Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
help of the script, the transcription of the query in KML files was carried out
automatically from the selection of data fields, and the data were visualized
ergonomically in the GE interface.
14.3 Results
The advantages of a relational database and the freedom of a traditional hand-
written documentation were combined in the newly developed documentation
system. This duality is represented in the authors' documentation methods, and in
the structure of the database.
The number of photographs of an observed site has rapidly increased since the
times of digital photography. These photos themselves formed quite large digital
data, which were necessary to categorize and store in some kind of database. The
expansion of the GPS usage in the field also led to the creation of sets of data.
Although the created database structure follows the logic of the field notes, both the
usage of the digital photography and the GPS represent such a technical background
that is suitable for a connection between these data.
The method of the dissemination of the collected geological knowledge was the
other achievement besides the construction of the geological database.
The increasing attempt to elongate the season for tourism was one of the main
reasons for the development of the geo-tourism. Visiting geological outcrops
practically needs only good weather conditions, and except for those latitudes
where snow covers the geological formations in winter, any season would be
suitable for this purpose. The establishment of new national parks and nature
reserves and their widening profile give new challenges for the geoscientist,
because the natural heritage in the concerned regions consists not only of the
flora and fauna, but the geological background as well.
A national survey of geosciences has to deal with this new challenge and find
ways to disseminate useful knowledge of the geologically interesting and scenic
locations. These geosites may be located on already preserved lands, but often they
are not. Abandoned quarries, collapsed caves on a construction site, or picturesque
landforms in private forests are often the subjects of such curiosity. Some of them
may be preserved only as memories, because the quarry would be recultivated, and
the cave would be buried or covered on the construction site. These memories are
the documentations and photos taken by the geologists.
The new database structure made it possible to classify the geological objects
according to their significance whether they were recorded newly or data-mined
from decades-old archives. The applied method for the visualisation made it
possible to put selected sites (geosites) and maps on the Internet for public use.
These two achievements are just a small part of the work, which needs to be done.
The legislation of the natural heritage is usually different in each country, but the
non-living part of our natural environ is considered a subject of protection only
recently even in the environmentally aware countries. On the long run, it is
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