Search Results (658)

Recent studies in the Romanian Western Carpathians have revealed increasing socio-demographic fragility in rural areas and small towns, driven by depopulation, population aging, and declining living standards. These trends stem from the legacy of forced collectivization and industrialization (1950–1990) and the post-1990 transition, which triggered extensive out-migration and the erosion of local socio-economic structures. This study examines the fragility of human communities in the Trascău Mountains in order to evaluate spatial, demographic, and economic recovery dynamics and to assess settlement vulnerability as a major obstacle to sustainable regional development. Fragility was measured using indicators of population density and change, age structure, accessibility, and socio-demographic dynamics, based on comparative data for the interval of 1977–2021. These variables were integrated into a composite development index (Id), derived from twelve indicators covering demography, economy, infrastructure, and living standards, enabling the hierarchical classification of settlements by degree of vulnerability. The methodological framework combines empirical and analytical methods, statistical, cartographic, bibliographic, and field-based analyses within evolutionary, structural–functional, and typological perspectives. The results identify the main drivers of decline, quantify their impacts, and outline development prospects and policy directions for reducing territorial disparities. Overall, fragile settlements emerge as critical pressure points that undermine sustainability, intensify regional instability, and increase risks related to migration and social cohesion. Full article

Forested areas in Poland comprise numerous post-mining sites that hinder effective forest management. Such mining remnants may pose a threat to humans, animals, and operating forest machines. This study aimed to determine the feasibility of inventorying such man-made landforms as mining waste heaps, excavations, remnants of shallow shafts, adits, etc., using the Digital Elevation Model (DEM) based on Airborne Laser Scanning (ALS) data provided by the national agency (the Head Office of Geodesy and Cartography—HOGC) as open data. The DEM, when combined with other cartographic materials using GIS, accurately reflects the anthropogenic transformation evident in the topography. This paper presents the results of inventorying remnants of iron ore mining in the present-day forested area located between Krzepice, Kłobuck, and Częstochowa in southern Poland. The identification and inventory of post-mining landforms, mainly mounds resulting from shallow shaft mining operations, were supplemented by their digitization, automatically providing information on parameters such as perimeter (ranged in most cases from 24.3 to 159 m), surface area (46.9 to 1656 m²), length and width (7.8 to 59.2 m). The heights of the investigated structures were also read from the DEM, ranging from 0.3 to 4.1 m. Much larger structures were also identified, but they occurred accidentally (up to 23.5 m in height). In this manner, approximately 823 morphological forms were characterized, resulting in a database. Test fieldwork was then conducted to verify the DEM readings. It was proposed to calculate deformation indexes (Id [%]) for forested areas and apply them when estimating the forest management hindrance index used by the State Forests. The studied forest compartments managed by State Forests were characterized by an Id value from 0.1 to 55.5%. This type of measure provides a helpful tool in planning forestry operations in areas with diverse topography, including those transformed by mining activities. The actual environmental impact is highlighted. Forest management practices in the study area must take into consideration, in particular, topography, as well as geology and hydrology. Studies have shown that the DEM based on the ALS data is sufficiently accurate to detect even minor post-mining deformations (which may be important, in particular, in inaccessible areas). The recorded parameters can be considered when planning management, protection interventions, or reclamation activities. Full article

This study presents the digitization and integration of Kazakhstan’s legacy gravimetric maps at a scale of 1:200,000 into a modern geospatial database using ArcGIS. The primary objective was to convert analog gravity data into a structured, queryable, and spatially analyzable digital format to support contemporary geoscientific applications, including geoid modeling and regional geophysical analysis. The project addresses critical gaps in national gravity coverage, particularly in underrepresented regions such as the Caspian Sea basin and the northeastern frontier, thereby enhancing the accessibility and utility of gravity data for multidisciplinary research. The methodology involved a systematic workflow: assessment and selection of gravimetric maps, raster image enhancement, georeferencing, and digitization of observation points and anomaly values. Elevation data and terrain corrections were incorporated where available, and metadata fields were populated with information on the methods and accuracy of elevation determination. Gravity anomalies were recalculated, including Bouguer anomalies (with densities of 2.67 g/cm³ and 2.30 g/cm³), normal gravity, and free-air anomalies. A unified ArcGIS geodatabase was developed, containing spatial and attribute data for all digitized surveys. The final deliverables include a 1:1,000,000-scale gravimetric map of free-air gravity anomalies for the entire territory of Kazakhstan, a comprehensive technical report, and supporting cartographic products. The project adhered to national and international geophysical mapping standards and utilized validated interpolation and error estimation techniques to ensure data quality. The validation process by the modern gravimetric surveys also confirmed the validity and reliability of the digitized historical data. This digitization effort significantly modernizes Kazakhstan’s gravimetric infrastructure, providing a robust foundation for geoid modeling, tectonic studies, and resource exploration. Full article

One of the key problems humanity faces in this age of profound digitalization is globalization-related threats, which no longer affect just one country but pose a threat to a very large area, encompassing several or even a dozen countries, or, in the case of global warming, a threat to all of humanity worldwide. This topic inspired the investigation and verification of this threat in the Baltic Sea, along with other threats operating in the Baltic Sea region. This topic is highly topical, as estimates from maritime institutions indicate that the rate of sea level rise is an irreversible process, which, when combined with other threats, could lead to the degradation of the sea and the population living in the coastal zone. This led to the delegation clarifying the main objective of the article: to demonstrate the impact of potential global threats on the investment process in the Polish coastal belt. Based on this, an analysis of threats in the Baltic Sea region was conducted, preceded by a review of the literature and data from online resources, including data from industry portals in the maritime sector. This article presents a simulation of erosion-accumulation changes in selected areas of Poland’s Southern Baltic coast, focusing on the coastal real estate market and indicating the propensity to invest in these areas. Simulating erosion changes, using a cartographic base with a generated digital terrain model and interpolation tools to visualize the changes, represents an innovative approach to issues related to the outflow of investment land in the real estate market. This emphasizes the directionality of land changes, thus providing a predictive tool for decision-making and spatial planning in the coastal area. Full article

This article examines Daniel Suarez’s techno-thrillers Daemon (2006) and Freedom™ (2010) as works of speculative fiction that critically engage with themes of posthuman identity, algorithmic governance, and ecological agency. Rather than portraying artificial intelligence as a dystopian threat, the novels imagine the Daemon, which is a self-replicating system launched upon its creator’s death, as an infrastructural force that reorganizes global systems of power, labor, and survival. Through a posthumanist reading, drawing on thinkers such as Donna Haraway, Karen Barad, Rosi Braidotti, and N. Katherine Hayles, this article interprets the Daemon not as malevolent code, but as an ecological actor embedded in material networks, capable of fostering adaptive forms of life and governance. By reading Suarez’s fiction through the lens of posthuman ecocriticism and infrastructural media theory, the article offers a model for understanding freedom, not as a static right, but as a relational capacity earned through participation in sympoietic systems. It argues that speculative fiction can function as a cartographic tool, mapping not only future technologies but future ontologies. Full article

Integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reporting with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is important for achieving corporate sustainability. The rapid evolution of regulations like the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), and the fragmented research landscape create uncertainty for strategic planning. This paper addresses the critical gap related to the lack of predictive data into future research trends at the ESG-SDG nexus. The research begins with a bibliometric analysis using two software programs R-Biblioshiny 5.2.0 and VOSviewer 1.6.20, to process data extracted from the Web of Science (Clarivate). Selected key terms regarding sustainability reporting concepts and reporting standards, as well as the engagements of auditors were used to filter the database information. Starting from the bibliometric analysis of 361 publications completed during January 2015–September 2025, the study performs further a quantitative measurement bibliometrics using RStudio 4.5.2 and provides a novel ensemble forecasting model (AutoRegressive Integrated Moving Average, Error, Trend, Seasonal Components, and Linear regression with SDG factors) that cartograph the alignment of the current research field and forecast its evolution. The results reveal that terms regarding reporting “CSRD” and sustainability assurance, “ISSA 5000” are the most dominant research fronts, strongly aligned with SDG 12, 13 and 17. The forecasting model predicts sustained growth in this area. The study contributes by providing a forward-thinking strategic map for researchers, policymakers and businesses, transforming sustainability integration from a compliance task into systematic, data-driven approach for priority setting strategy. Full article

River flow has historically been the primary force shaping the morphology of the Yellow River estuary. However, since the Xiaolangdi Reservoir began operating in 2000, the hydrological processes reaching the estuary have been significantly modified. To evaluate the morphological response of the estuary, we examined the evolution of the mouth channel from 1996 to 2023 using remote sensing, cartographic generalization, and hydrological analysis, supported by annual Landsat imagery, daily hydrological records, and field survey data. Our findings indicate that the channel extended slowly between 1996 and 2002, then advanced rapidly from 2003 to 2007, culminating in a natural avulsion between 2004 and 2008. Following the avulsion, the newly formed channel progressively extended (2008–2013) and, after 2014, developed into a multi-branch system. The development of this bifurcating system since 2014 is attributed to the sustained release of low-sediment-concentration flows from the Xiaolangdi Reservoir. In contrast, the earlier avulsion was triggered by the rapid discharge of a high-sediment-concentration flow in 2004. These results demonstrate that releases from the Xiaolangdi Reservoir with varying sediment concentrations at different timescales elicited distinct morphological responses in the Yellow River estuary, underscoring the need for carefully calibrated hydrological regulation. Full article

The capacity of exhibitions to transform a city extends over a long period. The expo area is converted into a unique scenario for architecture, diversity, technology, mobility, and culture during the event itself. After the exhibition is over, work continues with the architectural transformations necessary to reconfigure the place into one that responds to the needs of the city and its inhabitants. The collateral actions of urban development through exhibitions involve the regeneration of different areas of the city, such as emblematic areas, and the reconfiguration of its operational systems such as transport, telecommunications, various networks, etc. Universal Expositions have historically served as catalysts for large-scale urban transformation, leaving behind complex spatial, architectural, and infrastructural legacies. However, the long-term integration of former expo sites into the contemporary city remains uneven and insufficiently documented, particularly in the case of Seville, which hosted both the 1929 Ibero-American Exposition and the 1992 Universal Exposition. This research employs a mixed qualitative methodology combining archival investigation, cartographic and photographic analysis, field observation, and research by design. Based on these findings, the paper presents an original architectural and landscape intervention for the degraded area of Isla de la Cartuja, proposing a multifunctional center and botanical garden, a recreational complex that reactivates an abandoned section of the former American Garden. This study contributes to worldwide discussions on mega-event legacies by offering a structured post-expo evaluation framework, identifying lessons for future regeneration processes, and demonstrating how research by design can support the sustainable transformation of such a former event landscape. Full article

Soil degradation in high-altitude livestock systems—driven by acidification, compaction, low water retention and nutrient loss—reduces forage productivity and limits the sustainability of grazing-based production. These constraints highlight the need for spatial tools capable of prioritising soil interventions and guiding more efficient land management. The objective of this study was to develop a spatial analysis model to identify and rank soil management priorities in a high-altitude livestock farm. A total of 441 georeferenced observations were collected using portable sensors to measure pH, electrical conductivity, water retention capacity and soil compaction. The data were processed through GIS interpolation, cartographic overlay and reclassification techniques to assign intervention levels across the landscape. The results indicated that 70% of the area presented moderately acidic soils, 32% required improvements in water retention, and 67% exhibited moderate compaction. The proposed model is replicable, operationally simple and suitable for site-specific decision-making. Overall, this study provides a technical tool that supports extension programmes, territorial planning and sustainable livestock management. Full article

Temporary pastoral settlements are a keystone of high-mountain ecologies, yet they are not included in any official datasets. Therefore, to fill this gap, this research aims to create the first systematic spatial inventory of high-altitude rural temporary dwellings (sheepfolds and shelters) and land use in the central part of the Southern Carpathians, one of the major traditional areas for sheep breeding in Romania. The data sources include 1:5000 orthophotos, 1:25,000-scale topographic maps, the Corine Land Cover model, field investigation campaigns, and forestry maps. Each one provided complementary information, which was integrated through cross-comparison and ground truth validation for settlement status and the consistent classification of land-use categories. The methodological steps followed are as follows: digitizing shelters, sheepfolds, and agricultural surfaces; overlaying elements of interest for the study; using Data Management, Spatial Analyst, Conversion Tools, and Field Calculation; and interpreting graphical and cartographical materials. Through overlay analysis, we examined how temporary settlements correlate with land-use categories; the ArcGIS Saptial Analyst tools enabled the identification of altitudinal patterns and spatial clusters. We identified 753 sheepfolds and 5411 shelters in this part of the Carpathians, situated at high altitudes, closely connected to the transhumance and pendulation phenomenon. The analysis of land use for the altitude-temporary settlements within the Parâng-Cindrel Mountains highlighted the fact that the traditional agriculture is still carried on by the locals, but biodiversity is at stake where fields are abandoned. Implications regarding the ecological and environmental impact of grazing in the area, conflict mitigation, and livestock protection as well as the cultural dimension are discussed. The study provides the first spatially explicit inventory of these shelters and sheepfolds, providing a cornerstone for interdisciplinary policy-making, conservation, and local development priorities. Full article

This study explores the potential of ChatGPT-4, an AI-powered large language model, to generate thematic maps and compare its outputs to the traditional method in which maps are produced manually by humans using GIS software. Prompt engineering is a crucial methodology of large language models that can enhance output quality. The main objective of this study is to assess the capability of AI-generated maps and to compare the quality with a traditional method. The study evaluates two prompt patterns: basic (zero-shot prompts) and advanced (Cognitive Verifier and Question Refinement). The performance of AI-generated maps is assessed based on attempts, errors, incorrect results, and map completeness. The final stage involved evaluating AI-generated maps against cartographic rules to assess their suitability. ChatGPT-4 performs well in generating suitable choropleth maps but faced challenges in understanding the prompts and potential errors in the generated code. Advanced prompts reduced errors and improved the quality of outputs, particularly for complex map elements. This paper enhances the understanding of AI’s role in cartography and further research in automated cartography. The study assesses cartographic aspects, offering insights into the strengths and limitations of AI in cartography, illustrating how large language models can process geospatial data and adhere to cartographic principles. The study also paves the way for future innovations in automated geovisualization. Full article

This study builds on a previously developed typo-morphological method used for the rural architecture of the “Capo Due Rami” area and tests its transferability to the northern sector of Sabaudia within the Pontine reclamation system. Beyond the historical, typological, and landscape dimensions explored earlier, this research adds a further analytical component focused on the relationship between settlement form and territorial planning. This extension represents the major methodological contribution of the study, allowing the repetitive structure of Opera Nazionale Combattenti farm units to be interpreted not only as a building system but also as an implicit territorial-planning device. The case study, located in the northern sector of Sabaudia, explores the relationships between the colonial settlements of the Opera Nazionale Combattenti (ONC), the agrarian framework, and the reclamation infrastructures, interpreting the repetition of settlement models as an implicit form of territorial planning. Using an integrated framework based on field surveys, archival materials, and multiscale cartographic analyses, the observation sheets show how architectural features, land-division schemes, and reclamation infrastructures are structurally interrelated. The results show that this new analytical dimension enhances the method’s interpretative capacity, highlighting the role of typological standardization in shaping the spatial and cultural structure of the reclaimed landscape. They reveal the morphological and functional consistency between architecture and landscape. Overall, the investigation confirms the coherence and replicability of the expanded approach. It shows that rural architecture is not only the material expression of a productive model but also an active agent in constructing and regulating the Pontine agrarian territory. Rural building emerges not only as the material outcome of a productive model but also as an active agent in shaping the agrarian territory. The research helps establish a comparative framework for interpreting Italian rural landscapes, supporting the valorization of vernacular heritage and reflection on the implicit planning principles embedded in typological architecture. Full article

Efficient spatial indexing is critical for processing large-scale remote sensing datasets (e.g., LiDAR point clouds, orthophotos, hyperspectral imagery). We present a bidirectional, hierarchical index based on the Polish PL-2000 coordinate reference system for (1) direct computation of a map-sheet identifier from metric coordinates (forward encoder) and (2) reconstruction of the sheet extent from the identifier alone (inverse decoder). By replacing geometric point-in-polygon tests with closed-form arithmetic, the method achieves constant-time assignment O(1), eliminates boundary-geometry loading, and enables multi-scale aggregation via simple code truncation. Unlike global spatial indices (e.g., H3, S2), a CRS-native, aligned with cartographic map sheets in PL-2000 implementation, removes reprojection overhead and preserves the legal sheet semantics, enabling the direct use of deterministic O(1) numeric keys for remote-sensing data and Polish archives. We detail the algorithms, formalize their complexity and boundary rules across all PL-2000 zones, and analyze memory trade-offs, including a compact 26-bit packing of numeric keys for nationwide single-table indexing. We also discuss integration patterns with the OGC Tile Matrix Set (TMS), ETL pipelines, and GeoAI workflows, showing how bidirectional indexing accelerates ingest, training and inference, and national-scale visualization. Although demonstrated for PL-2000, the approach is transferable to other national coordinate reference systems, illustrating how statutory map-sheet identification schemes can be transformed into high-performance indices for modern remote sensing and AI data pipelines. Full article

This paper presents a comparative analysis of SLAM Toolbox and Cartographer mapping performance in both simulated and real-world environments using ROS 2. The aim of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness, accuracy, and resource utilization of each Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) tool under identical conditions. The experiments were conducted using the Humble Hawksbill distribution of ROS 2, with mapping tasks performed in indoor environments via Gazebo simulation and physical robot tests. Results show that SLAM Toolbox demonstrated slightly more consistent map generation in environments that included human movement and small object relocations. It achieved an Absolute Trajectory Error (ATE) of 0.13 m, compared to 0.21 m for Cartographer under identical test conditions. However, Toolbox required approximately 70% CPU usage, 293 MB RAM, and a startup time of 5.2 s, reflecting higher computational demand and configuration complexity. In contrast, Cartographer exhibited slower map generation and slightly higher RAM usage (299 MB) in simulation, while requiring higher CPU load (80%) and showing greater sensitivity to parameter tuning, which contributed to less accurate localization in noise-free simulations. This study highlights the advantages and limitations of both SLAM technologies and provides practical guidance for selecting appropriate SLAM solutions in robotic mapping and autonomous navigation tasks, particularly for systems deployed on resource-constrained platforms. Full article

In 1870, the newly created Instituto Geográfico of Spain, the precursor of the current Instituto Geográfico Nacional (IGN), began to carry out work for the preparation of the National Topographic Map of Spain, a major project that would take almost 100 years to be completed. This work began with the measurement of geodetic bases throughout the national territory. Subsequently, the necessary topographic surveys were conducted to delimit the boundaries of municipalities, and to represent all the planimetric elements. As a part of this, surveys were carried out with topographic compasses, which allowed work to be performed at a good pace and with sufficient accuracy for cartographic purposes. The current IGN keeps in its archives all the documentation generated in the work related to the completion of this major project. The objective of this study is to extract information from this documentation on the magnetic declination measured at that time, and to evaluate it as a possible source of historic geomagnetic information for use in future works. To achieve this, we compared the recovered declination dataset with those generated for the same locations and dates using two independent sources: the Cov-Obs.x2 geomagnetic field model, which spans the last two centuries, and the declination data used to produce the first Spanish declination chart developed by the IGN at the beginning of the 20th century. The results show a clear agreement between the recovered dataset and both sources of independent declination data, suggesting that this dataset is valuable for improving our understanding of the recent geomagnetic field history and for refining main field models for the last centuries. Full article