The Geospatial Data Acquisition and Dissemination System (GDADS) is a state of the art information management (collection, processing, and distribution) system that is specifically designed to serve those who work in remote environments on spatial and temporally linked projects. It includes the hardware, software, and protocols necessary for the seamless collection, preparation and dissemination of geospatially linked information. The mobile component of this system is compatible with the centrally located analysis and web-based delivery components. The GDADS will improve efficiency and consistency in necessary data collection activities, and provide unprecedented access to well-organized sets of data for research, management, and educational activities (Figure 1).
The basic framework for GDADS is currently in place in the School of Forest Resources & Environmental Science. We are one of the largest users of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) on Campus and have collected a vast amount of spatial data for the region, including both current data and historic research data. A GIS is defined as the entire collection of hardware, software, geographic databases, and personnel integrated for efficient data collection, storage, manipulation, analysis, display, and dissemination referenced to geographic coordinates (Star and Estes 1990, ESRI 1992). This data is in ESRI Arc/Info format. ESRI makes the most widely used GIS software in the world, with over 500,000 users, so any data made publicly available will be accessible by most GIS users. The School also has Internet map server software available, so custom maps and analysis capabilities will be available to users without their own GIS software. The crucial part of GDADS currently lacking is the hardware for data collection and input in the field.
The use of field computers will allow for rapid
, reliable, and flexible data collection. Mobile data collection will be facilitated through the use of programmable field units that operate on the Microsoft Windows CE 3.0 platform. This platform provides for stable operation of custom software well suited to data collection. The GeoXT, from Trimble Navigation, is an integrated Global Positioning System (GPS) and Windows CE device. This unit offers the reliability of a rugged/weatherproof field computer, which can be dropped and can withstand inclement weather, sub meter GPS accuracy, which allows for the calculation of location with 1-2 feet of accuracy, and seamless throughput of data from ESRI's ArcPad 6.0 (running on the GeoXT) to ArcView GIS and ArcIMS map server software (running on MTU PC's and servers).
Web-based dissemination of field data, analysis results, and graphical display/maps will provide multiple users access to these essential resources. Use of ESRI's ArcView and its underlying spatial database platform will allow for the organization and analysis of data on a spatial level. Integration of this spatial database with ESRI's ArcIMS product will give query capability to web-based clients. This final and most significant step in the process dramatically expands the information base available to potential users, and hence becomes an improvement in research, educational, and decision-making processes.
