Category Theory and the Structure of Features in Geographic Information Systems

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
This paper explores feature-based approaches to geographic information systems (GISs) and develops a conceptual framework that can be used as a base for structuring geographic entities as features. The concepts are drawn from set theory, cognitive category theory, and cartographic principles of abstraction and generalization. Set theory provides an analytical approach to determining geographic features, an example of which is multispectral classification. This approach is limited when applied to geomorphologic phenomena such as hills and valleys, but cognitive category theory with the development of prototype concepts is applicable in this instance. Cartographic abstraction principles recognize the dependence of map features on purpose and scale. Combining set theory, cognitive category theory, and cartographic abstraction principles yields a base for the development of application-specific and resolution-dependent geographic features for use in GISs. The conclusion that features must subscribe to cognitive category theory and represent basic level geographic entities is supported from cartography by the common entities, such as roads and streams, that are symbolized on maps. The modeling concepts presented provide a basis for design and construction of a feature-based GIS, independent of the underlying geometric model, but dependent on application and resolution.

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: