Analyzing Geospatial Resource Data

A Hands-on Case Study in Spatial Analysis and Data Mining

Joseph K. Berry, University of Denver

Analyzing Geospatial Resource Data brings together underlying concepts of map analysis with concise examples and hands-on experience in analyzing geo-spatial resource data. The companion software provides practical experience with data analysis techniques within a case study format.

August, 2005

244 pages

8.5x11.0

148 illustrations

US$45.00

…this book crosses the chasm from simply mapping to map analysis

Book Organization

Analyzing Geospatial Resource Data is organized into thirteen topics and two appendices that lead the reader from an understanding of the fundamental nature of mapped data through a series of basic procedures used in deriving, analyzing and applying spatial information. A case study approach is used with each topic area describing the application of a set of related analysis techniques. The discussion is followed by a series of hands-on exercises providing practical experience in applying the techniques. The exercises include step-by-step instructions that are thoroughly annotated.

Companion Software

MapCalc software by Red Hen Systems is used for the hands-on exercises. A free evaluation version of MapCalc is included with this book. The software includes the basic set of data and operations needed to complete the hands-on exercises; the evaluation version expires after a two-week period. For more information on the full MapCalc Learner software ($21.95), visit…

www.redhensystems.com/mapcalc/

More Information and Ordering

BASIS Press
2000 South College Avenue, Suite 300
Fort Collins, Colorado, 80525, USA
Phone: 970-215-0825

For book inquires and ordering, please contact the following website (that also contains additional information on spatial data analysis and applications):

www.innovativegis.com/basis/

________________________________________________________

Joseph K. Berry is principal of Berry and Associates // Spatial Information Systems, consultants and software developers in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology. He also serves as the Keck Scholar at the University of Denver. Dr Berry is the author of the “Beyond Mapping” column for GeoWorld and the popular books Beyond Mapping and Spatial Reasoning (John Wiley & Sons). He has been teaching courses in map analysis since 1977 and has presented hundreds of workshops on the topic.

Analyzing Geospatial Resource Data brings together underlying concepts of map analysis with concise examples and hands-on experience in analyzing natural resource data. This book will help readers understand the nature of geo-spatial resource data and the concepts, procedures and considerations used in investigating spatial relationships. Case studies for a series of project areas are used to clearly illustrate the wealth of emerging analytical capabilities available to educators, researchers, consultants and resource professionals. The author draws from over twenty-five years of teaching and practical experience in geographic information systems (GIS) technology to fill the book with numerous examples and hands-on exercises. The companion MapCalc Learner software and natural resource data sets provide practical experience in data analysis. Written in a concise and straightforward manner, this book is intended for natural resource students and professionals alike—anyone who wants to take analysis of spatial relationships beyond maps to critical information for site-specific decisions.

Forward by Rafael Moreno Preface Book Organization Companion Software Case Study Data Set Acknowledgements 1. Overview 1.1 Introduction 1.2 Mapping versus Analysis 1.3 Suitability Modeling 1.4 Some Assembly Required 1.5 Exercises Examples of Analysis Capabilities Viewing Full Color Figures Installing Companion Software 2. Maps as Data 2.1 Visualizing Map Surfaces 2.2 Numbers First, Pictures Later 2.3 Framing Maps 2.4 Organizing Raster Data 2.5 Visualizing Map Values 2.6 Exercises Interacting with Grid Maps Grid-based Thematic Mapping Map Summary Statistics and Charts Map Normalization 3. Reclassifying and Overlaying Maps 3.1 A Map-ematical Framework 3.2 Reclassifying Map Values 3.3 Overlaying Maps 3.4 Characterizing Spatial Coincidence 3.5 A Simple Habitat Model 3.6 Exercises Spatial Analysis Operations Reclassifying Map Features Calculating Change Summarizing Map Regions Characterizing Map Coincidence Evaluating a Simple Habitat Model 4. Mapping Visual Exposure 4.1 Identifying and Using Visual Exposure 4.2 There’s More That Meets the Eye 4.3 Assessing Visual Impact 4.4 Visual Vulnerability 4.5 Visual Aesthetics 4.6 Exercises Calculating Viewsheds Calculating Visual Exposure Accounting for Screens Weighted Visual Exposure Modeling Visual Exposure Impacts Extending Visual Analysis 5. Creating Variable-Width Buffers 5.1 Variable-Width Buffer 5.2 Line-of-Sight Buffer 5.3 Effective Distance Buffer 5.4 Effective Distance Algorithm 5.4 Exercises Calculating Simple Proximity Calculating Uphill Proximity Calculating Effective Proximity 6. Applying Effective Distance and Connectivity 6.1 Calculating Hiking-Time 6.2 Incorporating Effective Distance 6.3 Basics of Surface Flow 6.4 Characterizing Overland Flow 6.5 Constructing Realistic Downhill Flows 6.6 Calculating Flow Time and Quantity 6.7 Determining Spill Impacts 6.8 Exercises Simple Proximity Effective Proximity Identifying Optimal Paths Extending the Analysis Surface Flow Analysis

7. Identifying Optimal Routes 7.1 Identifying the Most Preferred Route 7.2 Considering Multi-Criteria in Routing 7.3 Calibrating and Weighting Criteria 7.4 Evaluating Alternative Routes 7.5 Exercises Routing Model Extended Routing Model 8. Characterizing Terrain Features 8.1 Identifying Micro-Terrain Features 8.2 Characterizing Terrain Conditions 8.3 Assessing Terrain Slope/Roughness 8.4 Calculating Realistic Areas 8.5 Identifying Valley Bottoms 8.6 More on Slope’s Slippery Slope 8.7 Exercises Deriving Slope Establishing Roughness Identifying Convex/Concave Features 9. Analyzing Landscape Patterns 9.1 Summarizing Spatial Context 9.2 Nearby Neighbor Statistics 9.3 Analyzing Landscape Structure 9.4 Getting to the Core 9.5 Assessing Forest Fragmentation 9.6 Exercises Calculating Size Establishing Diversity Determining Proportion Similar Deriving Configuration Indices 10. GIS Modeling Procedures 10.1 Constitution of a GIS Model 10.2 Classification Guide for GIS Models 10.3 Expressing Model Structure/Logic 10.4 Recipes for Solving Spatial Problems 10.5 Extending Model Solutions 10.6 Infusing Science into GIS Models 10.7 Exercises Campground Suitability Model Extended Campground Model Editing and Using Scripts 11. Surface Modeling 11.1 From Samples to Surfaces 11.2 The Keystone Concept 11.3 Benchmarking Interpolation Results 11.4 Assessing Interpolation Results 11.5 Exercises Interpolating Point data (IDW) Interpolating Point Data (Kriging) Comparing Interpolation Results Evaluating Interpolation Performance 12. Spatial Data Mining 12.1 Comparing Maps (Discrete) 12.2 Comparing Surfaces (Continuous) 12.3 Calculating Field Similarity 12.4 Identifying Data Zones 12.5 Mapping Data Clusters 12.6 Exercises Comparing Yield Maps Comparing Yield Surfaces Characterizing Map Similarity Identifying Data Zones Mapping Data Clusters 13. Predictive Modeling 13.1 Predicting Yield Maps 13.2 Assessing Prediction Model Results 13.3 Stratifying for Better Predictions 13.4 Exercises Predictive Modeling Calculating Error Deriving a Stratified Model Epilog Appendix A. Quick Set of Exercises Appendix B. Creating Your Own Ag Database