Why spatial databases need fuzziness

Geographic information systems (GIS) and spatial databases are inherently suited for fuzziness. Because the only accurate storage and representation of a spatial object can be on a one-to-one scale, there must be a level of uncertainty and/or fuzziness introduced into the model. Also, the result of a query must eventually be represented to the user. This may be done in the form of textual retrieval, chart, or graph, but the usual way is by presentation of a map. When the map is presented to the user, additional uncertainty may be introduced as well. Because of the uncertainty inherent in the assimilation, storage, and representation of spatial data, spatial databases need some mechanism to support uncertainty, and the obvious choice is fuzziness.