Analyzing Precision Ag Data

 

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

 

   Joseph K. Berry, University of Denver

 

 

Analyzing Precision Ag Data brings together underlying concepts of map analysis with concise examples and hands-on experience in analyzing precision agriculture data.  The companion software provides practical experience with data analysis techniques within a case study format.

 

         

 October, 2002

 84 pages

 8.5x11.0

 49 illustrations

 US$45.00

 

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

 

Book Organization

Analyzing Precision Ag Data is organized into eight 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/

 October, 2002

 84 pages

 8.5x11.0

 49 illustrations

 US$45.00

________________________________________________________

 

 

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 Precision Ag Data brings together underlying concepts of map analysis with concise examples and hands-on experience in analyzing precision agriculture data.  This book will help readers understand the nature of spatial data and the principles, procedures and considerations used in investigating spatial relationships.  A case study for a single field is used to clearly illustrate the wealth of emerging analytical capabilities available to scientists, agronomists, crop consultants and producers.

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 agriculture data set provides practical experience in data analysis.

 

Written in a concise and straightforward manner, this book is intended for agriculture students and professionals alike—anyone who wants to take precision agriculture beyond maps to critical information for site-specific decisions. 

 

 

 

 

Forward by Grant Mangold

Preface 
Book Organization
Companion Software
Case Study Data Set              
Acknowledgements

1.  Overview of the Case Study
1.1  Introduction
1.2  The Big Picture
1.3  Case Study
1.4  Some Assembly Required
1.5  Exercises
       Example of Analysis Capabilities
       Viewing Full Color Figures
       Installing MapCalc Software

2.  Mapped Data Visualization and Summary
2.1  Visceral Visions
2.2  Preprocessing and Normalization
2.3  Exercises
       Interacting with Map Displays
       Thematic Mapping
       Map Summary Statistics/Charts
       Map Normalization

3.  Comparing Mapped Data
3.1  Comparing Yield Maps
(Discrete)
3.2  Comparing Yield Surfaces
(Continuous)
3.3  Exercises
       Simultaneously Viewing Yield Maps
       Comparing Yield Maps
       Comparing Yield Surfaces
       Other Map Comparisons

4.  Spatial Interpolation
4.1  Point Samples to Map Surfaces
4.2  The Keystone Concept
4.3  Benchmarking Interpolation Results
4.4  Assessing Interpolation Results
4.5  Exercises
       Interpolating Point data (IDW)
       Interpolating Point Data (Kriging)
       Comparing Interpolation Results
       Evaluating Interpolation Results


5.  Characterizing Data Groups

5.1  Calculating Field Similarity
5.2  Identifying Data Zones
5.3  Mapping Data Clusters
5.4  Exporting Mapped Data
5.5  Exercises
       Characterizing Map Similarity
        Identifying Data Zones
        Mapping Data Clusters
        Exporting Data for Further Analysis

6.  Developing Predictive Models
6.1  Predicting Yield Maps
6.2  Assessing Prediction Model Results
6.3  Stratifying for Better Predictions
6.4  Exercises
       Predictive Modeling
       Calculating Error
       Deriving a Stratified Model

7.  Analyzing Spatial Context
7.1  Spatial Analysis Operations
7.2  Applying Spatial Analysis Tools
7.3  GIS Modeling
7.4  Exercises
       Delineating Field Edges
       Deriving Erosion Potential
       Localized Yield Variability

8.  Generating Prescription Maps
8.1  The Big Picture
8.2  Technical Issues
8.3  Decision Rules
8.4  Economic Maps
8.5  On-Farm Testing
8.6  Conclusion
8.7  Exercises
       Deriving a Prescription Map
       Deriving Economic Maps


Appendix A.  Quick Set of Exercises

Appendix B.  Creating Your Own Ag
                       Database