Geoinformation as a form promotion of scientific research

In the contemporary world the amount of information is growing at an exponential rate. Currently, it is growing annually by 66%. This creates an ever growing problem of finding reliable information, including the results of research works. At the same time various systems facilitating search are emerging. Major pan of the generated information is associated with the location and is called geoinfonnation. Using geoinformation is important not only in various decision-making processes, but it also constitutes the basis of effective management on various levels and facilitates the process of social consultations. Nevertheless, just as in case of other information systems, geoinformation needs order and structure to serve its purposes in an efficient way. Spatial data infrastructure (SDI) is supposed to support access to geoinfonnation by means of cooperating nifonnatiou systems functioning in a hierarchical structure (global, regional, national and local). On top of technological aspects, exceptionally important for the construction of SDI. come dedicated legal regulations, geomatic standards, data models and organizational structures determining jointly the directions of the development of infrastructure. Infrastructure of spatial information is based on normative data, which are the basic resource generated by institutions in particular countries. This data should constitute basic information supporting decision-making processes. Searching for data in the area of SDI takes place by means of geoportals. which enable access to catalogue servers and displaying chosen information through map browsers. By assumption, normative resources of SDI are delivered by specialized, branch, scientific, public institutions, including scientific institutions. SDI provides great opportunities for access to reliable spatial data, which may be used in further research. At the same time it provides an interesting tool for the promotion of the results of own scientific research. Catalogue services make it possible to search for collections of spatial data provided by network services (WMS. WFS) and geoportals make it possible to display these collections comine from various sources. The goal of this ankle is to present basic rules of functioning of infrastructure for spatial information, as well as to show in what ways available tools can be used to search for. analyze and exchange the results of scientific research. Technological progress enables multilevel integration of spatial information, both on the local, regional and global scale. The form of presentation of data on maps constitutes a much more reliable tool than even the most complex descriptions. Promotion of scientific research by means of providing results with the use of network services constitutes a chance for research teams and at the same time brings measurable benefits to the developing information society. Thanks to interdisciplinary approach, combining geoinfonnation from various areas (sources) gives the opportunity to recognize and analyze issues, which wouldn`t be noticed in considerations limited to a very narrow, specialist branch