Representation is the process of developing a concrete concept of what is basically our worldview built on beliefs and our perception within a scientific discipline, and thus, within society. Representation is also dynamic and it reflects individual prevalent states and developments at a given time and location.
The geospatial sciences build upon their very own concepts and representations and their foundation have been a matter of discussion at the turn of the millennium. The importance of data, and in particular that of spatial data is undisputed today due to an exponential increase of data volume and data variety, and the need for faster and more reliable analyses to help societies to improve decisions.
This, however, raises the question in how far the geospatial sciences can provide an integral part in answering driving questions in society, and in how far the geospatial sciences can only contribute by merely infusing a methodological repertoire into the scientific discussion. Empirical observations might imply the latter ...