Journal articles on the topic '3D geodatabase'

Abstract. Digital data production possibilities have developed with the emerging technologies, and it has become possible to use different data formats together. The usability of three-dimensional (3D) data on various application areas has increased with the multidimensional use of geographic data in established information systems, for 3D visualization, presentation, and analysis. Topography-related analyzes such as digital elevation models, digital terrain models, slope maps and visibility maps can be made from geographic data sets produced in 3D. In addition, the use of 3D data in Building Information Modeling (BIM) has added various innovations for geographic data analysis. In this study, a geographic database was established by taking the vector data produced in the 3D Cadastre project that was carried out by the General Directorate of Land Registry and Cadastre as an example. Data obtained from photogrammetry and architectural projects were used in accordance with the OGC CityGML standard. After creating 3D building database in GIS environment, as result of various visualization and analysis techniques, the contributions of this project to BIM were revealed for various applications such as real estate valuation, disaster management, renewable energy, 3D city models, and smart city projects.

In this paper we present the results of the development of a Web-based archiving and documenting system aimed to the management of multisource and multitemporal data related to cultural heritage. As case study we selected the building complex of Villa Revedin Bolasco in Castefranco Veneto (Treviso, Italy) and its park. Buildings and park were built in XIX century after several restorations of the original XIV century area. The data management system relies on a geodatabase framework, in which different kinds of datasets were stored. More specifically, the geodatabase elements consist of historical information, documents, descriptions of artistic characteristics of the building and the park, in the form of text and images. In addition, we used also floorplans, sections and views of the outer facades of the building extracted by a TLS-based 3D model of the whole Villa. In order to manage and explore these rich dataset, we developed a geodatabase using PostgreSQL and PostGIS as spatial plugin. The Web-GIS platform, based on HTML5 and PHP programming languages, implements the NASA Web World Wind virtual globe, a 3D virtual globe we used to enable the navigation and interactive exploration of the park. Furthermore, through a specific timeline function, the user can explore the historical evolution of the building complex.

In this paper we present the results of the development of a Web-based archiving and documenting system aimed to the management of multisource and multitemporal data related to cultural heritage. As case study we selected the building complex of Villa Revedin Bolasco in Castefranco Veneto (Treviso, Italy) and its park. Buildings and park were built in XIX century after several restorations of the original XIV century area. The data management system relies on a geodatabase framework, in which different kinds of datasets were stored. More specifically, the geodatabase elements consist of historical information, documents, descriptions of artistic characteristics of the building and the park, in the form of text and images. In addition, we used also floorplans, sections and views of the outer facades of the building extracted by a TLS-based 3D model of the whole Villa. In order to manage and explore these rich dataset, we developed a geodatabase using PostgreSQL and PostGIS as spatial plugin. The Web-GIS platform, based on HTML5 and PHP programming languages, implements the NASA Web World Wind virtual globe, a 3D virtual globe we used to enable the navigation and interactive exploration of the park. Furthermore, through a specific timeline function, the user can explore the historical evolution of the building complex.

In this paper, an approach is provided to reconstruct groundwater structures in three dimensions using well drilling data. The methodology was developed to construct the groundwater 3D model in order to better manage the groundwater production in Tanggu, Tianjin, China. At first, all the data (Fundamental geographic data, DEM, Boreholes’ tables) of the study area were organized in a geodatabase using ESRI® ArcGIS®. Secondly, 3D stratigraphy is constructed. Then, common 2D map can be instead of 3D visualization method. Finally, a groundwater 3D management system is developed to achieve the functions such as to manage, query, analyst, decision support and 3D visualization about groundwater information.

Abstract. In recent years, there has been little adoption of geospatial technology applications towards the archaeological excavation project in Malaysia which yields increasing amount of data on historical assets. Those data however been processed and managed via conventional method of paper form- based and less associated spatial data which is actually can be necessary to improve the finding method of potential archaeological sites. This paper presents the application of Geographical Information System (GIS) towards the archaeology data management by adopting geodatabase for storing archaeology information and visualizing the archaeological monuments via method of 3D Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS). The research area is located within the Bujang Valley Archaeological Museum, Merbok, Kedah which known to locate most of the ancient relics that being preserved over time. The TLS method is used to scan the interior and exterior structures of the monuments due to its capability in representing 3D visualization digitally from point cloud data and close to the accuracy of the actual structure. In addition, the geodatabase can provide the organization a better medium to create large-scale databases for organizing, analyzing and sharing the products of the field research with other users. The GIS capability to capture, integrate, store, edit, analyze and display geospatial data can really help the effort in preserving the archaeological information from lost over time.

With the development of city, the scale of underground pipeline is always extending and to solve the problem of virtual underground pipeline generation is extremely urgent. In this paper, we will use the triangular slice to establish three-dimensional MultiPatch models. The three-dimensional vector will be used in this new modeling method of 3D visualization of underground pipeline. The method can automatically deal with elbows or straight pipe modeling problems. And we find it suitable for rapid modeling and wide range of applications through our series of test.

This paper presents a workflow for the development of various Geodesign scenarios. The subject is important in the context of identifying patterns and designing solutions for a Smart City with optimized public transportation, efficient buildings, efficient utilities, recreational facilities a.s.o.. The workflow describes the procedures starting with acquiring data in the field, data processing, orthophoto generation, DTM generation, integration into a GIS platform and analyzing for a better support for Geodesign. Esri’s City Engine is used mostly for 3D modeling capabilities that enable the user to obtain 3D realistic models. The workflow uses as inputs information extracted from images acquired using UAVs technologies, namely eBee, existing 2D GIS geodatabases, and a set of CGA rules. The method that we used further, is called procedural modeling, and uses rules in order to extrude buildings, the street network, parcel zoning and side details, based on the initial attributes from the geodatabase. The resulted products are various scenarios for redesigning, for analyzing new exploitation sites. Finally, these scenarios can be published as interactive web scenes for internal, groups or pubic consultation. In this way, problems like the impact of new constructions being build, re-arranging green spaces or changing routes for public transportation, etc. are revealed through impact and visibility analysis or shadowing analysis and are brought to the citizen’s attention. This leads to better decisions.

This paper presents a workflow for the development of various Geodesign scenarios. The subject is important in the context of identifying patterns and designing solutions for a Smart City with optimized public transportation, efficient buildings, efficient utilities, recreational facilities a.s.o.. The workflow describes the procedures starting with acquiring data in the field, data processing, orthophoto generation, DTM generation, integration into a GIS platform and analyzing for a better support for Geodesign. Esri’s City Engine is used mostly for 3D modeling capabilities that enable the user to obtain 3D realistic models. The workflow uses as inputs information extracted from images acquired using UAVs technologies, namely eBee, existing 2D GIS geodatabases, and a set of CGA rules. The method that we used further, is called procedural modeling, and uses rules in order to extrude buildings, the street network, parcel zoning and side details, based on the initial attributes from the geodatabase. The resulted products are various scenarios for redesigning, for analyzing new exploitation sites. Finally, these scenarios can be published as interactive web scenes for internal, groups or pubic consultation. In this way, problems like the impact of new constructions being build, re-arranging green spaces or changing routes for public transportation, etc. are revealed through impact and visibility analysis or shadowing analysis and are brought to the citizen’s attention. This leads to better decisions.

Reconstruction of 3D building objects from 2D drawings is a vital approach for 3D model reconstructing, and the key is symbol recognition of the architectural construction components in 2D graphics. Existing algorithms of graphics symbol recognition are lack of robustness, scalability and with low recognition ability to deal with graphics transformation. This study constructed Attributed Graph to express the geometrical characteristics, topological relationships and semantic characteristics of architectural drawing symbols uniformly. The recognition approach with Attributed Graph can expand easily and flexibly to deal with rotation transformation and scaling transformation. Considering the semantic mapping from drawings to models systematically, created corresponding mapping mechanism to guarantee robustness of model creating system. Achieve internal and external integration of three-dimensional architectural models automatically, by using 3Dmax modeling script. Import models to GeoDatabase, so as to using the model in 3DGIS application.

University campuses consists of many buildings within a large area managed by a single organization. Like 3D city modeling, a 3D model of campuses can be utilized to provide a better foundation for planning, navigation and management of buildings. This study approaches 3D modeling of the UTM campus by utilizing data from aerial photos and site observations. The 3D models of buildings were drawn from building footprints in SketchUp and converted to CityGML using FME software. The CityGML models were imported into a geodatabase using 3DCityDB and visualized in Cesium. The resulting 3D model of buildings was in CityGML format level of detail 2, consisting of ground, wall and roof surfaces. The 3D models were positioned with real-world coordinates using the geolocation function in SketchUp. The non-spatial attributes of the 3D models were also stored in a database managed by PostgreSQL. While the methodology demonstrated in this study was found to be able to create LoD2 building models. However, issues of accuracy arose in terms of building details and positioning. Therefore, higher accuracy data, such as point cloud data, should produce higher LoD models and accurate positioning.

With rapid population growth, there is an increasing demand for vertical use of space. The wide spread of complex and high-rise buildings, as well as the increasing number of infrastructure above or underground, requires new methods for efficient management of land property. 3D cadastre has, thus, become a necessity for land administration. However, the success of 3D cadastral systems relies on the definition of legal and institutional frameworks and requires implementing performant technical solutions. The potential of BIM and 3D GIS in this field has been demonstrated by several authors. However, cadastral development is strongly related to the national context of each country in terms of laws, institutions, etc. In this paper, an integrated approach based on BIM and 3D GIS for the implementation of a 3D cadastre in Morocco is presented. This approach demonstrates the relevance of such integration for the efficient management of cadastral information. First, a Conceptual Data Model (CDM) based on an extension of CityGML, was proposed for the management of cadastral information in Morocco. Then, a BIM modeling process was developed according to the model’s specifications and then translated to CityGML format. After that, a 3D Geodatabase was implemented in ArcGIS based on the proposed CDM. Our method was applied to a case of co-ownership building, showing several difficulties and limits in terms of 2D representation. The results show several advantages in terms of representation and management of 3D cadastral objects. In addition, some improvements are proposed to extend the concept of co-owner share to a volumetric calculation.

The article deals with the current problem of solid waste disposal. Also the use of geoinformation technologies in the design of environmentally hazardous facilities. The sequence of actions in case of reconstruction of a land plot for the construction of a solid waste landfill is described in detail. It shows how you can use geographic information systems to speed up and better accomplish the task. The convenience of using geographic information systems when planning such tasks is obvious. It is advisable to use geographic information systems when planning environmentally hazardous facilities. This is due to the complex nature of the problem. This requires the involvement of additional spatial data. It is the geographic information system that will allow the use of all data in the complex based on the principle of their spatial position. You can also use data models to support the creation, validation, and correction of information. In a geographic information system, you can create a geodatabase. This will create a 3D model of a solid waste landfill. The 3D model allows you to better represent the terrain. Creation of a triangulation network will allow to correlate all layers created in the geodatabase. The triangulation network is created from 3D terrain points. It allows you to get a three-dimensional model of a high-altitude polygon. This provides many possibilities in the future. It will be possible to interpret 3D models with high-precision engineering systems. This allows you to carry out any geometric measurements, build sections and profiles, as well as monitor activities at the solid waste landfill. Based on these data, it is possible to measure the volumes of household waste, areas, the height of the landfill in terms of the height of the actual relief and the level of groundwater, the altitude characteristics of the landfill and slopes to compare them with the standard indicators. The three-dimensional model will make it possible to identify inconsistencies between the actual boundaries of the polygon with the cadastral boundaries of the site allocated for these purposes. With the help of geographic information systems, simplicity, speed and clarity in the formation of conclusions and decision-making will be provided.

Abstract. The research tries to present a preliminary work into geo-spatial management of public administration assets thanks to interoperability of BIM-GIS models, related to urban scale scenarios. The strategy proposed tries to deepen the management, conversion and integration of databases related to public assets and particularly schools building, and related them into city-related geo-databases. The methodology, based on the real scenario of Torino Municipality and their needs addressed in recent studies in collaboration with FULL – Future Urban Legacy Lab from Politecnico di Torino, take advantage from the availability of two test dataset at different scale, with different potential and bottlenecks. The idea of developing a 3D digital twin of Torino actually stop long before the 3D city modelling only, but rather we have to deal with the integration and harmonization of existing databases. These data collections are often coming from different updating and based on non-homogeneous languages and data models. The data are often in table format and managed by different offices and as many management systems. Moreover, recently public administrations as the one of Torino, have increase availability of BIM models, especially for public assets, which need to be known, archived, and localized in a geographic dimension in order to benefit from the real strategic potential of a spatial-enabled facility management platform as Digital Twin. Combining the use of parametric modeler software (Revit) and visual programming language (Dynamo), the proposed methodology tries to elaborate rules on a set of shared language parameters (characterizing the buildings as attributes in both datasets: ID; address; construction; floors; rooms dimensions, use, floor; height; glass surfaces). This is tested as conversion workflow between the Municipality DB and the BIM model. This solution firstly allows the interaction and query between models, and then it proposes open issues once the enriched BIM model is imported into the geographical dimension of the Torino 3D city model Digital Twin (ArcGIS Pro platform), according to LOD standards, and enriched with semantic components from municipality DB.

The recent rapid increase in urbanization has led to the inclusion of underground spaces in urban planning policies. Among the main subsurface resources, a strong interaction between underground infrastructures and groundwater has emerged in many urban areas in the last few decades. Thus, listing the underground infrastructures is necessary to structure an urban conceptual model for groundwater management needs. Starting from a municipal cartography (Open Data), thus making the procedure replicable, a GIS methodology was proposed to gather all the underground infrastructures into an updatable 3D geodatabase (GDB) for the metropolitan city of Milan (Northern Italy). The underground volumes occupied by three categories of infrastructures were included in the GDB: (a) private car parks, (b) public car parks and (c) subway lines and stations. The application of the GDB allowed estimating the volumes lying below groundwater table in four periods, detected as groundwater minimums or maximums from the piezometric trend reconstructions. Due to groundwater rising or local hydrogeological conditions, the shallowest, non-waterproofed underground infrastructures were flooded in some periods considered. This was evaluated in a specific pilot area and qualitatively confirmed by local press and photographic documentation reviews. The methodology emerged as efficient for urban planning, particularly for urban conceptual models and groundwater management plans definition.

The complexity of historical urban centres progressively needs a strategic improvement in methods and the scale of knowledge concerning the vulnerability aspect of seismic risk. A geographical multi-scale point of view is increasingly preferred in the scientific literature and in Italian regulation policies, that considers systemic behaviors of damage and vulnerability assessment from an urban perspective according to the scale of the data, rather than single building damage analysis. In this sense, a geospatial data sciences approach can contribute towards generating, integrating, and making virtuous relations between urban databases and emergency-related data, in order to constitute a multi-scale 3D database supporting strategies for conservation and risk assessment scenarios. The proposed approach developed a vulnerability-oriented GIS/HBIM integration in an urban 3D geodatabase, based on multi-scale data derived from urban cartography and emergency mapping 3D data. Integrated geometric and semantic information related to historical masonry buildings (specifically the churches) and structural data about architectural elements and damage were integrated in the approach. This contribution aimed to answer the research question supporting levels of knowledge required by directives and vulnerability assessment studies, both about the generative workflow phase, the role of HBIM models in GIS environments and toward user-oriented webGIS solutions for sharing and public use fruition, exploiting the database for expert operators involved in heritage preservation.

Abstract. The research in the geospatial data structuring and formats interoperability direction is the crucial task for creating a 3D Geodatabase at the urban scale. Both geometric and semantic data structuring should be considered, mainly regarding the interoperability of objects and formats generated outside the geographical space. Current reflections on 3D database generation, based on geospatial data, are mostly related to visualisation issues and context-related application. The purposes and scale of representation according to LoDs require some reflections, particularly for the transmission of semantic information.This contribution adopts and develops the integration of some tools to derive object-oriented modelling in the HBIM environment, both at the urban and architectural scale, from point clouds obtained by UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) photogrammetry.One of the paper’s objectives is retracing the analysis phases of the point clouds acquired by UAV photogrammetry technique and their suitability for multiscale modelling. Starting from UAV clouds, through the optimisation and segmentation, the proposed workflow tries to trigger the modelling of the objects according to the LODs, comparing the one coming from CityGML and the one in use in the BIM community. The experimentation proposed is focused on the case study of the city of Norcia, which like many other historic centres spread over the territory of central Italy, was deeply damaged by the 2016-17 earthquake.

Understanding and protecting cultural heritage involves the detection and long-term documentation of archaeological remains alongside the spatio-temporal analysis of their landscape evolution. Archive aerial photography can illuminate traces of ancient features which typically appear with different brightness values from their surrounding environment, but are not always well defined. This research investigates the implementation of the Structure-from-Motion - Multi-View Stereo image matching approach with an image enhancement algorithm to derive three epochs of orthomosaics and digital surface models from visible and near infrared historic aerial photography. The enhancement algorithm uses decorrelation stretching to improve the contrast of the orthomosaics so as archaeological features are better detected. Results include 2D / 3D locations of detected archaeological traces stored into a geodatabase for further archaeological interpretation and correlation with benchmark observations. The study also discusses the merits and difficulties of the process involved. This research is based on a European-wide project, entitled “Cultural Heritage Through Time”, and the case study research was carried out as a component of the project in the UK.

<p><strong>Abstract.</strong> Digital cartography is notably produced in all countries, in different scales and formats. Latest cartographic production aims at creating 3D objects with topological consistency and rich information linked by attribute tables, i.e. the principles behind data to be managed in geographic information systems (GIS) environments. These data contain all the information necessary for production of the first levels of detail (LOD) of the CityGML model. The work presented reports on the first steps for a guided workflow to upload cartographic data containing building footprints, heights and other information, and migrating it to a validated CityGML model. The steps include a web-portal for uploading the data in a compressed archive containing shapefiles, and a back-end Python script that reads coordinate vertices, attributes and other necessary information, and creates a CityGML file. The process was tested on the Italian topographic geodatabase of some of the main cities of Italy. Discussion on workflow steps and results are presented. Results show that this process is feasible and it can be used to facilitate first tests on transforming existing cartography to CityGML models, which can be then used for further analysis.</p>

<p><strong>Abstract.</strong> The aim of this paper is the modelling of urban microclimate, based on the limits imposed by the complexity of the three-dimensional space of cities. To this purpose, different Bioclimatic Scenarios were investigated through the microclimatic simulations using the micro-scale numerical model, ENVI-met 4v, applied in a case study of a Block in a highly residential neighbourhood of Athens. The study compares the bioclimatic scenarios of the roof top and road side vegetation plan in the current conditions, in order to evaluate how the existence of vegetation can affect the local air temperature and the thermal comfort condition of urban environment. This study also highlights the need to manage those microclimate data, through a geodatabase and provides a GIS approach of data organization and visualization. Creating building facades of the distributed temperature has showed that urban morphology parameters have an obvious impact on temperature distribution in the 3D space. On the other hand, the proposed roadside vegetation scenario has proved to be the most suitable way to improve the thermal comfort conditions of urban environment, as it can eliminate the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effects.</p>

The residential heritage that was built during the great expansion of real estate after the Second World War has severe deficiencies in structural safety, fire resistance, energy efficiency, and accessibility and these cannot be solved with sustainable renovation measures. This study focuses on replacement interventions and promotes a management model that addresses three areas (technical, social, and economic) and it refers to the application of the circularity principle to the construction sector for the goal of climate neutrality by 2050. The final objective is to define a protocol—namely, the guidelines—to reference in a decision-making process that promotes urban regeneration by comparing demolition with reconstruction and renovation. The proposed methodology allows for the determination of suitable areas in Bologna for replacement and the joining of the municipal geodatabase with data from archival research on building permits in 1949–1965 by using GIS software. This digital archive can be implemented in a digital twin for an urban block, which can become a predictive tool for urban planning and the management of the whole life of a building. The main result is the characterization of urban blocks by identifying typical features belonging to specific building libraries that are validated with density analyses. These urban clusters and building archetypes can be used to assess targeted intervention measures by using specific tools, such as predictive maps and 3D city models.

<p><strong>Abstract.</strong> The 3D national atlas application <i>Atlas of Switzerland &amp;ndash; online</i> (Sieber et al. 2015) currently consists of over 160 thematic maps. Many of them contain multiple datasets over time which themselves are composed of over 400,000 map objects in total. Together with more than 20,000 geo objects (e.g. municipalities, mountains) the sheer amount of information is difficult to perceive, explore and navigate, especially for new users of the atlas.</p><p>The goal of this research is to enable users to grasp the breadth and depth of information in a digital thematic atlas, help them to easily find the information they are looking for and also enable them to explore and navigate through information over spatial, temporal and thematic dimensions.</p><p>With this contribution we will present how this challenge is being addressed by a situation analysis, the deduction of concrete measures, as well as the implementation of those suggested exploration and navigation capabilities in the atlas application itself, as also the underlying geodatabase and GIS pipeline.</p><p>The presentation will give an overview of how those capabilities where identified and implemented. As well as lessons learned during the research, the current state of the application (including a demo) and future work in this area.</p><p>In order to give a sense of what to expect, two current shortcomings and possible improvements are illustrated as examples.</p>

There is a continuous and increasing demand for solutions, both software and hardware-based, that are able to productively handle underground utilities geospatial data. Innovative approaches that are based on the use of the European GNSS, Galileo and EGNOS, sensor technologies and LBS, are able to monitor, document and manage utility infrastructures’ data with an intuitive 3D augmented visualisation and navigation/positioning technology. A software and hardware-based system called LARA, currently under develop- ment through a H2020 co-funded project, aims at meeting that demand. The concept of LARA is to integrate the different innovative components of existing technologies in order to design and develop an integrated navigation/positioning and information system which coordinates GNSS, AR, 3D GIS and geodatabases on a mobile platform for monitoring, documenting and managing utility infrastruc- tures on-site. The LARA system will guide utility field workers to locate the working area by helping them see beneath the ground, rendering the complexity of the 3D models of the underground grid such as water, gas and electricity. The capacity and benefits of LARA are scheduled to be tested in two case studies located in Greece and the United Kingdom with various underground utilities. The paper aspires to present the first results from this initiative. The project leading to this application has received funding from the European GNSS Agency under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 641460.

There is a continuous and increasing demand for solutions, both software and hardware-based, that are able to productively handle underground utilities geospatial data. Innovative approaches that are based on the use of the European GNSS, Galileo and EGNOS, sensor technologies and LBS, are able to monitor, document and manage utility infrastructures’ data with an intuitive 3D augmented visualisation and navigation/positioning technology. A software and hardware-based system called LARA, currently under develop- ment through a H2020 co-funded project, aims at meeting that demand. The concept of LARA is to integrate the different innovative components of existing technologies in order to design and develop an integrated navigation/positioning and information system which coordinates GNSS, AR, 3D GIS and geodatabases on a mobile platform for monitoring, documenting and managing utility infrastruc- tures on-site. The LARA system will guide utility field workers to locate the working area by helping them see beneath the ground, rendering the complexity of the 3D models of the underground grid such as water, gas and electricity. The capacity and benefits of LARA are scheduled to be tested in two case studies located in Greece and the United Kingdom with various underground utilities. The paper aspires to present the first results from this initiative. The project leading to this application has received funding from the European GNSS Agency under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 641460.

The Institute of Geology and Mineral Exploration of Greece (I.G.M.E.), in the framework of CSF 2000 – 2006 (Community Support Framework 2000-2006), implemented the pilot project “Collection, Codification and Documentation of geothematic information for urban and suburban areas in Greece - pilot applications”. Geological, geochemical, geophysical, geotechnical, hydrogeological and other geothematic data concerning the urban and surrounding areas of Drama (North Greece), Nafplio & Sparti (Peloponnese) and Thrakomakedones (Attica) were collected. Drillings, geological and neotectonic mapping and other “in situ” measurements and field work took place. All initial and derived analogical and digital data were compiled and processed in specially designed geo-databases in GIS Environment. The final results are presented in geothematic maps and other digital products (DEMs, 2D – 3D surfaces, geodatabases). Such data constitute the essential knowledge base for land use planning and environmental protection in specific urban areas. Through this pilot project, new scientific approaches, methodologies and standards were developed and improved in order to apply to other future projects concerning the major cities of the whole country.

The aggregation of population in big cities leads to the concentration of human activities, overconsumption of natural resources and urban growth without spatial planning and sustainable management. As a result, urban societies are exposed to various dangers and threats with economic, social, ecological, and environmental impacts on the urban surroundings. Problems associated with urban development are related to the existing geological conditions. Therefore, the provision of appropriate geological information about the urban environment is essential for every sustainable urban planning. The first systematic recording, codification and documentation of “Urban Geology” geothematic information in Greece was implemented by the Institute of Geology and Mineral Exploration (I.G.M.E.) in the framework of the project called “Collection, codification and documentation of geothematic information for urban and suburban areas in Greece - pilot applications”. Through the implementation of this project, geological mapping, geotechnical, geochemical, geophysical research and measurements took place at four pilot cities of Greece. Nafplio, the capital city of Argolis prefecture, was one of them. During the project, all compiled data were stored and processed in specially designed geodatabases in GIS environment in order to produce multifunctional geothematic maps and other digital products (DEMs, 2D - 3D surfaces).

Introduction. A revision of syntaxa was carried out within the framework of the classification of the Brown-Blanquet school identified in the Russian Arctic. A geodatabase (GDB) and GIS, which include several interconnected main modules (see: Matveyeva et al., 2019a, b), with information on species composition, structure, ecology, and geography of syntaxa of all levels, integrated in these databases, became the basis of the presented checklist. This is the first result of compiling information on the vegetation classification, performed with the prospect to produce Prodromus of syntaxa, identified in this territory, with detailed information (character/differential/diagnostic species, ecology, zonal position, geography, bibliography), available in the GDB. It will be in time included in the Prodromus and later will become the basis for a volume in multivolume series on the vegetation of the Russian Federation (see: Plugatar et al., 2020). Territory. The checklist contains information on syntaxa established in the Russian Arctic within the boundaries of the Circumpolar Arctic Vegetation Map (hereafter CAVM) (CAVM Team, et al., 2003; Walker et al., 2005; Raynolds et al., 2019), as well as on the Barents Sea coast of the Kola Peninsula, which is referred to the tundra zone in accordance with the zonation of the Russian Arctic flat territory (see: Matveyeva, 1998). The list includes syntaxa found north of the treeline — in the tundra zone (subzones of the southern, typical, and arctic tundra) and polar deserts.1 Hence, it follows that there are no syntaxa from the forest-tundra as well as those above the treeline in the mountains adjacent to the tundra zone (Putorana and Anabarskoe plateaus). The syntaxa from the territory of the «Russian Arctic» (Barentsburg, Pyramida) on the West Spitsbergen Island (Spitsbergen archipelago) are also not taken into account (their positioning is logical in Spitzbergern syntaxonomy). History. The study of the Russian Arctic plant cover began in the second third of the XIXth century in the north-east of the European Russia (Schrenk, 1855) and in Siberia on the Taymyr Peninsula (Middendorf, 1860–1867). After a significant break, it continued in the USSR in the pre-war time and intensified after the end of the Great Patriotic War. The most intense (both in the size of the studied areas and the numbers and duration of the field works) was the period from the mid-1960s to the early 1990s. Researchers working both in other zones and in the Arctic processed the obtained data in accordance with the approaches of the dominant classification, and the relevés were either not published or presented in a small (4–5) number for association. Despite the obvious limitations of this approach, there were published (both in the form of text with listing of few dominants and with relevé tables) both general (Gorodkov, 1935) and regional (Andreev, 1932; Bogdanovskaya-Giyenef, 1938; Smirnova, 1938; Dedov, 2006 [1940]; Aleksandrova, 1956, 1983; Gorodkov, 1956, 1958 a, b; Katenin, 1972) classifications, and checklists — a draft classification of vegetation of the whole Arctic (Aleksandrova, 1979) and classification of Taymyr vegetation (Matveyeva, 1985). In the late 1980s, Russian phytosociologists turned to the Brown-Blanquet floristic (= floristic-sociological (Theurillat et al., 2021), or ecological-floristic (Mirkin, Naumova, 2014)), classification system as the most conceptually substantiated, with generally accepted rules for describing communities in the field and the technique of relevé tabular processing, and also with clear rules for the formation of syntaxon names. In this system, the obligatory publication of the original data and the requirements for its validity when describing the basic syntaxon are strictly postulated, which provides an objective comparison and classification of any plant community types, in whatever system these data are not submitted. Just as it is impossible to imagine the development of taxonomy without the existence of herbarium collections, so it should be an axiom for phytosociologists that since the relevé is the only documentary reflection of a natural phenomenon named «plant community» (Matveyeva, 2008), it should be available for analysis to all syntaxonomists. Since the second decade of the XXth century, the followers of the Braun-Blanquet system have published thousands of relevés from different regions of the globe, which made it possible to produce a unified classification of vegetation from the Arctic to the tropics and its constant replenishment. Currently, the process of creating electronic databases (archives) of relevés, including the Arctic Vegetation Archive, which accumulates information on circumpolar vegetation is accumulated, is actively underway (Walker et al., 2018). The starting point when Russian tundra experts began to work consistently, following the principles of this classification, is the first International Meeting on the Classification and Mapping of Arctic Vegetation, which took place in 1992 in Boulder, CO (USA). For the publication of its data, a special issue of the Journal of Vegetation Science (1994, Vol. 5, N 6) named «Circumpolar arctic vegetation» (where 4 papers by Russian syntaxonomists were published) was provided. After 1992, when the intensity of field works decreased sharply, the number of publications with complete characteristics of the communities of the Russian Arctic increased rapidly.The proposed checklist of syntaxa is the result of this almost 30-year acti­vity. The checklist structure. The arrangement of syntaxa of class rank is mainly the same as in the EuroVegChecklist — hereafter EVC (Mucina et al., 2016): zonal and intrazonal communities of the polar desert zone (one class); zonal (one class) and landscape-forming intrazonal (five classes) communities of the tundra zone; intrazonal communities (13 classes), united into groups according to the gradients of moisture, snow depth and soil mechanical composition. A syntaxon is represented as follows: — higher units of the rank Class/Order/Allian­ce (Suballiance): number (for Class), abbreviated rank in English (Cl., Ord., All. (Suball.)), in square brackets — code (if any) from EVC (Mucina et al., 2016); full name, author(s) and year; below is a brief description in two languages: English — in general as in the cited paper with some corrections due to the specificity in syntaxon geography and ecology in the Asian part; Russian — partly in accordance with the English version and/or to Prodromus of higher vegetation units of Russia (Ermakov, 2012), sometimes with minor corrections or clarifications. For new orders and alliances within the zonal tundra class differential taxon combinations are listed; — syntaxa of the rank Association, Community Type, Community, established on the territory of the Russian Arctic: abbreviated rank in English (Ass., Com. Type, Com.), name, author(s) and year (besides association, the cited papers are included in the Refe­rences). If syntaxon was previously described by European/American authors outside the Russian Fede­ration, the link to the publication, where it was found in the Russian Arctic, is placed in brackets. The ­arrangement of associations is alphabetical; — syntaxa of units of a lower (within association) rank (subassociation and vicariant, variant, subvariant, facies): abbreviated rank in English (subass. and vicar., var., subvar., fac.), name, in brackets author, year (besides subassociation, the cited papers are included in the References). The arrangement of the syntaxa is as follows: typicum(-cal, -ca), inops, then alphabetically. For subass. typicum authors are not listed (Theurillat et al., 2021), but if it was described by another author and/or in another paper, then the link to it is given in brackets and the paper is included in the References. All names of syntaxa are given in the author’s edition (as it was published), including the endings of a typical syntaxon within an association (subassociation, vicariant, variant, facia) — typicum, typical, typica. In different papers, there are two English spellings of Russian surnames: Aleksandrova/Alexandrova, Andreev/Andreyev, Bogdanovskaya-Giyenef/Bogdanovskaya-Gienef, Pristyazhnyuk/Prystyazhnyuk, Savich/Savič. A uniform (the first one) spelling of the surname is used here. If there was something that caused a disagreement with the author’s decision (including the assignment of an association to a syntaxon of a higher rank), there is a superscript number before the syntaxon name, or before the author’s surname (when it is in brackets), referring to critical comments. Critical comments. 1 – The name is invalid or needs change because: 1a – no reference to the nomenclature type; 1b – published ineffectively (names published as ‘manuscript’ or ‘unpublished’); 1c – not accompanied by a sufficient diagnosis, no tables with original relevés; 1d – suggested by the author as preliminary; 1e – not obvious from what species syntaxon epithet is formed and it cannot be extracted from the diagnosis and/or tables); 1f – syntaxon with the same name was described earlier (including the case of inversion); 1g – the form of the syntaxon name does not correspond to Art. 10 of «International Code of Phytosociological Nomenclature» — hereafter ICPN (Theurillat et al., 2021); 1h – the given nomenclature type belongs to a different syntaxon, validation does not correspond to ICPN; 1i – the relevé chosen as an association or subassociation nomenclature type does not contain the name-giving taxon of this syntaxon; 1j – there is a subspecies in the original diagnosis and in the tables, while in the syntaxon name the species name is used; 1k – the nomenclature type is given for 2 variants of the vicariant, among which there is no tyicum one; 1l – published or validated in 2002 or later with no indication of novelty (like, Ass. nov.). 2 – the author(s) did not place the syntaxon among the higher units. 3 – the author(s) placed the syntaxon in other higher units than suggested in this list. 4 – the syntaxon was renamed due to a change in its rank; in this checklist it is also given under a new name. 5 – the syntaxon is described by the author(s) in the Community rank but is assigned within the known association as a unit of it internal division. 6 – the author(s) assigned the syntaxon to this class with a question. 7 – the author(s) unreasonably (noted in literature) placed the communities in given syntaxon that needs revision. 8 – in the EVC there is only one author, while in the original source there are two. 9 – it is written that the title proposed by the first author was valid, but according to Principle II of the ICPN it is not. 10 – the author(s) of the syntaxon is(are) incorrect: the syntaxonomic units originally described in the framework of the ecological-physiognomic classification are invalid in accordance with Principle II (Art. 3d ICPN), and have been validated by subsequent authors. 11 – the author(s) assigned the syntaxon to this class/order, but did not refer to an alliance or placed in the alliance other than that proposed in this checklist. 12 – the author(s) attributed the syntaxon to this alliance, but as part of a different class/order, or not attributed to the class/order. 13 – the author(s) changed the rank of the syntaxon in comparison with the original description. 14 – the spelling of the syntaxon name does not correspond to the rules of the ICPN; the correct name [recte[ is given in square brackets. 15 – in the EVC the alliance is placed in another order. 16 – the author(s) of the syntaxon are incorrect, the first author (in brackets) did not give such a name, or incorrect year. 17 – the author(s) of the syntaxon incorrectly cited, priority belongs to other author(s) who published the name earlier and/or effectively. 18 – in the EVC the alliance is placed in synonyms for another alliance, which name was changed but not yet approved (nom. mut. propos). THE CHECKLIST — see the main text. Brief analysis of the composition. The checklist is based upon analysis of more than 70 papers, professionally reviewed and published, which contain more than 6,000 geobotanical relevés, that make available information on the composition and structure of 734 syntaxa ranging from association/community type/community to facies. At the mid-2021, the checklist includes 241 associations (152 subassociations and 25 vicariants, 190 variants and 61 subvariants, 13 facies), 35 types of communities and 17 communities from 62 alliances (6 suballiances), 33 orders and 20 classes. Most of the higher rank units — Class/Order/Alliance — are taken from the classification of vegetation in Europe (Mucina et al., 2016) Class. Of the 20 classes, 19 are in EVC (Mucina et al., 2016), to which we have assigned 207 associations, although we do not consider this decision final. A new class for zonal tundra vegetation Carici arctisibiricae–Hylocomietea alaskani class. prov.2 so far is left in the provisional status. Conventionally is used the class Betulo carpaticae–Alnetea viridis which contains willow scrubs in the valleys and on the interfluves. Order. Of the 33 orders 29 are in EVC. Among the known ones there is formally described Salicetalia glauco-lanatae so far located in Betulo carpaticae–Alnetea viridis. Three orders (Arctophiletalia fulvae; Chamerio–Betuletalia nanae; Schulzio crini­tae–Aquilegietalia glandulosae) were described by Russian authors. Three new orders (Salici polaris–Hylocomietalia alaskani ord. nov. prov., Caricetalia arctisibiricae-lugentis ord. nov. prov., Eriophoretalia vaginati ord. nov. prov.) are suggested here in the provisional status, for establishing within the tund­ra zonal class Carici arctisibiricae–Hylocomietea alaskani class. prov. Nameless order is proposed for communities dominated by mesophytic arctic and/or arcto­alpine herbs often with dwarf shrubs (Salix arctica/polaris/reticulata, Dryas octopetala/punctata) and few mosses on the southern slopes of hills and high river banks in the tundra zone of Eurasia; conventionally it is placed in the Mulgedio–Aconitetea. According to both species composition and habitat the order Arabidetalia caeruleae is moved from Thlaspietea rotundifolii (as in EVC) into Salicetea herbaceae. Alliance. Of the 62 alliances 36 are in EVC, 5 of which (Arctophilion fulvae; Caricion stantis, Chamerio angustifolii–Matricarion hookeri; Dryado octopetalae–Caricion arctisibiricae, Polemonio acutiflorum–Veratrion lobeliani) are described by Russian authors. Alliance Oxytropidion nigrescentis, validated in 1998 (Matveyeva 1998, p. 81), is given as valid. The following 8 alliances are valid: Aulacomnio palustris–Caricion rariflorae, Polemonio acutiflorum–Salicion glaucae and Rubo chamaemori–Dicranion elongati on the European North, Carici concoloris–Aulacomnion turgidi, Oxytropido sordidae–Tanacetion bipinnati in Siberia, Androsaco arctisibiricae–Aconogonion laxmannii, Aulacomnio turgidi–Salicion glaucae, Salici pulchrae–Caricion lugentis on Chukotka. Another 7 alliances have invalid names (suggested as preliminary, no nomenclature type was chosen, etc.). For 6 of these validation is necessary and quite simple. An exeption is the alliance Luzulo–Festucion rubrae (Ektova, Ermokhina, 2012), with all invalid associations (no both relevés and diagnoses); after the later are validated they logically could be placed in Loiseleurio-Arctostaphylion. Within the tundra zonal class the alliance Salici polaris–Hylocomion alaskani all. nov. is formally described and the alliances Cassiopo tetragonae–Eriophorion vaginati all. nov. prov. and Poo arcticae–Calamagrostion holmii all. nov. prov. are proposed provisionally. It is recommended to establish 6 alliances (in the checklist with no name) in classes Drabo corymbosae–Papaveretea dahliani (3), Betulo carpaticae–Alnetea viridis (1), Thlaspietea rotundifolii (1) and Mulgedio-Aconitetea (1). Syntaxonomic decisions, other than those derived from the EVC, are made on the positions of 4 alliances within the higher-rank units: Caricion stantis was moved from Sphagno warnstorfii–Tomentypnetalia to Caricetalia fuscae; Dryado octopetalae–Caricion arctisibiricae — from Carici rupestris–Kobresietea bellardii to Carici arctisibiricae–Hylocomietea alaskani class. prov. (see: Lavrinenko, Lavrinenko, 2018a); Potentillo–Polygonion vivipari is recognized (Koroleva et al., 2019) as different from Kobresio-Dryadion, synonym with which it is given in the EVC; the Honckenyo–Leymion arenarii is used compare to the EVC where it is the synonym of Agropyro–Honckenyion peploidis nom. mut. propos. Compared to the author’s decision, the alliance Carici concoloris–Aulacomnion turgidi from Loiseleurio procumbentis–Vaccinietea is moved to Carici arctisibiricae–Hylocomietea alaskani class. prov. Suballiance. Of the 6 suballiances 4 (Androsaco arctisibiricae–Aconogonenion laxmannii; Astragalo pseudadsurgentis–Calamagrostienion purpurascentis; Caricenion rariflorae; Oxytropido vassilczenkoi–Dryadenion punctatae) are valid, and two (Anemono parviflorae–Salicenion and Pediculari lapponicae–Salicenion) require validation. The suballiance Caricenion rariflorae placed in the checklist in Scheuchzerion palustris was originally established within the Sphagnion baltici, which in the EVC is synonymous with the first name. Association. Of 241 associations only 34 are known outside the Russian Arctic, and the remaining 207 are new. The known ones are mainly on coastal bio­topes — marshes (15) and dunes (3) — and extremely wet habitats (9). There are 4 associations described earlier in Europe within the large landscape-forming classes (Dryadetum octopetalae, Empetro–Betuletum nanae, Loiseleurio-Diapensietum, Phyllodoco–Vaccinietum myrtilli) which distribution ranges are extended to the European North of Russia, and 3 within small intrazonal classes (Geranietum sylvatici, Potentillo crantzii–Polygonetum vivipari, and Rumici–Salicetum lapponi) found on Kola Peninsula. Only 2 associations, described by European (Dryado–Cassiopetum tetragonae) and American syntaxonomists (Sphagno–Eriophoretum vaginati), occur in the Asian part of the Russian Arctic (with new subunits within both). The most association-rich are 8 main classes. The two zonal classes include Drabo corymbosae–Papaveretea dahliani (20 associations) in the polar desert zone and Carici arctisibiricae–Hylocomietea alaskani class. prov. (34 associations) in the tundra zone — 54 in total. 129 associations are identified in the 6 main classes of intrazonal vegetation: Be­tulo carpaticae–Alnetea viridis (29 associations) Loiseleurio procumbentis–Vaccinietea 1960 (22 associations), Carici rupestris–Kobresietea (21 associations), Salicetea herbaceae (16), Scheuchzerio palustris–Caricetea fuscae (25 associations); Juncetea maritimi (16 associations) — 187 in total. The vegetation of other 12 classes is described locally geographically and selectively syntaxonomically. 37 associations were not assigned to any of the known classes. This, in particular, was the case with the vegetation of the polar desert zone (Matveyeva, 2006) before Drabo corymbosae–Papaveretea dahliani class was described in 2016. But it also happened when deciding to assign an association to some well-known class, authors stressed that they did this forcibly in the absence of an adequate unit. For example, before the proposal, albeit provisionally, of the class Carici arctisibiricae–Hylocomietea alaskanii class. prov., even zonal communities from the Arctic tundra subzone were placed in the Loiseleurio procumbentis–Vaccinietea class accentuating that they do not contain a single characteristic species of this class (Kholod, 2007). Community type is distinguished when author does not establish new association due to the small number (less than 10) relevés in one location, leaving this for the future There are 35 such units, most of which (9) are in the Drabo corymbosae–Papaveretea dahliani in the polar desert zone. It is worth noting two points: 1) almost never Community types reach the association status; 2) not all authors are stopped by a small number of relevés, when naming syntaxa, and many associations are based upon on less than not 10, but even 5 relevés. As a result, units of different status often contain equally little information about their composition. Community. This rank exists when there is only one relevé, due to both the type rarity and the lack of time. There are 17 such units, with 7 in the polar desert zone. Two main subordinate levels are used within the association: the first — subassociation and vicariant (not protected by the ICPN), the second — variant. Both reflect small but obvious differences in composition, abundance, constancy of species from the type of association (typicum), conditioned edaphically, locally-climatically, chorologically (Ellenberg, 1956; Braun-Blanquet, 1964) or indicate different stages of succession (Westhoff, van der Maarel, 1978). Differences in the listed characteristics from the type group (typicum) due to ecology are an undoubted reason for identifying several subassociations even in a landscape. To reflect similar differences due to the object location in several areas on latitudinal (in different tundra subzones) or longitudinal (in different sectors of the same zone/subzone) gradients in similar habitats (on the same landscape elements, with the same soil type), subassociation (a unit protected by the ICPN) is used as well. However, the desire to distinguish the reasons that caused such differences is also understandable. Hence, understandable is the interest to the concept of geographic vicariant, perceived by some Russian syntaxonomists working in the Arctic, which is reflected in the checklist (since the unit is not protected by ICPN, after the name in brackets there is a link to References). Leading European phytosociologists E. van der Maarel and W. Westhoff, who in 1993 reviewed an article by N. Matveyeva on the vegetation of Taymyr (Matveyeva, 1994), recalling the concept of geographical races (Becking, 1957), or vicariants (Barkman, 1958), recommended to use the status of a geographic vicariant to reflect changes in the composition of communities of one association related with a geographic location, leaving ecologically determined differences for subassociations.The need for such a division is reflected in the famous paper of F. Daniëls (1982) on Greenland, where the author distinguishes ecologically (habitat-differential) and geographically (area-differential) determined syntaxa, although uses only the name of subassociations. It is a great pity that the concept of a geographical vicariant, which was formed in the minds of the classics of phytosociology almost 60 years ago, did not find formal support: this unit was not included nor in the 3rd edition of the ICPN (Weber et al., 2000), neither in the 4th (Theurillat et al., 2021). The question of whether such a unit should be covered by the ICPN regulations «... can be resolved with the accumulation of experience in its application» (Weber et al., 2000, p. 6); the results of such experience are reflected in this checklist. Subassociation. There are 152 subassociations within 71 associations: most of all in the Carici arctisibiricae–Hylocomietea alaskani (24), slightly less in Loiseleurio procumbentis–Vaccinietea (21) and Betulo carpaticae–Alnetea viridis (23), more than 11 in Carici rupestris–Kobresietea bellardii (16), Scheuchzerio palustris–Caricetea fuscae (17), Juncetea maritimi (12) and Thlaspietea rotundifolii (12). Usually there are 2–3 subassociations in one association. Vicariant. There are 25 vicarians in the 14 associations. 19 of these are latitudinal in associations of zonal, mire, snowbed (Matveyeva, 1994, 1998, 2006) and herb meadow (Zanokha, 1993, 1995a, b) communities within 3 tundra subzones and syntaxa, replacing them in the polar deserts on Severnaya Zemlya (Zanokha, 2001; Matveyeva, 2006. The appeal to the concept of vicariant on Taymyr, where in the only place on the Earth on the mainland at about 900 km a full latitudinal gradient from the tree line to the polar deserts is expressed (Matveyeva, 1998), is quite understandable and logical. The other 6 vicariants are longitudinal: 1 in the European North of Russia (Matveyeva, Lavrinenko, 2011) and 5 on Wrangel Isl. (Kholod, 2007). Variant. There are 190 variants within 66 associations. There are no clearly formulated rules regarding their fundamental difference from subassociations. It is also not obvious whether the level of variant is the next after subassociation in association subdivision, or these are units of the same rank: in 31 associations, variants are allocated within subassociations or vicariants, in 34 — directly in the association. There is no clear logic behind why even one and the same author follows the first way in some cases, and the second in others. Subvariant. This unit was used for the division of variants of technogenically disturbed vegetation (Sumina, 2012, 2018), where 54 subvariants (2–5 in each) were identified in 20 variants of 6 associations, as well as of the baydzharakh vegetation in the arctic tundra subzone in Siberia (7 subvariants). Facies. The unit without differentiaal taxa, recognized by the predominance (with a high abundance) of a species of the «normal» floristic complex of the association, due to particular or sometimes ­extreme abiotic factors, or under anthropogenic impact (Westhoff, van der Maarel, 1978). There are 14 facies in 2 associations of 2 classes on Wrangel Isl. (Kholod, 2007) and in 3 syntaxa of 3 classes in the Bolshezemelskaya tundra (Neshataev, Lavrinenko, 2020). Conclusion. One of the purposes of publishing this checklist is to draw the attention of northern phytosociologists to assessing the validity of syntaxa and the legality of their position in the Braun-Blanquet system. Our task was to bring together all available information, which is done in this article. Even a simple list of syntaxa makes it possible to assess the completeness of the geographical and syntaxonomic knowledge of vegetation. Geographically, sytaxonomic information is available for 12 of the 13 Russian floristic provinces (according to CAVM), in which about 130 districts have been investigated. The most studied provinces (from west to east) are Kanino-Pechora, Yamalo-Gydan, Taymyr, East Chukotka, Wrangel Island (the number of published relevés in each more than 600. There are no published data for the Kharaulakh province. It is not possible to say for sure to what extent the number of associations reflects the presence and distribution communities of 20 classes in different regions of the Russian Arctic. The completeness of the vegetation study depended on the tasks and on the possibility of their implementation. High attention to zonal vegetation is natural, since it is used for subdivision of the territory, for zonal division, and for maps of various scales. Both snowless (Carici rupestris–Kobresietea bellardii) and snowbed (Salicetea herbaceae) communities, as specific for the Arctic, are also always in the sphere of interests. Polygonal mires and bog-hollow vegetation (Scheuchzerio palustris–Caricetea) certainly require much more research, due to their vast areas in the eastern regions of the Siberian Arctic, where these types are not described. For the relatively well-studied shrub communities in the Asian part (conditionally assigned to the Betulo carpaticae–Alnetea viridis), validation of many syntaxa are required; the gap in the description of this object in the northern European regions has just begun to be filled. For 12 associations of grass-forbs communities on the well heated slopes conditionally positioned in the Mulgedio-Aconitetea, new orders and allian­ces, and, potentially, the class are necessary to be established. Unreasonably little data are available for raised bogs (Oxycocco-Sphagnetea), if even these are ­rather common of the southern regions of the tundra zone. Very scattered geographically and sparse syntaxonomic data are on the vegetation of naturally eroded mobile substrates (sand screes, gravel debris, landslides). In the Arctic, as in other regions of the globe, communities are placed in this class not by their species composition, but by habitat (unstable substrate), and the fact of the sparse cover. Only recently the zonal vegetation of polar deserts on horizontal surfaces with quite stable loamy substrates has been classified as a distinct class (Daniëls et al., 2016). In the list of habitat types with associated described Brown-Blanquet syntaxa from Arctic regions of Europe, Greenland, western North America, and Alaska, there are 5 classes (Walker et al., 2018) which are absent in our checklist: Juncetea trifidi Hadač in Klika et Hadač 1994, Saxifrago cernuae–Cochlearietea groenlandica Micuna et Daniëls in Mucina et al. 2016, Vaccinio-Piceetea Br.-Bl. in Br.-Bl. et al. 1939, Asplenietea trichomanis (Br.-Bl. in Meier et Br.-Bl. 1934) Oberd. 1977, Salicetea purpureae Moor 1958. Communities of these classes either exist in the Russian Arctic, but were not described (e. g. forest «islets» in tundra landscapes — Vaccinio-Piceetea, and the vegetation of rocks and rubble talus — Asplenietea trichomanis), or they exist, but are positioned in the other classes. An open question remains with Junce­tea trifidi on acidic substrates. Final conclusions on these classes will become possible after the thorough analysis of syntaxa throughout the entire circumpolar space. Even a very brief analysis of the available data revealed numerous cases of invalid names of syntaxa (no indication of the nomenclature type) or inconsistency names with ICPN rules (correct [recte] names are given for 43 ones); leaving the association outside of higher-level units or assigning one basic unit to ­several higher ones, etc. There are more such cases than we have noted now, especially taking into ­account the new edition of the ICPN (for example, the obligatory Latin or English terminology for denoting ranks and new units (ICPN 4th, Art. 3d, 3i, 3o, 5), mutation ­cases (Lat. mutatum, ICPN. 4th, Art. 45), inversions (Lat. inversum, ICPN. 4th, Art. 42) of names and autonym (Lat. autonym, ICPN 4th, Art. 13b, 4d). Now it becomes possible for each author to take measures to eliminate errors of various kinds to validate their syntaxa. Consolidated participation in joint publication is also possible. This is a necessary step for the next action — preparing the Prodromus of the vegetation syntaxa of the Russian Arctic with the expanded characteristics for all levels.

With the development of urbanization, the application of GIS technology is more and more extensive. This study mainly discusses the development of urban planning intelligent management information system based on GIS. To design and build a rule-detailed spatial data model, provide the physical model and the data model corresponding to the logical layer from top to bottom in all steps, based on the attribute information stored in the Geodatabase model. According to the parameters set, connect to the database through the Oracle Connection class. The defined query criteria are converted into SQL statements that are executed using the Oracle Command class. Multi-source data integration middleware integrates various data formats with a GIS software format conversion tool or direct reading tool and then uses the geometric encoding semantics of data dictionary to represent the integrated data of system data model after merging. Property queries use the interactive search function for properties and spatial information to query the land use index for a particular area of the chart. If there is a scene roaming request from the input device, the 3D scene needs to be adjusted according to the input. Display the scene effects of a 3D virtual demonstration on a computer monitor. Start the GIS management operation function to deal with the case, and realize the user’s management of the urban planning system function with the concept of stratification. Fuzzy recognition mode is applied to identify the degree of the environmental impact of eco-city planning. The impact of urban planning on the environment is H ≈ 0.11 (0.1 < H < 1), which meets the expected standard. The results show that the system demand evaluation designed in this study is good, and the overall operation of the system is relatively stable, which plays a promoting role in urban planning.

Implementation of groundwater flow and transport numerical models is generally a challenge, time-consuming and financially-demanding task, in charge to specialized modelers and consulting firms. At a later stage, within clearly stated limits of applicability, these models are often expected to be made available to less knowledgeable personnel to support/design and running of predictive simulations within more familiar environments than specialized simulation systems. GIS systems coupled with spatial databases appear to be ideal candidates to address problem above, due to their much wider diffusion and expertise availability. Current paper discusses the issue from a tight-coupling architecture perspective, aimed at integration of spatial databases, GIS and numerical simulation engines, addressing both observed and computed data management, retrieval and spatio-temporal analysis issues. Observed data can be migrated to the central database repository and then used to set up transient simulation conditions in the background, at run time, while limiting additional complexity and integrity failure risks as data duplication during data transfer through proprietary file formats. Similarly, simulation scenarios can be set up in a familiar GIS system and stored to spatial database for later reference. As numerical engine is tightly coupled with the GIS, simulations can be run within the environment and results themselves saved to the database. Further tasks, as spatio-temporal analysis (i.e. for postcalibration auditing scopes), cartography production and geovisualization, can then be addressed using traditional GIS tools. Benefits of such an approach include more effective data management practices, integration and availability of modeling facilities in a familiar environment, streamlining spatial analysis processes and geovisualization requirements for the non-modelers community. Major drawbacks include limited 3D and time-dependent support in traditional GIS, and lack of dedicated calibration, analysis and visualization tools. A system implementation based upon ESRI geodatabase, ArcGIS and state-of-the-art finite element 3D flow and transport numerical code Feflow is presented and critically assessed.

Introduction of the problem. The paper emphasizes that the key features of the contemporary urban development have caused a number of challengers, which require the innovative technological introductions in urban studies. The research goal of this paper means representing a multifunctional approach, which combines author’s urbogeosystem (UGS) theory with the URS (Urban Remote Sensing) technique for LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) data processing. The key elements of the Smart City concept within a geospatial perspective. Three basic assumptions are implied due to the affiliation “a geospatial perspective ó the Smart City concept” (SCC). The five key elements of the SCC have been outlined: Innovations; Scalability; Data gathering, measuring, and mining; Addressing environmental challengers; Interlink between the smart meter information and the geo-sensor information. The urbogeosystemic approach as a tool for simulating the “smart urban environment” – a core node of the Smart City hierarchy. The urbogeosystemic ontological model has been introduced as a trinity-tripod (urban citizens, municipal infrastructure, urbanistic processes and phenomena). The “smart urban environment” is a core node of an urbogeosystem. Processing results of LiDAR surveying technique. With increasing availability of LiDAR data, 3D city models of robust topology and correct geometry have become the most prominent features of the urban environment. Three key advantages of the LiDAR surveying technique have been introduced. The flowchart of the operational URS / LiDAR / GIS workflow for the Smart City implementation has been depicted. Urban Remote Sensing for data mining / city analytics and the EOS LiDAR Tool. ELiT (EOS LiDAR Tool) software is both a separate web-based (network) generator (an engine) – ELiT Server, and an integrated component of EOS Platform-as-a-Service software – ELiT Cloud. The allied one to these two products is our desktop ElitCore software, that possesses even broader functionality. The paper outlines the whole framework of urban data mining / city analytics relevant to the mentioned applications. The ELiT software use cases for the Smart Cities. A number of use cases that can be completed with the ELiT software in the common urban planning domain have been described and illustrated. Each from five scenarios presented suggests some unique solution within the frameworks of the SCC implementation. Conclusion, future research and developments. The completed research results have been summarized. An entity of the urban geoinformation space has been introduced. A geodatabase of ELiT 3D city models has been assigned a mandatory key component of the urban decision support system.

During past 25 years, laser scanning has evolved from an experimental method into a fully autonomous family of Earth remote sensing methods. Now this group of methods provides the most accurate and detailed spatial data sets, while the cost of data is constantly falling, the number of measuring instruments (laser scanners) is constantly growing. The volumes of data that will be obtained during the surveys in the coming decades will allow the creation of the first sub-global coverage of the planet. However, the flip side of high accuracy and detail is the need to store fantastically large volumes of three-dimensional data without loss of accuracy. At the same time, the ability to work with the specified data in both 2D and 3D mode should be improved. Standard storage methods (file method, geodatabases, archiving, etc) solve the problem only partially. At the same time, there are some other alternative methods that can remove current restrictions and lead to the emergence of more flexible and functional spatial data infrastructures. One of the most flexible and promising ways of laser data storage and processing are quadtree and octree-based approaches. Of course, these approaches are more complicated than typical file data structures, that are commonly used for LIDAR data storage, but they allow users to solve some typical negative features of point datasets (processing speed, non-topological spatial structure, limited precision, etc.).