally uses only a 2D system. In practice, however, the application of Marine GIS technology in coastal areas is more complex because it involves a large amount of data and information. These data and information are not limited to the aquatic environment, but also include important information from land areas along the coast. Spatial analysis in coastal areas is also more complex than the application of Marine GIS technology in offshore waters.

Various commercial and non-commercial mapping software packages are widely available. The right choice depends on user needs and the capability of the software to meet spatial data processing requirements. Using the appropriate software can provide a high level of efficiency and effectiveness to support modeling activities quickly and accurately.