Enhancing geospatial analysis with basemap layers and WMS/WMTS links

Every map tells a story, but sometimes, you need the right background to make that story truly stand out. Whether you're analyzing terrain, monitoring coastal changes, or enhancing site planning, basemap layers provide essential context to your geospatial data.

‍

That’s why we’re excited to introduce basemap layers—including contours, ocean contours, hillshades, and more—along with support for WMS (Web Map Service) and WMTS (Web Map Tile Service) links, making it easier than ever to visualize external datasets alongside your own mapping data.

‍

What are basemaps and WMS/WMTS links?

Basemaps provide essential background context for mapping by displaying features like terrain, roads, and satellite imagery. They help users interpret geospatial data effectively.

WMS (Web Map Service) and WMTS (Web Map Tile Service) are protocols that allow users to stream and overlay geospatial data from external sources onto their maps. These services enable real-time access to authoritative datasets such as elevation models, weather layers, and land cover data.

‍

Why basemap layers matter

‍

Basemap layers help bring your data to life by adding reference points, elevation details, and environmental context. Here are a few ways they can enhance your geospatial workflows:

‍

• Understanding terrain with hillshades – Highlight elevation changes and landscape features to assess site suitability, erosion risks, or construction planning.
• Improving coastal and marine mapping with ocean contours – Track seabed topography, understand depth variations, and monitor coastal erosion.
• Enhancing site analysis with contour lines – Identify slopes, drainage patterns, and accessibility for infrastructure projects, mining operations, and environmental assessments.
• Overlaying real-time data from external sources – Bring in live datasets, such as weather models, land-use changes, or satellite imagery, using WMS and WMTS links.

‍

Check out Birdi's new basemaps and WMTS/WMS visualization feature:

‍

‍

Industry use cases

‍

These new basemap layers and WMS/WMTS capabilities are valuable across multiple industries:

‍

• Construction and infrastructure – Understanding terrain contours helps in planning roads, buildings, and drainage systems to avoid costly engineering challenges.
• Mining and resource extraction – Terrain analysis aids in assessing site feasibility, monitoring tailings dams, and optimizing extraction operations.
• Forestry and environmental monitoring – Land cover changes, and elevation models help track ecosystem health and land management.
• Coastal and marine industries – Ocean contours assist in seabed mapping, navigation safety, and shoreline monitoring for environmental changes.
• Utilities and urban planning – Elevation data supports infrastructure design, flood risk assessments, and long-term city development strategies

‍

‍

Bringing external data into your maps

‍

With WMS and WMTS links, you can now seamlessly integrate third-party data sources into your maps. This means you can:

‍

• Pull in high-resolution elevation models from government or commercial data sources.
• Visualize real-time land cover and vegetation indices for monitoring environmental changes.
• Incorporate authoritative geospatial data from agencies like USGS, ESA, or Open Data repositories.

‍

By layering external datasets with your geospatial outputs, you gain a more complete picture of the landscape—helping you make better-informed decisions in industries like mining, forestry, utilities, and urban planning.

‍

Start exploring

These new visualization capabilities are now available, making it easier to add essential reference layers and external geospatial data into your mapping workflow. Whether you’re analyzing terrain, planning infrastructure, or tracking environmental changes, basemap layers and WMS/WMTS support give you the tools to make smarter, data-driven decisions.

‍

Book a demo with us or request access to get started.