Interoperating Geographic Information Systems

"Interoperating Geographic Information Systems" by Michael Goodchild is a book that explores the challenges and solutions for integrating multiple geospatial data systems. The book focuses on the importance of interoperability between geographic information systems (GIS) and the benefits it can bring to various industries.

Goodchild begins the book by explaining the need for interoperability in GIS and the history of the development of GIS. He also discusses the various data formats and standards that exist in the GIS world and the challenges of integrating data from different sources.

The book then delves into the technical aspects of interoperability, including software architectures, data models, and data exchange formats. Goodchild also explores the role of metadata in facilitating interoperability and the challenges of managing metadata in large-scale GIS systems.

One of the key strengths of the book is its comprehensive coverage of the different approaches and tools for achieving interoperability. Goodchild discusses a range of approaches, from simple data conversion to more complex semantic interoperability using ontologies and semantic web technologies.

The book also covers the broader societal and organizational challenges of interoperability. Goodchild discusses the importance of collaboration between different stakeholders in GIS systems, including data providers, users, and software vendors. He also explores the challenges of managing and sharing sensitive geospatial data across different organizations and jurisdictions.