Learning About the Environment and Making Smarter Decisions Using Web-Based Mapping Tools

Earthzine2016 Monthly Focus Topics, Original, Themed Articles

By Joseph Kerski, Ph.D. Education Manager, Esri Instructor, University of Denver Because environmental issues take place in specific locations and often exhibit specific spatial patterns, they can be better understood through maps. Map-based analysis can help planners, analysts, and the general public better understand relationships and trends between variables, scales, and regions. Map-based analysis helps people question, visualize, assess, and … Read More

GIS Free-For-All

EarthzineOriginal, Socioeconomic Benefits 2016, Themed Articles

Using free and open source GIS programs and data platforms can eliminate costs associated with data processing, making Earth Observation data more profitable for all. Clyde A. Brooke purchased 140 acres of land in Hancock, Mississippi, in 1952 to begin a timber operation, and what began as a humble operation has grown to more than 4,000 acres today. The Brookewood … Read More

Investigating Groundwater in Montana Informs State Water Policy Decisions

Earthzine2016 Monthly Focus Topics, Original

The Ground Water Investigation Program at the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology seeks to provide answers to communities about the status of local groundwater. This article was updated on March 1st, 2016. As in many western states, officials in Montana have long been concerned with water. Montana’s landmass is the size of Japan, and the hydrogeology of the state … Read More

OSGeo: Mapping the World of Open Source Geospatial Software

EarthzineOriginal

The Open Source Geospatial Foundation looks to assist the next generation of cartographers by helping them navigate the world of free and open source geospatial software. Sometimes the best way to understand something is to take a good look at it. The Open Source Geospatial Foundation wants the geospatial software community to check out free and open source software. Geospatial … Read More

OGC netCDF: Powerful Tool for Science

EarthzineArticles, Climate, Earth Observation, Earth Science Informatics, Informatics Theme, Oceans, Original, Sections, Themed Articles

A widely used “fluid earth systems” data model and data access standard called netCDF now provides an important bridge between GIS and the complex 4-D processing systems used in oceanography and atmospheric sciences. By bringing netCDF into the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) standards organization, the netCDF community has given climate scientists, for example, a streamlined method for bringing virtually all types of spatial/temporal data and processing into climate science models and workflows.

Finalists: 2013 Student Essay Contest on ‘Science Technology for Observing Earth’s Climate’

EarthzineAnnouncements, Essay Contest 2013, Original

essay contest Student authors from around the globe contributed submissions to Earthzine’s 2013 Student Essay Contest. Five finalists were selected. We are now entering a second round of judging that includes a blog discussion between Earthzine readers and the authors. The blogging portion of this competition will continue through Oct. 31. Click and participate.