Publications
This page provides a list of publications addressing global data sets along with ordering or download information.
de Sherbinin, A., and R.S. Chen (eds.). 2005. Global Spatial Data and Information User Workshop: Report of a Workshop, 21-23 September 2004. Palisades, NY: Socioeconomic Data and Applications Center, Center for International Earth Science Information Network, Columbia University.
This report presents the results of a workshop on global data needs and coordination mechanisms. Presentations made at the workshop are available from the workshop Web site.
Dooley, J.F. 2005. An Inventory and Comparison of Globally Consistent Geospatial Databases and Libraries. Environment and Natural Resources Working Paper 19. Rome: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
This report presents an inventory of global data sources which can be used to provide consistent geospatial baselines for core framework data layers in the support of generalized base mapping, emergency preparedness and response, food security, and poverty mapping. In the report, only globally consistent data sources at the scales of 1:5 million or larger for vector data and a nominal pixel size of 5 arc minutes or higher resolution for raster data, were considered.
Lachman, B.E. 2002. Lessons for the Global Spatial Data Infrastructure: International Case Study. Los Angeles: Rand Corporation.
Geospatial data, information, and technologies are becoming more important and more common tools throughout the world because of their capacity to improve government- and private-sector decision making in such areas as transportation, environment, natural resources, agriculture, telecommunications, mapping, health, emergency services, research, and national security. This report presents an analysis of international collaboration for the Global Spatial Data Infrastructure (GSDI).
Mounsey, H. 1988. Building Databases for Global Science. New York: Taylor & Francis, 419 pages.
This volume records the proceedings of an early International Geographical Union (IGU) meeting held to discuss the provision of spatial databases concerning complex real-world problems on a global scale. The meeting was the first of the IGU’s Global Database Planning Project, convened to examine the provision of databases to the International Geosphere Biosphere Programme. The book reviews some principles and problems in the design of global databases: efficient design, data sources, problems of resolution and accuracy, and legal issues. It also discusses existing and planned databases held by national and international agencies and scientific bodies. A conclusion draws together many of the discussions.
Nebert, D.N. 2000. Developing Spatial Data Infrastructures: The SDI Cookbook, Version 1.0, Association for Global Spatial Data infrastructure (GSDI).
This Spatial Data Infrastructure Implementation Guide (or “cookbook”), through the support of the Global Spatial Data Infrastructure community, provides geographic information providers and users with the necessary background information to evaluate and implement existing components of SDI. It also facilitates participation within a growing (digital) geographic information community known as the Global Spatial Data Infrastructure (GSDI).
Tateishi, R. and D. Hastings (eds.). 2000. Global Environmental Databases: Present Situation; Future Directions (vol. 1 and 2). International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ISPRS), Working Group IV/6. Hong Kong: Geocarto International Centre.
These volumes both have two parts, thematic domains and cross-cutting issues. Thematic domains deals with a reference framework of environmental data, topographic data, oceanographic data, land cover data, biodiversity data, soil data, and hydrological data. Cross-cutting issues deals with common subjects among various environmental parameters such as geometric registration and metadata.
An extensivebibliography on GIS data, methods and techniques is also available from ESRI.
