Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 1
Geotechnologies in Environmental Management
Mark W. Patterson and Nancy Hoalst-Pullen
1.1 About This Series
This edited collection, as a continuation of the “Geotechnologies and Environment”
series, delves into the applications of geotechnologies for researchers, academics
and end users interested in the real-world applications of geospatial technologies.
While the previous two volumes focused predominately on the urban environment,
particularly planning and socioeconomic applications (Gatrell and Jensen
2009
) and
urban hazards and disaster analysis (Showalter and Lu
2010
), this volume's focus is
more aligned with aspects of the physical environment, and the role environmental
management and natural resource practices (and to an extent its associated policies)
impact physical landscapes and human-environment interfaces.
Although this volume is inherently scientific and research-oriented in nature, we
argue that it still appeals to a broad audience interested in environmental applica-
tions of geospatial technologies, thus making this collection applicable to the fields
of GIS, remote sensing, geography, environmental science, and forestry, among
others. The local, national, and international case studies help to underscore the
diffusion of geospatial applications around the world.
As Gatrell and Jensen (
2009
) state, the chapters in this series inherently have
an applied nature to them. However, unlike some literature with an applied focus,
this series (thus far) has not focused extensively on methodology. Rather, an over-
arching theme in the three volumes is the socio-environmental context in which
geotechnologies are employed. The examples contained in this edited collection
showcase work from collaborations within and among geotechnology-oriented prac-
titioners and environment-oriented researchers; and while the majority of authors
hail from academia, there are an important few that represent government agen-
cies and various research institutions. Likewise, not all authors possess educations
