What is EN ISO 19114:2011?

EN ISO 19114:2011 is a technical standard that provides guidelines for the implementation of geospatial metadata in geographic information systems (GIS). This international standard specifies the requirements and recommendations for documenting and managing metadata associated with geospatial data. In this article, we will explore what EN ISO 19114:2011 entails and how it benefits the GIS community.

The Importance of Geospatial Metadata

Geospatial metadata refers to the information that describes the content, quality, condition, and other characteristics of geospatial data. It plays a crucial role in ensuring the effective use and understanding of geospatial information. Metadata allows users to discover, evaluate, and access geospatial datasets, making it easier to share and integrate geospatial data from different sources.

EN ISO 19114:2011 provides a comprehensive framework for organizing and documenting geospatial metadata. It establishes a standardized structure and terminology for describing geospatial data, ensuring consistency and interoperability between different GIS platforms and applications. By adhering to this standard, organizations can improve the discoverability, usability, and credibility of their geospatial data.

Key Features of EN ISO 19114:2011

EN ISO 19114:2011 covers various aspects of geospatial metadata, including content, structure, and encoding. The standard defines a set of mandatory and optional metadata elements that should be included in geospatial datasets.

One of the key features of EN ISO 19114:2011 is its support for multiple metadata standards. It allows organizations to choose from existing metadata standards, such as ISO 19115 and Dublin Core, or create their own customized profiles. This flexibility ensures that geospatial metadata can be easily integrated with other information systems and meets specific requirements.

Furthermore, EN ISO 19114:2011 promotes the use of controlled vocabularies and classification schemes for describing spatial data. It enables consistent and standardized metadata content by providing guidelines on how to define and manage these controlled terms. This enhances data interoperability and facilitates data integration in GIS applications.

Benefits and Future Developments

The adoption of EN ISO 19114:2011 brings several benefits to the GIS community. First, it improves the efficiency and accuracy of data discovery and retrieval. By providing detailed and structured metadata, users can quickly find the geospatial datasets that meet their specific needs.

Moreover, EN ISO 19114:2011 supports better decision-making processes by ensuring the reliability and relevance of geospatial data. Accurate metadata allows users to assess the quality, completeness, and fitness-for-use of datasets, which is crucial for making informed decisions in various domains such as urban planning, environmental management, and disaster response.

In the future, EN ISO 19114:2011 is expected to keep pace with evolving technological trends and changing user needs. As new types of geospatial data emerge, the standard will continue to provide guidance on how to document and manage these datasets effectively. Additionally, efforts are being made to enhance the integration of geospatial metadata with emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things, enabling more advanced spatial analysis and decision support systems.