Abstract
Geographic information requires special modelling and analysis methods (Luaces et al., 2005) . GIS technicians base the selection of data modelling and application methods on many factors including the available software, aim of the application, and, most of all, the user’s level of training and examples from the literature (Maguire D.J., 1991). Despite the increased interest in GIS as a tool for aquaculture, often, knowing what GIS is still does not necessarily translate into using it effectively. Aim at supporting the planning and management of GIS projects in aquaculture, the WOAH project, Aquae Strength, has a specific work package for developing and implementing a capacity-building framework available for GIS technicians. Therefore, developing GIS projects could be exploited by veterinary services in surveillance and disease response in the aquaculture domain.
The Aquae Strength work package includes three groups of activities:
- Structured training courses. Specific training courses will present an empirical approach to implement GIS technologies to be exploited by veterinary services in surveillance and disease response in aquaculture. The courses, based on QGIS technologies, will take into account the three aquatic environments (marine, freshwater, and transitional water) and use typical aquatic features and methods. Subsequently, they will also be made available as e-learning modules on the platform.
- Micro-Projects. This applied research-oriented activity will target specific topics and have appropriate project goals, providing technical expertise according to the actual needs, to achieve final tangible results. These micro-projects will be developed with the GIS technicians of the four beneficiary institutions.
- Feature catalogue. In developing GIS projects, it is recommended to align the data model used to represent spatial objects with the available standardised feature catalogue. This alignment enables developers to take advantage of common concept definitions and recommended attribute bindings, it helps implement methods into geospatial solutions and create geospatial datasets that can be easily understood and are suitable for their intended purposes. The development of the feature catalogue will be based on the identification and analysis of features and methods from recent literature.
The implementation of GIS projects requires both substantial background and skills, in GIS and the scientific domain of application, and project management expertise (Somers R., 2001 ). Tailored GIS courses and technologies may help develop successful GIS applications.
The Aquae Strength project is financed by the Italian Ministry of Health and supported by the WOAH. The project, led by the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie (Italy), involves seven other institutes belonging to the network of the Italian Experimental Zooprophylactic Institutes, three external advisors and four beneficiary institutes from North Africa, Middle East, and Far East.
References
Luaces, M.R., Brisaboa, N.R., Paramá, J.R., Viqueira, J.R. (2005). A Generic Framework for GIS Applications. In: Kwon, YJ., Bouju, A., Claramunt, C. (eds) Web and Wireless Geographical Information Systems. W2GIS 2004. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 3428. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/11427865_8
Maguire, D.J. (1991). An overview and definition of GIS. In: Geographical information systems: Principles and applications, vol. 1, pp. 9-20.
Somers, R. (2001). Quick guide to GIS implementation and management. Urban and Regional Information Systems Association.