Map similarity measurement and its application to the Sado estuary

Abstract

In the past thirty years GIS technology has progressed from computer mapping to spatial database management, and more recently, to quantitative map analysis and modeling. However, most applications still rely on visual analysis for determining similarity within and among maps. The aim of this study is to compare maps of homogenous areas computed from estuarine sediment characterization indicators, using different approaches. These maps were defined using three different interpolation methods. Different Kappa statistics, visual map overlays or components of agreement and disagreement due to chance, quantity and location were used for single cell and/or neighborhood (hard and soft) map comparison. Although the three methods were computed with different statistical techniques, their results are similar, supporting the choice of any of the methods as equivalent and thus of equal value to be used as management units of the estuary. Hence the significance of choosing one of the methods is reduced.