Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Visualisation strategies for environmental modelling data

  • Thematic Issue
  • Published:
Environmental Earth Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

We present a framework that allows users to apply a number of strategies to view and modify a wide range of environmental data sets for the modelling of natural phenomena. These data sets can be concurrently visualised to find inconsistencies or artefacts. This ensures at an early stage that models set up for the simulation of hydrological or thermal processes will not give implausible results due to complications based on input data. A number of generally applicable visualisation techniques are provided by our framework to help researchers detect potential problems. We also propose a number of mapping algorithms for the integration of multiple data sets to resolve some of the most common issues. Techniques for the presentation of input- and modelling data in combination with simulation results are proposed with respect to the benefits of visualisation of environmental data within specialised environments. The complete workflow from input data to presentation is demonstrated based on a case study in Central Germany. We identify typical problems, propose approaches for a suitable data integration for this case study and compare results of the original and modified data sets.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • ATKIS DLM Geobasisdaten (2008) http://www.bkg.bund.de

  • Ahrens J, Geveci B, Law C (2005) ParaView: an end-user tool for large data visualization. In: Hansen C, Johnson C (eds) In the visualization handbook. Elsevier, Amsterdam

    Google Scholar 

  • Alcaraz S, Lane R et al (2011) 3d geological modelling using new Leapfrog Geothermal software. In: Proceeding of 36th Workshop on Geothermal Reservoir Engineering

  • Bremer JE, Harter T (2012) Domestic wells have high probability of pumping septic tank leachate. Hydrol Earth Syst Sci 16(8):2453–2467

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DHI-WASY Software (2010) FEFLOW6 user manual—finite element subsurface flow and transport simulation system. http://www.feflow.info

  • ESRI (1998) Shapefile technical description. http://www.esri.com/library/

  • Farr TG, Rosen PA, Caro E et al (2007) The shuttle radar topography mission. Rev Geophys 45:RG2004

    Google Scholar 

  • Forlines C, Wittenburg K (2010) Wakame: sense making of multi-dimensional spatial-temporal data. In: Proceeding of International Conference on Advanced Visual Interfaces, pp 33–40

  • Goldstone W (2011) Unity 3.x game development essentials, 2nd edn. Packt Publishing, Birmingham

    Google Scholar 

  • Goncalves TD, Fischer T, Gräbe A, et al (2013) Groundwater flow model of the Pipiripau watershed, Federal District of Brazil. Environ Earth Sci 69(2):617–631

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gräbe A, Rödinger T, Rink K et al (2013) Numerical analysis of the groundwater regime in the western Dead Sea Escarpment, Israel + west bank. Environ Earth Sci 69(2):571–585

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grundmann J, Schütze N, Schmitz GH, Al-Shaqsi S (2012) Towards an integrated arid zone water management using simulation-based optimisation. Environ Earth Sci 65(5):1381–1394

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Helbig C, Rink K, Bauer HS et al (2014) Concept and workflow for 3D visualization of atmospheric data in a virtual reality environment for analytical approaches. Environ Earth Sci. (under review)

  • Helbig C, Rink K, Marx A et al (2012) Visual integration of diverse environmental data: a case study in Central Germany. In: Proceeding of International Congress on Environmental Modelling and Software. Managing Resources of a Limited Planet: Pathways and Visions under Uncertainty, Sixth Biennial Meeting, Leipzig, Germany, pp 2350–2357

  • Hötzl H, Möller P, Rosenthal E (2009) The water of the Jordan Valley. Springer, Heidelberg

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Huenges E (2010) Geothermal energy systems: exploration, development, and utilization. Wiley-VCH, New York

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Jänicke H, Böttinger M, Mikolajewicz U, Scheuermann G (2009) Visual exploration of climate variability changes using wavelet analysis. IEEE Trans Vis Comput Graph 15(6):1375–1382

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jones RR, McCaffrey KJW, Clegg P et al (2009) Integration of regional to outcrop digital data: 3d visualization of multi-scale geological models. Comput Geosci 35(1):4–18

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kolditz O, Bauer S, Bilke L, et al (2012) OpenGeoSys: an open source initiative for numerical simulation of thermo-hydro-mechanical/chemical (THM/C) processes in porous media. Environ Earth Sci 67(2):589–599

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Law M, Collins A (2013) Getting to know ArcGIS for desktop, 3rd edn. Esri Press, Redlands, CA

    Google Scholar 

  • Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (2005) VisIt user's manual. UCRL-SM-220449. https://wci.llnl.gov/codes/visit/

  • Ling M, Chen J (2013) Environmental visualization: application to site characterization, remedial programs, and litigation support. In: Proceeding of EuroVis Workshop on Visualisation of Environmental Data, pp 37–41. EuroGraphics Digital Library. doi:10.2312/PE.EnvirVis.EnvirVis13.037-041

  • Marx A, Mast M, Knoche R, Kunstmann H (2008) Global climate change and regional impact on the water balance—case study in the German alpine area. Wasserwirtschaft 98(9):12–16

    Google Scholar 

  • Neteler M, Mitasova H (2008) Open Source GIS: a GRASS GIS approach, 3rd edn. Springer, New York

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Potter K, Wilson A, Bremer PT et al (2009) Visualization of uncertainty and ensemble data: exploration of climate modeling and weather forecast data with integrated ViSUS-CDAT systems. J Phys Conf 180(1)

  • Reiners D, Voss G, Behr J (2002) OpenSG: basic concepts. In: Proceeding of 1. OpenSG Symposium

  • Rink K, Fischer T, Selle B, Kolditz O (2013) A data exploration framework for validation and setup of hydrological models. Environ Earth Sci 69(2):469–477

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rink K, Kalbacher T, Kolditz O (2012) Visual data exploration for hydrological analysis. Environ Earth Sci 65(5):1395–1403

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rinke K, Kuehn B, Bocaniov S et al (2013) Reservoirs as sentinels of catchments: the Rappbode Reservoir Observatory (Harz Mountains Germany). Environ Earth Sci 69(2):523–536

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schanze J (2012) Dealing with future change in flood risk management. J Flood Risk Manag 5(1):1–2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Scheibe T (2004) Interactive models for ground water flow and solute transport. Groundwater 42(1):8–11

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schroeder W, Martin K, Lorensen B (2006) Visualization toolkit: an object-oriented approach to 3D graphics, 4th edn. Kitware, Inc., New York, NY

    Google Scholar 

  • Schuchardt KL, Agarwal DA, Finsterle SA et al (2012) Akuna integrated toolsets supporting advanced subsurface flow and transport simulations for environmental management. In: Proceeding of International Conference on Computational Methods in Water Resources (CMWR 2012), pp 59–63

  • Schumann H, Tominski C (2011) Analytical, visual and interactive concepts for geo-visual analytics. J Vis Lang Comput 22(4):257–267

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stockmann M, Hirsch D, Lippmann-Pipke J, Kupsch H (2013) Geochemical study of different-aged mining dump materials in the Freiberg mining district, Germany. Environ Earth Sci 68(4):1153–1168

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sun F, Shao H, Wang W et al (2012) Groundwater deterioration in Nankou—a suburban area of Beijing: data assessment and remediation scenarios. Environ Earth Sci 67(6):1573–1586

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tachikawa T, Kaku M, Iwasaki A et al (2011) ASTER global digital elevation model version 2—summary of validation results. Technical report, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, USA

  • Tenzer H, Park CH, Kolditz O, McDermott CI (2010) Application of the geomechanical facies approach and comparison of exploration and evaluation methods used at Soultz-sous-Forts (France) and Spa Urach (Germany) geothermal sites. Environ Earth Sci 61(4):853–880

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tominski C, Donges J, Nocke T (2011) Information visualization in climate research. In: Proceeding of 15th International Conference on Information Visualisation, pp 298–305

  • Trauth N, Schmidt C, Maier U et al (2013) Coupled 3D stream flow and hyporheic flow model under varying stream and ambient groundwater flow conditions in a pool-riffle system. Water Resour Res. doi:10.1002/wrcr.20442

  • Walther M, O.Delfs J, Grundmann J et al (2012) Saltwater intrusion modeling: verification and application to an agricultural coastal arid region in Oman. J Comput Appl Math 236(18):4798–4809

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wycisk P, Hubert T, Gossel W, Neumann C (2009) High-resolution 3D spatial modelling of complex geological structures for an environmental risk assessment of abundant mining and industrial megasites. Comput Geosci 35(1):165–182

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zacharias S, Bogena H, Samaniego L et al (2011) A network of terrestrial environmental observatories in Germany. Vadose Zone J 10(3):955–973

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The research has been supported by the Helmholtz Association with the programme “Earth and Environment” and the TERENO initiative (Terrestrial Environmental Observatories). The authors would also like to thank Karsten Rinke, Nico Trauth, Christian Schmidt and Ute Wollschläger for providing the data sets presented in the case study.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Informatics, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Leipzig, Germany

    Karsten Rink, Lars Bilke & Olaf Kolditz

  2. Applied Environmental System Analysis, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany

    Olaf Kolditz

Authors
  1. Karsten Rink
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Lars Bilke
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Olaf Kolditz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Karsten Rink.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Rink, K., Bilke, L. & Kolditz, O. Visualisation strategies for environmental modelling data. Environ Earth Sci 72, 3857–3868 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-013-2970-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-013-2970-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation