Fuzzy Modeling with Spatial Information for Geographic Problems

Over recent years, interest in using fuzzy sets approaches has grown across fields that use spatial information in geographic problems. Not only has there been considerable research on fuzzy sets in GIS that support geographic problem solving, but increasingly the uncertainties inherent in modeling geographic problems are addressed using soft-computing methods. This book focuses on research advances in approaches for incorporating explicit handling of uncertainty, especially by fuzzy sets, to address geographic problems. It has two aims: to stimulate research in the theory and application of fuzzy sets to spatial information management and geographic problem solving; and to highlight advances that have matured so much that geoscientists, computer scientists, geographers, et al. use fuzzy modeling. The book includes examples of the use of fuzzy sets in representational issues such as terrain features, landscape morphology, spatial extents and approaches for spatial interpolation, plus applications using fuzzy sets covering data mining, spatial decision making, ecological simulation, and reliability in GIS.