<p><strong>Abstract.</strong> This paper, submitted for the Workshop/Theme session on Virtual &amp; Augmented Reality: Technology, Design &amp;amp; Human Factors, organized by ISPRS Working Group IV/9, explores the research field opened by experiments in virtual environments from multidisciplinary approach. At the recently established Cognitive Cartography Lab, Eötvös University, Budapest we designed an experiment to study and better understand the role of visuospatial displays in spatial cognition, in particular the cognitive conditions of navigation in an imaginary city with a map. Below we present some preliminary results based on our experiments recording the spatial behaviour of 62 subjects, including their verbal reactions and eye tracking data collected during the sessions. We measured the wayfinding behaviour of participants after an active or passive learning phase. The analysis of the accumulated data suggested no significant differences in the efficiency of spatial problem solving between the groups of subjects. For further investigation we found that &amp;ndash; although salient visual cues grasped the attention of the participants &amp;ndash; they could not benefit from this knowledge of landmarks in the actual navigational tasks. Despite the lack of group differences, the low number of getting lost in such complex, large-scale virtual environment suggests that participants could solve the navigational tasks rather efficiently, most probably due to using different cognitive strategies. The project was part of an educational development plan and was supported by the Student Talent Grant of Eötvös University. It was designed by a multidisciplinary research group including university students and offered them the opportunity to collaborate, cross disciplinary borders and develop their profile when contributing to front-line scientific research.</p>

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To understand the trophic state of lakes, this study aims to determine the dynamics of phytoplankton assemblages and the main factors that influence their seasonal variation. Sampling campaigns were carried out in three lakes from the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve. Spectral analysis of specific phytoplankton pigments was applied as a diagnostic marker to establish the distribution and composition of phytoplankton taxonomic groups. Fluorescence spectroscopy was used to quantify changes in dissolved organic matter (DOM). The relative contribution of the main phytoplankton groups to the total phytoplankton biomass and the trend of development during succession of the seasons showed that cyanobacteria could raise potential ecological or human health problems. Moreover, fluorescence spectroscopy revealed that Cryptophyta and cyanobacteria were the main contributors to the protein-like components of DOM. It was concluded that fluorescence could be used to provide a qualitative evaluation of the eutrophication degree in Danube Delta lakes.

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To study geo-visualization processes a Cognitive Cartography Lab was established at Eötvös University, and the "Virtual Tourist" experiment was designed for the better understanding of actual map use during navigation. In this paper we present some preliminary results of the experiment. We explored the use of a static, north-oriented city map during navigation in an interactive, 3D town. Participants explored the virtual environment or followed verbal instructions before they completed spatial tasks. Their spatial behavior, verbal reactions were recorded, and also eye tracking data from 64 participants was collected. The experiment was designed by a multidisciplinary research group, including students of Eötvös Loránd University.