Have you ever thought about how are the information, about geographical features, that we read in the books and other sources are collected? In this article, we will be discussing about the study of geographical science i.e. geomatics. Geomatics is mentioned in a series of standards, concerned with the collection, distribution, storage analysis, processing, and presentation of geographic data or geographic information. The details are taught in Geomatic engineering. This term, geomatics, was first introduced in French as Geomatique at the end of the 1960s. Later Michel Paradis, in the 1980s, claimed it would be the most necessary technology by the end of the 20th century and the need for geographical information would reach a scope. To meet those needs it was required to merge the traditional techniques of land surveying and the new tools and methods of geomatics.
The tools and methods included in geomatics are usually used in:
- land surveying
- remote sensing
- cartography
- geographic information systems
- global navigation satellite systems
- photogrammetry
- geophysics
- geography
- related forms of earth mapping
Geomatics was adopted by the International Organisation of Standardization, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, and other international organizations. Many authorities, especially in the United States, have shown interest in the term Geospatial Technology.
The Geospatial network collaborates resources, shares it, and collects geographical data and related terms, for example - Open Geospatial Consortium's research to introduce ready global access to geographical information.
The universities had departments for "surveying", "Survey engineering" or "topographical science" have changed their names to "geomatics" or "geomatic engineering".
The rapid growth faced by the geomatics field, by the 1990s, was possible only because of the computer hardware, computer science, software engineering, as well as the airborne and space observation remote sensing technologies.
Geospatial Science
- Geospatial science includes the incorporation of fields such as surveying, geographic information systems, hydrography, and cartography. Spatial science deals with the measurement, management, analysis, and display of the earth's surface information and its physical features.
- Many universities in Australia and the U.S, provide a degree in spatial science.
- Spatial information scientists, in the Asia-Pacific region, are working as a professional body known as Surveying and Spatial Science Institute (SSSI).
Geomatic Engineering
- Geomatic engineering focuses on Spatial information. Location is the primary factor required for geomatic engineers to collect a wide range of data for analysis and visualization. Engineering principles are applied to the spatial and other identified information, involving measurements. Thus Geomatic engineers have to take actions on both geomatics and spatial information.
- They have to manage local, regional, national, and global level spatial data. They are also taught the aspects of computer engineering, Software engineering, and civil engineering.
- Since there has been an enormous growth in digital data processing, the term "surveying" no longer deals with the whole task that was supposed to be performed as a profession of a land surveyor. More complexity in our society led to facing the problems with spatial information in critical decision- making, from personal to governmental viewpoints.
- Therefore, in this situation, geomatic engineers are involved in a wide variety of information gathering and other activities. They design, develop, and operate systems for gathering and analyzing spatial information about the land, natural resources, and the ocean.
- Geomatic engineers use advanced technological tools like digital theodolite/ distance meter total stations, Global Positioning System (GPS) equipment, digital aerial imagery, and computer based geographic information systems.
Application areas
- Coastal zone management and mapping
- Land management and reform
- Infrastructure management
- Oceanography
- Seismic interpretation
- Resource management
- Archaeological excavation and survey for GIS applications
- Aeromagnetic surveys
- air navigation services
- Urban and regional planning
This technology helped us to identify the features of our planet and introduce the world to the most interesting facts in the long run. The efforts of a geomatic engineers help us for gaining knowledge about the land we are living on. They make plans and transformations for development accordingly. More information and new facts will be introduced to the world in the upcoming years. Huge growth is assured in this field in the future.