Preface

This book provides a comprehensive overview of techniques, approaches, and experiences in the rapidly growing field of geographical information systems (GIS) in coastal zones. It focuses on advances in GIS technology and applications. Most of the work represented in this book is based on innovative applications of geographic information in coastal environments and disasters, coastal resources, coastal social systems, and coastal urban environments as well as applications of new algorithms, big data processing, and deep learning at global, regional, or local scales. Specifically, the chapters discuss GIS in coastal asset mapping and management, shoreline change analysis, development of ancient cities, agriculture and land suitability analysis, solid waste management, impact of COVID-19 measures on air quality, dynamic modelling of LULC, strategic planning of hydroelectric projects, groundwater potential zone identification, and road optimization for effective management traffic and transport. This volume is a useful resource for those who have used GIS for monitoring, modeling, planning, and policymaking in earth sciences and coastal studies.

We thank all the contributing authors and reviewers for their excellent work, helpful comments, and timely feedback. We are also grateful for the guidance and support from Publishing Process Manager Ms. Elena Vracaric and the editorial board of IntechOpen. Some of the in situ observations and field data used in some chapters were obtained from projects at the National Natural Science Foundation of China (U1901215) and the Marine Special Program of Jiangsu Province in China (JSZRHYKJ202007).

> **Dr. Yuanzhi Zhang** Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, School of Marine Sciences, Nanjing, China

> > **Dr. Qiuming Cheng** Sun Yat-sen University, School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, Zhuhai, China

**1**

Section 1

Geospatial Technology

and Application

Section 1
