Development of a highly flexible mobile GIS-based system for collecting arable land quality data

In recent years, well-designed terminal-based methods for collecting index data have gradually replaced traditional pen-and-paper methods and have been extensively used in numerous studies. These new approaches offer users increased accuracy, efficiency, consumption, and data compatibility compared to traditional methods. In general, we find that spatial data content and quality index systems vary widely across different arable land regions. Thus, a system for the investigation of arable land quality indices that has the flexibility to utilize various types of spatial data and quality indices without requiring program modification is needed. This paper presents the framework, the module partition, and the structure of the data exchange interface for a highly flexible mobile GIS-based system, which we call the 'arable land quality index data collection system' (ALQIDCS). This system incorporates a series of self-adaptive methods, a data table-driven model and two types of formulas for flexible data collection and processing. We tested our prototype system by investigating arable land quality in the Da Xing District, Beijing and in the Te Da La Qi District, Inner Mongolia, China. The results indicate that the ALQIDCS can effectively adapt to variations in spatial data and quality index systems and meet different objectives. The limitations of the ALQIDCS and suggestions for future work are also presented.