[appgema] updating on feedback

[Colin.Pain at ga.gov.au]

Greetings all

Here at Geoscience Australia we have been compiling regolith landform maps
since the early 1980s. There are a number of papers on the methods we use,
and a draft handbook that can be downloaded from
http://crcleme.org.au/Pubs/reportsother.html. The regolith-landform units we
map are based mainly on landforms, with descriptions of regolith being
included in the attributes. Please keep in mind that the draft document is
somewhat out of date now. We are working on a new version.

Also on the CRC LEME web site at http://crcleme.org.au/Pubs/OFRSindex.html
there are a large number of reports, some of which have maps attached to
them. Try number 161, which has a report and map, both downloadable as PDFs.
 
We are currently using DEMs, including LIDAR, in combination with other data
as a means of modelling landforms, and regolith. The results are then used
for the prediction of such disparate things as mineral occurrences and
dryland salinity. The LIDAR in particular is proving very useful for planning
various parts of the Murray River floodplain. So our work is very much in the
area of applied geomorphic mapping.

My comments on goals, in [square brackets]:

Develop and deepen the theoretical basis of applied geomorphological mapping;
[Good]

Develop standards, specific mapping procedures and legend systems for
different applications and scales; [We have considerable experience in
mapping procedures, and with setting standards - in these days of databases
we have instituted a set of data and terminology standards for Australia]

Disseminate the importance and effectiveness of the use of geomorphological
mapping as a basic tool for those who deal with the physical environment, in
order to; [Good]

Put a bridge between our and other scientific and professional communities.
[Good]

My comments on objectives, in [square brackets]:

Developing a systematic, comparative study of different cartographic
methodologies and applications; [As has already been pointed out, there are
already many different ways of making geomorphic maps - the first step might
be to bring them all together in a review.]
Developing different legend systems according to the different applications
and scales of a geomorphological map; [At Geoscience Australia we have a
symbol set for geomorphic features, derived in part from earlier workers. We
also have a set of standard symbols for different regolith and landform types
that we use for polygons on regolith landform maps.]
Establish a strong dialogue with the other IAG WGs in support of their
mapping needs; 
Fostering the inter-professional exchange of applied mapping experiences and
promoting the correct mapping procedures among non-specialists.
 
I agree with the proposed outputs, and also with the suggestion of a
Professional Handbook. We can learn something from the Australian Soil and
Land Survey series - see http://www.clw.csiro.au/aclep/index.htm under
publications for more details. The Regolith  Handbook mentioned above could
also be useful here, as with a Field Handbook for Regolith Description and
Sampling that I am preparing at present.
 
The comment on the need for two subgroups (one on applied geomorphological
mapping itself, and one on land-system/landform mapping) in Paolo's last
email suggests that there is a need to quickly sort out terminology issues.
For example, what is the difference between a geomorphic map and a landform
map? And speaking of terminology, we also have a Regolith Glossary for those
who are interested, at
http://crcleme.org.au/Pubs/Monographs/BookRegGloss.html. The PDF does have
coloured photos in it, in spite of what it says on the web page.

I think this is a very good initiative, and look forward to participating.

Regards

Colin

Dr Colin Pain
Cooperative Research Centre for Landscape Environments & 
    Mineral Exploration (CRC LEME)

c/- Geoscience Australia
GPO Box 378, Canberra, ACT 2601, AUSTRALIA
Corner Jerrabomberra Ave/Hindmarsh Drive, Symonston 
Canberra, ACT 2609.
Tel +61 2 6249 9469; Mobile 0409 225 008
Fax +61 2 6249 9930; Email: Colin.Pain at ga.gov.au
Web: LEME: http://crcleme.org.au   GA: http://www.ga.gov.au