Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI)

“Policy, Process and Presentation”

Dr Mike Osborne (SeaZone Solutions)

Mr John Pepper (UKHO)

What is a SDI?

A Spatial Data Infrastructure is a term used to summarise a range of concepts, processes, relationships and physical entities that, taken together, provide for integrated management of spatial data and information.

What does it do?A spatial and temporal information enabling framework …• Supports integrated management of spatial data and

information• Supports interoperability at all levels (process, standards,

technology and policies)• Requires cooperation across ALL sectors• Takes a holistic view • Enables policy and management decision making• Is about people and commitment• Is enabled through National legislative / strategic

programmes

What a SDI is not!

• A service

• A data solution

• A product

• A “box of tools”

• Limiting in terms of data type and source

• Owned by any stakeholder

• Built overnight!

Drivers for SDI

• Need for efficiencies in information capture, management and use

• Need for improved policy & decision making• Need for improved knowledge of and access to spatial data• Increased demand for spatial data (especially marine )• Legislation and International Conventions• Need for common standards and specifications (e.g.

ISO19XXX; OGC; IHO S100)• User appetite for information and content• Macro environmental concerns (e.g. Emergency planning,

climate change)

What constitutes a SDI?• Policy – national GI strategies/ policies• Institutional – willingness and practical cooperation

to create, share and use• Standards – guidance / influence• Content – application neutral layers of information• Geodetic Reference System – horizontal & vertical

datum; coordinate transformations• Reference Information – features/ objects used as

location reference• Application Information – business orientated

information built on reference information for analysis

Content elements

• Hydrographic • Topographic (land; air; seabed)• Morphological (texture, characterisation)• Geological (solid; drift)• Biological (benthic) • Transport networks (air, sea and land)• Hydrological (water) • Temporal (weather, tide, current)• Boundaries (EEZ, Baselines, Administrative)

…plus Meta data

What is happening in the UK to support NSDI?

The UK Digital National Framework

• Launched in 2000 to support the creation of a National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI)

• “A permanent, maintained and definitive geographic base to which information with a geospatial content can be referenced” (source: DNF – A White Paper, Oct 2004)

• UKHO /SeaZone providing geographic basefor the marineenvironment & coastal zone

• Extending DNF offshore

Marine Data & Information Partnership (MDIP)

• Launched by UK Environment Minister on 1st March 2005

• Developed by the Inter Agency Committee for Marine Science and Technology (IACMST) facilitated by Defra.

• Consensus achieved on the way ahead via Steering Group

• Attempts to solve a long-term problem of insufficient harmonisation between large numbers of diverse data holdings and an increasingly large number of initiatives in marine data and information

• Public & private sector involvement (20+ organisations)• Ambitious goals

UK Marine Data & Information PartnershipMission• To harmonise the stewardship of and access to marine data

and information, thereby facilitating improved management of the seas around the UK

Objectives• To provide a framework for the UK marine data community

with respect to data capture (includes ingestion), inter-operability, archiving and dissemination.

• To develop, adopt and promote standards, specifications and procedures in support of the framework.

• To contribute to the marine component of and support for the geospatial strategy for the UK.

• Delivery through a 2 year sponsored programme (2006-2008).

• Influence UK policy & legislation.• To be considered BAU in 5 years time.

Is there a role for HO’s in NSDI?

• Does NSDI allow for marine component (MSDI)?• Does MSDI allow for hydrographic input?• Is HO contributing to NSDI development?• Is HO data suitable to support NSDI?• Does HO collect data for navigation only?• Can data be QA’d for purposes other than

navigation?• Can HO data be accessed for non-navigational

use? • Is HO willing to support SDI?

The role of the IHO Community built on quality & professionalism that…• Imparts experience & expertise• Sets standards and imparts guidance• Shares knowledge sharing• It’s members ingest, manage and disseminate

spatial data • Promote hydrographic data as an important

ingredient to SDI’s. It is not just about charting!• To encourage HO’s to support NSDI’s

Contacts

Mr John Pepper Head of GeospatialInformation ServicesUKHOAdmiralty WayTauntonUK

Tel: +44(0)1823 723368Mobile: +44(0)7747 757613john.pepper@ukho.gov.uk

Dr Mike OsborneManaging DirectorSeaZone Solutions LtdRed Lion HouseBentleyHantsUK

Tel: +44 (0) 870 013 0607Mobile: +44(0) 7714799900Mike.osborne@seazone.com

Thank YouAny questions?

Useful websites

www.dnf.orgwww.oceannet.org.uk