A Conceptual Framework for Multi-Scale Representation of Geospatial Vector Data

Scale is one of the most basic and complex research topics in the field of geographic information science. In this paper, the relation and distinction among scale, scale transformation and multi-scale representation are analyzed firstly. A framework of multi-scale representation implementation methods of geospatial vector data is proposed from the perspectives of dimension, the relation between scenario and its scale, and the process steps. In consideration of the main research direction in the framework, three strategies for implementing multi-scale representation of geospatial vector data are described, with three evaluation methods classified and elaborated. Finally, the probable future research in multi-scale representation of geospatial vector data is prospected.