Geographical Information Systems International Group (GISIG), Italy

GISIG uses Intergraph to create a Web-based geospatial information solution to preserve the European environment.

The Challenge:

Acting as an ambassador for advancing geographic information systems across Europe, the Geographical Information Systems International Group (GISIG) in Italy needed an effective method to access and share disparate geo-information with various users and experts in IT and nature conservation. To achieve this goal, GISIG worked with several project partners to develop Nature-GIS, a European geographic information network for protected areas and nature preservations. This partnership includes:

Joint Research Centre (JRC), European Union University of Aberdeen, United Kingdom IONIC Software SA, Belgium University of Evora, Portugal Cemagref, France Regione Piemonte, Italy Tarnium Sarl, France University Joseph Fourier, France Euronatur, Germany University of Girona, Spain Lulea University of Technology, Sweden Ursit Ltd., Bulgary University of Cyprus, Cyprus VUGTK, Czech Republic Estonian Environment Information Centre, Estonia University of West Hungary, Hungary Jagiellonian University, Poland University of Zilina, Slovakia

The Project Objectives:

Demonstrate the feasibility and advantage offered by an open, multi-sector, multi-led spatial data infrastructure (SDI)
Identify technical issues in building interoperable platforms
Demonstrate the various uses and benefits of webGIS technology by highlighting the activities of Nature-GIS partnership members

The Solution:

GISIG and its partners followed a phased approach when developing Nature GIS. First, they assessed user needs and data and functional requirements to accurately identify the common kernel of geospatial information content for all European nature preserves and define the framework for spatial databases for protected areas. As a result of these assessments, GISIG set up a working Web Map Server (WMS) and Web Feature Server (WFS)-compliant service, giving the public access to geospatial information datasets on natural areas around Europe.

Built on Intergraph’s GeoMedia® WebMap Mapserver software, Nature-GIS enables users to access and share geospatial information stored in different databases and map servers that adopt the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) standards for interoperability. This interoperability moves GISIG closer to their overall goal of a European thematic SDI.

Using Nature-GIS, GISIG helps the Parco del Beigua Regional Park in Italy promote itself and its environmental assets. The park, classified as a Natural Regional Park in 1995, boasts both natural and cultural sites and is an important area for bird migration in the Northern Mediterranean coast.

The park uses Nature-GIS to exchange geospatial information with various other ruling bodies in the Liguria Regional government and the province of Genova. In addition, the park exchanges access privileges to thematic coverages from the Italian and European levels. The datasets related to the Beigua Regional Park have been published through the GISIG WMS server using GeoMedia WebMap and its OGC extensions for publishing background data, base maps, thematic data, and features.

Future Plans:

GISIG plans to maintain the Nature-GIS network and involve more users. In addition, the group is planning training seminars and courses about Web-based GIS, and more specifically, Nature-GIS.

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