Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
Conclusion
Each of the points mentioned in the topic has generated a vast literature. The
fields involved are changing rapidly and are still subject of scientific discussions.
The approaches and methods exposed result from multiple interdisciplinary
dialogues and from the gradual integration of concepts drawn from different fields.
Among the cited interdisciplinary dialogues, some have not always been in favor of
spatial analysis. For example, before the emergence of a trend of statistical methods
incorporating dependence and spatial variability, geographical data were first
considered unsuitable for statistical processing. Furthermore, during the early days
of the development of geomatics, dialogue with spatial analysis was not as evident
as it is today. Geographical information systems (GIS) have facilitated the
management of geographical information in processing, but often with a
very operational objective. This has not motivated the development, in GIS, of
models to follow up spatial data in time [OSU 05], or of functionalities that allow
developing models in spatial analysis [FOT 00]. Today, the tendency is, on the
contrary toward an integrative co-evolution. Geographical information science is
integrating a variety of methods of spatial analysis and is often coupled to dynamic
modeling.
The choice has been to focus on the interdisciplinary interfaces. Rather than
going deeper with specific methods, we have used this position to enlighten
epistemological and methodological questions throughout the whole chain of
modeling. The bibliographic references are therefore numerous in order that each
and every one can improve the more specialized or specific methods. In fact, the
whole coherence of the approaches has been favored over the more operational
aspects. This is the case for the modeling of spatio-temporal data, as well as for the
statistical methods, the spatial analysis models and the simulation models.
We have greatly insisted on entity construction and meaning, especially in the
first two chapters. The reflection on these points is essential when facing composite
