Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Approaches for Geographic Dynamics Understanding and Event Prediction

摘要

This paper discusses the drivers and observables of geographic dynamics as well as GIS approaches to facilitate geographic dynamics understanding. Geographic domains exhibit diverse dynamics across multiple spatiotemporal scales. Such diverse and complex geographic dynamics poses challenges to connect relevant information and infer the underlined mechanisms. Central to the paper is the premise that activities, events and processes are drivers of geographic dynamics, and these drivers give rise to changes and movements in geographic space. The changes and movements become observables from which we can measure and assess the properties of geographic dynamics. GIS frameworks provide opportunities to integrate spatial and temporal data to examine the drivers and observables of geographic dynamics. The paper will highlight key GIS visualization, analysis, and modeling techniques for geographic dynamics understanding.