Creating a geographic information system (GIS) involves the problem of needing more detail in certain parts of the study area and less detail in other parts. This problem may be handled in the classification, encoding or data structure stages of creating a GIS. The seminar participants worked on this problem primarily in terms of data structure such as triangles, polygon overlay to a variable grid and variable grid by a packed run-length data storage scheme.

Land-related information systems (LRIS) are collections of information which are gathered, stored, retrieved, analysed, and disseminated on the basis of spatial (i.e. geographic) criteria, and the systems (manual or computerized) which support them. Land-related information ranges from geodetic survey points, through administrative information pertaining to ownership, occupancy and value of land, to attribute information describing the land or activities and structures on it. The literature cited in this consolidated bibliography concerns the development and use of LRIS. All phases in the development of a system are covered from planning, through design, data collection, coding, storage and manipulation to analysis and display. Literature on theoretical foundations, development principles and quidelines, and aspects of LRIS development (e.g., economic or legal) also has been referenced, along with that containing descriptions of a variety of geographic-based information systems in many disciplines. In addition, the various areas of application of land-related information, particular needs and use are covered.