Deserts in the Deluge: TerraPopulus and Big Human-Environment Data

Area of Science:

• Geographic Information Science (GIScience)
• Data Science
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Massive datasets on human population and environmental characteristics are crucial for research.
• Integrating, preserving, and disseminating large-scale spatial data presents significant challenges.
• Existing cyberinfrastructure often struggles with the heterogeneity and volume of big spatial data.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the challenges associated with handling 'deserts in the deluge' of big spatial data.
• To explore computational solutions for managing and integrating diverse spatial data models.
• To advance GIScience in the interoperability of massive spatial datasets.

Main Methods:

• Development of cyberinfrastructure for data integration and dissemination.
• Application of computational solutions to microdata, raster, and vector data models.
• Focus on enhancing data interoperability across scientific communities and formats.

Main Results:

• Identification of common challenges in managing big spatial data, termed 'deserts in the deluge'.
• Demonstration of GIScience advances in handling massive spatial data.
• Development of strategies for making diverse spatial data formats interoperable.

Conclusions:

• TerraPop provides a robust framework for addressing big spatial data challenges.
• Computational solutions are essential for overcoming data heterogeneity and volume issues.
• Enhanced data interoperability facilitates cross-disciplinary research using population and environmental data.