Theories of Geographic Concepts - 9780849330896

In order to be able to meaningfully exchange, integrate, and reuse geographic information in an interoperable manner without having to know in advance the meaning of the information will require a much greater understanding of the semantics and ontologies of concepts within geographic information science. In pursuit of the above long-range goal, Kavouras (dean, School of Rural & Surveying Engineering, National Technical U. of Athens, Greece) and Kokla (secretary of the Working Group II/6--System Integration and Interoperability (2004-08) of the International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing) focus on the understanding of geographic concepts, the analysis of the semantic dimensions, and the ability to create bodies of geographic knowledge represented by ontologies. In sequence, they discuss the importance of philosophical, cognitive, and formal theories in preserving the semantics of geographic concepts in knowledge representation, ontology development, and integration; lay out the theoretical issues underpinning the discussion; introduce the formal tools and conceptual structures necessary for the realization of ontological structures; discuss ontology integration from the implementation point of view, with approaches, guidelines, cases, and examples; and review the contemporary state of ontological research in geographic information science. Annotation ©2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)