Interactive Maps of NSF-funded Arctic Research Available from VECO Polar
Resources
For more information see the VPR web site:
http://www.vecopolar.com (select "GIS Maps/Reports")
VECO Polar Resources has developed an interactive map interface for viewing
project information about NSF-funded projects in the Arctic. To view the
maps go to the VPR web site http://www.vecopolar.com and select "GIS
Maps/Reports". Research locations are indicated by dots which are hotlinks
to information about the research being conducted in that location.
The National Science Foundation, Office of Polar Programs tasked VECO Polar
Resources (VPR), an arctic logistics provider for NSF, to develop an
interactive map interface for searching their online database of projects in
the Arctic. This new interface illustrates where NSF sponsors research in
the Arctic and provides a gateway to information about the projects. Dr.
William F. Manley created three base maps--Circumarctic, Alaska and
Greenland--with live links at project locations to project data, showing the
spatial coverage of research in the Arctic and providing access to more
information about the projects.
To view the maps or run other reports, go to the VPR web site at
http://www.vecopolar.com and select "GIS Maps/Reports". Choose which of the
three maps you would like to see and click on any red or blue dot. Each dot
links to a dynamic report with information about the project(s), such as the
project title, principal investigator, abstract, logistics information and a
project web site if available. Red dots indicate research sites. Blue dots
indicate the focal area of research conducted during research cruises, which
cover a wide expanse not accurately depicted as a dot. Cruise tracks will be
included in future iterations of the map interface.
Projects in the database go as far back as 1993, with the highest
concentration of project information beginning in 1999. Future versions will
provide more interfaces and search options as well as incorporating access
to geospatial data. These clickable maps are the first step in developing a
more extensive geographic information system for arctic research to serve as
a gateway to spatial data and project information in the Arctic.
VPR welcomes your input on this new way to look at arctic research. Please
send comments and suggestions to Diana Garcia-Novick at
diana.garcia-novick [at] veco.com.