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Geospatial Challenges in the 21st Century pp 315–332Cite as

The Pervasive Challenge of Error and Uncertainty in Geospatial Data

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Part of the book series: Key Challenges in Geography ((KCHGE))

Abstract

Understanding, quantifying and communicating uncertainty in spatial data, and its propagation through geospatial analyses have been a challenge long recognized in the geospatial community. Over the decades, extensive research has contributed to our understanding of geospatial uncertainty. However, consistent agreed upon methods for addressing, managing, and communicating uncertainty have not been integrated into common geospatial practice. Understanding and accepting the challenge that uncertainty presents to practitioners in the twenty-first century is a step forward in ensuring results of spatial analyses are communicated with greater accuracy and validity for responsible geospatial practice. The mission of this chapter is to provide readers with an appreciation of the varied nature of uncertainty in spatial data, its sources, propagation, and communication.

“…human knowledge is personal and responsible, an unending adventure at the edge of uncertainty.”

Bronowski (1974, p. 367).

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geography, California State University, Long Beach (CSULB), Long Beach, CA, USA

    Suzanne Perlitsh Wechsler, Hyowon Ban & Linna Li

Authors
  1. Suzanne Perlitsh Wechsler
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  2. Hyowon Ban
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  3. Linna Li
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Suzanne Perlitsh Wechsler .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. National Technical University of Athens, Pikermi, Greece

    Kostis Koutsopoulos

  2. University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain

    Rafael de Miguel González

  3. EUROGEO, Liverpool, UK

    Karl Donert

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Wechsler, S.P., Ban, H., Li, L. (2019). The Pervasive Challenge of Error and Uncertainty in Geospatial Data. In: Koutsopoulos, K., de Miguel González, R., Donert, K. (eds) Geospatial Challenges in the 21st Century. Key Challenges in Geography. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-04750-4_16

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