Definition
Spatial uncertainty is defined as the difference between the contents of a spatial database and the corresponding phenomena in the real world. Because all contents of spatial databases are representations of the real world, it is inevitable that differences will exist between them and the real phenomena that they purport to represent. Spatial databases are compiled by processes that include approximation, measurement error, and generalization through the omission of detail. Many spatial databases are based on definitions of terms, classes, and values that are vague, such that two observers may interpret them in different ways. All of these effects fall under the general term of spatial uncertainty, since they leave the user of a spatial database uncertain about what will be found in the real world. Numerous other terms are partially synonymous with spatial uncertainty. Data quality is often...
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Aerts JCJH, Goodchild MF, Heuvelink GBM (2003) Accounting for spatial uncertainty in optimization with spatial decision support systems. Trans GIS 7(2):211–230
Duckham M (2002) A user-oriented perspective of error-sensitive GIS development. Trans GIS 6(2):179–194
Ehlschlaeger CR, Shortridge AM, Goodchild MF (1997) Visualizing spatial data uncertainty using animation. Comput Geosci 23(4):387–395
Fisher PF, Unwin DJ (eds) (2005) Re-presenting GIS. Wiley, Hoboken
Frolov YS, Maling DH (1969) The accuracy of area measurement by point counting techniques. Cartogr J 1:21–35
Goodchild MF (1998) Uncertainty: the Achilles heel of GIS? Geo Info Syst 50–52
Goodchild MF (2004) A general framework for error analysis in measurement-based GIS. J Geogr Syst 6(4):323–324
Goodchild MF, Gopal S (1989) Accuracy of spatial databases. Taylor and Francis, New York
Goovaerts P (1997) Geostatistics for natural resources evaluation. Oxford, New York
Heuvelink GBM (1998) Error propagation in environmental modelling with GIS. Taylor and Francis, London
Heuvelink GBM (2005) Handling spatial uncertainty in GIS: development of the data uncertainty engine. Instituto Geografico Portugues, Estoril
Kendall MG (1961) A course in the geometry of n dimensions. Hafner, New York
Kyriakidis P, Goodchild MF (2006) On the prediction error variance of three common spatial interpolation schemes. Int J Geogr Inf Sci 20(8):823–856
Maling DH (1989) Measurement from maps: principles and methods of cartometry. Pergamon, New York
Woodcock CE, Gopal S (2000) Fuzzy set theory and thematic maps: accuracy assessment and area estimation. Int J Geogr Inf Sci 14(2):153–172
Zhang J-X, Goodchild MF (2002) Uncertainty in geographical information. Taylor and Francis, New York
Zhu AX, Band LE, Dutton B, Nimlos T (1996) Automated soil inference under fuzzy logic. Ecol Model 90(2):123–145
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2017 Springer International Publishing AG
About this entry
Cite this entry
Goodchild, M.F. (2017). Imprecision and Spatial Uncertainty. In: Shekhar, S., Xiong, H., Zhou, X. (eds) Encyclopedia of GIS. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-17885-1_592
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-17885-1_592
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-17884-4
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-17885-1
eBook Packages: Computer ScienceReference Module Computer Science and Engineering