1. The Pragmatics of Geo-ontologies, and the Ontology of Geo-pragmatics Boyan Brodaric, Geological Survey of Canada, Ottawa

2. E-Geoscience ONTOLOGIES contain concepts used in scientific
theories, classifications, schema, …
Theories, concepts
Knowledge representation
Information: real-time, archives, analyses
Informatics resources
Connectivity resources
People
Collaboration, visualization, education resources
Observations, measurements, experiments
Instrumentation
Models, simulations
Supercomputing

3. Crustal deformation (InSAR)
E-geoscience example: data integration in hazard modeling
Geologic structure (USArray)
Rupture
dynamics
(SAFOD, ANSS,
USArray)
Seismic
Hazard
Model
Seismicity (ANSS)
Paleoseismology
Local site effects
Faults (USArray)
Stress transfer
(InSAR, PBO,
SAFOD)
Crustal motion (PBO)
Crustal deformation (InSAR)
Seismic velocity (USArray)
(from Leinen, 2004)

4. E-geoscience example: geologic map data integration
Montana
Idaho
Nevada
Utah
Arizona
New Mexico
Colorado
Wyoming
GEON Grid

5. Levels of Map Data Interoperability
systems
syntax
schematic
semantic
Map System 1
Map System 2
Integrated Map
Data Content (GeoOntology)
Data Structure (GeoSciML)
Data Language (GML)
Data Services (WMS, WFS, WCS)

6. Systems Interoperability
aligning data system interfaces (web services)
but: heterogeneous structure, content, interpretation
from
STANDARD DATA INTERFACES
different data systems
e.g. open geospatial web services (OGC)

7. Schematic Interoperability
from
Schematic Interoperability
aligning heterogeneous data structures (geometry, attributes)
but: heterogeneous data content, interpretation
STANDARD SCHEMA
for data transfer
GEOLOGIC AGE
ROCK TYPE

8. Example of Schematic Interoperability
GeoSciML Testbed 2
standard system interface
custom translator
one output data format
multiple viewers
custom tools
GML
Client
WMS
WFS
USGS schema
BRGM schema
GSC schema
BGS schema
SGU schema
GA schema
GeoSciML
Australia
Sweden UK
France
USA
Canada
many databases
local data control

9. Semantic Interoperability
from
Semantic Interoperability
aligning heterogeneous definitions for data content
but: heterogeneous interpretation at map borders
Era
Eon
Period
Series
polysemy
synonymy
GEOLOGIC AGE
ROCK TYPE
Volcanic
STANDARD DEFINITIONS
data content: rock types, time scale, …
data schema

10. Semantic Interoperability
e.g. find all map units with sedimentary rocks
metadata
geospatial projection
common concepts in metadata
slate
sandstone
rock type
geol. unit
geol. concept
grès
ardoise
classifications
schema
ontology
sedimentary
vocabulary
common vocabulary
common concepts in content
common concepts in schema
Ontologies can define any resource in e-geoscience, e.g. data and services
sandstone
arenite
slate
grès
arénite
french
english
workflows
queries

11. Example of Semantic Interoperability
GEON Map Integrator Testbed
from
“paleozoic”
“paleozoic,
sedimentary”

12. Information Interoperability Computational Semiotics
Levels of Meaning
A theory for pragmatics…
how does it apply to E-Geoscience?
Why? How?
pragmatic… explanations
Trust
XML
Ontology
Logic
Proof
Social World
Pragmatics
Semantics
Syntax
Empirics
Physics
Systems
Schematics
Consensus
data
information
wise use
knowledge
Unicode
URI
RDF
Knowledge management
Semantic Web
Information Interoperability
Computational Semiotics
What?
ontologic… definitions

13. Pragmatic Interoperability
from
Pragmatic Interoperability
aligning heterogeneous scientific contexts
involves actions carried out by agents (e.g. scientists)
Differences in:
geometry
geohistory
description
classification
ontologic defs help little in selecting which version to trust
trust also requires explanatory context for:
- assessment
- replication
- verification

14. Levels of Map Data Interoperability
systems
syntax
schematic
semantic
Map System 1
Map System 2
Integrated Map
Data Content (GeoOntology)
Data Structure (GeoSciML)
Data Language (GML)
Data Services (WMS, WFS, WCS)
pragmatic
Data Context (Geologist)

15. Formation Ted / T1 definition
Semiotic Semantics
relation of sign to object (Morris, 1938)
sign
Formation Ted / T1 definition
symbol
object
concept
1..n
1..m
1..m
synonymy
1..n
polysemy
1..n
possible worlds
1..m

16. Formation Ted / T1 definition
Semiotic Pragmatics
relation of sign to agent (Morris, 1938)
origins, effects and uses of sign by agent
sign
Formation Ted / T1 definition
symbol
object
concept
consumes
interprets
produces
agent

17. Agents human, machine, nature matrix of processes Human Machine Nature
Sign producer
Machine
Nature
Sign consumer
Communication
Cognition
Scientific Reasoning
Visualization
Analysis
Observation
Measurement
Human-Computer Interface
Workflows
Service Chains
Machine Reasoning
Earth Sensors
Human-Nature Interface
Machine-Nature Interface
Natural Processes

18. E.g. Geospatial Info. Pragmatics
<Baker Brook basalt rdf_id=”unit_102”>
<rock_type rdf:resource="#extrusive"/>
<rock_environment rdf:resource="#marine"/>
</Baker_Brook_basalt>
<gsml:LithodemicUnit gml:id="ca.gc.nrcan.gdr.geologicUnit.8130">
<gml:name>X3Y1</gml:name>
<gsml:metadata xlink:href="urn:x-ogc:def:nil:OGC:unknown" />
<gsml:unitThickness xlink:href="urn:x-ogc:def:nil:OGC:unknown" />
<gsml:composition>
<gsml:CGI_TermValue>
<gsml:value codeBase=" </gsml:value>
</gsml:CGI_TermValue>
GeoSciML
sign1
OWL concept1
rock1
interpret
produce A
consume
sign2
rock1
web service client

19. Ontology of Pragmatics
Origin of sign2
Effect of sign1
Object2
sign2
Concept2
Symbol2
Symbol1
Object1
sign1
Concept1 A0
Event0 A2
Event2 A1
interpret1
consume1
produce1
Event1
Use of sign1
Process1

20. Machine Pragmatics--Workflows
(from GEON: Ludaescher, 2003, adapted from Sinha, A.K)
Rock classification from mineral composition
use
provenance
consequence
origin
effect

21. Pragmatic Context
Origin of Sign = { < Sign >, Event, Agent, < Origin of Sign > }
Effect of Sign = < Sign, Event, Agent, Effect of Sign >
Use of Sign = < Event, Process >
Context of Sign = { Origin of Sign, Effect of Sign, Use of Sign }

22. Geo(science)-Pragmatics
Geoscience objects are inferred from properties due to inaccessibility:
geospatial
temporal
property prototype
object concept
origins
effects
Fundamentally geoscientific :
ecology
soils
geologic
remote-sensing
properties
objects

23. Ontology of Geo-Pragmatics
geoscience concept & object development
sign1
sign2
Prototype Property
Object Property
Property Prototype A
Object Concept
Object
sign3
sign4
Individuation event
classification event
blending event
clustering event

24. Representing geo-pragmatics
GIS structure for pragmatic context of geo-concepts
Representing pragmatic contexts for geo-concepts
Concept C
periods of concept discovery in geologic map data
periods of concept discovery in geologic map data (origins)
Analysis of geologic map data

25. Pragmatic Context for rock unit C
to aid trust evaluation
Origin for properties of C
Observed properties of C

26. Conclusions Implications Future Work
first steps to an ontologic theory of geoscience context
oriented around agent processes and events
needed for trust evaluation in E-Geoscience
Implications
‘metadata’ for concepts (vs ontologies, schema, data, ...)
origin rep. necessary for ‘situated concepts’
Future Work
E-Geoscience / Semantic Web implementation?
Coordination with upper-level process ontologies?

27. Acknowledgements Geological Survey of Canada
GeoVISTA Center, Penn State Geography (M. Gahegan)
GEON (K. Lin, A.K. Sinha, B. Ludaescher)
TGIS, Semantic Web Special Issue (F. Fonseca)
IUGS-CGI GeoSciML Team

29. Questions?