Z problematyki określenia dokładności map izopletowych

W artykule opisano problemy związane z badaniem dokładności map izopletowych oraz przedstawiono źródła błędów na takich mapach.

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The isopleth method is rarely used as a presentation method in cartography. There are several reasons for that. One of the main causes is cartographers' distrust towards isopleths, which bases on opinions of many cartographic authorities (Eckert, Imhof, Salishchev). The main dilemma is whether it is possible to represent discontinuous phenomena with isolines. The fact that this method is highly labor-consuming also limited its popularity. Furthermore, there are no clear, acknowledged criteria for preparation of isopleth maps. In order to establish how isopleth maps should be prepared one has to determine a universal tool for their evaluation. Volumetric criterion proposed by J.Moscibroda (1999) seems to be the optimal solution. In short, it preserves unity of a statistic volume of an isopleth map with the volume of continuous choropleth. Application of a criterion of behavior of phenomenon's statistical volume helps to trace down the sources of errors, which appear on traditional isopleth maps. The research made it possible to determine three basic factors which cause errors to appear. They are: the type of basic space units, location and number of reference points and the method of interpolation. Knowing the origin of errors and being able to evaluate them on isopleth maps provides a basis for research on how to improve the methods of their elaboration.