DIGITAL THEMATIC CARTOGRAPHY FOR GEO-DIVERSITY AND GEO-TOURISM

Module GEOPETROLOGY

The course in DIGITAL THEMATIC CARTOGRAPHY FOR GEO-DIVERSITY AND GEO-TOURISM within the framework of the Master's Degree in Designing Sustainable, Cultural, and Naturalistic Tourism has the main aim of introducing students to the use of the fundamental principles of thematic naturalistic cartography through the aid of computer methodologies.

More specifically, the course intends to provide students with useful and versatile tools aimed at acquiring

Knowledge and comprehension skills on the operational tools proper to apps and thematic geoportals for nature tourism, with particular reference to the operations of:

   Georeferencing, digitization, and processing of thematic layouts of geonaturalistic interest.

Capacity in the application of knowledge and understanding to

    Integrate, Analyse, Process, Store, Distribute, and make Interoperable georeferenceable spatial data in both raster and vector formats of geonaturalistic interest.

The course also aims to foster the development of the following transversal skills:

Autonomy of judgement

Students will be stimulated to independently deepen their knowledge on the topics covered and to maintain a constant comparison with other students and with the teacher so that they can critically monitor their own learning process.

Communication skills:

Attending lectures and reading handouts and recommended texts will help the student to acquire an adequate technical-scientific language through the learning of specific terms, definitions, acronyms, and concepts related to the topics covered. Through constant interaction with the lecturer, the student will learn to expound with rigor and clarity the knowledge acquired.

Learning skills:

Students will be guided in the process of perfecting their study methods. In particular, through appropriate guided exercises, students will be able to tackle new topics independently and update their knowledge of the subject through informed research and critical reading of specialist texts and/or scientific articles.

The course is divided into 3 CFUs of face-to-face lectures for a total of 18 hours during which theoretical knowledge related to the operations of: Georeferencing, Digitization, Database management, Thematic extraction and Multiple view layouts. 

Additional 3 CFU of laboratory lectures, for a total of additional 18 hours are imparted, in parallel with the theoretical ones, for the acquisition of the basic principles of information technology applied to geotouristic land use. In the second part of the workshop course, the use of ArcGis PRO software will be introduced directly in the computer classroom (equipped with networked PCs that can be managed remotely from a server PC).

Theoretical/practical notions on the use of mobile APPs for geo-touristic fruition of a territory (e.g., Gaia GPS) will also be given during the course.

Basics of the main office automation applications (Word, Excel; Access)

Significant knowledge of the main operating systems for pc (Windows 10 - 11)

At the beginning of the course, a preliminary test will be carried out to verify the basic computer skills useful for the effective attendance of the subject content. The course will subsequently be calibrated on the students' average skills. If necessary, a supplementary ‘0’ course in basic computer skills will be planned in consultation with the study course coordinator.

A basic grounding in the classification principles of rocks and their geological significance will also be tested.

DIGITAL THEMATIC CARTOGRAPHY FOR GEO-DIVERSITY AND GEO-TOURISM (GEOPTETROLOGY MODEL)  

Lectures: 6 CFU (36 hours) 

Part 1: Introduction and computer basics for GIS applications

Theoretical content

The Earth system and its cartographic representation on a geothematic basis: the first geological maps and the evolution of the concept of geological cartography up to the CARG project. 

The overcoming of static single-theme cartography and the advent of dynamic multi-theme cartography. 

The digitization of cartographic data: raster data, vector data, shp-mdb-gdb files, and KML files. 

Geodesy references and the main georeferencing systems and methods. 

Theoretical/practical principles of map reading and geo-orienteering in the age of mobile apps. 

The advent of GIS: open-source GIS and proprietary GIS. The advent of WebGIS. 

Geoscientific data and the concept of geosites. Interoperable databases: the INSPIRE protocol and OGC standards.

 Practical classroom exercises

Discretization and data storage of cartographic information. The concept of geological outcrop, geological interpretation, and related informatization of data useful for geotourism purposes. 

Practical exercise on georeferencing systems and methodologies for geosites promotions. 

Basic construction and management of databases in a GIS environment. Visualization and consultation of the main geoscientific portals: PCN, One Geology, Auscope, SITR, OGC protocols.

    Part 2: Design and implementation of a GIS for geotouristic enhancement 

Theoretical Contents

The ESRI platform. the transition to ArcGIS-PRO. Geological data: basic cartographic data, official geological maps, local detailed cartographies, and specialized geotouristic cartographies. Techniques for geothematic enhancement of a territory (the case of the UNESCO Aspromonte Geopark). The use of mobile apps for geotouristic fruition (Gaia GPS).

  Practical classroom exercises

Table of Contents management. Visualization of cartographic data and operations on associated alphanumeric databases. Vectorization and creation of shapefiles, *.mdb, and *.gdb files. Superimposition of diversified geothematic maps and construction of geotouristic itineraries. Construction of itineraries for geotouristic use of a territory on WebGIS and consultation on mobile media.

The course contributes to the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and in particular to achieving the targets:

8.9: Achieve by 2030 to develop and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products;

9.c: Significantly increase access to information and communication technologies and strive to provide universal and low-cost access to information on the Internet in LDCs by 2020

Title: Guida geologica dell’Aspromonte. p. 1-124; Authors: CIRRINCIONE R, FAZIO E, FIANNACCA P, ORTOLANO G, PEZZINO A, PUNTURO R (2016).  Editor: Laruffa Editore, ISBN: 978-88-7221-831-0RO R

Title: Unesco Aspromonte Geopark - Stories of migrant lands.  Authors: CIRRINCIONE R., ORTOLANO G.; Editor: Collana Natura e Paesaggi in Aspromonte. 90pp. 2021.

Title:  ECDL GIS. La rappresentazione cartografica e i fondamenti del GIS; Authors: Caiaffa Emanuela; Editor: McGraw-Hill Education  (collana College)

Title: Switching to ArcGIS Pro from ArcMap; Author: Maribeth Hughett Price - 166 pagine; Editor: Esri Press - Data di pubblicazione12 luglio 2022

THE FINAL TEST WILL BE STRUCTURED IN THE FORM OF A PRESENTATION OF A PROJECT FOR THE GEOTOURISM DEVELOPMENT OF AN AREA AGREED UPON WITH THE TEACHER.

The project must contain at least two of the following elements useful for evaluation:

A) Georeferencing of geothematic maps in raster format;

B) Digitisation of elements of geonaturalistic interest; 

C) Extraction of themes and use of maps in WMS, WCS, and WFS formats;

D) Multiple integrated layouts of geothematic maps that can also be used on mobile devices (e.g., *.KML; *.KMZ).

Difference between digital cartographies in raster and vector formats; 

Geoportal WMS, WCS, and WFS: consultation and applications in geotourism; 

Definition, establishment and mode of sustainable use of a geo-site; 

Difference between GIS, WebGIS and mobile GIS;

Shp files; mdb; gdb;

The ISPRA form for the establishment of geosites;

The Earth System: How rocks tell the geological evolution of a territory;

How geology influences the development of a territory in time and space.