Representation is the conceptual core of an information system. A representation scheme determines data elements and their associations which an information system can use to hold data and depict reality. Obviously, an information system cannot support the kinds of information that its representation schemes cannot incorporate. Because of a strong cartographic tradition, GIS representation has followed the map metaphor to protray reality as a 2D static world. A GIS based on these 2D static representations provides sufficient support for location information query and computing, such as geometry manipulation, spatial search, overlay, and buffering.
Processes consistently evolve and interact with other environment factors in space and time.
Processes are usually organized in a hierarchical structure in which processes at a higher scale tend to control the behaviors of processes at a lower scale. The four models are derived through written materials analysis and user interviews, which also suggest these are the models used by researchers and practitioners for information and knowledge acquisition about wildfires. Furthermore, the information elements can be used to identify cognitive models of geographic processes. A key cognitive question on geographic processes is how do we determine each of the three information elements. Information we seek to further understand a geographic process depends on how we perceive the process and our prior knowledge.