Use of Semantic Web Technologies to Enhance the Integration and Interoperability of Environmental Geospatial Data: A Framework Based on Ontology-Based Data Access

This study addresses the challenges of integrating heterogeneous environmental geospatial data by proposing a framework based on ontology-based data access (OBDA). Geospatial data are important for decision-making in various domains, such as environmental monitoring, disaster management, and urban d...

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Main Authors: Sajith Ranatunga, Rune Strand Ødegård, Knut Jetlund, Erling Onstein
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2220-9964/14/2/52
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author Sajith Ranatunga
Rune Strand Ødegård
Knut Jetlund
Erling Onstein
author_facet Sajith Ranatunga
Rune Strand Ødegård
Knut Jetlund
Erling Onstein
author_sort Sajith Ranatunga
collection DOAJ
description This study addresses the challenges of integrating heterogeneous environmental geospatial data by proposing a framework based on ontology-based data access (OBDA). Geospatial data are important for decision-making in various domains, such as environmental monitoring, disaster management, and urban development. Data integration is a common challenge within these domains due to data heterogeneity and semantic discrepancies. The proposed framework uses semantic web technologies to enhance data interoperability, accessibility, and usability. Several practical examples were demonstrated to validate its effectiveness. These examples were based in Lake Mjøsa, Norway, addressing both spatial and non-spatial scenarios to test the framework’s potential. By extending the GeoSPARQL ontology, the framework supports SPARQL queries to retrieve information based on user requirements. A web-based SPARQL Query Interface (SQI) was developed to execute queries and display the retrieved data in tabular and visual format. Utilizing free and open-source software (FOSS), the framework is easily replicable for stakeholders and researchers. Despite some limitations, the study concludes that the framework is able to enhance cross-domain data integration and semantic querying in various informed decision-making scenarios.
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spelling doaj-art-bf8dc0e4f19e49c7b5706bf5637df82e2025-08-20T03:12:22ZengMDPI AGISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information2220-99642025-01-011425210.3390/ijgi14020052Use of Semantic Web Technologies to Enhance the Integration and Interoperability of Environmental Geospatial Data: A Framework Based on Ontology-Based Data AccessSajith Ranatunga0Rune Strand Ødegård1Knut Jetlund2Erling Onstein3NTNU, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Manufacturing and Civil Engineering, Gjøvik, Teknologiveien 22, 2815 Gjøvik, NorwayNTNU, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Manufacturing and Civil Engineering, Gjøvik, Teknologiveien 22, 2815 Gjøvik, NorwayNTNU, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Manufacturing and Civil Engineering, Gjøvik, Teknologiveien 22, 2815 Gjøvik, NorwayNTNU, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Manufacturing and Civil Engineering, Gjøvik, Teknologiveien 22, 2815 Gjøvik, NorwayThis study addresses the challenges of integrating heterogeneous environmental geospatial data by proposing a framework based on ontology-based data access (OBDA). Geospatial data are important for decision-making in various domains, such as environmental monitoring, disaster management, and urban development. Data integration is a common challenge within these domains due to data heterogeneity and semantic discrepancies. The proposed framework uses semantic web technologies to enhance data interoperability, accessibility, and usability. Several practical examples were demonstrated to validate its effectiveness. These examples were based in Lake Mjøsa, Norway, addressing both spatial and non-spatial scenarios to test the framework’s potential. By extending the GeoSPARQL ontology, the framework supports SPARQL queries to retrieve information based on user requirements. A web-based SPARQL Query Interface (SQI) was developed to execute queries and display the retrieved data in tabular and visual format. Utilizing free and open-source software (FOSS), the framework is easily replicable for stakeholders and researchers. Despite some limitations, the study concludes that the framework is able to enhance cross-domain data integration and semantic querying in various informed decision-making scenarios.https://www.mdpi.com/2220-9964/14/2/52GeoSPARQLsemantic web technologiesOBDAenvironmental geospatial datadecision-making
spellingShingle Sajith Ranatunga
Rune Strand Ødegård
Knut Jetlund
Erling Onstein
Use of Semantic Web Technologies to Enhance the Integration and Interoperability of Environmental Geospatial Data: A Framework Based on Ontology-Based Data Access
ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information
GeoSPARQL
semantic web technologies
OBDA
environmental geospatial data
decision-making
title Use of Semantic Web Technologies to Enhance the Integration and Interoperability of Environmental Geospatial Data: A Framework Based on Ontology-Based Data Access
title_full Use of Semantic Web Technologies to Enhance the Integration and Interoperability of Environmental Geospatial Data: A Framework Based on Ontology-Based Data Access
title_fullStr Use of Semantic Web Technologies to Enhance the Integration and Interoperability of Environmental Geospatial Data: A Framework Based on Ontology-Based Data Access
title_full_unstemmed Use of Semantic Web Technologies to Enhance the Integration and Interoperability of Environmental Geospatial Data: A Framework Based on Ontology-Based Data Access
title_short Use of Semantic Web Technologies to Enhance the Integration and Interoperability of Environmental Geospatial Data: A Framework Based on Ontology-Based Data Access
title_sort use of semantic web technologies to enhance the integration and interoperability of environmental geospatial data a framework based on ontology based data access
topic GeoSPARQL
semantic web technologies
OBDA
environmental geospatial data
decision-making
url https://www.mdpi.com/2220-9964/14/2/52
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