International Institute for Aerospace Survey and Earth Sciences (ITC)
Geoinformatics, Cartography and Visualization Division
P.O.Box 6,
7500 AA Enschede
The Netherlands
Blok@itc.nl
Cognitive models of dynamic phenomena and their representation: perspective on aspects of the research topic
Important questions for the investigation of the topic (from my
perspective) seem:
2. Direct versus indirect observation of dynamic phenomena
I will further elaborate on a specific aspect mentioned in relation to the questions above. Many dynamic phenomena cannot be directly observed in reality by people, but only indirectly, through registrations of measurements. This is the case where the dynamics are too slow to be noticed (e.g. geological processes), where they are hidden (e.g. taking place in or under the earth's surface, like certain soil processes) or where they are only reflecting in parts of the spectrum for which human vision is not sensitive (e.g. reflections in the near infrared part of the spectrum).
Remotely sensed data are an important source for spatio-temporal applications, of which the influence will only increase in the future, when data can be acquired at higher spatial resolutions and with more sophisticated methods. In many applications of remotely sensed data, people are relying on indirect observations. Remotely sensed data, however, may be pre-processed before they reach the user. Interesting questions are: if people have to rely (partly or entirely) on indirect observation of dynamic phenomena in reality, does that lead to the adoption of different conceptualizations of the phenomena than the ones conceived by direct observation? How are these conceptualizations matched to reality? Is it possible to design(graphic) representations of the dynamic phenomena (or visualization tools) that facilitate the conceptualization and the matching to the dynamics in reality?
3. Example of indirect observation: NDVI data
One type of data that I intend to use in my Ph.D.-research is NDVI data. NDVI stands for Normalized Difference Vegetation Index. The data are mainly derived from NOAA satellites, which carry sensors that detect emitted radiation in several bands of electromagnetic spectrum, including the red (RED) and near-infrared (NIR) channels, where radiation from green leaves is strongly represented. Healthy vegetation reflects particularly well in the NIR-part of the spectrum.
The measure is also referred to as greenness index. It is an indication of the level of photosynthetic activity in vegetation: the more the photosynthesis is going on in green plant material, the higher the NDVI values. The values are used as crude measure of vegetation health, but they vary considerably. Because of the high temporal frequency of teledetection by the NOAA satellites, NDVI data are widely used for the monitoring of vegetation dynamics, e.g. for range land monitoring, pest and disease monitoring and food security programmes. The data are particularly useful in otherwise data-poor environments, like developing countries. Data costs are relatively low or even irrelevant, since dekadal images (showing ten days averages) are freely downloadable from the Internet.The data are pre-processed by NASA before they are made available to other suppliers or users. Users can import image data (showing ten days averages, or images that are composed using the maximum NDVI value for every pixel per day, over a week or month) into application software for time series analysis (e.g. WinDisp3). They usually start with visual inspection to determine the fitness for use (e.g. completeness, cloud problems). For exploration and analysis purposes, these data are often further processed: classified and/or statistically/mathematically analysed. The results of the calculations are represented in graphs and images. Usually, the representation in images is a static one, although there may be a film mode available in the application software, but the design and user interaction possibilities in this mode are limited.
In this example, several of factors mentioned in relation to the kinds of dynamic phenomena observed (see questions above) are known or approximately known (e.g. purpose of observation, application, time frame and resolution considered). Among the factors that are not known are the effects of the way in which the data are processed, classified, modelled and graphically represented. This influences which dynamic phenomena are seen, and the way in which these phenomena are conceptualized.
Therefore, more specific questions related to the monitoring of NDVI data and to my research on cartographic animation for monitoring are:
Brief curriculum vitae
In 1986, I obtained a degree (with honours) in human geography, specialization cartography, at the University of Utrecht, The Netherlands. Since then, I am working at the International Institute for Aerospace Survey and Earth Sciences (ITC) in Enschede, The Netherlands. My current position is Assistant Professor in Visualization in the Division Geoinformatics, Cartography and Visualization. I am involved in education, research and consulting activities. The main research interests are in cartographic visualization in general, and in cartographic animation and the use of dynamic visualization variables for exploration and analysis in particular. The promoters of my Ph.D.-research (see covering letter) are Prof.dr. F.J. Ormeling, University of Utrecht, and Prof.dr. M.J. Kraak of the ITC. Activities in professional societies include: editor of the Dutch Cartographic Journal (Kartografisch Tijdschrift; I have also been the chief editor for over two years), and corresponding member of the ICA Commission on Visualization.
Since the Ph.D.-proposal was officially accepted by the end of last year, the physical evidence that is relevant to the topic of the workshop is still limited. However, I can point at some work done that can be considered as (partially) relevant.
Paper presented at the seminar of the French Association des
Cartographes et Géographes,
12 and 13 December 1997 in Paris, France (forthcoming publication).
For abstract: see http://www.itc.nl/~carto.
The paper is an attempt to position the dynamic visualization
variables in the broader context of a developing framework for the
representation of geographic data.
NIR-part of the spectrum: The index is calculated as: NDVI = (NIR - RED) / (NIR + RED), and normalized to the theoretical range -1 <= NDVI<= 1 (to partially account for differences in surface slope and illumination), but realistic values (excluding values for water, soil, noise etc.) range from about - 0.1 (not very green) to 0.6 (very green).