| Integrated multimedia approaches were developed to access digital data for the Long Pine Key and Pa-Hay-Okee Lookout Tower 1:24,000-scale U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) topographic quadrangles in Everglades National Park. Spatial data sets include satellite images, scanned aerial photographs and coverages of detailed vegetation patterns in ARC/INFO geographic information system (GIS) format. In addition, descriptive text and ground photographs highlighting the characteristics of plant communities, individual plant species and exotic invasive plants, along with examples of plant-animal interactions, hurricane damage and post-fire plant succession are incorporated in the database. Digital video clips and audio segments are included to enhance the Everglades multimedia learning experience.;Integrated multimedia approaches were implemented in three steps: (1) an interactive multimedia system, featuring hypertext and hyperlinks, was developed in a Visual Basic programming environment to manipulate multimedia information such as text, scanned photographs, digital video and sound; (2) GIS application programs were constructed using two software packages produced by Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI): ArcView for Windows and MapObjects; and (3) integration of the interactive multimedia system and GIS application program was undertaken using Windows Dynamic Data Exchange (in the ArcView application) and Object Linking and Embedding mechanisms (in the MapObjects, application). The integrated systems in both cases provide a graphical user interface (e.g., menus, icons, buttons and hypertext) to allow the user to manipulate image/vector spatial data (e.g., Zoom in/out and Pan), retrieve associated attribute information in a GIS database (e.g., Label and Identify) and access multimedia information such as text, photographs, digital video and sound. A CD-ROM, entitled "Everglades Vegetation Databases: A Multimedia Presentation", featuring an integrated multimedia approach of the MapObjects application and the interactive multimedia system, was generated to demonstrate the potential of using multimedia and GIS technologies for improved understanding of the natural environment and relationships between flora, fauna and human activities in Everglades National Park. |
