Lessons from Using a Coastal Information System for a Decade

A.G. Sherin (1), P. Fraser (1), S. Solomon (1), D.L. Forbes (1), P. Gareau (2), K.A. Jenner (1), S. Hynes (1), T. Lynds (1)

(1) Natural Resources Canada, Geological Survey of Canada, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia (CA)
(2) Helical Systems, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia (CA)

In 1994, the Geological Survey of Canada (GSC) developed a prototype system for coastal information using a commercial geographic information system (GIS) and its dynamic segmentation feature. This work built upon the earlier work at the GSC that used a commercial data base management system and investigations into appropriate data structures for georeferenced coastal information.

The purpose for the development was two fold: 1) to enhance the coastal mapping work of the GSC by taking advantage of the extensive coastal aerial video surveys that had been conducted since 1983. The surveys have collected imagery for the entire coast line of three Atlantic Provinces of Canada, the island portion of the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador and several areas in Arctic Canada; and 2) to support research of physical coastal processes by providing digital maps and a foundation for analysis.

Since 1994, the interpretation of physical coastal features from the video has been captured into the CIS accomplishing the detailed mapping of substantial parts of the coast line of four Atlantic Provinces of Canada and the Canadian Arctic coast of the Beaufort Sea in 10 discreet data sets.

The system consists of the following components:

1. A standard definition of coastal features and a hierarchical coastal feature classification system.
2. An extensible conceptual and physical data model for coastal information.
3. Customized software for data capture, mapping, and analysis.

The components of the system have undergone substantial revision over the ten years, the latest revision was conducted between November 2002 and May 2003. However, some basic aspects of the system have remained unchanged:

• The CIS models the coast as a line and continues to use linear reference systems and dynamic segmentation.
• The CIS maps the extent of individual coastal features and stores their attributes rather then a priori division of the coast line into segments.
• The CIS uses a hierarchical feature classification and a controlled vocabulary during data capture to help insure data base consistency and aid the effectiveness of queries.

Changes have occurred to the classification system with additions such as a boulders, retrograde block failure, and ice. Features have been added to the data model providing greater precision in describing the coast. ex. a beach can have cusps, a dune, blow outs or a cliff, talus. Static versions of the data base are now generated from the CIS for map production and for some analysis.

The system has been used for several purposes including:

1. Provision of digital data to other parts of the Canadian government as a contribution to a national data base for oil spill sensitivity.
2. Provision of base information for the creation of a new national park.
3. Provision of information to support land use and environmental planning for rural communities.
4. Provision of information to support research on climate change impacts on vulnerable coasts and the development of erosion hazard maps for these coasts.
5. Provision of information to support coastal resource inventories by communities participating in stewardship education and diversification of local economies.

The paper will present the new data model for the CIS and how it integrates with other parts of the information infrastructure for the GSC. It will present examples of applications and a vision for future enhancements.