**Mesoamerican and Caribbean Geospatial Alliance (MACGA)**

**Report of the Capacity-Building Workshop**

**and the Planning Meeting**

### Panama City, November 10-26, 2003

![](media/image1.jpeg){width="5.9944444444444445in" height="2.2in"}

Eric van Praag, USGS EROS Data Center

March, 2003

#### List of Acronyms

AED Academy for Educational Development

ANAM Autoridad Nacional para el Medio Ambiente -- Panamá

ArcIMS Internet Map Server software by ESRI

BID Banco interamericano de Desarrollo

CATIE Centro Agronómico Tropical de Investigación y Enseñanza

CCAD Comisión Centroamericana de Ambiente y Desarrollo

CIAT Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical

CP-IDEA Comité Permanente para la Infraestructura de Datos Espaciales de
las Américas

DEM Digital Elevation Model

EDC USGS EROS Data Center

ESRI Environmental Systems Research Institute

GIS Geographic Information System

GPS Global Positioning System

GSDI Global Spatial Data Infrastructure

IABIN Inter-American Biodiversity Information Network

ICAFE Instituto de Café de Costa Rica

IGN Instituto Geográfico Nacional

INDE Infraestructura Nacional de Datos Espaciales

INEGI Instituto Nacional de Estadística, Geografía e Informática, México

MACGA Mesoamerican and Caribbean Geospatial Alliance

MARN Ministerio de Ambiente y Recuros Naturales -- El Salvador

MBC Mesoamerican Biological Corridor

NIMA National Imagery and Mapping Agency (the new name for this
institution is the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency -- NGA)

OAS Organization of American States

PAIGH Pan-American Institute of Geography and History

PPP Plan Puebla Panamá

PROCIG Proyecto Centroamericano de Información Geográfica

SAM Sistema Arrecifal Mesoamericano

SERNA Secretaria de Recursos Naturales de Honduras

SIAM Sistema de Información Ambiental Mesoamericano

SEMARNAT Secretaría de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales de México

SNIG Sistema Nacional de Información Geográfica de Guatemala

SRTM Shuttle Radar Topography Mission

UNEP United Nations Environment Programme

USAID U.S. Agency for International Development

USGS U.S. Geological Survey

##### ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Organizing the Training Workshop on the use of geospatial technologies
and geographic information systems, and the Executive Meeting on
Planning and Integration of Geospatial Information in Mesoamerica, as a
part of the MACGA initiative, would not have been possible without the
help and contribution provided by a number of institutions and
individuals.

I hereby wish to acknowledge the significant support and generous
contributions given in the planning and execution stages of the two
events by the following institutions:

**AED**: For providing the necessary funds to pay for the attendance of
the Central American mapping agencies at the Workshop.

**World Bank**: For the financial contribution given to MACGA through
its projects with CCAD.

**CCAD**: For the financial contribution given to pay for attendance at
the Workshop of representatives from the Central American ministries of
environment, for reviewing project documents, for several of the
presentations made in the Workshop, and for distribution of the Shuttle
Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) data.

**CIAT**: For its support in planning the two events and for the help
provided through its trainers.

**ESRI**: For the software donated to the Central American ministries of
the environment, and for providing course instructors, teaching
materials and books to participants.

**National Institutions**: For their contribution and support in
conducting the Workshop.

**PAIGH**: For its support in the planning and execution stages of the
two events.

**NIMA**: For organizing the course on digital elevation models, and for
providing the trainers and the necessary course materials.

**OAS**: For providing airline tickets for ten participants to the
Training Workshop.

**UNEP** **GRID Office in Sioux Falls**: For obtaining Landsat images of
Central America and the Caribbean and making them available to the
Workshop participants.

**SENACYT**: For its support in the planning and execution stages of the
two events, and for providing its training and meeting rooms.

**USAID**: For the financial support provided thanks to which the two
events were made possible.

**USGS**/**EDC**: For its support in organizing the Workshop, preparing
material, obtaining the Landsat images and for providing instructors.

A great number of people, some of whom belong to the above named
institutions, and others who work for the different institutions that
attended the MACGA Workshop and/or Planning Meeting, made valuable
contributions to the events held in Panama. I wish to address a special
word of thanks to the following people: Elizabeth Barona and Glenn Hyman
(CIAT); Jorge Ruiz Valdepeña, Claudia Ruiz and Carmelle Cote (ESRI);
Octavio Carrasquilla and Celeste Jara (SENACYT); Larry Tieszen, Diego
Pedreros, Michelle Anthony, Tom Albright, Jane Smith and Theresa Rhodes
(EDC); Rafael Guillen and Jorge Cabrera (CCAD); Sergio Ramirez and Nora
Weiss (AED); Jeff Cochrane and Carey Yeager (USAID); Armando Guzman and
Douglas Graham (World Bank); Eugene Fosnight and Mark Ernste (UNEP GRID
EDC); John Gates, Bill Nall and Freddie Cruz (NIMA); Antoine Chevrier
(OAS); Jacqueline Klaver (PAIGH EDC); Katia Madrid (IGN El Salvador);
Arturo Cabrera (SEMARNAT); and Francisco Hansen (INEGI, CP-IDEA). To all
of them and to those whom I might have omitted unintentionally from this
list, thank you for making these two important events possible.

**TABLE OF CONTENTS**

Introduction 1

Training Workshop Profile 3

Planning Meeting Profile 8

Recommendations/Lines of Action 11

Conclusions 17

Appendix 1. Workshop Participants 18

Appendix 2. Planning Meeting Participants 20

Appendix 3. Course Agenda 21

Appendix 4. Planning Meeting Agenda 24

Appendix 5. Work Paper 26

# INTRODUCTION

The Mesoamerican countries generate a considerable amount of geospatial
information. This information is very useful for decision making in a
broad variety of fields ranging from prevention and mitigation of
natural disasters, environmental monitoring and sustainable development,
through urban planning, building of infrastructure, agriculture and
health.

Thanks to recent advances in geoinformation technologies, wider
dissemination of satellite data, and the growing demand of information
for decision-making, the region generates more geoinformation every day.
Despite the great use for this information, its huge potential is often
limited because of existing difficulties in sharing and disseminating
information, and a weak application of standards and problems to
integrate

information from different sources, amongst the many obstacles that
hinder the correct and wider use of the geodata.

Geoinformation specialists in the region have responded to this
situation by lending their support to establish a regional cooperation
mechanism to improve management of geospatial information. This effort
is known as the Mesoamerican And Caribbean Geospatial Alliance (MACGA).
This initiative has received the support of the U.S. Agency for
International Development (USAID) through funds granted to the U.S.
Geological Survey EROS Data Center (EDC), in order to train specialists
from the Mesoamerican and Caribbean region in geospatial themes, and to
join efforts with national and regional institutions to establish
exchange and cooperation mechanisms.

A large number of institutions and people have helped in the activities
advanced by the MACGA initiative. Support received from the Central
American Environment and Development Commission (CCAD), ESRI
corporation, the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT),
the Pan-American Institute of Geography and History (PAIGH), the
Permanent Committee for the Spatial Data Infrastructure of the Americas
(CP-IDEA), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the National
Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA), and the Academy for Educational
Development (AED) deserves special recognition. These institutions have
contributed funds, information, software, human resources and technical
material to several activities initiated by MACGA.

Among the first activities started by MACGA, the organization of two
events should be emphasized:

-   A training workshop in new geospatial technologies, held in Panama
    City, from November 10 through 26, 2003.

-   A MACGA planning meeting, held in Panama City, from November 21 to
    22, 2003.

Both events have provided a great opportunity for national experts to
acquire new technological knowledge, coordinate activities and plan
their efforts, exchange experiences with colleagues from other countries
and acquire geospatial information. The events also offered an
opportunity to discuss and assess the use of new spatial geoinformation
available, to explore potential improvements upon the products, and plan
the integration and use of such improvements as part of initiatives such
as the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor (MBC) or the Plan Puebla Panama
(PPP).

This document gives an overview of the contents, results, discussions
and resolutions attained in the course of the two events. A detailed
agenda of the two meetings is included as well as general information
about the presentations made.

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height="5.992361111111111in"}

# Training Workshop Profile

The Workshop was held in the headquarters of the Secretaría Nacional de
Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación (SENACYT) in Panama City, between
November 10 and 26, 2003. Thirty participants from Mesoamerica and one
participant from the Dominican Republic attended the workshop,
representing mapping agencies, ministries of the environment,
agricultural agencies, and regional and international institutions. See
List of Participants in Appendix 1, full agenda in Appendix 3.

Training was given in response to the following objectives:

-   Improve national capacities to use geoinformation in
    decision-making.

-   Provide the necessary technical training to develop digital maps for
    the Global Map project.

-   Encourage and support the development and implementation of common
    standards and methodologies in geoinformation.

-   Support and strengthen the National Spatial Data Infrastructures
    (NSDI).

-   Support the implementation of internet map servers (IMS).

-   Promote the creation of a network of specialists in geographic
    information systems (GIS), remote sensing and related themes.

-   Support the integration of spatial data.

Training was provided by instructors from ESRI, the International Center
for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), the U.S. Geological Survey EROS Data
Center (EDC) and the National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA). The
formal training sessions alternated with one or two daily presentations
by the participants on course-related topics. These presentations
allowed participants to learn about actual products, the development of
which resembles the methods and capacities acquired during the training
course.

The workshop offered an opportunity to hear the opinion of specialists
on the problems that hinder the flow of information on a national and
regional basis, as well as recommendations on actions required to
improve the situation. During the second week of the workshop time was
scheduled to discuss these matters and to gather recommendations from
the participants on the lines of action that will provide for better
management of geoinformation in the region.

These recommendations and the lines of action identified have all been
included in a work paper entitled "Towards a Better Geospatial
Integration in the Mesoamerican Region", published by EDC and presented
in the Planning Meeting held on November 21 and 22, 2003.

##### AGENDA

**First Week**

During the first two days of the course ArcGIS basics were covered and
the functionality of ArcView, ArcEditor and ArcInfo was stressed. The
use of ArcMap, ArcCatalog and ArcToolbox modules was also explored.
Basic GIS concepts were covered and trainees were shown how to create,
edit and work with georeferenced data.

The remaining four days of the week (including a session on Saturday)
were devoted to a more advanced exploration of the different ArcGIS,
ArcMap, ArcCatalog and ArcToolbox modules. Knowledge in themes such as
spatial analysis, automation of spatial and tabulated data, advanced
editing and options to deploy maps and reports was intensified. A simple
pilot project was carried out to apply acquired knowledge.

The ESRI instructor covered aspects of geodatabases in one of the
sessions. Traditional exercises and material of the advanced ArcGIS
course were alternated with geodatabase course material. An overall view
of the ArcGIS programming environment and the different programming
libraries available for its use was given. The first week of this course
was taught by Mr. Jorge Ruiz Valdepeña (ESRI) and Mrs. Elizabeth Barona
(CIAT).

Formal training in ArcGIS was supplemented with the following
presentations by participants:

-   **Map of Mesoamerican Ecosystems**. Mr. Rafael Guillen made a short
    presentation on this project and associated products. The project
    was carried out by CCAD and geographical institutes and ministries
    of the environment from the region with World Bank funds.

-   **The Mesoamerican Environmental Information System (SIAM**). SIAM
    is the frame of reference for several regional projects that
    generate spatial information. The presentation was made by Mr.
    Rafael Guillen.

-   **The CARTA Project**. This project, carried out by NASA and several
    institutions from Costa Rica, generated nation-wide images and air
    photographs in the year 2003 using a broad variety of spectral
    bands. The presentation was made by Mrs. Marta Aguilar from the
    Geographical Institute of Costa Rica.

-   **USGS National Map**. This project provides data on several basic
    geospatial layers of the United States on the Internet. The project
    offers an interesting model to follow for institutions in the
    region. The presentation was made by Mr. Eric van Praag from EDC.

-   **Corine Land Cover Project -- El Salvador**. In a first approach a
    land use/cover map of the Rio Lempa basin was prepared. Since only
    40-50% of the Salvadorean territory remained unsurveyed a decision
    was made to continue the same work to complete the entire country.
    This was achieved thanks to the financial contribution of the
    Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources (MARN), through
    the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor Project, the National Records
    Center (CNR), and the National Mapping Institute (IGN). The
    presentation was made by Mrs. Katia Madrid of the IGN.

-   **SEMARNAT Map Viewer**. The Mexican Secretariat of the Environment
    and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) has set up a map server on the
    Internet using ArcIMS software. The presentation was made by Mr.
    Arturo Cabrera from SEMARNAT.

## Second Week

On day 1 the course on ArcGIS and geodatabases was completed and a
summary presentation on PLTS software for serial map production was
made. It should be noted that this software was donated to geographical
institutions in the region as part of the contribution made by ESRI to
institutions participating in the Global Map Project.

On days 2, 3 and 4 an introductory course on ArcIMS was offered. Basic
concepts needed to create and maintain web sites with interactive maps
were studied. ArcIMS was used to create and adapt simple GIS solutions
on the Internet. It is to be stressed that the majority of participants
managed to fully install the software as part of the course exercises.
This training session was taught by Mr. Jorge Ruiz Valdepeña from ESRI
and Mrs. Elizabeth Barona from CIAT, with support from Ms. Michele
Anthony from EDC.

On day 5 adaptation of ArcIMS JavaScript was covered, OpenGis topics
were discussed, implementation of a multi-viewer to consult several map
servers interactively and simultaneously was explained, and exercises
using data provided by participants were carried out. This session was
led by Ms. Michele Anthony from EDC and Mrs. Elizabeth Barona from CIAT.

The relevance of this last session is worth mentioning because a number
of experts attending the session recommended implementing a multi-viewer
to link the different map servers that are being \--or will be\--
implemented in the region.

On the morning of day 6 participants attended the MACGA planning
meeting, which was being held in parallel with the course. It was a good
occasion for participants to exchange opinions and experiences with the
management staff attending the meeting.

During the week the following presentations were made:

-   **SERNA's Air Photography**: Mr. Ricardo Pinto from the Honduran
    Secretariat of Natural Resources (SERNA) offered a brief description
    of the project carried out in that country to produce air
    photographs with national coverage.

-   **Coffee map server of Costa Rica**: Mr. Mario Alpizar from the
    Coffee Institute of Costa Rica (ICAFE) explained how the coffee IMS
    developed by his institution was prepared and how it works.

-   **The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) Multi-Viewer**: Ms.
    Michelle Anthony from EDC presented the UNEP project: a viewer that
    allows consulting on the Internet several map servers maintained by
    different institutions. The project was implemented to view
    information from Africa.

![](media/image3.jpeg){width="4.876388888888889in"
height="3.236111111111111in"}

GIS Training Lab at SENACYT

**Third Week**

On day one a training session on digital elevation models produced by
the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) was offered. The session
included an introduction to SRTM data, a comparison of the SRTM data and
NIMA's traditional digital elevation models, as well as practical
exercises to learn how to utilize and correct the data using the Spatial
Analyst and 3-D Analyst programs. The course was organized and conducted
by Messrs. John Gates, Bill Nall and Freddie Cruz from NIMA.

On day two Mr. Diego Pedreros from the University of California at Santa
Barbara gave an introductory session on geospatial data infrastructures
followed by an overview of their evolution and perspectives for Central
America. Next, Mr. Eric van Praag and Ms. Michelle Anthony from EDC
taught a session on preparation of metadata. Definition, preparation,
and validation of metadata were covered. A metadata creation exercise
was carried out on-screen using the Metalite program.

**Information and Data delivered or to be delivered as part of the
training workshop.**

Throughout the course participants were given information, documents,
data and software to support the work done by institutions involved in
the MACGA initiative. The following have been --or will be---delivered:

-   **Landsat satellite images**: The United Nations Environment
    Programme (UNEP) office in Sioux Falls, NASA, the University of
    Maryland, and EDC have gathered and made available to the public a
    database with Landsat images, including data from 1990 and the year
    2000 (or thereabouts) for the Mesoamerican and Caribbean region.
    National Landsat images were given to each participant during the
    workshop. Such information will be extremely useful to prepare some
    of the information layers needed for the Global Map Project.

-   **SRTM Images**: CCAD, as a product of the CCAD-NASA-World Bank
    initiative, gave each participant a CD-ROM with SRTM images for
    Mesoamerica (resolution: 90 meters). NIMA has offered to deliver to
    the institutions of the region with which it maintains agreements
    the SRTM-DTED2 data (resolution: 30 meters) as well as land/use
    coverage data, provided the receiving institutions agree to use this
    basic information to generate new data and agree to share the newly
    generated data. NIMA will support MACGA efforts that shall
    facilitate this activity.

-   **Documents and Printed Material**: Each participant returned to his
    country with a CD-ROM of the full set of course manuals, materials
    and exercises, a CD-ROM with all of the digital presentations made
    during the workshop, and text books on several GIS and remote
    sensing topics donated by ESRI.

-   **Software donated to the ministries of the environment**: In the
    framework of the MACGA initiative, ESRI has promised that it will
    donate GIS software to the ministries of environment of Central
    America. ESRI will adapt this donation to the need and capacities of
    each ministry. EDC personnel will follow-up and will provide support
    to ESRI in the execution/application of the software donated to the
    ministries of the environment of Central America, and will do the
    same with the software donated to geographical institutions under
    the Global Map project.

# Planning Meeting Profile

On a parallel with the previously described training workshop, a
planning session was convened within the MACGA framework. This meeting
was held on November 21 and 22, 2003, in the headquarters of SENACYT in
Panama City (see the planning meeting agenda in Appendix 4).

Executives from national, regional, and international institutions that
manage geospatial information and/or are users of this kind of
information (see list of participants in Appendix 2) attended the
meeting.

The **Specific Objectives** pursued in the meeting were:

-   To learn about existing geospatial initiatives in Mesoamerica, their
    range of action, needs, and potential synergies;

-   To agree on the steps that need to be taken in order to boost the
    development of applications, core spatial data and pilot
    applications to strengthen existing geospatial initiatives in the
    region;

-   To identify spatial initiatives that could benefit from the
    technical assistance and support that the MACGA project can provide;

-   To plan the establishment and consolidation of the spatial data
    infrastructures in the region.

**On the first day** of the meeting presentations on the various
initiatives related to the generation, management and distribution of
geoinformation in Mesoamerica were made; some of the major initiatives
on sustainable development and natural resource conservation were
introduced, and the work accomplished by some of the institutions that
work in or jointly with the region were presented.

It became apparent during the presentations made the first day that work
is being done on several levels:

-   **Production of Core Spatial Data**: Some of the institutions
    attending the meeting are preparing core digital layers of spatial
    information. One example of this is the work presented by CCAD.
    Through the CCAD-NASA-WB initiative this agency has coordinated with
    the mapping agencies and environmental ministries the production of
    18 digital layers for the Mesoamerican region at a scale of
    1:250,000. Another example is that of the land use/cover national
    digital maps recently produced by Mexico and El Salvador.

-   **Development of Standards and Methodologies**: Efforts have been
    initiated in the region to harmonize the use of standards and
    methodologies for geoinformation. The work started by IGN El
    Salvador to map land use/cover using the CORINE Landover technology
    points in this direction --and so does the effort to disseminate
    this methodology in the region. Another example is the work advanced
    by the Central American Network for Land Administration Training
    (RECCAT) to establish common parameters and methodologies for
    official land registry map production.

-   **Information Distribution**: Institutions in the region would like
    to disseminate spatial information through the Internet. A
    presentation was made on the work developed by the specialty coffee
    sector of the Dominican Republic to disseminate coffee-related
    information and maps to support marketing of these products. Other
    institutions in the region are presently developing --or have
    already developed---map servers on the Internet.

-   **Technical Training and Assistance**: Several speakers touched upon
    this topic. NIMA, for instance, has a long history of support to
    mapping agencies in the region. CP-IDEA and PAIGH also provide
    technical training and assistance as part of their regular programs,
    and CCAD and EDC do the same (through initiatives such as MACGA).

So, as it is now obvious, and at times not explicitly admitted,
participating institutions --as well as many other institutions in the
region---are slowly building national spatial data infrastructures
(NSDI). These efforts, however, are not steady in all cases and are in
need of better coordination and clear guidelines from the international
community; local support is insufficient, and the work is being done
without a solid standards basis. But despite it all, NSDIs seem to be on
their way towards consolidation.

![](media/image4.jpeg){width="5.133333333333334in"
height="3.3944444444444444in"}

Planning Meeting at SENACYT, November 21

**On day two**, Mr. Eric van Praag opened the session by reviewing a
concept paper entitled "Towards Better Geospatial Integration in the
Mesoamerican Region". The paper was prepared by EDC, with the help of
several institutions and experts from the region, to propose lines of
action aimed at improving geoinformation management in Mesoamerica. The
document provides a short analysis of the main needs for geospatial
information in the region, the problems that hinder the exchange and use
of this information, and initiatives underway that seek to meet this
need (see Spanish version of the document in Appendix 5). The document
contains a chapter that lists the actions that should be implemented in
order to meet information needs and solve some of the problems that were
identified.

During the morning session participants broke into five groups,
approximately 8 people in each, to discuss previously established
topics. In addition to the people specifically invited for the planning
meeting, participants to the training workshop also joined in this
exercise. A combination including people with management experience
(participants to the planning meeting) and people with technical
experience (participants to the training workshop) was achieved in each
group. The groups took the entire morning session to discuss and analyze
the following topics:

-   Fundamental data.

-   Technical cooperation and institutional strengthening.

-   Geoinformation applications.

-   Standards.

-   MACGA initiative.

These are the same themes in terms of which CP-IDEA and PAIGH have
organized their work groups (except for the last theme). Each group was
asked to identify the following for each of the themes listed:

-   Main problems

-   Needs

-   Recommendations/lines of action

In the afternoon session participants to the training workshop returned
to the GIS laboratory to complete the practical session on ArcIMS while
a group of managers and project coordinators remained in the meeting
room to report conclusions and observations by each of the working
groups.

# Recommendations/Lines of Action

A main objective, both in the training workshop and in the planning
meeting, has been to draw lines of action that will facilitate and
improve administration of geoinformation in Mesoamerica.

Prior to the event and as previously mentioned, EDC coordinated the
development of a concept paper presented under the title "Towards a
better geospatial integration in the Mesoamerican region" (see Spanish
document in Appendix 5). It should be stressed that many of the
conclusions and recommendations contained in the EDC paper agree with
the recommendations made in the planning meeting and which are presented
below in this Chapter.

Recommendations/identified lines of action have been grouped in five
areas:

-   Fundamental data

-   Technical cooperation and institutional strengthening

-   Applications

-   Standards

-   MACGA

## 1. Fundamental Data

**1.1 To draw up an inventory of information, capacities and needs.**

One of the first recommended activities to be undertaken as part of a
future project is to start a study on the spatial data available in each
country, covering data-related aspects such as availability,
characteristics and access to geoinformation. The study should also
gather information about the capacities of the main institutions that
produce geoinformation, their needs and the problems they face; assess
the status of spatial infrastructures, their achievements, challenges
and opportunities; draw up an inventory of the main geoinformation
projects underway and the type of spatial data they generate; and take a
close look at the types of standards used, specifying the use they have
been put to and the problems found during their implementation.

**1.2 Generation of core data sets.**

Preparing a list of the core digital spatial data each country should
have is recommended since there seems to be no consensus on this matter
at present. Standards and methodologies should be generated --or
adapted---for developing core data sets.

It is recommended that broad dissemination be given to this basic
spatial information, once available, by distributing it free of charge
or for the cost of reproduction so as to make its use easy and
affordable. It is also recommended to stage this information on the
Internet, via Internet map servers.

It is recommended that support be given to the development of the data
required by the Global Map Project. The Central American mapping
agencies already have received --or in a few cases will soon receive---
a software donation by ESRI to facilitate the task, and they now have
the training needed to use this software thanks to the MACGA workshop.
CCAD offered to help in this effort by making available to
MACGA-participating institutions 18 layers of digital information on a
scale of 1:250,000 that will serve as a basis for the products to be
developed in the Global Map Project.

One of the groups suggested that the working scale for the basic digital
data to be generated by each country should be 1:250,000 and, to the
extent possible, these basic data should be supplemented with more
detailed information on a scale of 1:50,000 for some of the spatial data
layers or thematic variables. Information on the above-said scales could
be integrated later into other less detailed scales to be used for
national or regional studies.

Another group recommended the establishment of a regional forum on basic
data generation, led by the IGNs, the purpose of which is to understand
work conditions related to spatial data generation, the problems faced
in this field, and the needs of institutions.

**2. Technical cooperation and institutional strengthening**

**2.2 To support development of legislation**.

The countries of the region must encourage the generation of laws and
regulations that govern the management of geoinformation. The legal
framework of the countries of the region is often inadequate or
insufficient in this regard. Where the law exists it may be the case
that the regulations are non-existent, or are not clearly defined, or
are barely known, even by the specialists.

**2.2 Establishment of a training program.**

It is recommended that the technical capacities of the specialists in
geoinformation in the region be improved by implementing a simple,
low-cost, permanent training program that also takes advantage of
existing capacities in the region.

**2.3 Establishment of a network of specialists.**

Several groups agreed upon the need to improve communications and
technical exchanges among geoinformation specialists. With this goal in
mind it is therefore recommended that a Mesoamerican forum of GIS and
remote sensing experts be established. The MACGA initiative has been
asked to consider the formal establishment of the forum and to provide
initial support to its operation. The MACGA initiative could facilitate
the establishment of a virtual forum of experts, design a digital
periodical publication, and set up a web page on geospatial topics. To
support the latter, participants suggested that the web page prepared by
CIAT during the PROCIG project be reactivated. As one of its first
activities the forum could document and promote successful GIS
initiatives in the region, and could evaluate and promote the impact
that the information produced has had in decision-making.

**2.4 Establishment of regional agreements.**

It is recommended that institutions that participate in or support the
MACGA initiative work on the establishment of regional agreements to
facilitate and encourage establishment of NSDIs. It was suggested that
the national PAIGH representatives could provide help in this activity.

Within the framework of such agreements, the possibility of establishing
a regional infrastructure of spatial data for Mesoamerica, with the
support of supranational institutions such as CCAD, PAIGH or the
CP-IDEA, should be evaluated.

**2.5 Promotion of the NSDI concept**.

The NSDI concept in Mesoamerica is relatively recent and little is known
about it beyond the mapping institutions and the ministries of the
environment. Successful experiences in countries like Colombia or
Argentina are not known in the region and should be disseminated. A
recurring problem is the lack of resources and funds specifically
allocated to NSDI as a fundamental and globalizing theme, and a
significant amount of the current funding for spatial information is
spent on projects that cover NSDI aspects only partially. A
comprehensive and unifying view of the development of NSDI has not been
taken in these projects.

Recommendations were made to work actively in the promotion of NSDI,
especially in those organizations or initiatives that must ensure its
development or can offer support. More specifically, and to comply with
this goal, recommendations were made to contact the following
institutions: CCAD, PAIGH, CP-IDEA, USAID, World Bank, IDB, the
Mesoamerican Environmental Information System (SIAM), the Interamerican
Biodiversity Information Network (IABIN), and national land registry
and/or land management projects.

Representatives from SIAM, CCAD, PAIGH and CP-IDEA offered to present
the recommendations and conclusions contained in this document at their
next meetings or events.

**3. Applications**

**3.1 To create and/or consolidate spatial information catalogues.**

Most countries in the region produce this kind of catalogue (also known
as Clearinghouse), but after the initial thrust provided by specific
projects, several of the catalogues produced have not been updated as
often as they should be. The existence and functionality of those
catalogues must be actively promoted, and those that have become
inactive must be reactivated. Training and technical assistance should
be offered once again to establish and develop metadata in the countries
of the region.

Representatives from Belize asked for support to establish their first
geoinformation catalogue.

It is recommended to suggest to the projects that generate spatial
information that they include, in their agreements, clauses providing
for the need to generate metadata for all the spatial data to be
developed, and to make them available to a national institution with
access to a spatial data catalogue. It is further recommended that
potential donors such as the World Bank, IDB and the USAID be contacted
to foster this line of action.

**3.2 To conduct a diagnostic study on the economic impact of NSDIs.**

The study could be led by an economist who could assess and assign an
economic value to problems raised by not having an NSDI, i.e.,
duplication of information, difficult access to information, problems to
integrate data for lack of standards. The figures thus obtained would
point directly at the economic losses a country has to suffer when the
geoinformation sector is not organized, and an economic value would be
given to the existence of a NSDI.

Such a study would be an extremely useful tool when seeking funds to
support NSDI initiatives vis-à-vis institutions such as CCAD, PAIGH and
CP-IDEA. It is recommended that the resulting diagnosis be presented to
political leaders and decision-makers in each country so they may be
convinced of the advantages of having an NSDI to rely upon.

**3.3 Periodical publications on NSDI.**

Most of the groups agreed on the need to publish material containing
information about NSDI: their status in the different countries, what is
being done in the region to consolidate their operation, successful
experiences, use and application of standards, institutions that work
towards their establishment, etc. It is recommended that PAIGH
coordinate this activity, and also weigh the possibility of providing
some of their periodical publications in digital form, in order to
increase their distribution among field specialists with an emphasis on
experts in other areas of knowledge.

**4. Standards.**

**4.1 To Promote the use of Standards.**

As pointed out in other recommendations/lines of action, the issue of
standards is crucial at the time of implementing an NSDI. In the group
discussions the need to evaluate current use of standards in the region
and obstacles to their implementation was given much emphasis. It was
recommended that the need to apply standards and thereby promote their
use be specified in international projects. It was also suggested that a
cost-benefit regional study on the use of standards in the region should
be conducted.

**4.2 To establish a working group on standards.**

The groups emphasized the need to improve knowledge about different
standards and to find the best way to adapt them to national conditions.
The establishment of a regional group to work on these tasks was
recommended.

**5. MACGA**

**5.1 To establish a network of map servers.**

Several groups converged in recommending that the MACGA initiative
devote efforts on the implementation of a map server network for
Mesoamerica. The model could be taken from the multi-viewer project
developed by UNEP and EDC to provide a common access interface to map
servers for Africa. AED has offered to support this initiative, and
discussions between EDC and AED have started to define the scope of a
small pilot project in this area.

The pieces in this network --map servers---are already operating in
institutions such as SEMARNAT and INEGI in Mexico, ICAFE in Costa Rica,
MARN in El Salvador, and ANAM in Panama, and have recently started
operating, or are about to, in other institutions of the region. With a
small additional effort, all of these individual servers could be linked
together through a common map viewer. Training needed to implement this
network was offered in the training workshop in Panama, and part of the
required software was donated or will be donated by ESRI through its
commitments under the Global Map Project or the MACGA initiative.

The network will be a point of entry to geoinformation and related
themes such as the environment, biodiversity, municipal development and
regional integration. During the first phase, ministries of the
environment, mapping agencies and some selected municipalities will be
invited to join this network.

**5.2 To develop a plan of action.**

One of the groups present at the meeting asked that the MACGA initiative
give some attention to developing a regional plan of action for
geoinformation, using as a basis a document titled "Towards a better
geospatial integration in Mesoamerica" (see complete document in
Appendix 5). The plan of action can lay the ground for a future project
that would involve the several lines of action identified in this
document.

The plan of action must consider the realization of short-term, highly
visible pilot projects with a good potential for success and obviously
helpful to decision-making. These projects are the key to drive the NSDI
case and to create the need to develop a long-range project.

**5.3 To convene a MACGA follow-up meeting.**

Such a meeting would help assess the goals achieved by the MACGA
initiative in this first phase and the steps taken towards the
advancement of NSDI in the region, as well as a follow-up on the
recommendations/lines of action contained in this document.
Representatives from PAIGH and CP-IDEA offered to bring this suggestion
before their respective institutions so they consider organizing and
coordinating an event of this nature.

**5.4 To appoint a technical advisory group.**

It is recommended that MACGA make up a group of technical advisors with
representatives from each country. The purpose of the group will be to
disseminate information about standards, fundamental data, methodologies
and applications, and to propose training activities.

**5.5 General recommendations**

During the final discussion session on November 22, all participants
agreed that those institutions that will lead the process must be
clearly identified, and each such institution should be assigned
responsibilities for each of the above-identified lines of action. The
need to formally and actively involve institutions like CCAD, PAIGH and
CP-IDEA was

specifically mentioned.

It was emphasized that for MACGA to become a viable initiative it is
necessary to achieve political agreements at a high level --executive
and ministerial, in order to materialize implementation of the
initiative and obtain the necessary funds to design and execute the
action plan. Participants insisted in not turning MACGA into a new
cooperation agency or mechanism, but quite the opposite, that existing
initiatives and institutions assume control and coordination of MACGA.

The need to appoint dedicated personnel to promote and coordinate NSDI
development in each country was emphasized. It was pointed out that this
is the key to the success of countries like Colombia where, for several
years now, they have had dedicated personnel in place --either
exclusively or with a very high degree of dedication---to address this
task. It was recommended that each country assign these tasks to a
national NSDI coordinator and that these positions be financed for no
less than five years.

# CONCLUSIONS

The two events, the training workshop and the planning meeting, that
were promoted and coordinated by the MACGA initiative have afforded an
opportunity for specialists and users of geoinformation to share
experiences, to receive training in new technologies, obtain GIS
software and geospatial data, identify needs and issues, and define the
types of initiatives that are necessary to improve management and
integration of geoinformation in Mesoamerica.

The two events have helped to lay the groundwork for the future
establishment of cooperation mechanisms and exchange, for the
consolidation of spatial data infrastructures in the countries of the
region, and for the definition of what could become a regional data
infrastructure.

Spatial data infrastructures must become a fundamental piece for better
decision-making in the countries of the region, i.e., a decision-making
process based on scientific quality information, with a strong spatial
component, available to a wide range of users and without restrictions
to access. MACGA has supported the identification of some actions that
could be undertaken in the coming years to implement such
infrastructures. Their development and sustainability call for ample
political and technical consensus, permanent training programs, and a
culture that fosters exchange of information. But above all, enthusiasm,
motivation and hard work are required from people who believe in spatial
data infrastructures and have the time and resources to make them come
true. Technologies and methodologies needed to implement them already
exist, have been tested, and are available. The MACGA initiative will
make the necessary contributions, within its range of possibilities, to
support their development and consolidation.

# Appendix 1. Workshop participants

  -------------- ------------------------ ---------------------------------------------------- ---------------
  **NAME**       **INSTITUTION**          **EMAIL**                                            **PHONE**

  Víctor Mirón   Anacafe - Guatemala      <victorm@anacafe.org>                                \(502\)
                                                                                               337-3720

  Fernando       Autoridad Nacional del   <faortega_ac@yahoo.com> <inform.amb@anam.gob.pa>     \(507\)
  Ortega         Ambiente ANAM Panamá                                                          315-0855

  Tamara         Autoridad Nacional del   <thernandez@cableonda.net>                           \(507\)
  Hernández      Ambiente ANAM Panamá                                                          315-0855

  Elizabeth      CIAT                     <e.barona@cgiar.org>                                 \(057\)
  Barona Adarue                                                                                2-4450-000
                                                                                               ext.3719

  Rafael Guillen Comisión Centroamericana <rguillen@ccad.ws>                                   \(503\)
                 de Ambiente y Desarrollo                                                      278-1050
                 CCAD - Banco Mundial                                                          

  Juan Carlos    Conservación             <jrubiano@conservation.org>                          \(571\)
  Rubiano        Internacional Colombia                                                        687-8141

  Diego Pedreros EROS DATA CENTER         <pedreros@usgs.gov>                                  \(213\)
                                                                                               427.04.12

  Eric Van Praag EROS DATA CENTER         <vanpraag@usgs.gov>                                  \(58\)
                                                                                               212-793.48.26

  Jorge Mario    ICAFE - Costa Rica       [jmalpizar@icafe.go.cr]{.underline}                  \(506\)
  Alpízar                                                                                      381-5624
                                                                                               226-4639 /
                                                                                               243-7808

  Amadeo         Instituto Dominicano de  <aescarraman@idiaf.org.do>                           \(809\)
  Escarramán     Investigaciones                                                               242-2144
                 Agropecuarias y                                                               
                 Forestales IDIAF                                                              

  Marta Eugenia  Instituto Geográfico     [maragui@costarricense.cr]{.underline}               \(506\)
  Aguilar Varela Nacional Costa Rica                                                           257-7798

  Katia Madrid   Instituto Geográfico     <kmadrid@cnr.gob.sv>                                 \(503\)
                 Nacional El Salvador                                                          260-7926

  Ovidio Orlando Instituto Geográfico     [ign_honduras@edured.net                             \(505\)
  Munguia Urbina Nacional Honduras        sarave1@yahoo.com](mailto:ign_honduras@edured.net)   225-4348

  Javier Posam   Instituto Geográfico     <jposam@mop.gob.pa>                                   
                 Nacional Tommy Guardia -                                                      
                 Panamá                                                                        

  Henry Eduardo  Instituto Gográfico      <hencho_ap@hotmail.com>                              \(502\)
  Argueta        Nacional Alfredo Obiols                                                       332-2644
  Pantaleón      Gómez Guatemala                                                               

  Eduardo        Instituto Nacional de    [emendoza@dgg.inegi.gob.mx]{.underline}              (52.449)
  Francisco      Estadística, Geografía e                                                      910-5300\
  Mendoza de la  Informática INEGI -                                                           ext. 5255
  Torre          México                                                                        

  Josué Roberto  Instituto Nicaragüense   <jdonado.dgc@inter.gob.ni>                           \(505\)
  Donado         de Estudios                                                                   0600-7440 /
  Figueroa       Territoriales INETER                                                          249-2764

  Hipolito       Land Survey Department - [contre01@hotmail.com]{.underline}                   \(501\)
  Contreras      Belize                                                                        822-2226

  Jorge          Ministerio Agropecuario  <jarr65@hotmail.com>                                 \(505\)
  Rodríguez Rubí y Forestal MAGFOR                                                             276-0040
                 Nicaragua                                                                     

  Erbin Tomas    Ministerio de            <esermenodgea@hotmail.com>                           \(503\)
  Sermeño        Agricultura El Salvador                                                       229-9301

  Guillermo      Ministerio de Ambiente y <gjimenez@minae.go.cr>                                
  Jiménez        Energía MINAE Costa Rica                                                      
  Barrantes                                                                                    

  Carolina       Ministerio del Ambiente  <ccanales@marn.gob.sv>                               \(503\)
  Canales        y Recursos Naturales El                                                       224-6713
                 Salvador                                                                      

  Mario Clemente Ministerio del Ambiente  <mcrc@intelnet.net.gt>                               \(502\)
  Rodríguez      y Recursos Naturales                                                          509-3881
  Carrillo       Guatemala                                                                     

  Carlos Poveda  Ministerio del Ambiente  <csps67@hotmail.com>                                 \(505\)
  Saborio        y Recursos Naturales                                                          263-2615
                 MARENA - Nicaragua                                                            

  Héctor Antonio Red de Capacitación      <hsolis@utjprotierra.gob.gt>                         \(502\)
  Solis          Centroamericana en                                                            218-7761
                 Administración de                                                             
                 Tierras                                                                       

  Elbyn Ramírez  Secretaría de            <elbynramírez@zamorano.com>                          \(504\)
                 Agricultura y Ganaderia                                                       239-0906
                 Honduras                                                                      

  Arturo Cabrera Secretaría de Medio      [luis.cabrera@semarnat.gob.mx]{.underline}           (52-55)
                 Ambiente y Recursos                                                           5628-0868
                 Naturales SEMARNAT -                                                          
                 México                                                                        

  José Ricardo   Secretaría de Recursos   <rpinto@serna.gob.hn>                                \(504\)
  Pinto Rivera   Naturales y Ambiente                                                          239-6624
                 SERNA - Honduras                                                              

  Edgardo        Secretaría Nacional de   <emonasterios@senacyt.gob.pa>                        \(507\)
  Monasterios    Ciencia, Tecnología e                                                         317-0014
                 Innovación SENACYT -                                                          
                 Panamá                                                                        

  Francisco      Secretaría Nacional de   <fvillaverde@senacyt.gob.pa>                         \(507\)
  Villaverde     Ciencia, Tecnología e                                                         317-0014
                 Innovación SENACYT -                                                          
                 Panamá                                                                        

  Nelsón Muñoz   Secretaría Nacional de   <nmunoz@senacyt.gob.pa>                              \(507\)
                 Ciencia, Tecnología e                                                         317-0014
                 Innovación SENACYT -                                                          
                 Panamá                                                                        

  Octavio        Secretaría Nacional de   <ocarrasquilla@senacyt.gob.pa>                       \(507\)
  Carrasquilla   Ciencia, Tecnología e                                                         317-0014
                 Innovación SENACYT -                                                          
                 Panamá                                                                        
  -------------- ------------------------ ---------------------------------------------------- ---------------

# Appendix 2. Planning Meeting Participants

  ---------------- -------------------- -------------------------------- ------------------
  **NAME**         **INSTITUTION**      **EMAIL**                        **PHONE**

  Sergio Ramírez   AED                  <sramirez@aed.org>               202-884-8011

  Raul Martinez    Autoridad de Canal   <rmartinez@pancanal.com>         507-272-5994
                   de Panama                                             

  Miguel Narbona   Autoridad del Canal  <mnarbona@pancanal.com>          507-276-7024
                   de Panama                                             

  Emilio Sempris   CATHALAC             <ruben.sousa@cathalac.org>       507-317-0125/26

  Tom Bakkum       CATHALAC             <tom.bakkum@cathalac.org>        507-671-6710

  Rafael Guillén   CCAD- Banco Mundial  <rguillén@ccad.ws>               503-278-1050

  Pablo Torrealaba CEPREDENAC           <ptorreal@cepredenac.org>        507-316-0065

  Tsuneki Hori     CEPREDENAC           <hori.tsuneki@jica.go.jp>        507-316-0065

  Ramón Hernando   CI                   <horozco@conservation.org>       571-345-2854
  Orozco Rey                                                             

  Glenn Hyman      CIAT                 <g.hyman@ciat.org>               572-445-0000

  Ruben Vega       Comision                                               
                   Interinstitucional                                    
                   de la Cuenca del                                      
                   Canal de Panama                                       

  Maria Gonzalez   Conservation         <mlgonzalez@cwpanama.net>        507-269-1388
                   International                                         

  Carol Christian  Department of State  <christianca@state.gov>          202-736-7236

  Eric van Praag   EDC                  <vanpraag@usgs.gov>              58-212-793.48.26

  Larry Tieszen    EROS                 <tieszen@usgs.gov>               605-594-6056

  Claudia Ruiz     ESRI                 <cruiz@esri.com>                 909-793-2853

  Katia Madrid     IGN /El Salvador     <kmadrid@cnr.gob.sv>             503-260-7926

  Marta Aguilar    IGN/ CostaRica       <maguilar@mopt.gp.cr>            502-257-7798

  Francisco Hansen INEGI                <fhansen@dgg.inegi.gob.mx>       449-910-5331

  Oto Kraus        Natural Resources    <okravth@nrcan.gc.ca>            604-666-4302
                   Canada                                                

  Richard Warner   Natural Resources    <rwarner@nric.net>               202-955-7467
                   Information                                           
                   Clearinghouse (NRIC)                                  

  John Gates       NIMA                 <gatesj@nima.mil>                301-227-3179

  Alexis Miranda   Promecafe            <amacafe@latinmail.com>          507-998-4638

  Octavio          SENACYT/IPDE         <ocarrasquilla@senacyt.gob.pa>   507-317-014
  Carrasquilla                                                           

  Blair Cooper     USAID Panama         <bcooper@usaid.gov>              507-263-6011

  Rita Spadafora   USAID/ PANAMÁ        <rispadafora@usaid.gov>          507-263-6011

  Carey Yeager     USAID/G-CAP          <cyeager@usaid.gov>              502-332-0202

  Diego Pedreros   USGS                 <pedreros@usgs.gov>              213-427-0412

  Jacqueline       USGS                 <jklaver@usgs.gov>               605-594-6961
  Klaver                                                                 

  Douglas Graham   World Bank           <dgraham@worldbank.org>           
  ---------------- -------------------- -------------------------------- ------------------

# Appendix 3. Course Agenda

###### AGENDA

  -------- -------------- -------------- ------------------ -------------- ------------ ------------
  **WEEK   **Monday (1)** **Tuesday      **Wednesday(3)**   **Thursday     **Friday     **Saturday
  1**                     (2)**                             (4)**          (5)**        (6)**

  8 AM     **Welcome**    Introduction   ArcGIS             ArcGIS         ArcGIS       Data loading
                          to ArcGIS                                                     and data
                                                                                        editing

  10 AM    Introduction   SIAM           NASA/CCAD          The            Semarnat's   
           to ArcGIS                     Geographic         Mesoamerican   geospatial   
                                         initiative         Ecosystem map  database     

  10:20 AM Break          Break          Break              Break          Break        Break

  10:40 AM Introduction   Introduction   ArcGIS             ArcGIS         ArcGIS       Data loading
           to ArcGIS      to ArcGIS                                                     and data
                                                                                        editing

  Noon     Lunch          Lunch          Lunch              Lunch          Lunch        Lunch

  1 PM     Introduction   Introduction   ArcGIS             ArcGIS         ArcGIS       Data loading
           to ArcGIS      to ArcGIS                                                     and data
                                                                                        editing

  3 PM     Mesoamerican   The Carta data The U.S. National  LU/LC mapping  MACGA\       
           Ecosystem map  set -- Costa   Map                El Salvador    Planning     
                          Rica                                             activities   

  3:20 PM  Break          Break          Break              Break          Break        Break

  3:40 PM  Introduction   Introduction   ArcGIS             ArcGIS         ArcGIS       Data loading
           to ArcGIS      to ArcGIS                                                     and data
                                                                                        editing

  5:30 PM  Adjourn        Adjourn        Adjourn            Adjourn        Adjourn      Adjourn
  -------- -------------- -------------- ------------------ -------------- ------------ ------------

  -------- ------------- -------------- ------------------ ------------ -------------- --------------
  **WEEK   **Monday      **Tuesday      **Wednesday(9)**   **Thursday   **Friday       **Saturday
  2**      (7)**         (8)**                             (10)**       (11)**         (12)**

  8 AM     Data loading  ArcIMS         ArcIMS             ArcIMS       Planning       Planning
           and data                                                     Meeting /\     Meeting /\
           editing                                                      Development of Development of
                                                                        prototype      prototype
                                                                        applications   applications

  10 AM    SERNA: aerial Overview of    Coffee IMS system  The GSDI                    
           photography   open source    in Costa Rica      grant                       
                         IMS (MMS)                         program                     

  10:20 AM Break         Break          Break              Break        Break          Break

  10:40 AM Data loading  ArcIMS         ArcIMS             ArcIMS       Planning       Planning
           and data                                                     Meeting /\     Meeting /\
           editing                                                      Development of Development of
                                                                        prototype      prototype
                                                                        applications   applications

  Noon     Lunch         Lunch          Lunch              Lunch        Lunch          Lunch

  1 PM     Data loading  ArcIMS         ArcIMS             ArcIMS       Planning       Planning
           and data                                                     Meeting /\     Meeting /\
           editing                                                      Development of Development of
                                                                        prototype      prototype
                                                                        applications   applications

  3 PM     SNIG -        UNEP           The SERVIR project The PROCIG                  
           Guatemala     multi-viewer                      project                     
                         project                                                       

  3:20 PM  Break         Break          Break              Break        Break          Break

  3:40 PM  Global Map    ArcIMS         ArcIMS             ArcIMS       Planning       Planning
           products:                                                    Meeting /\     Meeting /\
           general                                                      Development of Poster
           issues                                                       prototype      Session?
                                                                        applications   

  5:30 PM  Adjourn       Adjourn        Adjourn            Adjourn      Adjourn        Adjourn
  -------- ------------- -------------- ------------------ ------------ -------------- --------------

+--------------------+------------------------+------------------------+
| **WEEK 3**         | **Monday (13)**        | **Tuesday (16)**       |
+--------------------+------------------------+------------------------+
| 8 AM               | SRTM data sets         | NSDI Development       |
+--------------------+------------------------+------------------------+
| 10 AM              | Agroclimactic          | Short presentation     |
|                    | applications by the    |                        |
|                    | USGS                   |                        |
+--------------------+------------------------+------------------------+
| 10:20 AM           | Break                  | Break                  |
+--------------------+------------------------+------------------------+
| 10:40 AM           | SRTM data sets         | NSDI Development       |
+--------------------+------------------------+------------------------+
| Noon               | Lunch                  | Lunch                  |
+--------------------+------------------------+------------------------+
| 1 PM               | SRTM data sets         | Overview of metadata   |
|                    |                        | and Clearinghouse      |
|                    |                        | techniques             |
|                    |                        |                        |
|                    |                        | *Trainers: Anthony*    |
+--------------------+------------------------+------------------------+
| 3 PM               | NSDI initiatives in    | INDE Panamá            |
|                    | Central America        |                        |
+--------------------+------------------------+------------------------+
| 3:20 PM            | Break                  | Break                  |
+--------------------+------------------------+------------------------+
| 3:40 PM            | SRTM data sets         | Overview of metadata   |
|                    |                        | and Clearinghouse      |
|                    |                        | techniques             |
+--------------------+------------------------+------------------------+
| 5:30 PM            | Adjourn                | Adjourn                |
+--------------------+------------------------+------------------------+

# Appendix 4. Planning Meeting Agenda

**Venue**: Secretaria Nacional de Ciencia, Tecnologia e Innovacion
(SENACYT).\
Panama City. Antigua base de Clayton - Edificio 213. Ciudad del Saber.

**Dates**: November 21, 22.

**Language**: The meeting will be conducted in Spanish. Individual
translation can be available upon request. Professional translation to
English could be arranged if enough English-speakers attend.

**Objectives**:

-   Learn about on-going and recent geospatial initiatives in the
    region, their scope, needs, and potential synergies;

-   Plan a course of action that facilitates the improved creation,
    access and dissemination of spatial data and information in the
    region;

-   Plan for the establishment, consolidation, and strengthening of
    spatial data infrastructures in the region;

-   Evaluate the support and technical assistance the USAID-funded MACGA
    project can provide to national institutions and geospatial
    initiatives;

**AGENDA**

**[DAY 1. Friday, November 21^st^]{.underline}**

**[Morning Session]{.underline} (8:30 AM -- 12:30 PM)**

Welcoming words by USAID, EDC, and national representatives.

**Presentations (25 minutes each -- with 5 minutes of questions and
discussion)**

1.  **Presentation**: The Mesoamerican Environmental Information System
    (SIAM).\
    By: Rafael Guillen, CCAD-WB consultant.

2.  **Presentation**: NASA projects and initiatives in Central America.\
    By: Daniel Irwin, NASA (to be confirmed).

3.  **Presentation**: Permanent Committee for the Spatial Data
    Infrastructure for the Americas (CP-IDEA): Review of plans and
    on-going activities.\
    By: Francisco Hansen, INEGI, Secretary CP-IDEA

4.  **Presentation**: Pan-American Institute of Geography and History
    (PAIGH): Review of plans and on-going activities.\
    By: to be decided.

5.  **Presentation**: The development of National Spatial Data
    Infrastructures: the case of Central America.\
    By: Diego Pedreros, EDC.

6.  **Presentation**: The DOT-COM Alliance by USAID and the Academy for
    Educational Development (AED).\
    By: Sergio Ramirez, DOT-COM

**[Lunch, 12:30 -- 1:30, at SENACYT]{.underline}**

**[Afternoon Session]{.underline} (1:30 PM -- 6 PM)**

7.  **Presentation**: Land use/cover mapping in Central America using
    the Corine methodology.\
    By: IGN El Salvador representative.

8.  **Presentation**: The establishment of Internet Map Server to
    facilitate specialty coffee marketing and certification in Costa
    Rica, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic.\
    By: Eric van Praag

9.  **Presentation**: NIMA and the Americas.\
    By: John Gates, NIMA.

10. **Presentation**: The Central American PROCIG project.\
    By: Glenn Hyman, CIAT.

**[DAY 2. Saturday, November 22^nd^]{.underline}**

**[Morning Session]{.underline} (8:30 AM -- 12:30 PM)**

Break in groups to discuss the following topics:

-   Pilot projects and draft workplan.

-   Core data sets and standards.

-   Capacity-building and promotion.

-   Framework for MACGA collaboration.

-   Funding and institutional issues.

**[Lunch, 12:30 -- 1:30, at SENACYT]{.underline}**

**[Afternoon Session]{.underline} (1:30 PM -- 6 PM)**

Work group presentations (20 minutes each).

Final discussion and recommendations.

Formation of a work group to prepare a project proposal or action plan,
and an editing committee to prepare the proceedings for the meeting.

Identification of funding sources.

Future plans

#  Appendix 5. Concept Note (available only in Spanish)

**PAPEL DE TRABAJO**

**HACIA UNA MEJOR INTEGRACIÓN GEOESPACIAL\
EN LA REGIÓN DE MESOAMERICA**

**Documento elaborado en apoyo al seminario de planificación sobre
generación, integración y diseminación de información geoespacial\
en Mesoamérica.**

**SENACYT, Panamá, Noviembre 21-22 de 2003**

![](media/image5.jpeg){width="5.135416666666667in"
height="4.333333333333333in"}

**Documento elaborado por el Ing. Eric van Praag, USGS EROS Data Center,
con la colaboración de diversas instituciones y especialistas de la
región**

**Ciudad de Panamá, 18 de Noviembre de 2003**

**INTRODUCCIÓN**

Existe en la región de Mesoamérica la necesidad perentoria de mejorar la
integración de información y datos geoespaciales para facilitar una
mejor toma de decisiones. Las grandes iniciativas en curso, como el
Corredor Biológico Mesoamericano (CBM), el Plan Puebla-Panamá (PPP), el
Sistema Arrecifal Mesoamericano (SAM), y los tratados de libre comercio
entre Centroamérica y los Estados Unidos - actualmente en discusión,
resaltan la necesidad de contar con información espacial confiable,
asequible y de calidad.

En vista de esta realidad, profesionales involucrados con la temática
geoespacial en la región han impulsado la realización de un seminario en
la Ciudad de Panamá, a celebrarse durante los días 21 y 22 de Noviembre
del 2003, con el objetivo de definir líneas de acción que apoyen una
mayor integración geoespacial en la región. En el marco del mencionado
evento, se ha elaborado el presente papel de trabajo, donde se resumen
algunas de las principales necesidades de información espacial en la
región, los problemas existentes para su intercambio, y las principales
iniciativas acometidas para generar y diseminar este tipo de
información.

El documento ha sido elaborado en un estilo bastante informal y sencillo
y pretende ofrecer estructura al seminario y apoyar la discusión. Al
final del documento se resaltan algunas líneas de acción identificadas
por los autores del documento y por un gran número de especialistas de
la región, durante reuniones y discusiones llevadas a cabo durante los
tres meses precedentes con representantes de una gran variedad de
instituciones nacionales, regionales e internacionales, en el marco del
proyecto MACGA (Mesoamerican and Caribbean Geospatial Alliance). De
igual forma, se han incorporado las opiniones y sugerencias de los
técnicos que han participado en un taller de capacitación sobre
tecnologías geoespaciales, dictado también en el marco del proyecto
MACGA, en Panamá, durante Noviembre del 2003.

Varios proyectos recientes han contribuido en forma notable a aumentar
la disponibilidad de información geoespacial en la región.
Lamentablemente, mucha de esta información no siempre se logra accesar o
compartir en forma adecuada, por motivos que van desde la falta de
capacidad técnica, falta de un mandato legal para distribuir información
y altos costos de la información, hasta desconocimiento de su
existencia, y problemas de calidad y/o del uso de estándares adecuados.

Uno de los objetivos principales del seminario es contribuir a la
resolución de algunos de estos problemas, mediante la identificación y
formulación de iniciativas y/o proyectos que permitan un mejor
intercambio e integración de información. Se analizan entonces en forma
muy breve las necesidades de información que existen en la región, así
como algunos de los principales problemas que se presentan y que están
asociados a la temática geoespacial.

**NECESIDADES DE INFORMACIÓN**

La información geoespacial es necesaria para una amplísima gama de
decisiones. Para los objetivos del seminario, nos concentraremos en las
grandes iniciativas que requieren información espacial en la región de
Mesoamérica:

**Corredor Biológico Mesoamericano (CBM)**: El corredor es una actividad
prioritaria de la Alianza Centroamericana para el Desarrollo Sostenible,
y consiste de una red de áreas protegidas y sus zonas de
amortiguamiento, unidas por corredores biológicos, con una variedad de
usos y grados de protección.

EL CBM requiere para su desarrollo de una amplia gama de datos e
información espacial, en temas como: uso/cobertura terrestre, áreas
protegidas, prácticas agrícolas y pecuarias, población, cuencas,
infraestructura, datos demográficos, vegetación y bosques, hidrografía,
clima, centros poblados, entre otros. En general, el CBM requiere
información que apoye la conservación ambiental y el desarrollo
sostenible, con énfasis en áreas protegidas y corredores bajo manejo
especial.

**Plan Puebla Panamá (PPP)**: El PPP es una propuesta de los ocho países
mesoamericanos para fortalecer la integración regional e impulsar los
proyectos de desarrollo social y económico en los estados del
Sur-Sureste de México y el Istmo Centroamericano. El PPP se concentra en
temas como el desarrollo sostenible, el desarrollo de infraestructura
física, la reducción de la pobreza y la vulnerabilidad a los desastres
naturales.

El PPP va a requerir de una gran variedad de información espacial. Se
puede prever que se requerirá disponer de información sobre temas como
los siguientes: vialidad, redes de transmisión eléctrica,
infraestructura, hidrografía, datos demográficos, topografía,
uso/cobertura terrestre, áreas protegidas, prácticas agrícolas y
pecuarias, vegetación y bosques.

**Manejo y prevención de desastres naturales**: Varios de los países de
la región han iniciado recientemente proyectos relacionados al tema de
desastres naturales, y han establecido organismos encargados de generar
información básica, de elaborar mapas de riesgo y vulnerabilidad, y de
manejar, reducir y prevenir desastres. En este marco se han generado en
casi todos los países de la región datos espaciales en apoyo al manejo y
mitigación de desastres naturales. El Centro de Coordinación para la
Prevención de Desastres Naturales en América Central (CEPREDENAC) ha
apoyado varias de estas iniciativas, y en particular ha participado en
la elaboración de un plan regional de reducción de desastres, y
actualmente está impulsando la generación de información espacial a
nivel municipal y de localidades.

Este tipo de proyectos requiere también de una amplia gama de data
geoespacial, en temas y aspectos como los siguientes: topografía,
vulnerabilidad, zonas en riesgo por inundaciones y/o deslaves,
población, centros de atención, cuencas, hidrografía, centros poblados,
clima, agricultura, geología y datos geotécnicos, entre otros.

**Programas de administración de tierras**: Varios países de la región
están implementando programas de administración de tierras. Estos
proyectos contemplan la generación y adaptación de mapas cartográficos
para catastro y registro de propiedades, y apoyan el fortalecimiento de
las instituciones en temas como geodesia, topogrametría y cartografía.
Algunos de estos proyectos también incorporan el mapeo temático, y
generan también otro tipo de data digital, como por ejemplo: municipios,
límites político-administrativos, áreas protegidas y territorios
indígenas. La necesidad de capacitación en los diversos temas asociados
a estos proyectos ha hecho necesaria la creación de la RECCAT (Red de
Capacitación Centroamericana en Administración de Tierras). Esta red
está ofreciendo capacitación y pasantías en diferentes temas
relacionados con la administración de tierras.

**Sistema Arrecifal Mesoamericano (SAM)**: El objetivo del proyecto es
mejorar la protección de los ecosistemas ecológicamente únicos y
vulnerables que componen el SAM. Se presta asistencia a los países
participantes para el fortalecimiento y la coordinación de políticas
nacionales, reglamentos y acuerdos institucionales para la conservación
y el uso sostenible de este bien.

Al igual que las otras iniciativas arriba mencionadas, el SAM será un
importante usuario y generador de datos espaciales. En especial,
requerirá utilizar datos sobre cuencas hidrográficas, recursos costeros,
vegetación, suelos, sedimentación en ríos, hidrografía, infraestructura
costera y vialidad, entre otros.

**PROBLEMAS / ÁREAS DONDE SE DEBE ENFOCAR ESFUERZOS**

Durante discusiones con técnicos que trabajan con datos geoespaciales en
la región, revisión de resultados de proyectos e iniciativas culminadas,
y conversaciones con especialistas de organismos regionales e
internacionales, se han identificado una lista de factores que
dificultan la generación, el acceso y el uso de la información
geoespacial en Mesoamérica. Entre ellos cabe destacar:

**Uso de estándares y protocolos comunes**: Tradicionalmente, las
instituciones y los proyectos generan sus propios estándares, o utilizan
estándares poco comunes y no compartidos con otras instituciones del
país o de la región. Este es un problema persistente y de difícil
solución, y trae consecuencias negativas al momento de integrar
información a nivel nacional o regional, o para desarrollar herramientas
de análisis. El problema se complica debido a que muchas instituciones
también producen sus propios métodos para generación y catalogación de
información, y utilizan modelos propios y difíciles de integrar con los
de otras instituciones.

**Necesidades de capacitación**: La alta rotación de personal y los
cambios constantes en la tecnología requieren de un entrenamiento
constante por parte de especialistas en temas como la geografía y
cartografía, los SIG, el sensoramiento remoto, manejo de bases de datos
y programación. Las instituciones nacionales gubernamentales
generalmente disponen de un presupuesto limitado para estas actividades,
y un porcentaje importante del entrenamiento es ofrecido por proyectos.

**Necesidad de una mayor asistencia técnica en SIG y sensoramiento
remoto**: Existe una alta rotación de personal calificado en estos temas
en el sector gubernamental, lo cual genera la necesidad de mantener
programas de entrenamiento continuos en la temática geoespacial,
asegurando al mismo tiempo el seguimiento de la inversión en personal.
Pocas empresas en la región ofrecen una asistencia técnica adecuada, y
se dan frecuentes casos de proyectos e iniciativas que se suspenden o
languidecen por falta de una adecuada asistencia técnica.

**Resistencia a compartir información**: Existe una variedad de factores
que parecen incidir en este hecho, uno de los principales problemas
relacionados a la temática geoespacial. Por una lado, el problema
deviene de un marco legislativo que no es claro o presenta lagunas, o a
que se desconoce la legislación en el tema, lo cual dificulta el crear
un clima adecuado para compartir información. Por otra parte, se dan
casos de mala praxis en el uso de la información, lo cual genera
obstáculos para compartir la misma. Por último, las instituciones ven
mas beneficio en el hecho de retener información, que en el hecho de
diseminarla mas libremente. Sin embargo, con mas y mas instituciones
compartiendo libremente la información, las instituciones reacias a
compartirla están cayendo en cuenta de la necesidad de cambiar sus
prácticas y/o políticas.

**Dificultad para acceder a la información**: Es interesante el
constatar en Mesoamérica el importante volumen de información espacial
que existe, lo poco que se conoce sobre su existencia, y su impacto
limitado en la toma de decisiones. Parte del problema estriba en que se
trata el tema geoespacial como algo excesivamente técnico, del dominio
de unos pocos "conocedores", y no se difunde adecuadamente su existencia
o potenciales usos prácticos. También influye la falta de políticas y
normas institucionales claras sobre la distribución y el almacenamiento
de la información, lo cual dificulta el que la misma se comparta
(incluso internamente dentro de una misma institución), e incluso
ocasiona con frecuencia su desaparición total cuando los proyectos que
la generaron culminan. Algunas instituciones de la región venden sus
datos, a precios que en ocasiones resultan altos para los usuarios,
sobre todo cuando se considera que en muchos casos se trata de
información generada por los mismos estados con fondos de los
contribuyentes.

**Necesidad de generar nueva información**: En la región no se está
generando suficiente información nueva en forma sistematizada, o
información de carácter regional. En algunos casos, los proyectos que
generan información responden a sus propios intereses, y no toman
suficientemente en cuenta las necesidades nacionales o regionales, o las
necesidades de capacitación de expertos nacionales.

**AVANCES RECIENTES Y PERSPECTIVAS**

Lo anterior no debe causar desaliento, pues algunos de los problemas
mencionados no son de fácil solución, son comunes a otros países y
regiones, y adicionalmente, se han dado logros recientes en Mesoamérica
tendientes a una mayor disponibilidad y uso de datos espaciales.

En forma muy breve se reseña a continuación algunos de los logros e
iniciativas recientes relacionados a la temática geoespacial en
Mesoamérica:

**Sistema de Información Ambiental Mesoamericano (SIAM)**: Iniciativa
impulsada por la CCAD que persigue implementar un sistema de información
ambiental regional en apoyo al CBM. Integra a los distintos sistemas
nacionales de información ambiental (SINIAs - SIAs) en un marco común
conceptual. El SIAM contempla un importante componente geoespacial, y
ofrece un marco de integración para varias iniciativas regionales como
el proyecto MACGA, la Red Interamericana de Información sobre
Biodiversidad (IABIN), y el proyecto NASA-Banco Mundial-USAID-CCAD,
entre otros. Recientemente, en el marco del SIAM, instituciones
nacionales han desarrollado 18 capas temáticas nacionales de información
geoespacial. Estos mapas digitales han sido integrados en un mosaico
Mesoamericano, validados por los institutos geográficos, y están a
disposición del público sin costo alguno.

El SIAM cuenta con el respaldo institucional y legal de CCAD, la cual
está integrada por los ministros de medio ambiente de la región. Se ha
constituido un comité técnico SIAM que está integrado por los directores
de los SINIA-SIA, y su principal función es la de coordinar y promover
las iniciativas de manejo de información geoespacial en materia
ambiental.

**Infraestructuras nacionales de datos geoespaciales (INDEs)**: Casi
todos los países de la región han decretado el establecimiento de una
INDE, o al menos poseen acuerdos marco interinstitucionales que
regulan - en cierta medida - las relaciones y el intercambio entre las
instituciones que generan o utilizan data espacial. Por ejemplo el
Sistema Nacional de Información Geoespacial (SNIG) en Guatemala es un
ejemplo de una INDE que presenta logros muy concretos, como la
realización en forma cooperativa del proyecto SUNIL para digitalizar
varias capas de información topográfica y temática a escala 1:250.000 de
todo el país.

**Proyecto NASA-Banco Mundial-CCAD**: Este proyecto culminó una primera
fase donde se generaron datos nacionales espaciales sobre 18 temas o
variables. La CCAD está actualmente integrando esta información en un
mosaico regional. En una segunda fase que recién comienza, el proyecto
implementará un visualizador para consultar los datos generados y otros
datos existentes, con capacidades de visualización tridimensional. Se
apoyará el establecimiento de un centro regional para el análisis y
diseminación de datos espaciales y sensoramiento remoto, y en apoyo al
control de incendios y al cambio climático.

**Mapeo de uso/cobertura de la tierra**: Existe mucho interés en la
región para emprender este tipo de proyectos. El Salvador está
actualmente culminando su primer mapa nacional de este tipo, realizado
con la metodología CORINE Land Cover aportada por el Instituto
Geográfico de Francia Internacional. México ha también realizado su
mapeo nacional en este tema, utilizando una clasificación propia. Se han
llevado a cabo reuniones recientes para discutir la posibilidad de
extender el modelo CORINE a toda la región centroamericana, y
actualmente se buscan fondos con esta finalidad.

**Catalogación de información**: Prácticamente todos los países de la
región, y en particular los institutos geográficos y los ministerios de
medio ambiente, cuentan actualmente con catálogos interactivos de data
espacial (Clearinghouse). Muchos de estos catálogos están siendo
actualizados periódicamente, mientras que algunos otros han perdido
impulso una vez han finalizado los proyectos que los impulsaron, y
requieren de un apoyo puntual y de promoción para retomar su desarrollo.
Cabe destacar que los Clearinghouse establecidos generalmente cubren a
un número limitado de instituciones en cada país, y se hace necesario
extender esta iniciativa a nuevas instituciones, en especial al sector
privado y educativo, que ha tenido poca participación.

**Generación de datos digitales (básicos y temáticos)**: Las
instituciones nacionales de la región han realizado un esfuerzo
considerable recientemente tendiente a digitalizar data espacial básica.
Generalmente, el proceso ha sido liderado por los institutos geográficos
nacionales (IGNs), ministerios de medio ambiente y ministerios de
agricultura. En particular, es notable el esfuerzo de los IGNs para
digitalizar y vectorizar sus mapas topográficos a distintas escalas. Por
ejemplo, el IGN de Guatemala ha digitalizado las cartas 1:250.000 de
todo el país (proyecto SUNIL), y con apoyo de los gobiernos de Francia y
Japón, han digitalizado aproximadamente un 40% de las cartas
topográficas a escala 1:50.000. El Salvador y Nicaragua adelantan
proyectos similares con el apoyo del gobierno japonés.

**Mapa Global**: Este proyecto persigue que cada país genere 8 capas de
información digital a escala 1:1.000.000. La empresa ESRI ha apoyado
este proyecto en Centroamérica (y a nivel mundial), mediante la donación
de un paquete de software y entrenamiento a cada instituto geográfico de
la región. El paquete incluye ArcInfo, ArcIMS, y PLTS, tres paquetes
básicos para generar, administrar y diseminar datos espaciales. Una
donación de software de ESRI ha sido considerada para algunos
ministerios de ambiente de la región. Los institutos geográficos han
adquirido el compromiso de elaborar estos mapas nacionales a escala
1:1.000.000 como parte del proyecto Mapa Global.

Por cuestiones de espacio y tiempo se han mencionado unos pocos
proyectos e iniciativas en la región, pero existen muchos mas.

**LÍNEAS DE ACCIÓN**

En base a múltiples conversaciones con personas e instituciones
participantes en el proyecto MACGA y en otros varios proyectos en la
región, en base a discusiones sostenidas durante el taller técnico para
capacitación en generación, integración y diseminación de datos
espaciales (SENACYT, Panamá, Noviembre 10 al 26 de 2003), y tomando en
consideración los problemas y necesidades identificados, las grandes
iniciativas existentes, y las necesidades de información discutidas en
este documento, se han identificado varias áreas de acción y que se
recomienda sean contempladas en futuros proyectos e iniciativas. Estas
son las siguientes:

**Establecimiento de un foro virtual de especialistas en la temática
geoespacial**: Este foro apoya el establecimiento de mecanismos
permanentes de comunicación entre especialistas de la región en temas
geoespaciales (como un list server o una publicación digital periódica),
ofrece asistencia técnica interinstitucional puntual, y fomenta el
intercambio de experiencias entre expertos de la región. Instituciones
con reconocida experiencia en temas particulares como servidores de
mapas en Internet (SEMARNAT), mapeo de uso/cobertura de la tierra (IGN
El Salvador), fotografía aérea multi-espectral (IGN Costa Rica),
infraestructura de datos espaciales (INEGI, IGN Guatemala, IGN Panamá),
entre otros, podrían ofrecer apoyo y asistencia técnica a otras
instituciones de la región en las distintas áreas donde presentan
fortalezas.

Este foro puede también promover el establecimiento de una página web
sencilla, donde se destaquen las iniciativas geoespaciales recientes,
noticias de interés, se compartan dudas e inquietudes, y se fomente el
intercambio de información.

**Generación y actualización de data espacial básica**: Varios países de
la región tienen un considerable interés en generar, digitalizar o
actualizar datos básicos. Algunos países como El Salvador y México han
logrado algunos avances importantes recientemente, pero es mucho lo que
queda aun por hacer, en particular en la utilización de estándares y
métodos comunes que permitan integrar la información generada a nivel
supra-nacional. Uno de los proyectos piloto en esta área será el
desarrollo de 8 capas digitales de información para los países
Centroamericanos, a escala 1:1.000.000, y auspiciado por el proyecto
Mapa Global. Los IGN de Centroamérica han recibido de la empresa ESRI
una donación de software que facilita la realización de este proyecto.
La capacitación necesaria ha sido ofrecida por el curso organizado por
el proyecto MACGA en Panamá durante Noviembre del 2003.

**Desarrollo de un visualizador de mapas en Internet**: Iniciativas
regionales como el CBM, el PPP y el SAM, requieren del uso intensivo de
información geoespacial. Varias instituciones de la región, lideradas
por los IGN y los Ministerios de Ambiente, planean responder a esta y
otras necesidades mediante el establecimiento de servidores de mapas en
Internet. Sin embargo, hasta ahora estas iniciativas se han planificado
en forma individual, y sin un marco de integración. Una posibilidad ha
considerar es el desarrollo de un visualizador regional de mapas, con
una interfase común que permita consultar e integrar en forma dinámica
en la pantalla los mapas de distintos servidores, como se ha realizado
en el proyecto multi-viewer implementado por el PNUMA y el USGS EROS
Data Center.

Una potencial donación de ESRI de un paquete de software a algunos
ministerios de ambiente de la región, que podría incluir al programa
ArcIMS para servir mapas, aunado a la donación de este programa - ya
entregada - a los IGNs de Centroamérica, y al entrenamiento en el uso de
ArcIMS ofrecido por el proyecto MACGA a representantes de todas estas
instituciones durante Noviembre del 2003, facilitan la implementación de
servidores de mapas nacionales, y de un visualizador regional donde
participen algunos de estos servidores.

**Servidores de mapas en el ámbito municipal**: Los municipios de
Mesoamérica son importantes usuarios de información espacial, pero dado
su gran número y las limitaciones tecnologías que los aquejan,
resultaría cuesta arriba establecer pequeños SIG en cada uno de ellos.
Una solución sugerida y que puede resultar interesante es ofrecerles
conectividad sencilla a Internet (algo que varios proyectos en curso
están actualmente apoyando), y establecer nodos centrales en Internet
con servidores de mapas con data municipal. De esta manera obtienen
acceso a información espacial para consultas y análisis, y los
municipios con mas capacidad pueden bajar la data para utilizarla en
conjunción con programas SIG.

**Servidores de mapas con fines agrícolas**: El USGS EROS Data Center,
con financiamiento del USAID, y en el marco del Programa de Cafés
Especiales (Quality Coffee Program), está facilitando la implementación
de servidores de mapas en Internet en apoyo el mercadeo y la
certificación de cafés especiales en Costa Rica, República Dominicana y
Guatemala. Estos sistemas pueden formar la base para sistemas de
información enfocados a otros rubros agrícolas u otros temas muy
diversos, pues los datos geoespaciales que se incorporan en estos
sistemas para combinar con datos de café son muy amplios, y podrían ser
utilizados para muchos otros fines. El servidor de mapas (IMS) de café
puede ser el punto de partida de un IMS municipal, un IMS ambiental,
etc.

**Mapeo de uso/cobertura de la tierra**: Los países de la región han
mostrado interés en generar mapas digitales sobre el tema. Cabe destacar
que México recientemente finalizó su mapa nacional de uso/cobertura
(escala 1:250.000), utilizando una clasificación propia, y que El
Salvador está finalizando el suyo, utilizando el método de clasificación
CORINE Land Cover (diseñado por el IGN de Francia Internacional). El IGN
de El Salvador ha impulsado recientemente consultas técnicas con otros
países de Centroamérica, para estudiar la factibilidad de utilizar la
metodología CORINE Land Cover en la región. Actualmente se busca
financiamiento para este proyecto.

**Aspectos legales y de propiedad intelectual**: Las constituciones de
algunos de los países de Centroamérica estipulan que la información
generada por los gobiernos es información de carácter público y
promueven su distribución. Sin embargo, muchos usuarios en la región
tienen una visión crítica sobre la disponibilidad de información
espacial de origen gubernamental, y existe cierto celo institucional al
momento de compartir información.

Resulta deseable promulgar normativa que regule el intercambio de
información a nivel nacional, políticas institucionales claras sobre el
uso/diseminación de información, y el establecimiento de acuerdos
interinstitucionales que regulen y faciliten este intercambio. La
ausencia de reglas claras para diseminar información crea un vacío
normativo que aprovechan las instituciones y personas que se benefician
de las trabas a la libre circulación de la información.

**Catalogación de datos geoespaciales**: La mayoría de los países de la
región cuentan con catálogos geoespaciales (Clearinghouse). Los nuevos
proyectos e iniciativas deben enfatizar la necesidad de catalogar y
poner disponible en Internet la información espacial a ser generada. Es
recomendable promover esfuerzos para integrar nuevas instituciones a los
catálogos geoespaciales existentes.

**Capacitación**: Es imperativo estructurar y ofrecer a nivel nacional y
regional un programa de capacitación en tecnologías que apoyen la
generación, análisis, distribución y catalogación de data espacial, de
carácter permanente y con recursos adecuados.

**Proyectos de apoyo a la prevención y mitigación de desastres**: Varios
esfuerzos para la mitigación y prevención de desastres se han dado a
nivel nacional, y se considera necesario obtener una mayor integración
regional en este tema. En algunos casos, los datos espaciales generados
por estos proyectos no han sido elaborados utilizando estándares y
procedimientos comunes, lo cual posibilitaría su integración en mosaicos
supra-nacionales y regionales, y ampliaría enormemente las posibilidades
de análisis.

**Implementación de un mecanismo de cooperación regional**: Los
distintos aspectos tocados en el presente documento apuntan a la
necesidad de una mayor cooperación regional en la generación de
información espacial. Existen varias posibilidades para llevar cabo la
implementación de mecanismos de cooperación, que habrá que considerar en
su debido momento, y cuyo análisis escapa al presente trabajo.

Independientemente de la forma que tomen estos mecanismos, los mismos
deben impulsar el fortalecimiento de las estructuras nacionales de datos
espaciales en la región, apoyar el establecimiento de tratados o
acuerdos que regulen y faciliten el intercambio de información, y en
general deben implementar los pasos necesarios para mejorar la
integración y la diseminación de información espacial. Cabe destacar que
algunas iniciativas en curso impulsadas por instituciones como la
Comisión Centroamericana de Ambiente y Desarrollo (CCAD), el Instituto
Panamericano de Geografía e Historia (IPGH) y el Comité Permanente para
la Infraestructura de Datos Espaciales de las Américas (CP-IDEA),
comparten algunos de estos objetivos. Se busca ofrecer apoyo a estas y
otras iniciativas existentes, y no crear nuevas estructuras o duplicar
esfuerzos.