Abstract: In recent years there has been considerable breakthrough in acquisition of georeferenced qualitative data. These types of data have characteristics that distinguish them from quantitative datasets and therefore it is typically more challenging to discover knowledge from such spatio-qualitative data. SoftGIS is one of the most prominent attempts in in collecting such spatio-qualitative data that is capable of providing informative data with applications in different disciplines. This paper uses this dataset in a case of urban experience in Helsinki in order to propound a visual technique that can help with knowledge discovery process. The visualization method proposed in this study, namely weighted average visualization (WAV), is tailored to meet specific characteristics of the aforesaid dataset and is capable of discovering patterns that are not visible through current approaches.

Abstract: The evaluation of environmental impact of artisanal gold mining was carried out in Luku, Minna, North Central Nigeria, to evaluate environmental hazards associated with artisanal gold mining through field work and Laboratory analyses. During the field work, observations of the whole mining site were made so as to evaluate the physical impact of mining and representative soil samples were randomly collected from the surface from mined and un-mined areas within the mining sites. The soil samples were analysed at the National Geo-science Research Laboratory (NGRL), of Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA), Kaduna for trace elements using X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) method. The average concentration of these elements was compared with the published crustal average concentration of the elements in upper continental crust. Results of field observation reveal that mining activity resulted in lot of physical environmental impact such as land degradation, destruction of vegetation, erosion of soils and degrading water quality. Results from the laboratory analyses show that soils are contaminated with elements such as Pb (85.73 ppm), As (9.27 ppm), Cu (56.46 ppm), Zn (31 ppm), Ni (85.55 ppm), Mn (283.73 ppm), Cd (1.68 ppm), Co (10.91 ppm), Mo (0.91 ppm), Hg (0.27 ppm), Ag (0.73 ppm), and Zr (143.27 ppm). These elements in the soil get accumulated in plants and animals, and are passed on to human through the food chain. Also, these elements can find their way to surface and ground water making the water unsuitable for human consumption. It may cause slow growth rate in plants and respiratory problem, liver and kidney damage in man.

Abstract: Bandarban Hill Tracts is facing grave environmental problems with fast depletion of its natural resources which is ultimately threatening the existence of forest cover. Monitoring the change of forest cover using multi temporal Landsat TM data (i.e. 1989, 2001 and 2010) for the Part of Bandarban Hill Tracts and exact evaluation of anthropogenic intervention on the natural environment can be assessed. Present research is focusing on along the middle course of Matamuhuri River’s adjoining areas. The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) technique was applied to quantify the forest cover changes of these regions from 1989-2010. Three different time periods NDVI maps were generated and quantitative data were classified using ERDAS Imagine and ArcGIS software respectively. Finally NDVI derived maps of 1989 and 2010 were crossed to generate overall change detection map. The study reveals that forest cover of this region has changed significantly during 1989-2010 due to natural and different anthropogenic activities (i.e. hill erosion, illegal forest cutting, jhum cultivation, forest fire, tobacco farming, etc.). Out of the total area of 16852.32 hectare, the decreased category shows 15.47%, followed by some decrease 29.55%. The area needs special protection because forest cover is decreasing and some decreasing at the rate of 0.74% and 1.41% per year respectively.

Abstract: The present study reveals that, to assess the Land use Land cover changes using remote sensing and GIS technology. The Land use/Land cover map prepared based on NRSC classification using ERDAS IMAGINE software using of supervised classification. Urbanization and development are the most crucial causes for land changes at the study area. The current scenario shows the socio-economic development but its affect the water resources, mineral wealth and ecosystems. The study finding shows that the maximum changes were noticed in Built-up-Land at central part of study area and near to down ship area. Other changes also were noticed in the study area and brought this spatial distribution.

Abstract: Remote sensing data can be used as a reconnaissance and features identification tool for identifying surface and sub-surface water potential zone. The present study has been carried out to evaluate the potential zones for groundwater targeting using an integrated remote sensing data, Survey of India (SOI) topographical sheets and field verification. Four features (geomorphologic units, slope, drainage density and lineaments density) that influence groundwater occurrence were extracted and integrated to evaluate the hydrogeomorphological characteristics of the study area and demarcate the groundwater potential zones. Thematic maps of the extracted features were prepared and integrated through geography information system (GIS) environment. The groundwater potential map was prepared by overlaying the thematic layers. Weightage percentages were assigned to the different parameters according to their relative importance to groundwater potentiality. The integrated map of the area shows different zones of groundwater prospects, viz. very high (0.77% of the area), high (35.57% of the area), moderate (54.53% of the area), while poor and very poor are made up of 9.13% of the area.

Abstract: GIS is now being used by Civil Engineers in every application domain and throughout every aspect of the enterprise, be it on the desktop, in the field, or in collaboration with others. Digital photogrammetry is most commonly associated with the production of topographic mapping generally from conventional aerial stereo photography. As for the GIS Photogrammetry can be seen as a system of hardware, software, and procedures designed to support the capture, management, manipulation, analysis, modeling, and display of spatially referenced data for solving complex planning and management problems. Photogrammetry-supported GIS is concerned with the accuracy of the data used in GIS offering ways of direct visualization and easier interpretation in a real-world scale. Matching the mosaic images usually implies that the radiometric intensity data from one image representing a particular feature must be matched to the intensity data from the second image, representing the same feature. After the production of mosaic for the study area, stereo pair of the final form the ArcView software was used to prepare a digital map with multi layers. The layers, which were 12 layers formed: main roads layer, Pedestrian roads layer, parks layer, Gardens layer, Service buildings layer, college of engineering layer, college of science layer, college of politics layer, architecture department layer, engineering labs layer, collection of colleges buildings layer and lectures halls layer. After the completion of the drawing layers have been producing digital map in its final form.