Development of the Arctic Research Mapping Application (ARMAP): Interoperability challenges and solutions

  • Authors:

  • G. Walker Johnson;Allison G. Gaylord;Juan C. Franco;Ryan P. Cody;Jerald J. Brady;William Manley;Mike Dover;Diana Garcia-Lavigne;Roberta Score;Craig E. Tweedie

  • Affiliations:

  • Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, 500W. University Avenue, El Paso, TX 79968, USA;Nuna Technologies, P.O. Box 1483, Homer, AK 99603, USA;Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, 500W. University Avenue, El Paso, TX 79968, USA;Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, 500W. University Avenue, El Paso, TX 79968, USA;Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, 500W. University Avenue, El Paso, TX 79968, USA;INSTAAR, University of Colorado at Boulder, Campus Box 450, Boulder, CO 80309-0450, USA;CH2M HILL Polar Services, 8110 Shaffer Parkway, Littleton, CO 80127, USA;CH2M HILL Polar Services, 8110 Shaffer Parkway, Littleton, CO 80127, USA;CH2M HILL Polar Services, 8110 Shaffer Parkway, Littleton, CO 80127, USA;Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, 500W. University Avenue, El Paso, TX 79968, USA

  • Venue:
  • Computers & Geosciences
  • Year:
  • 2011

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Abstract

Ensuring interoperability between WebGIS applications is essential for maximizing access to data, data sharing, and data manipulation. Interoperability is maximized through the adoption of best practices, use of open standards, and utilization of spatial data infrastructure (SDI). While many of the interoperability challenges like infrastructure, data exchange, and file formats are common between applications, some regions like the Arctic present specific challenges including the need for presenting data in one or more polar projections. This paper describes the Arctic Research Mapping Application (ARMAP) suite of online interactive maps, web services, and virtual globes (the ARMAP suite; http://armap.org/) and several of the interoperability challenges and solutions encountered in development to date. ARMAP is a unique science and logistic tool supporting United States and international Arctic science by providing users with the ability to access, query, and browse information and data. Access to data services include a text-based search utility, an Internet Map Server client (ArcIMS), a lightweight Flex client, ArcGIS Explorer and Google Earth virtual globes, and Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) compliant web services, such as Web Map Service (WMS) and Web Feature Service (WFS). Through the ARMAP suite, users can view a variety of Arctic map layers and explore pertinent information about United States Arctic research efforts. The Arctic Research Logistics Support Service (ARLSS) database is the informational underpinning of ARMAP. Avoiding duplication of effort has been a key priority in the development of the ARMAP applications. The ARMAP suite incorporates best practices that facilitate interoperability such as Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) metadata standards, web services for embedding external data and serving framework layers, and open standards such as Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) compliant web services. Many of the features and capabilities of ARMAP are expected to greatly enhance the development of an Arctic SDI.