GIS Based Interactive Ecotourism and Environmental Information System in Internet

Internet is one of the most democratic and objective information technologies, but precise spatial characteristics of a certain territory can be shown on the map. Data geolocalization and digital cartography is developed in the Internet environment, and it is the most suitable and universal communication tool, which can well substitute the textual information. The main aims of this research are: evaluation of existing and potencial natural basement territories in Latvia according to ecological, culture-historical, designing, recreation organization and tourism development significance creation of universal ecotourism and environmental data in the GIS environment by connecting it to the digital maps of Latvia for interactive information exchange This system foresees integration of data from different users, compatibility of different scales, as well as integrated territorial and historic information, thus supporting the spatial data infrastructure, as well as allowing different analyses of spatial data. Those resources must be coordinated and updated in order to promote the activities of each unit and each category of users receive the data according to its needs, the most suitable conditions. During the project geo-referenced data basis were created in the field of ecotourism and environmental protection. Tourism has become one of the world’s biggest industries. Studies of different tourism organizations show that the biggest demand in the 21st Century will be for untouched nature, culture heritage and attractive landscape. These requirements were the main prerequisites during creation of databases. Research territory was defined the potential territory of NATURA 2000 nature park. The system will include several layers with the attached information attributes. They will include the environmental data and its monitoring, historical development of the territory, infrastructure, information on ecotourism possibilities, i.e. ecological routes, biking routes, nature and historical objects, etc. as well as will display the photographs and video. The created Digital Surface Models (DSM), Digital Elevation Models (DEM) and Digital Terrain Models (DTM) can be used for different kind of spatial analyses. Creation of information system on the basis of GIS will ensure monitoring of the park, as well as will help to carry out its monitoring, which, in its turn, will promote the research, system modelling for regulation of current tourism flow on the territory of the nature park and its closest vicinity. In the research project there are many specialists representing different fields and local farms involved in order to study and promote the preservation of culture values, their sustainable management and elaboration of nature protection plans. Data basis and digital maps in Internet will provide opportunity not only for publicity, but also for attraction of new visitors and finances