Lineage

In cartography, lineage refers to the historical record of a dataset, documenting its origin, sources, transformations, and processing steps. It provides a detailed account of how spatial data was collected, modified, and integrated into a mapping or GIS system.

Advanced

Introduction

Key Aspects of Lineage in Cartography:

  1. Source Information – Details about the original data sources (e.g., satellite imagery, GPS surveys, census data).
  2. Processing History – Describes transformations such as data cleaning, georeferencing, projection changes, and interpolation.
  3. Data Integration – Records how different datasets were combined or updated.
  4. Accuracy and Quality Control – Documents any modifications, generalizations, or errors corrected.
  5. Metadata Documentation – Often included in metadata standards (e.g., ISO 19115, FGDC, INSPIRE).

Explanation

Importance of Lineage in Cartography:

  • Ensures Data Transparency – Users can verify the trustworthiness of map data.
  • Supports Data Quality Assessment – Helps in evaluating accuracy, precision, and reliability.
  • Facilitates Reproducibility – Allows researchers and GIS analysts to replicate map production methods.
  • Enhances Data Interoperability – Assists in integrating datasets from different sources.

Examples

Example of Lineage in a GIS Dataset:

  • Dataset Name: Land Use Map (2024)
  • Source: Satellite imagery from Landsat-8, Census Bureau data
  • Processing Steps:
    • Georeferenced using WGS84 coordinate system.
    • Raster classified into urban, agricultural, and forest areas.
    • Vectorized for GIS integration.
  • Accuracy: 95% classification accuracy after validation.

Outgoing relations