Role of dynamic cartography in simulations of landscape processes based on multivariate fields

The development of distributed landscape process models based on multi-variate fields stimulated the integration of GIS and computer cartography with scientific visualization. The new integrated environment supports advanced visual analysis of multivariate georeferenced data by displaying multiple surfaces and volumes in an appropriate projection of 3D space together with vector and point data. Dynamic cartographic models are created by spatial, chronological, and attribute change animation. Interactive visualization using the Internet is supported by a translator of the georeferenced data to Virtual Reality Modeling Language format files. These new tools are used for exploration and presentation of spatio-temporal data, as well as for the support of development and evaluation of a complex soil erosion model. Examples of animations demonstrate the increasing role of dynamic cartography as a research and exploratory tool providing insight into the complex spatial and spatiotemporal relationships of landscape phenomena and their models. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.