Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
characteristics (Kub
´ˇ
ek and
ˇ
a
ˇ
inka
2011
). It is necessary to emphasize that some
factors during the visualization of uncertainty can be removed completely, others
can be eliminated partially, and some must be taken as initial and unchanging
presumption while designing newly created visualizations.
Discussion
From the point of view of this paper, it is of utmost importance to view the
definition of the notion of uncertainty in environmental studies. As was already
said in the very beginning of the paper, there is not just one interpretation of
uncertainty, different concepts, opinions and definitions can be found. Based on
this inconsistency, finding convenient tools and theories that would apply to the
whole issue of this scientific discipline is problematic. Due to the complexity of the
issue, there is also no unified terminology that would approach the topic globally.
Final and main objective of uncertainty visualizations is to influence the
decision-making process of the map reader in way which will help to make more
adequate decision based on cartographic symbology. From the point of view of the
ability to distinguish individual cartographic signs, the biggest problem and subject
of discussion is the lack of software tools for the visualization of uncertainty.
Current geographic information systems have almost no implemented tools that
can work with uncertainty more comprehensively. It is always only partial func-
tionality of possible ways of visualization. The computing background itself offers
program tools, however, only as part of some approaches to modelling of uncer-
tainty. A tool that would allow the user simple and quick display using more
methods without the need to convert data between various programs is still missing.
As part of some software, a number of modules and extensions that can work
with uncertainty is available, and there is also a considerable number of individual
applications, however, these are predominantly the results of research activities,
which were not spread extensively or in some cases were not even put into proper
operation after testing or termination of financial support. Very often, these tools
are specialized for a certain part of the work with uncertainty, so there is no
complex solution in this regard. Moreover, these tools are usually not user friendly,
and require the user to master deeper theory of work with uncertainty. Therefore,
there are rather used as supportive tools, since the user must know where to find
them, which again makes their use even more complicated.
From the user point of view, deeper knowledge of the stated issue and also
familiarity with GIS products is necessary. Common GIS user is thus not informed
by classic software about the uncertainty connected to spatial data. Moreover, the
crucial problem with some program environments is cartographic functionality
itself, which varies between GIS products considerably. In practice, complicated
solutions that prevent spreading between common users must be used. Depicting all
aspects of uncertainty in a map is impossible. Basic and limiting elements are
cartographic expression tools, limitation of the form of the map and predominantly
