FOSS4G Based Mobile Web-GIS for Field Survey in Natural Environmental Studies

In natural environmental studies, field surveys are necessary for data acquisition. Fieldworkers can input digital data in the field directly using mobile GIS. However, existing mobile GIS tools have been expensive because they mainly use commercial GIS applications. Recently, development of free and open source software for geospatial (FOSS4G) has progressed rapidly. FOSS4G is expected to contribute to fields where existing GIS have not been used. Nevertheless, the application of FOSS4G has not progressed well. Its lack of usability makes it difficult for non-technical users to use FOSS4G. To improve FOSS4G usability, we developed a FOSS4G-based web-GIS package called open cafe system (OCS). As described in this paper, we present a FOSS4G based mobile web-GIS for field survey powered by OCS. The effectiveness of the proposed system was confirmed from an application study with a prototype.