Authors : Aleksei Makhovikov and Inna Pivovarova
Abstract: The objective of this research is the study of the problem of the lack of high-quality geospatial data needed for designing customized GIS projects. It is suggested to solve the problem by using free network resources of vector and raster data with diverse spatial resolution and area coverage which are in open access. The study describes the largest free sources of geodata, the use of which allows to solve the problem of the lack of spatial information as regard to those regions where measurement of desired characteristics has not been performed or owing to some reasons is in accessible. The study presents specific examples of compatibility of heterogeneous spatial characteristics, received from various sources in the unified coordinate space of the environmental GIS project. The algorithm for research projects creation with the help of various methods of data interpolation for the spatio-temporal analysis of environmental characteristics is presented. The conclusion is drawn that the use of free data in the training course designed for ecology students provides wide opportunities for further inter disciplinary researches.
Aleksei Makhovikov and Inna Pivovarova, 2015. Free Data Use for Designing GIS-Projects in the Ecology Students Training Course. Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences, 10: 257-260.