Practical applications of the geographic coordinate data base in Arkansas

Abstract

Though not intended for these applications, the General Land Office (GLO) survey notes are a primary source of historical, ecological, and cultural information, making it imperative that their spatial coordinates be as reliable as possible. The Geographic Coordinate Data Base (GCDB) is a statistically-based coordinate fitting program that uses the GLO notes and other related chains of evidence to determine truer geodetic coordinates of public land survey system (PLSS) comers. To date, the most reliable PLSS geographic coordinates have been digitized from 7.5 minute quadrangle maps, and some comers may have hundreds of feet of error. The GCDB can reduce this discrepancy by an order of magnitude or better. Additionally, the GCDB could provide a standardized data input and registration structure for witness trees or other natural features. Another benefit is the use of the GCDB in nationwide mapping efforts like the USGS National Map, USDI Bureau of Land Management National Integrated Land System (NILS), USDA Forest Service Automated Land Project (ALP), and GeoSpatial One-Stop.

Citation

Warwick, Mickie; Bragg, Don C. 2005. Practical applications of the geographic coordinate data base in Arkansas. In: Proceedings of the 2004 Arkansas Forestry Symposium, 56-59 R.E. Parris (ed). Arkansas Forest Resources Center, Monticello, AR.