Ontology-based Semantic Search System for Drought Management

This paper describes the research project on the development of an ontology-based semantic search system for drought management of the Chi River Basin (CRB), Thailand. The research methods included Ontology Development 101 by adopting Noy & McGuinness (2001) and Ontology-based Application Management framework by adopting Buranarach et al. (2012). Seventeen experts including ten experts in the areas of environmental engineering, water resources engineering, and GIS, and seven government officers who has been involving with water management in the CRB were interviewed. The experts also took part in the processes of developing the knowledge domain, classifying, and structuring the knowledge for water resources management in the CRB. This paper is mainly focused on the ontology development process for Drought management information which comprised of three types of ontologies: 1) River Basin Ontology 2) Statistic Ontology, and 3) Task Ontology. Approximately 154 concepts of drought management have been defined and classified. The ontology was constructed by using the Hozo Ontology Editor. An example of semantic search system developed by using the drought management ontology is shown in the paper. The result will be useful for the ontology-based semantic search and knowledge visualization system applications, which will provide extensive capabilities for accessibility and decision-making on drought management of the Chi River Basin.