Abstract
The development of geographic information system (GIS) transformed the practice of geographic science research. The availability of low-cost, reliable data by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) supported the advance of GIS in the early stages of the transition to digital technology. To estimate the extent of the scientific use of USGS digital geospatial data products, a search of science literature databases yielded numbers of articles citing USGS products. Though this method requires careful consideration to avoid false positives, these citation numbers of three types of products (vector, land-use/land-cover, and elevation data) were graphed, and the frequency trends were examined. Trends indicated that the use of several, but not all, products increased with time. The use of some products declined and reasons for these declines are offered. To better understand how these data affected the design and outcomes of research projects, the study begins to build a context for the data by discussing digital cartographic research preceding the production of mass-produced products. The data distribution methods used various media for different system types and were supported by instructional material. The findings are an initial assessment of the affect of USGS products on GIS-enabled science research. A brief examination of the specific papers indicates that USGS data were used for science and GIS conceptual research, advanced education, and problem analysis and solution applications.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Abolins MJ (1997) Using free digital data to introduce volcanic hazards. J Geosci Educ 45(3):211–215
American Geological Institute. GeoRef information services. American Geological Institute. http://www.agiweb.org/georef/
Antenucci JC et al (1991) Geographic information systems, a guide to the technology. Van Nostrand, New York
Bernstein R, Hanson WA (1985).Advances in landsat image processing and mapping. Vol. 550 of Sensor design using computer tools II. SPIE-The International Society for Optical Engineering, Arlington, 1985
Calkins HW (1978). Creating large digital data files from mapped data. In proceedings, UNESCO Conference on Computer Mapping of Natural Resources, Mexico City, 1978
Capraro G et al (1997) Intelligent visualization of radar data. In: Proceedings of the 1997 Radar Edinburgh International Conference, IEE, Edinburgh
Carbone G, James LA (1993) Applying GIS technology to climate data in South Carolina. Geo Info Syst 3(9):52–59
Cheng TD et al (1991) Compiling and editing agricultural strata boundaries with remotely sensed imagery and map attribute data using graphics workstations. In: 1991 International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium – IGARSS’91, IEEE, Espoo, 1991
Chrisman N (1997) Exploring geographic information systems. Wiley, New York
Chrisman N (2006) Charting the unknown, how computer mapping at Harvard became GIS. ESRI Press, Redlands
Chrisman NR, Moellering H (1983) Issues involved in the development of national digital cartographic data standards. In: Proceedings 1983 Harvard Computer Graphics Conference, Harvard University Laboratory for Computer Graphics and Spatial Analysis, vol 1. Cambridge, 1983, pp 1–10
Civco DL, Hurd JD (1991) Multitemporal, multisource land cover mapping for the state of Connecticut. In: 1991 Proceeding ACSM-ASPRS Fall Convention, Atlanta, 1991
Clapham WB Jr (2005) Quantitative classification as a tool to show change in an urbanizing watershed. Int J Remote Sens 26:4923–4939
Coleman TL (1992) Three-dimensional modeling of an image-based GIS to aid land use planning. Geocarto Int 7(4):47–53
Coppock JT, Rhind DW (1991) The history of GIS. In: Maguire DJ, Goodchild MF, Rhind DW (eds) Geographical information systems: principles and applications, 1st edn. Longmans Publishers, London, pp 21–43
Cowen DJ, Shirley WL (1991) Integrated planning information systems. In: David J, Maguire Michael, Goodchild F, David WR (eds) Geographical information systems: principles and applications, 2nd edn. Longman Scientific & Technical, Essex, pp 297–310
Cowen DJ, White TR (1989) A versatile mapping system for the USGS 1:100 000 DLGs. In: Auto-carto 9. Proceedings Symposium, Baltimore, 1989, pp 705–714
Cyran EJ (1983) Aerial profiling of terrain system. J Surv Eng 109(2):136–150
Domaratz MA et al (1984) USGS digital cartographic data standards, Digital Line Graphs from 1:2,000,000-scale maps. In: Marble DF, Calkins HW, Peuquet DJ (eds) Basic readings in geographic information systems. SPAD Systems, Ltd, New York
Dutton G (ed) (1978) First international advanced study symposium on topological data structures for geographic information systems, volume one – summary of proceedings. Laboratory for Computer Graphics and Spatial Analysis, Cambridge, 1978
Elsevier BV. a Science Direct. Elsevier BV http://www.sciencedirect.com/
Elsevier BVb SCOPUS. Elsevier BV http://www.info.scopus.com/
ESRI (1990) Understanding GIS, the ARC/INFO method. Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc, Redlands
Google (2009) Google Scholar (beta). Google Inc. http://scholar.google.com/schhp?hl=en&tab=ws
Kitchen R, Dodge M (2007) Rethinking maps. Prog Hum Geogr 31:331–344
Longley PA et al (2001) Geographic information systems and science. Wiley, New York
Lopez X (1998) The dissemination of spatial data, a North American-European comparative study on the impact of government information policy.. Ablex Publishing Corporation, Greenwich
Mark DM et al (1996) The GIS history project. National Center for Geographic Information and Analysis. http://www.ncgia.buffalo.edu/gishist/bar_harbor.html
Meyers Jr CR, Voelker AH (1972) Introduction to computer display applications using spatial data. In geographical data handling, Tomlinson RF (ed) 891–917. International Geographical Union Commission on Geographical Data Sensing and Processing for the UNESCO/IGU Second Symposium on Geographical Information Systems, vol 2. Ottawa, August 1972
Mitchell WB (1974) Geographic information systems panel. Auto-Carto I, International Conference on Automation in Cartography, December 9–12, 1974, Reston. http://mapcontext.com/autocarto/proceedings/auto-carto-1/index.html
Nickerson BG, Freeman H (1986) Development of a rule-based system for automatic map generalization. In: Proceedings of the Second International Symposium on Spatial Data Handling held in Seattle, Washington, 5–10 July 1986. International Geographical Union Commission on Geographical Data Sensing and Processing, Williamsville, 5–10 July 1986
Office of Management and Budget (1990) Circular A-16: coordination of surveying, mapping, and related spatial data activities. OMB, Washington DC. http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/circulars/a016/a016.html
Robinove CJ (1986) Principles of logic and the use of digital geographic information systems, U.S. geological survey circular 977. Washington DC
Robinson M (2008) A history of spatial data coordination. Federal Geographic Data Committee. http://www.fgdc.gov/ngac/a-history-of-spatial-data-coordination.pdf
Shuler JA (2007) Brief history of spatial information policies in the United States. Cartography Geogr Inf Sci 34(2):137–148
Southard R (1974) Governmental implications of automation panel. In Auto-Carto I, International Conference on Automation in Cartography, December 9–12, 1974, Reston. http://mapcontext.com/autocarto/proceedings/auto-carto-1/index.html
Star J, Estes J (1990) Geographic information systems, an introduction. Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs
Tele Atlas North America (1999)“Etak enhances its digital map databases nationwide to extend functionality” Press release, June 07, 1999. Directions Magazine. http://www.directionsmag.com/press.releases/index.php?duty=Show&id=599&trv=1
Thomson Reuters. ISI web of knowledge. Thomsom Reuters. http://www.isiknowledge.com
Tomlinson RF, Calkins HW, Marble DF (1976) Computer handling of geographic data, an examination of selected geographic information systems. The UNESCO Press, Paris
U.S. Geological survey (1986a) Large-scale mapping guidelines, Open File Report 86–005
U.S. Geological Survey (1986b) Land-use and Land-cover digital data from 1:250,000- and 1:100,000-scale maps: United States department of the interior U.S. Geological Survey data users guide 4, Reston
U.S. Geological Survey (1987a) Digital Line Graphs from 1:2,000,000-scale maps: United States Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey data users guide 3, Reston
U.S. Geological Survey (1987b) Digital Elevation Models, United States Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey data users guide 5, Reston
U.S. Geological Survey (1987c) Geographic names information system: United States Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey data users guide 6, Reston, Virginia
Usery EL (2010) The digital transition in cartography: USGS data innovations, 1970s. In: Proceedings, 3rd International Symposium on the History of Cartography, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington
Usery EL, Varanka D, Finn MP (2009) From the dawn of digital to the national map, 125 years of topographic mapping, Part 2, in ArcNews 31(4):39. http://www.esri.com/news/arcnews/winter0910articles/125-years.html
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2012 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
About this paper
Cite this paper
Varanka, D., Deering, C., Caro, H. (2012). The Use of U.S. Geological Survey Digital Geospatial Data Products for Science Research. In: Liebenberg, E., Demhardt, I. (eds) History of Cartography. Lecture Notes in Geoinformation and Cartography(). Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-19088-9_8
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-19088-9_8
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-642-19087-2
Online ISBN: 978-3-642-19088-9
eBook Packages: Earth and Environmental ScienceEarth and Environmental Science (R0)