Knowledge Management and Environmental Informatics

The objective of this paper is to identify synergy fields and relationships between knowledge management and environmental informatics. From the perspective of knowledge management many sophisticated techniques, concepts, and methodologies developed in the domain of environmental informatics can build the starting point for finding answers to open questions in knowledge management. For example, meta-knowledge management can capitalise on existing results gained in the area of metadata management, which plays a key role in environmental informatics. Up to now, many tools for knowledge processing have been applied in the domain of environmental informatics to help solve environmental problems. New knowledge management tools can improve this situation which in turn contributes directly or indirectly to a significant improvement of the protection of our environment. In order to achieve its objective, the paper introduces knowledge management with a strong focus on information technology. This introduction is followed by a literature survey on knowledge processing in environmental applications. Thereafter, several environmental information systems are analysed in the light of knowledge management. A special emphasis is placed on how geographical information systems can be used for knowledge management. Finally, the paper closes with suggestions of further areas of research in the synergy field of knowledge management and environmental informatics.