ABSTRACT
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The Geographic Information Systems (GIS) community is using the vast potential of the Internet to disseminate geospatial information. Web-based GIS software and services are key components in the distribution of geospatial data. Web-based GIS provide government departments, local authorities, and environmental agencies with unprecedented opportunities to offer online access to their environmental information and related services for citizens. Web-based GIS offers access to information services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. In order for Web-GIS to be successful in delivering environmental information, the representation of the input data sets and output delivery formats/structures must be suitable to both the Internet delivery medium and the intended audience. In the majority of cases this will involve conversion and remodeling of existing data resources. This chapter discusses representations of environmental data for delivery and dissemination using Web-based GIS in order to serve a variety of stakeholders: policy makers, scientists, media, and
the general public. We summarize the major issues for delivering complex geospatial data about the environment using this medium. Prioritization of metadata collection and geospatial data interoperability is a crucial factor in delivering effective WebGIS tools. The INSPIRE Directive will greatly increase the number of available data sources and the use of Web-based GIS for environmental information provision in the future will be discussed.
