Week 4: Vector Analysis

 

This weeks map is of De Soto Forest in Mississippi. The theme for this week was vector analysis. I utilized the buffer tool to create a 300 m buffer around the roads layer. Similarly I made a variable distance buffer for the water feature that had its distances set for 150 m around lakes and 500 m around rivers. In order to make the distances for the buffers I added two short fields to the attribute tables of the respective layers that corresponded to the distances. Next, I performed a union after creating another round of short fields that utilized Boolean Logic (1 is true and 0 is false). after creating the union, I selected and then exported as a new layer all buffers that where within both the original water and road buffers. After this I utilized the Erase tool in order to remove from the data all features that intersected the prescribed conservation layer. Then I created my map/

My map contains a boundary of the De Soto National Forest that I obtained from the USFS. Additionally The water and roads layers are there and came from FGDL. I also have the buffer indicating where the largest camping grounds are located, the lighted colors indicate smaller areas, wheras the dark red indicates the larger areas. I created an inset map highlighting the location of the national forest in relation to the rest of Mississippi. Additionally, I have created a legend that explains the various symbologies.

Week 3: Projections and Data Collection with Field Maps

 

For this week I had two lab assignments. First, I used ArcGIS Field Maps which I found to be an enjoyable experience. I walked around my park and collected various public safety infrastructure and then record them as points. I found ArcGIS field maps to be a much more user friendly experience than a traditional GPS Unit. Then we observed projected those collected points in ArcPro, ArcOnline, and Google Earth. We compared the differences in projected KML data within those software's. 

My next lab revolved around Projected coordinate systems, specifically how they distort the area of land that they depict. It was interesting to see how distorted some of the counties got. The map above is from that exercise.

Geographic Information Systems Week 2: Cartography

 This week I created a map that indicates the location of the University of West Florida's main campus. My task for the lab exercise was to explore more of ArcPro's symbology, and by doing so utilize proper cartographic technique. I learned how to insert an inset map, a legend, a north arrow,  a scale bar, a graphical image, and text in ArcPro. By learning and applying these lesson, I was able to create the UWF GIS Online Essential Map Elements. I look forward to making more cartographically correct maps in the future!