Web-based spatial decision support systems to monitor and manage coastal environments

This paper aims to describe a Web Spatial Decision Support System (Web SDSS) for Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM). Geographic Information System (GIS) is one of the most common tools used to monitor and analyze the territorial and morphologic changes of coastal and marine ecosystems. Decision Support System (DSS) is a computer-based tools developed to support decision analysis and participatory processes. A Web SDSS is a DSS using Geographic Information System (GIS) as engine for storing and analyzing data and Internet technologies to disseminate data and analyses allowing their use by experts and laymen. The issue of aging of GIS data can be solved using satellite imagery as data source. In this framework, the Italian Space Agency (ASI) and the Department of Astronautical, Electrical and Energy Engineering (DIAEE) of Sapienza, University of Rome, propose a scientific collaboration to create and develop an innovative Web SDSS in order to support ICZM policies. Furthermore, the flexibility of the developed Web SDSS will allow to easily modify and adapt the system to different case, developing suitable environmental and land analyses that can be shared through the Internet to a wide number of potential users.