Integrating a Three-Level GIS Framework and a Graph Model to Track, Represent, and Analyze the Dynamic Activities of Tidal Flats

Tidal flats (non-vegetated area) are soft-sediment habitats that alternately submerged and exposed to the air by changeable tidal levels. The flat dynamics research mainly utilizes cell-level comparisons between consecutive snapshots, but in-depth study requires more detailed information of dynamic activities. To better track, represent, analyze flats’ activities, this proposes an integrated approach a three-level Geographic Information Science (GIS) framework graph model. In GIS framework, adjacent cells assembled as objects, objects on different time steps linked lifecycles tracking predecessor–successor relationships. Furthermore, eleven events defined describe activities throughout lifecycles. model provides way represent lifecycles, operators utilized facilitate event analysis. is applied in southwest tip Florida Peninsula from 1984 2018. results suggest effective flats, it offers novel perspective examine other geographic phenomena with large spatiotemporal scales.