Geographic Information Systems and Geospatial Metadata

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Geographic Information Systems and Geospatial
Metadata
Lynda Wayne US Federal Geographic Data Committee
/ GeoMaxim
CSCI 373 Advanced Database UNC Asheville
April 27, 2006
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What so special about spatial?

• Geospatial Data Components
• entities and attributes

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What so special about spatial?

• Geospatial Data Components
• location

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What so special about spatial?

• Geospatial Data Components
• extent
• or
• geographic footprint

most data IS geospatial.
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How does GIS enable geospatial data?

• Geographic Information Systems
• capture
• display
• analyze
• manage
• geospatial data

esri.com
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GIS Functions

• Geospatial data capture and display
• entities/attributes via a database
• location via a coordinate/referencing system
• extent via graphic objects
• arcs
• nodes/points
• polygons
• grids

esri.com
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GIS Functions

• Geospatial data analysis
• location and extent enable entity/attribute
• Multi-level analysis
• coincidence
• deviation
• proximity
• temporal patterns

Graphic developed by Kenneth E. Foote and
Margaret Lynch, Department of Geography,
University of Texas
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GIS Functions

• Geospatial data analysis
• location and extent enable entity/attribute
• Single-level (feature) analysis
• contiguity
• dispersion
• spatial patterns

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GIS Functions

• Geospatial data analysis
• location and extent enable entity/attribute
• Feature characterization
• size
• shape
• smoothness
• salient points

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GIS Functions

• Geospatial data management
• access
• share
• assess
• use
• update
• organize
• geospatial data

metadata
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What is geospatial metadata?

• Data reporting
• WHO created the data?
• WHAT is the content of the data?
• WHEN was it created?
• WHERE is it geographically?
• HOW was the data developed?
• WHY was the data developed?

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What is geospatial metadata?
time period author sources (file) size

• title
• supplemental
• information
• abstract

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What is geospatial metadata?

• entity
• attributes

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Metadata as a Data Component
content context
DATA
MetadataTitleOriginatorPurposeAbstractGeograp
hic ExtentTime Period of ContentSources
UsedProcess DescriptionPositional
AccuracyEntities and Attributes.
map / image / database
metadata
phenomena
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Metadata as a Data Component
Data Management
access

• search
• download

share

• describe
• publish

use

• assess
• apply

DATA
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Metadata the Awful

• Geospatial Data Producers perceive metadata as
• time consuming
• excessive
• for the benefits of others
• Geospatial Managers perceive metadata as
• non-productive
• costly (time, training, software)

metadata?
metadata?
metadata?
metadata?
metadata?
metadata?
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Metadata the Magnificent

• Metadata can support
• data management
• project management
• If it is
• considered a component of the data
• created during data development
• populated with rich content

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Data Management via Metadata
DataLiability
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Data ManagementData Maintenance and Update

• Maintenance
• Are the data current?
• older than?
• prior to significant change?
• Are the data valid?
• newer sources?
• better methods?
• Update
• Contact information
• Distribution policies, availability, pricing
• URLS
• New derivations

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Data ManagementData Discovery and Re-use

• Marketing metadata in the past

If you create metadata, other people can
discover your data
New and improved message
If you create metadata, you can find your own
data
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Data ManagementData Discovery and Re-use

• Data discovery by
• themes / attributes
• geographic extent
• temporal character
• methods
• sources
• quality
• Discoverable data is usable data

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Data ManagementData Accountability
?

• Exercise in data comprehension
• What do you know?
• What dont you know?
• What should you know?
• Are you willing to associate yourself with the
  metadata record?

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Data ManagementData Accountability

• Repeatable process
• methods
• variables
• parameters
• Defensible process
• public participation
• decision-making
• GIS-savvy public
• Metadata can be crafted to preserve individual
  accountability in team projects

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Data ManagementData Liability

• Metadata is declaration of
• Purpose
• originators application of the data
• ? ontological pedigree ?
• Use Constraints
• appropriate and inappropriate utility of the data
• Completeness
• what is missing from the data
• Distribution Liability
• explicit liability of the producer and assumed
  liability of the consumer

What to do What not to do
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Project Management via Metadata
PROJECT MONITORING
PROJECTPLANNING
DELIVERABLES
COMMON LANGUAGE
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Project ManagementProject Planning

• Project design document
• description / intent
• geo temporal extent
• source data
• attribute requirements
• Benefits
• expectations outlined
• integrated into process
• provide medium to record progress

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Project ManagementProject Monitoring

• Monitor
• status
• QA/QC measures
• changes
• Requires that the metadata be actively maintained
  and reviewed.

milestones
time
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Project ManagementCommon Language for
Multi-participants

• Common reference for
• descriptors parameters
• keywords, vocabularies thesauri
• contact information
• attributes
• distribution information
• If reviewed regularly by all participants,improve
  d opportunity for coordinating
• source data
• analytical methods
• new information

template
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Project ManagementContract Deliverables

• Metadata is a data component therefore part of
  any data deliverable
• Clearly specify your metadata requirement via a
  metadata
• classification/validation schema, e.g. level of
  metadata
• template
• specification manual

Provide a sample record if possible
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Metadata Roles

• If created with utility in mind, metadata can
  serve multiple roles
• and this is only human utility of metadata

archivist preserve lineage
accountant preserve investment
developer document process
manager track progress
contributors communicate
consumer locate, assess, access data
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How do I create geospatial metadata?

• To create geospatial metadata you must
• make metadata part of the process
• be familiar with the US metadata standard
• utilize a metadata editor tool

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Make Metadata Part of the Process

• New tools enable us to better integrate metadata
  creation into the data development process

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Make Metadata Part of the Process

• If metadata were collected throughout the data
  process
• more accurate (no guessing)
• more details
• better decision-making.

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Make Metadata Part of the Process

• Build templates
• identify pertinent fields
• populate fixed fields
• standardized language
• distribution methods
• standards used
• build source and contact libraries

templates can be built at multiple levels
organization, project, themes.
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Make Metadata Part of the Process

• Map metadata to the workflow

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Make Metadata Part of the Process

• Establish policies
• mandate use of standards and templates
• develop boilerplate metadata deliverable language
  for data contractors
• include metadata as a performance measure
• require units to publish their metadata
• publish metadata SOP to document policies and
  procedures

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US Federal Metadata Standard

• Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata
  (CSDGM)
• imagery digital land surveys
• GIS files geographic databases
• required for use by
• federal agencies
• federally-sponsored research
• some state/county/city governments
• info at
• http//www.fgdc.gov/metadata/

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CSDGM Overview

• Organized into seven primary sections
• 1. Identification Information
• General bibliographic information including
• title, originator, data contact, status, date,
  time period of content, abstract, purpose,
  keywords, geographic location
• 2. Data Quality Information
• Lineage and data assessments
• sources, process methods, accuracy, data
  processing contact

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CSDGM Overview

• 3. Spatial Data Organization
• Data format
• vector, point, raster
• 4. Spatial Reference Information
• Coordinate system parameters
• horizontal / vertical coordinate system,
  projection, datum

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CSDGM Overview

• 5. Entity and Attribute Information
• Database design
• entities, attributes, domains, description of
  data values
• 6. Distribution Information
• How to acquire the data
• distribution contact, available formats, online
  distribution website, costs

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CSDGM Overview

• 7. Metadata Reference Information
• General information about the metadata record
  itself
• metadata contact, metadata standard used,
  metadata creation date, metadata review date

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CSDGM Overview

• But that wasnt enough for some people...
• Extensions
• added elements to the CSDGM
• Remote Sensing Extension
• Profiles
• content requirements for specific elements
• may included added elements as well
• Biological Profile
• Shoreline Profile

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Transition to ISO Metadata

• Standardized Metadata
• Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata
  (CSDGM) Vers. 2.0
• remains current US standard
• International Geospatial Metadata Standard (ISO
  19115)
• standard completed
• US (ANSI) adoption in progress

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Whats new with ISO metadata?

• Content
• CSDGM similar and new elements
• Domains and conditionality
• Essential or core metadata
• Format
• UML / XML
• Multi-level metadata

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Metadata Tools

• How do I determine the best metadata tool?
• Does your organization provide a tool?
• Does your GIS software provide an internal
  editor?
• Do you use a CSDGM Profile or Extension?
• Do you need to document data resource beyond
  those managed within your GIS?
• Do you need a tool that is easily distributed to
  partners?
• What features are most important to you?
• auto-capture of information
• bundling of metadata with data
• creation and use of templates
• easy to use interface
• robust help systems and tutorials

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Metadata Tools

• What metadata editors are available?
• Freeware
• tkme/xtme
• USGS, supports all profiles/extensions,
  well-maintained
• MetaVist
• USFS, desktop, supports biological profile
• MERMAidNOAA CSC, online utility supports
  biological and shoreline profiles

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Metadata Tools

• What metadata editors are available?
• Commercial
• SMMS (Intergraph GeoMedia and stand-alone)
• auto capture from multiple file types,
  contact/source libraries, data exploration
  utilities
• ArcCatalog
• metadata synchronized w/data, ability to
  enclose documents, metadata bundled with data
  export
• Blue Angelhighly customizable, supports
  non-geospatial metadata

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Metadata Tools

• What other metadata tools are available?
• Parsing and Validation
• Metadata Parser (mp)
• checks for conformance to CSDGM specified
• conditionality (are all mandatory elements are
  populated?)
• data formats 
• element domains
• mp batch
• batch processor shareware from Intergraph
• Chew N Spit (cns)
• Rectifies indentation
• Inserts capitalization and underbars
• FGDC compliant metadata must pass mp!

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Metadata Tools

• What other metadata tools are available?
• Conversion
• error2htm
• provides user-friendly interpretation of mp error
  report
• dbfmeta
• converts dbase to CSDGM Entity Attribute elements
• mq
• provides interface for editing large, diverse
  collections of metadata

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How is metadata used to distribute geospatial
data?

• Geospatial data portals, online systems and
  catalogs
• Geospatial One-Stop
• US Federal geospatial data portal
• NC OneMap
• State geospatial data portal
• Buncombe County GIS
• County GIS
• National Biological Information Infrastructure
• Thematic Metadata Catalog

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Geospatial OneStop http//www.geodata.gov
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NC OneMap http//www.NCOneMap.org
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Buncombe County GIS http//www.buncombecounty.org
/governing/depts/GIS
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NBII Metadata Catalog http//mercury.ornl.gov/nbii
/
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Future Role of Metadata

• External Utility
• distribution role will be limited to exact vs.
  general queries with improvements to
  context-based search utilities (MetaCarta)
• Internal Utility
• management role will increase with shift to
  OOP-based GIS (hierarchy, relations, etc.)
• Geospatial Metadata is a GIS Best Practice

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Questions?

• Lynda Wayne
• Lwayne_at_fgdc.gov
• FGDC Metadata Website
• www.fgdc.gov/metadata
• ESRI GIS Primer
• http//www.gis.com/whatisgis/