Author: aiwhitfield

Chapter 1:

 I Learned about a feature class, a raster dataset, a file geodatabase, and a project. I learned more about ArcGIS as a system and what the tutorials that we are doing are helping us understand and determine. For chapter 1 specifically, I worked with finished ArcGIS maps centered around Urgent care clinics in Allegheny, Pennsylvania with a total of 4 tutorials that I had to run through. Starting with tutorial 1, I learned how to do a myriad of skills including understanding what a book mark is, location the contents pane as well as what is means and includes, and learning how to save a project so that the information you started and worked with is collected on your device if needed for future use. I then learned how to add and remove a base map as well as the definition of what a base map is and how it is utilized in ArcGIS. I learned how to turn layers on and off through using the contents pane and subsections within that. In the first tutorial, I had a lot of issues exporting a map layout to my computer because I wasn’t using a desktop. This was my first time using a lot of these skills so a big part of my experience was trial and error as well as annoyance that I think was warranted, whether that be at my computer, the instructions, or honestly myself for choosing this course. A good outcome out of this is that because I figured out different skills and methods to doing things, I was in turn able to help others that were also confused on what to do or how to do something when it came to starting up the app or the assignments. I had issues opening up and using the 3D map on my computer after it had worked perfectly the first time so I had to do that work at a later time throughout the week in the GIS computer lab. 

 

Chapter 2:

 

In chapter 2, I learned more about map design and specialization through 8 different tutorials. This chapter was centered around thematic maps with some 3D map usage in a chapter that I had trouble opening on my computer. In these tutorials, I worked with classifying data through codes with qualitative values including low, medium, or high, with the values being mutually inclusive. In the first tutorial, I used symbology through colors as a way to show differentiation and detail within the maps. In tutorial 2, I labeled features and used pop-ups as a way to identify graphic elements like the names of neighborhoods or bodies of water.  I had to specify font, size, color, and placement through labels that are created from attributes which are an important part of cartography and information in a map. I learned how to filter  and create definition queries as well as how Definition Queries differ from Selection By Attribution, with a definition query being used to filter layer features as opposed to selecting a temporary feature to then work with. In tutorial 4, I learned how to create choropleth maps for quantitative attributes which are needed to break a numeric attribute into fewer or less classes. In order to symbolize map features, you only need the maximum set of values (breaking points). In this example, I made a choropleth map showing what households are receiving food stamps. In this chapter, It seemed a little easier to navigate the app and understand where things were and how they were supposed to be used in correlation to what the instructions were telling me to do. I did have issues at times when trying to complete the your turn section and having to relocate all of the information that I was taught, having to look back in the chapters and even resort to google when I couldn’t find the answers I needed. I will say that I am a bit scared or apprehensive about having to make maps of my own after learning about what they entail and all of the steps I will have to take. 

 

 

 

Chapter 3: 

In this chapter, I learned about how to build layouts and charts, how to share maps in ArcGIS online, how to utilize ArcGIS story map, and how to use the arcGIS dashboards. This chapter seemed pretty full circle through using the knowledge of what I learned in past tutorials in the first tutorial of chapter 3, as a means to make a layout and legend for data that someone else transfigured. This chapter was based around how you format and share data with other people, whether that be simply through your work or what sites you present said work on as a means for others to understand, analyze, and observe. I first learned how to build layouts and charts in chapter 1 through map framing and placement. I didn’t find this particular assignment as hard as I thought I would. When I had read that we could be inserting a map and displaying it on our own, I got scared that maybe ArcGIS pro had loosened the reins a bit too far,  especially for someone who still gets confused about the contents pane and how to structure the layout of pictures. In this tutorial I also learned how to structure and place legends that correlate with maps, though I’m pretty sure I messed up on the second map legend because it somehow ended up being vertical instead of horizontal and I had no idea how to fix it. In tutorial 2, I learned how to share and publish maps online through web maps. In tutorial 3, I learned how to create stories that include text, maps, images, videos, and other things. These are intended to be read by individuals. Through using ArcGIS storymaps, you can create briefings that include a series of slides that have short talking points, interactive maps, and other content that is used for showing work to others. It was really interesting to see and understand the work that goes into creating and posting maps with data that you’ve collected (even if for these examples, I was using pre-collected data and maps).

( I accidently skimmed over the fact that I had to add pictures so I only added 1 for the first 2 chapters, and 2 for the 3rd one)

Chapter 4: 

          In this chapter I learned more about Mapping Density from different aspects starting with why we map density in the first place. Mapping density helps you look at patterns rather than locations in individual features which in turn can be used when mapping areas of different sizes. When we work with areas that contain many features, it can be harder to see which areas have a higher concentration when compared to others, this is when uniform area units are needed which allows for you to clearly see distribution. There are two different ways of mapping density-  By defined area, or by density surface with both being comparable. By using a dot density map, you can get a quick sense of density in a place, with the dots representing density graphically with dots being displayed based on smaller areas and drawn boundaries of larger areas. When creating a density surface, GIS calculates density for each cell in layers thus having GIS create a density surface. Calculating density values through cell sizes helps determine how coarse or fine the pattern will be. Larger cells process faster but also have a coarser surface with size equating to the length of a side. I also learned more about search radius with a larger radius meaning more generalized patterns in density surface with GIS considering more features when calculating, and a smaller radius meaning more location variation. Adding to this, if a search radius is too small, the data patterns might not show up when mapping. With units,  GIS lets you specify areal units where you want density calculated, if the areal units are different from the cell units, the values in the legend will be extrapolated. Graduated colors allow for classification of values allowing for you to see the pattern. There are different ranges including-  natural breaks, quantile, equal interval, and standard deviation.

 

chapter 5: 

          In this section, I learned more about why and how people map in order to find what’s inside an area by trying to monitor what’s inside it. This allows for people to compare areas based on findings while summarizing lets people compare areas to see where more or less is. By defining Analysis, you are able to use area bonding which lets you summarize and combine in order to make summary data. You need to consider how many areas you have and what information you need. With this, you can find what’s inside either a single area or several areas through your work. When wondering about discrete or continuous work, discrete is equal to unique identifiable features while continuous is used for seamless geographic phenomena. This both give you the information you need to form a summary, connected with lists, counts, or summaries. There are three different ways of finding out what’s inside- by drawing areas and features, selecting the features inside of an area, or by overlaying areas and features in order to create a new layer with the attributes that you would want to summarize. This is useful for again finding out how much of something there is, with this you will need new data containing areas of a data set with these features. GIS is useful by checking to see which area each feature is in while also assigning the areas Identification and attributes to the features that area read on the data table. When making a map, you are mapping individual locations, similar to mapping location using geographic selection. 

 

 

Chapter 6:

          In chapter 6, I learned more about finding what’s nearby. This helps you see within a distance or travel range of a feature while also letting you monitor events in an area or find the area that is surveyed by a community. This can be connected to features affected by a setting or activity. By mapping nearby, you are finding what’s within a set distance that identifies with the area including a tracing range being measured using distance, time, or cost- this can help define the area surveyed by a facility. When defining your analysis, you are deciding how to advertently measure “realness”. There  are different subsections including straight line distance, the measure of distance or cost over a network, and the measure of cost over a surface. When defining and measuring near, you are basing it off of a set distance you specify, and the travel to or from a feature (measuring using distance or travel cost). When creating a buffer, you specify the source feature as well as the buffer distance, you can save the lines as a permanent boundary or use it temporarily when you are finding out how much or something is inside of an area. When selecting features within a distance, you use selection to find what’s nearby- like creating a buffer. GIS helps you out by selecting the surrounding features that are within the distance after you specify the distance from the source. Selecting features can be useful if you were to need a summary of features that are near a source while you don’t need to display or even create a buffer boundary. GIS can also help you with feature to feature if you are finding individual locations that are near a source feature. When calculating cost over a geographic surface, you are able to find out what’s nearby when traveling overland. GIS helps by creating a raster layer where the value of each cell is the total travel cost from the closest source cell. 

 

Chapter 1: 

 

Throughout this first chapter, we get an introduction to the world of GIS through various definitions and skill sets that we will apply when using the arcGIS database later in the course. 

GIS is defined as a process of looking at geographic patterns in data as well as the relationship between features. GIS analysis in turn helps you see patterns and relationships in geographic data with results that give you insight into a place, helps focus actions, or helps you choose the best option. We also learn that spatial data is more abundant than ever and even has new sources such as Lidar and drones which were brought upon by Gis being shared more openly leading to advances in Gis software. Through GIS, you are able to employ spatial analysis and address pressing issues throughout the world. You can figure out why things are the way they are through accurate and up-to-date information (GIS allows you to create new information). The information that you find and create then helps you gain a more distinct understanding of a place, make the best choices, or be able to prepare for future events and conditions. In order to do GIS analysis effectively, you need to know how to structure your analysis and you have to be able to understand tools to use for specific tasks. You need to understand how to frame the question, understand your data, choose a method, and process the data.  To aid in this there are different types of features including discrete features, continuous phenomena, interpolation, features summarized by data, representing geographic features with sub sections for vectors and rosters. When doing map projections and coordinate systems, all data layers should be in the same projection and coordinate system. This ensures accurate results when combining the layers in order to see relationships. We need to consider geographical attributes such as categories, ranks, counts, amounts, and ratios. Adding to this, when you work with data tables, you need to understand selecting, calculating, and summarizing. 

chapter 2:

In the second chapter we learn more about how to look for locations and features and how that helps you begin explaining the cause for the patterns that you found and observed. When deciding what to map, you interpret your information based on the features you need to display and the understanding that you need to display them based on the information you need and how the map is used. You can use GIS to map the location of information like a street sign, address, or latitude/longitude values- these are read by GIS and then appropriately assigned category values. GIS is able to store the location of each feature of geographic coordinates as a set of coordinate pairs that are able to define it’s shape. You can map all features in a data layer ar a subset based on a category value. This is more commonly done for individual locations, sharing a subset of continuous data leaves the feature without a context. Through mapping by category, you can provide an understanding of how a place functions. Connecting with this, you can not display more than seven categories because anything over seven will be confusing and hard to understand when people are interpreting your maps/graphs. If you do use more than seven categories, you can make the graph easier to understand and differentiate by using symbols to display categories. ArcGIS has basemaps that you can use for mapping reference pictures in your own work. When analyzing geographic patterns, you may be able to see patterns in data. In Single categories, features may seem clustered, uniform, or randomly distributed. When mapping the most and least, you map features based on a quantity that is associated with each- this adds an additional level of information. 

Chapter 3:

Chapter three is almost a reiteration of information from the past chapters, explaining how to do data processes that we will be doing once we personally begin mapping on GIS. We again learn about mapping most to least and the idea that you need to map features based on a quantity that is associated with each number or group. You can map quantities associated with discrete features, continuous phenomena, or data summarized by area. We also learn again why we need to map and how mapping features and patterns with similar values helps you see where the most and least (as referred to earlier), are. Discrete features can be seen as individual locations, linear features, or areas. With locations and linear features, they are usually represented with graduated symbols with areas shaded to represent quantities. When referring to continuous phenomena, it can be seen as defined areas or a surface of continuous values. These area as portrayed using graduated colors, contours, or even a 3D perspective view. When you are summarizing data by area, it is usually displayed by shaded area based on its value. You can als ouse charts and shows the amount of each category that is in each area. You are able to summarize individual locations, linear features, or areas. While remembering the purpose of your map and what you are intending to show, you need to decide how to present the information that is being displayed on your map. When you map the most and least, you assign symbols to features that are based on a character or attribute containing a quantity. These quantities can be counts, amounts, ratios, or ranks. After deciding the quantities you want, you then need to decide how to represent them on the map. 

1. My name is Akiilah Whitfield, I’m a first year student at Ohio Wesleyan. I plan to double major in Environmental Science and Zoology with a minor in Astronomy. I’m excited to take this class and learn more about GIS and how it relates to my fields of study while simultaneously learning new skills that will benefit me in the future. I have interests in reading, playing the guitar, baking, building lego sets, and sometimes watching NatGeo nature documentaries. In the future I hope to possibly get my doctorate in  a specialized environmental science field that is focused on animals and conservation. I want to do field research in the tropics and other densely populated vegetation places. I plan to stay in Ohio for my undergrad and then move to a new state or country when getting my masters and doctorate. I’m really excited to continue this class and learn more!

 

2. Through reading chapter 1, I was able to get a more clear and concise understanding of what GIS was, and what important role it serves as a means for mapping with the use of technology and science as well as the way different people and groups interpret it. I learned that GIS is a widespread tool used for different fields like public health, urban planning, agriculture, marketing, transportation, environmental planning, and more. The growth of GIS out sees some people’s understanding of it and its social implications. As stated before, GIS means different things to different people: for researchers its used for a scientific approach while for city planners and other people in the field, it’s more of a platform that answers questions like “where”. This makes GIS lack a single defined identity which causes tension and a lack of understanding within the geography field. GIS first appeared in the 1960’s paired with advances in computing and quantitative geography. One word that I learned in the reading was “spatial overlay”, which was defined by Ian McHarg as different layers of spatial information that are analyzed together. Early GIS was disregarded and referred to as the inferior computerized cartography because it didn’t have the same kind of aesthetic quality of hand-drawn maps, overlooking the true power that it had. GIS came from cartography, surveying, landscape architecture, statistics, and computer science. There was the argument between if GIS is, or is not linked to quantitative revolution. Other groups believe that GIS goes beyond quantitative methods because it incorporates institution and visualization. GIs has the ability for people to view spatial patterns which in turn makes analysis more accessible and interpretive as opposed to just being numbers. I also learned about GISystems and GIScience. GISystems is software, hardware, and procedures that are used to collect, store, analyze, and display data. GIScience is seen as the foundation of GIS which examines how spatial data is modeled, classified, analyzed, and visualized.

GIS Application 1:

This map shows tracking and monitoring of animals and farm livestock through sensors attached to the animals used for monitoring herds that are long distance or farther away. This specific study is an experimental trial with a custom-device fit for a collar and took place in two different grazing areas in different zones territorially. 

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844024091977 

 

GIS application 2:

The second GIS map that I chose is related to Tasmanian Devils and the tumor disease that they were, and still are developing, killing a large portion of the population. Through GIS scientists learned that the animals would eat roadkill or other food that gave them the disease, and then would communicate with other animals that would also eat the food and in turn, also get sick. The map helps scientists understand threats to the population that killed the animals which they then investigate, helping to boost the number of Tasmanian Devils while keeping the number of infections low.  

https://science.sandiegozoo.org/science-blog/mapping-devils-playground-boosting-populations-gis 

5. I finished the quiz!