integrated ch 9 Flashcards
introduction to social maps
Definition
-Social Maps: Visual representations of data collected by individuals or institutions that showcase spatial and societal patterns.
-The emergence of tools and volunteered geographic information (VGI) has democratized map-making.
Key Focus Areas
Volunteered Geographic Information (VGI)
Neogeography
Digital Divides
volunteered geographic info (VGI)
Definition
The use of tools to create, assemble, and disseminate geographic data provided voluntarily by individuals.
Applications of VGI
-Science
Collects data to open new research avenues.
Examples:
iNaturalist: Maps biodiversity with contributions from naturalists and scientists.
Community Science: Bird banding and Christmas Bird Count.
AI Integration: Training AI with human-verified data (e.g., Snapshot Serengeti).
Disaster Relief
Directs resources efficiently post-disaster.
Example: Mission 4636 during the Haiti earthquake facilitated communication via SMS to request aid.
GIS Corps: Provides quick-response GIS and remote sensing support.
Government
Enhances community policy and resource allocation.
Examples:
Toronto 311: Tracks complaints and service requests by location.
SeeClickFix: Allows citizens to report local issues like streetlight outages.
advantages vs challenges of VGI
Advantages:
Real-time updates.
Cost-effective data collection.
Encourages public engagement and crowdsourcing.
Challenges of VGI
Data quality and consistency
Coordination among contributors.
Privacy concerns.
neogeography
Definition
The use of geographic tools and techniques by non-experts for personal or community activities.
Examples:
Google Maps mashups.
Mapping vacation stories with geotagged photos.
Tracking fictional characters’ movements.
Advantages
Democratizes map-making.
Allows diverse perspectives in data creation.
Challenges
Risk of creating misleading or inaccurate maps.
Limited training leads to inconsistent results.
digital divides
Definition
Inequities in access to technology that limit participation in digital mapping and VGI.
Impacts of Digital Divides
Missed Contributions
Excludes underrepresented communities.
Leads to gaps in data coverage.
Data Quality Issues
Disparities affect decision-making and understanding of societal trends.
Example
iNaturalist: Observation density maps show uneven data coverage across regions.
VGI
Answer: The creation and dissemination of geographic data voluntarily provided by individuals.
Micheal goodchild pioneered this concept in 2007
What is neogeography?
Answer: The use of geographic tools and techniques by non-experts for personal or community mapping activities.
What is the digital divide?
Answer: Inequities in access to technology that limit participation in digital mapping and VGI.
How does VGI support disaster relief?
Answer: By directing resources efficiently, as in Mission 4636 during the Haiti earthquake.
What is a major challenge of neogeography?
Answer: Inaccuracies due to limited training and expertise of contributors.
How do digital divides affect social maps?
Answer: By excluding underrepresented communities, leading to data gaps.
