A declarative framework for reasoning on spatio-temporal data

We present a framework for a declarative approach to spatio-temporal reasoning on geographical data. We introduce a constraint logical language STACLP, providing a set of spatial and temporal primitive operators that allow the user to perform temporal reasoning on spatial data. Formulae can be annotated with labels (annotations) to represent both temporal and spatial information, and relations between these labels can be expressed by using constraints. The role of such formalism can be manifold: first, it can be used as an advanced spatio-temporal query language on geographical data. Second, it can be exploited as a deductive rule-based approach to represent domain knowledge on such data. Third, it is well suited to represent trajectories of moving objects. Such trajectories can be analysed by using inductive techniques, like clustering, in order to find common movement patterns. It is worth to point out that STACLP allows one to tackle several analysis tasks requiring the integration of deductive and inductive capabilities. This is exemplified by means of a case study in the field of behavioural ecology.