Vector Analysis 2

This week is the second phase of vector analysis; the first part of this analysis does not require a blog post. I learned how to use two of the most common modeling tools in ArcGIS - Buffer and Overlay. I also created three buffer zones using ArcPy scripts. The primary deliverable for the vector analysis is a map showing the possible campsite locations, roads, lakes and rivers in De Soto National Forest in Mississippi. Using Buffer & Overlay I displayed the locations that were within 500 meters of a river, 150 meters of a lake, and 300 meters of a roads. Conservation areas were excluded from the site selection.

What is the Overlay tool-set? This is a set of tools that allow an analyst to combine, erase, modify or update the feature and information from multiple thematic layers to create a new layer for continued analyses. I also used the Union tool to combine two different layers, the Intersection tool to identify areas common to two layers rather than combining them, and an Erase tool to remove unwanted areas from a layer.

What is the Buffer tool? This tool is used to create a buffer area around an object (a point, line, or polygon).Specific distance (buffer distances) around an object (a point, line, or polygon) can be set for analyses purposes. In the De Soto National Forest below, I apply buffers to the roads and water objects in order to deduce the areas common to both elements.

The map above shows the possible campsites in the De Soto National Forest in Mississippi.

Mod9 - Flow Line Mapping

Flow Line Map of Immigrants to the United States in 2007.

I used the accurate placement method to create this Flow Line map. Accurate placement methods is style of creating flow line map that involves the placement of arrow headed lines that depict the direction of flow of people, ideas and commodities.

This map shows a Distributive  flow map of Immigrants to United States of America from all the regions in the year 2007.

To create this map, I used the imported base map from ESRI and an Excel spreadsheet of immigrants statistical data from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Office of Immigrant Statistics. 

I import the ESRI base map into Adobe Illustrator and created additional Layers from Flow Lines, Map Title, Legend, Region Names, and After Effects.

I then design the map to the standard specified in the lab instruction using tools available in AI. After creating the flow lines pointing towards the U.S. choropleth map, I then open the Excel document containing the Immigrants' statistical data, calculate the square root of the 2007 immigrants in each region in one column, and the width of line symbol in another column.

I then proceed to use the result of the calculations to re-size thickness of the flow line such that the flow lines are proportional to the amount of people from each region. I finalize the map by adding the Drop Shadow and Inner Glow effects to the map heading and flow lines respectively.

I really enjoy making this making this map and feel fulfilled using AI successfully after many years of avoiding it.

Data Search Lab 7 & 8

Week 7&8 Lab was a fun and challenging data search and download project. The primary objective of this lab is for students to learn where to access and download data (free data sources), project the layers, and how to clip both Vector and Raster data. The following maps vector, raster and environmental datasets.

My major takeaway from this lab is what ArcTool clipping tool to use for Raster and Vector datasets. I clipped the Vector datasets using Clip(Analysis) tool and Clip(Data Management) the Raster datasets.

The lab required students to download nine data layers sets for the creation of 1-3maps for individually assigned County in Florida. I was assigned Okechobee County.

After downloading all the required datasets, I then proceeded to clip all layers to the Okeechobee County. I obtained the aerial imagery from LABINS.org and other map data came from past class labs and FGDL.gov.

Map 1 shows the elevation model (DEM) of the entire Okechobee county.

I am surprised at the number of invasive species at the "mouth" of Lake Okeechobee on the lower half of the map on the right. Studies conducted by the US Army Corps of Engineers revealed that "there are approximately 50,000 non-native species and approximately4,300 are considered invasive." Source: http://www.saj.usace.army.mil/Missions/Environmental/InvasiveSpecies.aspx

Map 2 comprises of two maps in one. Invasive Species in Okeechobee Co. and the county's hydrology