International Polar Year Conference
IPY GeoNorth
API GéoNord
The First International Circumpolar Conference on Geospatial Sciences and applications was held in Yellowknife, N.W.T., Canada from August 20-24, 2007
The Conference organized by the Mapping Services Branch, Earth Sciences Sector, Natural Resources Canada in cooperation with the Canadian Institute of Geomatics and the North West Territories Geomatics Centre was a very successful event.
Over 170 participants from 13 countries, met in Yellowknife to share knowledge, technologies and practical experiences essential to the important adaptation and development processes for the Arctic and its Northern communities.
Over 30 participants represented northern communities and aboriginal groups and discussed with many scientists and professionals the opportunities which can be provided by geospatial technologies and systems.
Senior officials form most of the Circumpolar Nations (except Russia) were present to discuss the need for an Arctic Spatial Data Infrastructure as an important building block and base for future development and adaptation.
They agreed to develop a "Yellowknife Declaration", an agreement to pursue a common and cooperative strategy to contribute to Arctic Spatial Data Infrastructure. The core concept of this initiative is based on a series of presentations and panel discussions chaired by Fraser Taylor (Carleton University, a leader in the Antarctic Spatial Data Infrastructure) and Jean Thie (President of EcoInformatics International and Executive Director of the Canadian Institute of Geomatics.
Panel members included:
- Barbara Ryan and Doug Nebert, USA
- Roy Mellum, Norway
- Jarmo Ratia and Heli Ursin, Finland
- Per Syren, Sweden
- Lola Bahl, Denmark
- Jeff Labonte, Canada
- Fraser Taylor, Canada
The Conference was preceded by the IEEE/ ISPRS/ OGC GEOSS Workshop discussing The GEOSS user interface: the impact of climate change and variability on biodiversity and energy in the arctic. This GEOSS workshop formed an important contribution to the ASDI road map discussions
Conference Topics and Conference at a Glance
- Development of arctic geospatial infrastructures for northern regions
- Earth observation data and typical challenges for northern regions
- Geospatial knowledge Infrastructures for the North, including traditional knowledge and practices
- Geospatial information in support of geosciences, environmental studies and cultural heritage of the North
- Geospatial data and tools for change monitoring and land management
- Horizontal and vertical reference systems
- Training and capacity building in geospatial information and technologies for indigenous groups.
List of papers to be presented
Results from the workshop discussions and selected Conference papers was published in Geomatica the Journal of the Canadian Institute of Geomatics focused on geospatial information science, technology and practice.
Partners and sponsors include the International Polar Year (IPY), the International Society of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ISPRS), the International Cartographic Association (ICA), International Standards Organization (ISO/TC 211), and the Open Geospatial Consortium Inc.
Yellowknife,conference town and capital of Canada's Northwest Territories did not exist before 1936. The oblique aerial photo was taken as part of a systematic aerial survey program to map Canada's extensive northern lands. The same image perspective was reconstructed with Google Earth imagery showing the state of development in "2007". Just off the photos to the right, on the east side of Yellowknife Bay, is the First Nations community of Dettah which was settled around the 1800's.[+]
