Integration of temporal and semantic components into the geographic information through mark-up languages. Part I: Definition

Abstract

This paper raises the issue of a research work oriented to the storage, retrieval, representation and analysis of dynamic GI, taking into account the semantic, the temporal and the spatiotemporal components. We intend to define a set of methods, rules and restrictions for the adequate integration of these components into the primary elements of the GI: theme, location, time [62]. We intend to establish and incorporate three new structures into the core of data storage by using mark-up languages: a semantic-temporal structure, a geosemantic structure, and an incremental spatiotemporal structure. The ultimate objective is the modelling and representation of the dynamic nature of geographic features, establishing mechanisms to store geometries enriched with a temporal structure (regardless of space) and a set of semantic descriptors detailing and clarifying the nature of the represented features and their temporality. Thus, data would be provided with the capability of pinpointing and expressing their own basic and temporal characteristics, enabling them to interact with each other according to their context, and their time and meaning relationships that could be eventually established. All of this with the purpose of enriching GI storing and improving the spatial and temporal analyses. © 2011 Springer-Verlag.