Lietuvos gyventojų tankumo kartografavimo metodų lyginamoji analizė ; Comparative analysis of methods of cartographic representation of population density in lithuania

Abstract

Residents are one of conditions for state existance, therefore analysis of demographic characteristics is iportant not only in theoretical, but also practical aspect. Population density is one of the most important demographic characteristics which contains and also reflects economic, social, political and sometimes cultural meaning of region. Mapping of population density has dual objectives: on the one hand, representing quantity and distribution of residents in the analyzed area, on the other hand – after qualitative evaluation of the data the received results can be used for furhter research and for creating population distribution models. Often for certain reasons like data collection and recalculation methods or chosen cartographic methods cartographic production of the covered mapped area becomes measure which creates not entirely truthful impression about the portrayed phenomenon. Objective of this paper is to evaluate communication pecularities and efficiency of Lithuanian population density maps which were created using different cartographic methods. In order to reach the objective, literary sources, statistical data from 2011 general residents and accomodation census and results of carried out cartographic experimental research were used. Various research methods were applied: analysis of literary sources and statistical data, cartographic method, descriptive, comparative and logical methods, GIS analysis, cartographic experimental research and geostatistic methods. First part of the paper analyzes the most common methods used for population mapping, important works of foreign authors about cartographic methods of population density and Lithuanian researches of population density mapping and population density cartographic methodics. Second part of the paper presents methodics of preparing this paper: population density mapping is discussed, trial experimental research is prepared and analysis of two aspects (data presented by maps and map communication) is described. Third part of the paper consists of four subsections. Population density maps created using choropleth mapping, dasimetric and kernel density methods are presented, advantages and disadvantages of such maps are discussed in the first subsection. Deflections of village population density maps created using choropleth mapping and kernel density methods are examined by comparing the said maps with data from 2011 general residents and accomodation census presented in 1 x 1 km grids are analyzed in the second subsection. Results of trial cartographic experimental research are presented in the third subsection. Recommendations for population density mapping and cartographic experimental research are presented in the fourth subsection. The research showed that not enough attention is paid to creating correct cartographic population density models in Lithuania, while foreign countries keep improving dasimetric cartographic method which is not used in Lithuania. Also territorial patterns and scatter of deflections in populatin density maps created using different methods was observed. It was determined that the least deflections of village population density is inherent in maps which were creadet using kernel density method with impact distance parameter of 1 kilometer. In order to create more precise population density maps, generalization in level of administrative units should be refused and other cartographic methods should be used. The results of the research are important for perfecting population density cartographic methodics in Lithuania. Author of the paper observed that problem of the population density cartographic method is much more complicated than it is commonly thought, therefore main directions were distinguished and recommendations for further research of understanding of information provided in population density maps and comparison of methods by carrying out experiments with users.