…an introduction to
grid-based map analysis and modeling
GEOG 3110,
University of Denver, Geography, Winter Term 2011
Thursdays
6:00-9:30 pm,
…<click here> to review the Report Writing Tips
Keep in mind that for all the lab exercises
you have several “life lines”
if you need them—
·
normal open door office hours 3:00 to 5:00 pm Thursdays (or as specially arranged on
Fridays), or
·
arrange for an “working meeting” in the GIS
Lab on Thursdays between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm Thursdays, or
·
arrange for a phone/Skype call via email
for tutorial walk-thru (you need to be at a computer with MapCalc/Surfer), or
·
send me an email with a specific question…
___________________________
(3/5/12) Hi
Joe,
Our group is having a problem with
the scatter plot display in question 8 part 8. First off we are unsure on
why on the bottom of the plot in the equation the y-intersect does not match
the picture.
In the attached picture, the
equation shows the intersect is 26 and on the plot it
does not show there.
We tried with other plots and the
line does not line up with the axis. Also,
we would like to know if the plot in MapCalc is not visually accurate or if
there is a computer error. We are unsure what to try next.
Thanks, Paulina and group
Paula, Mining and Sharon—the
scatter plot has taken “artistic license” and shifted the vertical/Y axis
away from the horizontal/X axis zero point so the plot could be better
displayed. The x-axis should show a break to avoid confusion …but that’s
the problem of using a charting package instead of writing your own graphics
routine. Joe
___________________________
(2/28/12) Hi Dr. Berry-- We are having some
confusion on question 4 with respect to the report generated for the map
statistics. We did not get a generated report for the subtracted maps, so when
you ask for the maximum, minimum and average we are confused as to which report
to use. Are we supposed to get a report for the subtracted maps? Thank you,
Sharon
Sharon—in the exercise it notes that you need to…
Joe
___________________________
(2/23/12) Ken—a student in class asked
what the blank/white areas
are in the Customer Density Surface slide in the retail competition
deck. Do you recall? Joe
…0 customers, or a ratio less than one. The values
are customers per cell or something - this was a sliced map through the
customer profiles.
In Orange County, the white areas are mostly industrial. This store is in a heavily industrialized
area (office space, etc), with mountains and areas where there is no
population. The north-east quadrant is
all mountains (Cleveland National Forest). Saddleback Mountain is about 2:00 on
the map.
Ken
___________________________
Graham and Paulina—excellent questions that get at prototype
report writing!!! My responses are embedded below. Joe
Hi Professor Berry-- Sorry to bother you
with so many questions, but Paulina and I were hoping you
could clarify some things for our timber harvesting visual exposure
project. Ok, here goes…
3.
We made a viewshed
from houses to harvest blocks map, but we're wondering if we should also
make a viewshed from roads
to harvest blocks map, and if we should combine those maps.
…that would be an extension to the prototype and something that
should be avoided in a prototype report—never unilaterally enlarge the prototype to completely solve the problem.
Rather than implementing the extension you should briefly
describe what you recommend in the “Additional Considerations” section of the
report. Keep in mind that a prototype introduces and demonstrates an
approach to a client’s solution (often done for free or at very small cost)—it
is not the solution. KISS (keep it simple stupid) is the guiding
principle with the prototype stimulating further development of the approach.
4. Would you like us to calibrated and
weighted suitability model for the timber harvesting project that we are
working on. We've calculated the total and average
visual exposure for the houses and the roads to the harvest blocks, and we've
also calculated the viewshed from the houses to the
harvest blocks, but we're wondering how these five different measures of visual
exposure would be useful in our scenario. Basically, we're a little confused
about which model would be the most useful in this scenario, or if they should
be combined into an overarching suitability model.
…consulting folks would be yelling “mission creep, mission creep!!!”
and shutter at unilaterally implementing considerations that are outside the
prototype requirements. Apart the possibility that you could “lose your
shirt” by out of scope work solving a problem as a prototype can have a couple
of detrimental effects—1) you risk confusing the client by increased
complexity of the unilaterally added criteria and 2) could be eating your
“seed corn” as a comprehensive prototype can become a tacit solution.
5. Isn't "Big Guy" supposed
to be like Ronald Reagan who only wants a 1-page brief? …no, RR was an outlier with a
very busy schedule and limited attention span. Wouldn't
10 pages and 3000 words be way too much? …most Big Guys want to have some understanding
of the critical considerations and proposed approach—but they want a basic
understanding in just a few pages without being overwhelmed by technical
minutia (that’s Little Guys job). We noticed on the example
project that their introduction basically
tells a fictional story. Wouldn't that be too much information
for Big Guy and Tech-Guy since they are the ones that hired us and
already know the background story.
…yep, the “background story” is border line and most certainly
counter-productive if it drags on. Generally, the client knows the
“story” …in fact that’s why he contacted you for a solution.
Note: I assume
questions 1 and 2 below were just for your “enlightenment” and not fodder
for an over-the-top “background story” for Big Guy.
1. Who grants harvest blocks to timber
companies? The National Forest Service?
…the term “harvest block” is used a lot in Canada (BC and Alberta
primarily where clear cutting is primarily used). The blocks are
identified by companies who have leased large tracts of “crown lands” that they
manage (radically different from the U.S. where the government manages the
land). In the U.S., the term “timber sale unit” (or parcel) is used more
often and the sale units are indentified by the U.S. (or State) Forest Service
and bids are submitted by logging companies. Most of the world’s forest lands
follow the Canadian model of “long term leasing” with relatively minimal
privately owned timberlands.
2. Do timber companies always harvest
entire blocks at a time? Or do they sometimes harvest portions of blocks?
…from a broad perspective, there are two types of harvesting—clear cuts
and selective cuts. Ecological, engineering and economic considerations
primarily determine which type is used. For selective cutting a
portion of the mature trees within a harvesting unit are removed and the
understory trees regeneration are left to grow into the gaps. For this to
work the tree species need to be shade “tolerant” (e.g., most
hardwood/deciduous trees such as red oak) and are able to survive in the lower
levels of sunlight under the remaining tree canopy.
Clear cutting, on the other
hand, is used for species that are shade “intolerant” (e.g., most
softwood/conifer trees such as Douglas fir) that thrive in direct
sunlight. Entire blocks are harvested and reseeded or planted much like
an agriculture crop except the “rotation” is 50+ years in the west and 20+
years in the southern U.S. A variant is “seed tree” harvest units where a
few mature trees are left to naturally reseed the area.
___________________________
(2/7/12) Folks—in grading the
Exercise 4 reports I noticed that some of you are ignoring the earlier “helpful
tip” that all of the tables should not exceed 6.5 inches in width
even though you are preparing and submitting in Web Layout View…
…figure
tables should fit within normal printer margins (<6.5 inches) or
they will be truncated if printed; 8.5” paper width – 1”right margin -1” left
margin = 6.5 inches for the body of the report). Even though Web Layout is the
primary viewing form, keeping tables to printer limits will work in all
computer environments—even smart phone screens.
You need to pre-plan your table layout keeping in mind that 3
window panes (table cells) is a practical limit to any table that stays within
the 6.5 inch limit—four or more panes makes the maps far too small for
viewing. Most web designers center the graphic and the caption both
vertically and horizontally within each table cell. Also they display
the table without cell borders visible (or a faint light grey) for
easier viewing.
The reason is that tables cannot be “sized on-the-fly” in your
browser. Therefore if a reader resizes the browser window your tables
“over hang” the window margins and they have to use the horizontal slider bar
to see the right-side of the oversized table. This doesn’t happen with
text as it is automatically pushed to the left as the window variable-width
margin is made smaller.
The use of the “6.5 inch or less” is a default standard
that is observed by most programmers and has become the Smart Phone and Tablet
standard; and most users that have large screens still view documents in a
reduced window that can experience the table “over hang” problem but most will
keep their window width to 6.5 inches or more.
Joe
___________________________
(2/7/12) Hi Joe-- Michael and I are having a
discussion about the directions for defining the ranges for the four displays
to be compared in Question 1.
I read the directions as a suggestion that we should
"force" each of the maps to have both the same number of ranges and
the same interval size (i.e. 0 to 5, 5-10, 10-15, etc.) so that cross
comparison of the values inhabiting each of the ranges across the displays is
possible. The colors in the color ramp would also then represent the same
values.
However, Michael reads the directions (and I can
appreciate and understand his understanding of the directions as well) a bit
differently. He finds that the directions suggest that we use User Defined
calculation mode in order to define the number of ranges and range intervals as
is appropriate for each display because there are no explicit directions
suggesting that we use the same number and interval size for each map. For
example, the minimum and maximum slope maps will not contain the same number of
ranges as the average and fitted displays and therefore the same number of
ranges might not be the same.
Please help us arrive at more clarity on these
directions. Thanks, Alicia
Alicia and Michael—if one is to visually compare
maps the legends have to be identical—breakpoints for ranges and
corresponding color assignments.
I suggest that you find the Min
and Max data value for the entire set of maps, and then use User
Defined ranges to construct the best “overall map legend.” Once
constructed, use the Template tab to name and store your legend (Save
as…). Then use the Template tab to recall the legend and apply to
each of the maps.
In this manner each map display will have the same “thematic
appearance” so a human viewing the set of map displays can “see” the actual
differences (not the erroneous differences due to inconsistent colors in the
legends).
Joe
___________________________
(2/7/12) Good morning Dr. Berry-- we have a
question concerning the slope fitted operation. We noticed that we have
negative values when we subtract the 'slope fitted' map from the 'slope max'
map, and we can't make sense out of this. As we understand, the 'slope
fitted' value for any given cell should be lower that the slope max for the
same cell.
What may be confounding this issue is that we don't
completely understand the slope fitted operation and how it differs from the
average operation.
Rob, Mike, and Alicia
Rob, Mike, and Alicia—excellent question… the “slope fitted”
value being more than the “slope max” value is curious. One would think
this could never happen.
While this case doesn’t occur very often, it is possible due to
the arrangement of the “nine floating balls” with one or more unusual
outliers. Consider the following schematic…
Keep in mind that the “maximum slope” only considers the
eight slopes comparing the center cell with its immediate surrounding neighbors.
The “fitted slope” considers all nine surface values at once and an
arrangement could occur where two large but opposite slope conditions force the
plane to be steeper than the maximum individual slope.
An awesome extension to your report would be to use the
Drill-down tool (click on the map display) and note the center and eight
surrounding elevation surface values at the location(s) that have the
counter intuitive result with “Fitted” greater than “Maximum.” Calculate
the maximum individual slope value (largest of the eight individual rise/run
values) then imagine a plane best fitting all nine values—what do you think?
Joe
___________________________
(2/7/12) Folks—if you are still
“struggling” with the concepts and calculations behind simple and effective
distance, check out…
http://www.innovativegis.com/basis/MapAnalysis/Topic24/Topic24.htm#Bending_distance
Joe
___________________________
(2/2/12) Folks—I
got it with some meetings but will return your graded Exercise 3 reports this
afternoon. A couple of additional things you ought to consider as you
finalize your Exercise 4 reports—
1) A key consideration in boosting a B
report to an A is “extended discussion” that goes beyond the explicit
confines of the question. For example…
…good discussion but could have extended the discussion to
include what the “at___” and “Orthogonally” options in Clump do.
…could have extended the discussion about Size to include
calculating the area in square meters (cell-size= 328ft= 100m, therefore each
cell is 100*100m= 10,000 sqmeters= 1 hectare; 310
cells= 310 hectares); this might have triggered thinking about the actual ratio
(numeric) coupled with choropleth (geographic) data type.
2) Another “grade booster” is insuring that
your discussion is clear, concise, and succinct, includes reference
to the Shading Manager table, histogram tab and statistics tab when
appropriate, and figures are consistently formatted with the SnagIt
captures being the same size and centered in both the horizontal and vertical
directions in each table “cell.”
Attention to these points will bump your
report to high A or A+ realms. As in life, going
beyond basic expectations will carry you far as the mark of a true
professional. Joe
___________________________
(2/1/12) Folks—I am “plowing”
through your Exercise 3 reports. Michael and Paulina “nailed” the
displays in question 3-1a&b. A quick look at what they did and my
comments might be useful to consider as you finalize your Exercise 4
reports. Joe
1a) Considering the Display Form, Display
Type, Mesh on/off, Data Type and Shading
manager Settings which combination would be most appropriate for
displaying the following maps in the Island.rgs database (explain
your choices by discussing the geographic and numeric nature of the data)—
Depth map—
Figure 1-1: 3D Grid Display of Depth map.
To display the
Depth map data, as shown in Fig. 1-1, the most appropriate Display Form/Type is
a 3D Grid with the layer mesh on. This best describes the data type,
which is geographically
isopleth and ratio quantitative data well stated (see below for a general comment). The user defined ranges shading
manager settings that appeared as the default best represented the data.
…a comprehensive
format for reporting a map’s data type is ______________ numeric data type and
__________ geographic data type forming a ____________ map surface; for
example, Qualitative (Binary) numeric data type and Choropleth
geographic data type forming a Discrete map
surface
We chose these
settings to best display the data because the Depth map would not have been
represented as well as either a 2D surface or a Lattice map. The 3D
surface and Grid map helps the user best visualize the underwater terrain.
…a “fun” (you’re
having fun, right?) extension would be to adding (Calculate plus) the Elevation
map to the Depth map that would represent both the bathometry and the land-based
terrain; the challenge would be to identify a color ramp for the display that
made sense to the viewer.
Roads map—
|
|
|
|
Figure 1-2: 2D Grid Display of Landmap. |
Figure 1-3: 2D Grid Display of Roads_Island. |
…excellent
extended work!!!
To appropriately display the
roads present on the island, as shown in Fig. 1-3, first Land_Mask
had to be renumbered 0 (Ocean) and 1(Land) for Landmap
(Fig. 1-2). Landmap was then added to Roads for
Roads_Island. By adding the maps together, 0
represented no roads, no land; 1 represented no roads, but land; and 2
represented roads and land. The default data type was continuous, which
needed to be switched to discrete …yep, the defaut display assumes continuous as it doen’t
know the number “trick” you are employing. The shading manager
was then adjusted to represent 0 as blue, 1 as green, and 2 as black.
To best represent Roads_Island we chose a 2D Grid Display with the Mesh turned off.
These settings were appropriate given the data types, which were discrete choropleth
geographically, and nominal quantitative data.
…very good
discussion and presentation
Watersheds map—
Figure 1-4: 2D Grid Display of Watersheds_Island.
…excellent work!
To appropriately display the
watersheds present on the island, as shown in Fig. 1-4, Landmap
(Fig. 1-2) was added to Watersheds. By adding the maps together, 0
represented no land; 1 represented land, 2 represented Target Rock watershed; 3
represented Botany Bay watershed; and 4 represented Sandy Bay watershed.
The default data type was continuous, which needed to be switched to
discrete. The shading manager was then adjusted to represent 0 as blue, 1
as green, and 2 as red, 3 as orange, and 4 as yellow.
To best represent Watersheds_Island we chose a 2D Grid Display with the Mesh turned off.
These settings were appropriate given the data types, which were discrete choropleth
geographically, and nominal quantitative data.
…as an
extension, you could discuss the “blank gap” between the individual
watersheds—why
1b) Considering the Display Form, Display
Type and Data Type, which combination would be most appropriate
for displaying the following maps in the Agdata.rgs database (explain
your choices by discussing the geographic and numeric nature of the data)—
1996_Fall_%Clay
map—
Figure 1-5: 2D Lattice display of 1996_Fall_%Clay.
To best represent the percent
clay found in the soil, as shown in Fig. 1-5, the most appropriate Display
Form/Type is 2D lattice
with the Mesh off
but the Contour Lines on.
The default Shading Manager settings were not appropriate …they rarely are; don’t even “trust” the base map displays,
and the working map displays that are automaticaly
generated even worse so they were changed to User Defined range
settings of 8 ranges with 2% difference between each range.
These settings were
appropriate given that the data was isopleth geographically and ratio quantitative data.
z2000_Image_8_30_NDVI map—
Figure 1-6: 2D Grid Display of z2000_Image_8_30_NDVI.
…it is often
useful to include the histogram and descriptive statistics for continuous
map surfaces as an aid in discussion
The most appropriate Display
Form/Type for Fig. 1-6 is a 2D
Grid display with the mesh
turned on. The shading manager calculation mode for ranges was set
to +/- 1 Standard
Deviation with 8 ranges ..great idea as this forces the “weird” edge values into the outlier
interval. The negative data points were colored grey since
they are to be considered outliers. These settings in the shading manager
best illustrate the differentiation in vegitation
density about the mean.
Because the vast majority of
data was between .65 and .8, a relatively narrow range, a display using equal
ranges or count would not provide as much detail in this area as +/- 1 Standard
Deviation …good insight. The
settings were apropriate for the data which was
continuous isopleth geographically and ratio numerically.
The data found in Fig. 1-6 is
isopleth geographically and ratio quantitatively.
Order_III_Soil_Survery map—
Figure 1-7: 2D Grid Display of Order_III_Soil_Survey.
To best represent the soil
survey, as shown in Fig. 1-7, the most appropriate Display Form/Type is 2D Grid with the Mesh off. These
settings were appropriate given the fact that the data was choropleth geographically and nominal
numerically ranging from 0-6 representing different soil types.
___________________________
(1/30/12) Hi Joe-- Sharon and I are a
bit confused about the visual exposure maps. For example, on the Vexposure map we're wondering if 1 is the high or
low visual exposure range. Thanks
for your help! Graham
Graham and Sharon— Visual Exposure
identifies the number of visual connections at each grid location considering a
set viewer locations. A value of zero identifies a location that is
totally hidden from view. A value of 1 indicates that 1 viewer cell is
connected; 2 indicates 2 viewer cells; etc.
A Weighted Visual Exposure
map takes the concept a bit further by not simply “counting” the number of
visual connections but “sums” the weights associated with each connected viewer
location. The result is an “importance/influence” calculation for each
map location.
For your “VE enrichment,” keep in mind that
there is a Net-weighted Visual Exposure operation that assigns
negative weights to “ugly” places and positive weights to “pretty” places so
the sum at any map location indicates the overall “aesthetics” value that
considers the net condition of ugly/pretty visual connections.
Both of these techniques are contrasted
with simple Viewshed calculations that produce a binary map that
just identifies if a location is seen at least once (0= totally hidden, 1+ seen
at least once). Joe
___________________________
(1/25/12) Folks—I
am almost done grading …will return the graded reports for Exercise 2 later
this afternoon. A few additional “common” editing things to consider are
noted below (still having “fun,” right? The report preparation is much
more than just a map analysis and modeling experience). Joe
…don’t bold figure
titles/captions
…don’t mix italics and normal
font in figure titles/captions; also, include a period (my personal preference
is italics for figure titles/captions)
…best to put the “color
inflection point” (yellow) in the color ramp in the middle for equal ranges
contouring
…figure tables should fit within
normal printer margins (<6.5 inches) or they will be truncated if
printed; 8.5” paper width – 1”right margin -1” left margin = 6.5 inches for the
body of the report). Even though Web Layout is the primary viewing form,
keeping tables to printer limits will work in all computer environments—even
smart phone screens. From your smart phone, go to www.innovativegis.com and click on the
online book Map Analysis and select any topic …the screen display might be
small but it fits.
___________________________
(1/25/12) Hi Dr. Berry-- while trying to give an
explanation to part 2 step 2 (coverclumps to coverclumps_size), our group is having some confusion about
whether the size operation converts the data between qualitative and
quantitative. My understanding is that quantitative
includes: continuous, lattice (optional
display type), interval, ratio, and isopleth; while qualitative includes
discrete, grid (optional display type),
nominal, ordinal, binary, and choropleth data. Part of the confusion
is we don't seem to have a clear understanding of which data is classified
between the 2 categories, so my understanding may be incorrect. Any insight you
could offer to help us out would be greatly appreciated. Sharon
Sharon—good question. The Clump
command “uniquely identifies groups of cells with the same value, but
geographically separated. It is most often used to identify
contiguous parcels of the same condition on a map. Consider a map with lake
cells assigned the value four. As all of the lakes have the same value,
MapCalc cannot distinguish between the individual lakes until they are clumped
and assigned unique numbers.” The Size command “assigns new
values according to the size of the area associated with each map category. It
calculates the area for entire categories (map values) which are often composed
of numerous separate groupings.”
The command
“CLUMP Covertype
AT 1 Diagonally FOR Coverclumps” identifies
the unique groupings of the three cover types as having five distinct
contiguous occurrences. In this processing, nominal/choropleth data
identifying the three cover types (1, 2, 3) is converted into nominal/choropleth data establishing unique ID numbers for each of the five
contiguous occurrences (1, 2, 3, 4, and 5).
The
command “SIZE Coverclumps
FOR Coverclump_size” calculates the size (total
number of cells) of each of five clumps. In this processing,
nominal/choropleth data identifying unique ID numbers for each of the five
contiguous occurrences (1, 2, 3, 4, and 5) is converted to ratio/choropleth data identifying the size (number of cells) of each of
the five clumps (4, 12, 78, 221 and 310).
The confusion might arise from two fronts—
1) choropleth
geographic data type can (and often) has quantitative numeric data
type. A commonly used example is Renumber-ing
a road type map (nominal/choropleth) to the average number of windows per hour
for each road type (choropleth/ratio).
2) size expressed
as “number of cells” involves integer values. However, if you
convert “cell count” to “area” by multiplying times the area per cell (cell
size= 328 ft= 100m; 100 * 100= 10,000 sq-meters= 1 hectare) the Coverclumps_Size map’s values fall into a more comfortable continuous
range of areas from 4 hectares (4 * 10,000= 40,000 sq-meters= 4 hectares)
to 310 hectares which most surly is scaled as ordered numbers with a constant
step and absolute reference of 0=no area.
Joe
___________________________
(1/24/12) Folks—I
am in the “throws” of grading Exercise #2. The following “editing
Comments” might useful as you head into your final edits of exercise #3.
Joe
Editing Comments:
…easiest to
screen capture just the map area (not the whole MapCalc display window) then
“force” the same height to both pasted displays—that way the maps will be the
same height and look much more professional
…your screen
captures seem to have itsy-bitsy map names way above the map display and
legend. You might try swithing the MapCalc from
full screen to an individual window that can be sized. Also you can
right-click anywhere on the map and select Propertiesà Titleà Font, then set to
something like “Aerial bold italic 12-14 pitch” and finally choose “use as map
defaults”
…to set some
spacing within the “cells” of a table in Word, select the entire table then
right-click and select Table Propertiesà Cell tabà Options and under the
Cell margins section, enter…
___________________________
(1/24/12) Folks—for
those of you who have installed MapCalc on your own computer there is a
“glitch” in the registration of the software. Since MapCalc Learner and
Academic are now free downloads we have removed the registration program from
our server.
You need to register the program per
instructions with the CD once but it
will not “officially” complete the registration. The next time you access
the program it will request registering yet again …simply click the
“register later” button and ignore the warning of only nine days
left. MapCalc is fully registered internally it just didn’t receive the OK
to skip the registration page from the licensing server (because it isn’t
there).
Hopefully this hasn’t been a big hassle …I
apologize for not mentioning it in class.
Joe
___________________________
(1/22/12) Hi Joe-- my group is having a hard time displaying
z2000_Image_8_30_NDVI map. We have no idea what the data represents so we
can display the data meaningfully. This includes what we should set
calculation mode for ranges and number of ranges. Thanks, Paulina
Paulina— Google-ing
“NDVI” brings up Wikipedia’s definition at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Normalized_Difference_Vegetation_Index ...a remote sensing technique that enhances living
vegetation biomass based on a normalized ratio of the near infrared and visible
red spectral bands. In this case, it is aerial imagery of the field
collected via an ultralight aircraft 8/30/2000 at the
peak of harvest…
The Shading Manager’s Statistics and
Histogram tabs…
The default 3D lattice plot…
Your challenge is to “play” with the
display settings until you identify a display that “makes sense” to you and
write a brief statement supporting your conclusions based on your understanding
of the numerical and geographic data types.
Joe
___________________________
(1/19/12) Folks—more “terribly useful” information …this time about
using Outlook. To make your emails look more
professional—
1) Be sure to set your default email
composition format to “HTML”…
Start a New Message and select the “Options”
tab and then specify HTML
2) Be sure you turn on the Spelling and
Grammar checkers…
Click on the Windows icon in the upper left
corner of the Outlook window
___________________________
(1/19/12) Hi Joe— do you have a preference on how
we name the figures? For example, do you
prefer Figure 1-1, Figure 1-2 or may we use another naming function such as
Figure 1, Figure 2, Figure 3a, etc?
Thanks, Alicia
Alicia—my favorite format for figures is…
Figure
1. Smashed map results based on roads
and cover type maps.
…in the standard font/pitch of the main text but in italics and
centered under the centered figure itself.
What is most important is that you use a consistent format
throughout the report …consistent font/pitch and margins for the main
text; two spaces between sentences; blank line between paragraphs; and centered
figure with centered figure number underlined and title/caption in
italics. Joe
___________________________
(1/18/12) Good morning Dr. Berry— we are having
some difficulty discerning the standard deviation thematic display of the
Tutor25.rgs Elevation surface in MapCalc. It does not seem to us that the
range values are distributed per standard deviations from the mean. As we
understand, 34% of the range should lie within one standard deviation (above
and below) of the mean, but this does not seem to be the case. Do you have
any advice/wisdom for us? Thanks,
Courtney, Graham and Rob
Courtney, Graham and Rob —great question about the + 1 StDev display mode. Checkout…
http://www.innovativegis.com/basis/MapAnalysis/Topic18/Topic18.htm#Visualize_values
for the background
theory—sort of “contouring with a twist.”
In short, the procedure 1) calculates the Minimum, Maximum,
Average and StDev for a map layer (needs to be
isopleth/quantitative values), then 2) establishes the lowest contour
interval range as from the minimum data value to Average minus 1 StDev. It then 3) establishes the highest
interval range as Average plus 1 StDev to the
maximum data value. Finally, 4) it divides the Avg-1Stdev to
Avg+1StDev range into the remaining number of contour intervals
specified using “Equal Ranges.” (Note: use the Statistics and
Histogram tabs in the MapCalc’s Shading Manager to identify the Numerical
Space metrics you’ll need to check the math).
Hence, when viewing a StDev display
the lower (unusually low values) and upper (unusually high values) “tails” of
the standard normal curve are matched to the lowest and highest contour
intervals. The more “typical” data values in the center are displayed
with more detail.
A particularly pleasing display is to set the color for the lower
contour (tail) to a dark/cool tone (e.g., dark green) and the upper
contour to a bright/warm tone (e.g., bright red) with the center contours
assigned a color ramp from light green to light red with a yellow color
inflection point—give it a try. I’ll bet it will be the first time
you have “seen” a more colorful (and interpretable) rendering of a Standard
Normal Curve mapped in Geographic Space.
Think about it …map-ematics sort of
pulls all that abstract math/stat stuff you learned in statistics down to earth
(pun intended). Maybe this is an alternative way to teach math/stat to
folks that don’t easily grasp all that abstract stuff with just a column of
numbers (most of us?).
…now that you have had enough time to fume
with an incomplete answer to your question—the “rest of the story” as a follow-up
to the theory babble above. Use the Shading Manager’s Statistics and Histogram
tabs to take a close look at the Elevation surface’s “skewed” data
distribution (see below) …very “not-so-normal” so why would one expect a good
fit of the Standard Normal Curve? The +1StDev display followed the
“normal” statistics ideal—it’s just that the ideal of normally distributed
mapped data is not always the case. Can any of you suggest an alternative
method for “contouring” the skewed data that has a statistical foundation?
…maybe something to do with the Median and Quartile Range?
Now that would make good “extended discussion”
and master’s degree fodder. Joe
___________________________
(1/17/12) Hi Professor— Sorry to bug you about this
again, but while working on the lab on my PC I ran into the same problem with
the temporary file error when I tried to run the Erosion_Codes
step. How do I change my administrative privileges so I can
accomplish this step? Thank you, Sharon
Sharon—you need to login as administer (likely not the
user you normally use or you would have full permissions) and then set full permissions for the user you
normally use. MS instructions are posted at http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/aa511445.aspx. The instructions in the following video might
help as well…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmOAltrVlkY
If problems arise we can tackle them on Thursday. Joe
___________________________
(1/17/12) Hi Joe— my group is having trouble on
deciding what to say for the discussion in question 5 step 3.
We don't know the units
for the Flowmap …a count of the number of uphill grid locations from
the legend and how to describe what the process is from elevation to flowmap. Could you give us a hint? …see the description of Drain
function below. It is much easier to explain the Flowmap
once it is renumbered and called Flow_Classes …RENUMBERing
generalizes the detailed flow information (isopleth
quantitative (ratio) data) into just three classes of increasing
surface flow accumulation (choropleth qualitative (ordinal)
data). Thanks, Paulina
Paulina— Drain is a rather unfair step as we won’t study “flow
accumulation” until the Distance drawer in the Spatial Analysis toolbox (week
4). The Drain command creates a map indicating the number of steepest
paths (optimal path density) from a set of locations along a surface.
Since you specified the Entire map as the “SourceMap” the routine will
sequentially identify the steepest downhill path from every grid location while
keeping a running sum of the number of paths crossing each map location—total number
of uphill grid locations contributing surface flow to each map location.
In the exercise the Flowmap has a
skewed data distribution from 1 (rain drop landed but didn’t flow anywhere) to
one location that has 200 uphill contributors …checkout the Histogram and
Statistics tabs in the Shading Manager. Hence, the default display using
“Equal Ranges” is very misleading …try switching to “Equal Count” as the
calculation mode in the Shading Manager.
You can get a quick summary of any command using the Help
button in its dialog box (see below); a more detailed description in the
MapCalc Manual. Joe
…pressing the “Help” button on any command GUI will pop-up a description of the
command function, options and syntax. The Drain command Help pop-up
description of its function is…
Drain
Drain
creates a map indicating the number of steepest paths (optimal path density)
from a set of locations along a surface. It calculates all downhill paths
extending from a starting location specified on one map (sourceMap)
over a three-dimensional surface (surface map). The surface map may be a
topographic surface map, a cost surface map, or any other map in which the cell
values are represented as height.
This
function differs from the Stream function, in that
paths are calculated from all target cells rather than just a single cell.”
___________________________
(1/11/12) Hi Joe— I noticed that we do have some
display options on font and formatting for the display of the map, but I have
yet to figure out how to close the gap between the map image and the legend and
I don't see a place where you can change the distance. Am I missing
something? Thanks, Alicia
Alicia—keep in mind that “cartographic niceties” are a bit
limited in MapCalc. Serious users export a final map to a commercial
system like ArcGIS for fancy displays and plotter printing.
The distance between the legend and map display is dynamic
and can be sized by switching the MapCalc Window from full screen to “restore
down” (
Most of the map display options are in the Shading Manager
pop-up (double-click on the map Legend) but more options are in
the Map Properties pop-up (right-click anywhere in the map
display and choose Properties)…
___________________________
(1/11/12) Folks—in
anticipation that some of you might be having some troubles getting into the
swing with SnagIt (I haven’t received Exer0 from all of you; please send my way
when completed), I have included below an email dialog thread from a couple of
years ago that might be helpful. Joe
____________
Using
Snagit – Basic Procedures
Once
you have downloaded, installed and launched SnagIt, switch the program to
“Compact” mode by selecting menu item Viewà Compact View.
|
|
The
“Mode” drop-down list is used to set the type of capture. The most common
setting is “Image Capture” to generate a screen grab that is sort of
like taking a photo of the screen or portion of the screen that you can paste
into Word documents and PowerPoint slides. The “Video Capture” mode
can be used capture screen animations but the video file generated has to be
hyperlinked into documents and PowerPoint slides. |
|
|
The
“Input” drop-down list sets the type and properties of screen captures. The
most commonly used type is “Region” that enables you to click-and-drag
a rectangular box around a portion of the screen. The “Window” capture
type is used to capture windows on the screen that are highlighted as you
move the cursor. The other capture types are less frequently used. The “Include
Cursor” option is used to capture the mouse
pointer in an image capture. |
|
|
Under
the “Tools” drop-down select “Program Preferences” and in the “Hotkeys” tab you
can select the key combination to activate SnagIt for capture. This sequence
is normally “Ctrl + Shift + P” but can be changed if it
conflicts with another programs hotkeys assignment. |
Now
you are ready to capture screen images. Simultaneously press the keys “Ctrl/Shift/P”
and the capture cursor will appear. Left Click-and-Drag a box around a portion
of the screen then release the mouse button and the SnagIt Editor with the
captured portion will appear.
|
|
There
are numerous tools for adding text, drawing on the figure and special
effects. But
for your first capture, simply click on the “Green Checkmark” in the
upper right corner to transfer the image to your clipboard. |
For
a professional appearance in a report, Resize and Center the
image, and then add a Centered Caption in italics underneath it to set
the figure apart from the rest of the document. For example, screen captures of
Lattice and Grid displays of Tutor25.rgs Elevation data would appear as—
Figure 1-1. 3D
Lattice Display. Note the smooth appearance of the plot that
“stretches” the grid pattern
by
pushing up the intersections of the grid lines.
Figure 1-2. 3D Grid Display. Note the chunky appearance of the plot pushes up
the
“pillars” representing each grid cell border.
___________________________
(1/11/12) Folks— I haven’t heard
much from you. The assignment must be clear as a mountain lake and
responses intuitively obvious …great! Or you are spinning your wheels and
having trouble getting traction on what it is you are supposed to do …and worrying
how you are going to get it done by 10:00pm Thursday. If this is the
case, let me know your roadblocks and together I bet we can get your team out
of the ditch.
On a brighter note, at least one team has completed their report
and commented that “…we make a great team! What I like about the group and
this report is that we discussed each question to make sure we understood
it. Communicating this way is time consuming, but at the end of the
report I felt like we really knew the topic.” Your bright testimonial
awaits.
Be sure that you individually (complete anonymity) complete the Team
Evaluation Form posted on the class website within 24 hours of turning
in the report …example below. Joe
___________________________
(1/10/12) Hi Joe-- are the reports for both Exer 0 and Exerc 1 due by 5pm
Thursday? Also, would you prefer a separate Word document with the answers to
questions and necessary images or should we provide the report within the
template of the exercise document already provided? Thanks, Alicia
Alicia—both Exer0 and Exer1 are due 10:00pm Thursday
which gives the team a chance to meet with me to “polish” any last minute
concerns. Don’t spend more than a few minutes on Exer0 as it simply
“documents” that you were able to access MapCalc using the Tutor25.rgs database
and use SnagIt to screen grab a map display …skills required in tackling Exer1.
Also, keep in mind the team can request a “no penalty”
extension anytime before 12:00noon Thursday. Send me an email
requesting the extension and identify a new fixed date/time due date (e.g.,
“…we had difficulty getting our schedules to mesh. We will submit the report by
12:00noon Saturday”). Keep in mind that compounding extensions is not a
good idea and the team should judiciously reserve the “extension card” for true
times of need.
I plan to keep the same teams for Exercise #2 but shuffle team
membership for Exercise #3 …shuffle every two weeks.
I prefer you use the report template (Exer1.doc) and
“simply” embed your responses, screen captures and further discussion at the
appropriate locations as noted in the report template. In the past most
teams have a final “group writing session” (either eyeball-to-eyeball or via
email) where rough drafts of the report sections are edited and combined into
the final report for submission.
The experience is intended to simulate a group report to the
boss in the real-world (e.g., a consulting company) …not an academic lab
report or a paper. Within this context I strongly encourage the team
to review the Report
Writing Tips item on the class website. Also, review the Guidelines
for Preparing Homework Assignments and Submitting Homework
Assignments items in the Syllabus posted on the class website.
The bottom line is that I expect the reports to be of
professional quality both in content and form …be sure
that Word’s Spelling and Grammar checkers are turned on. Joe
___________________________
(1/10/12) One question we did run into was
interpreting the legend on the renumbered maps.
To use the renumbered road_proximity
map as an example, the new legend was between 1 and 9, I believe (I don't have
it directly in front of me) and most of the new map was 1. On the renumbered slopemap,
1 was desirable and higher numbers were less so. Is the same true for the road map/all renumbered
maps or are we missing how to interpret the new data? I can interpret what the data means before it
has been normalized, but I guess I'm confused on
how to interpret the data afterwards.
Thank you! Michael
Michael—your question about the calibration
step is a good one. The RENUMBERing (RECLASSIFYing in Spatial Analyst) to a common “goodness” range of 1= least suitable to 9= most suitable is a form of
normalizing the map variables. The data ranges and units of the Base and
Derived maps are all different—the RENUMBERing
transforms them into a consistent range so the averaging of the Interpreted map
layers makes mathematical sense (dare I say map-ematical sense?).
An important point to remember is that the
“algorithmic” processing step from Base to Derived maps keeps the map values
within the “fact” realm (e.g., slope, proximity and even visual exposure) that
remain facts on the landscape. The “calibration” processing step, on the
other hand, moves the map information into the “judgment” realm …from physical
to cognitive maps.
In suitability modeling, the “calibration”
step is often dicey and calls into play “expert opinion” or empirical
research. However, the “weighting” step is the most ephemeral as it plays
to human values. To weight one map layer more than another is very
subjective and evokes personal perception and experience ...one camper might
opine that good views of water is ten-fold more important than aspect direction
while another might believe just the opposite.
Most successful suitability applications
like campground location use expert opinion to “calibrate” and participatory
interaction of end users to “weight.” There are numerous quantitative
techniques in social science for assessing group thought …we will touch on two (Delphi
and AHP) that are widely used when we discuss modeling in the sixth week.
The bottom line of your campground
suitability experience is that maps are being used in non-traditional ways for
“thinking with maps.” Grid-based map analysis and modeling are providing
the tools but domain experts (vs. GIS experts) are steering the ship. Joe
___________________________
(1/9/12) Folks— a
few “logistical” items…
1) VERY
IMPORTANT …in the GIS labs, it is imperative that you access the MapCalc database
(Tutor25.rgs) and script (Tutor25_Campground.scr) from your
student drive (Z:drive) or a USB pocket drive that you plug into
the lab computer as the multiple-user environment in the lab has special “write
permissions.”
If for some reason you experience a “write
permission fatal error” while executing MapCalc in either of the GIS Labs using
your Z:drive or pocket drive for the data, move to another computer and send me
and Steven Yee (steven.yee@du.edu) an
email noting which lab and computer had the problem.
The alternative is to load MapCalc and the
class database (…\GISmodeling\MapCalc Data) on your
own computer (any Windows PC or Mac running in a Windows environment) and
use it for the exercises and report preparation. See the instruction with the text CD for
installation of MapCalc and the Setting
up and using class data item on the class website.
As you work through Exercise#1, let me
know any questions (concerns or complaints) and I’ll get an email reply
back to you as soon as I can.
2) Christian has dropped the class, so one
team has only two people (a blessing when scheduling team meetings and not a
problem). Please send a list of the
current team membership.
3) The class photo with student statements
is posted at…
http://www.innovativegis.com/basis/Courses/GMcourse12/Email_dialog/StudentStatements.htm
.
Joe
___________________________
(1/6/12) Folks—
before you start using MapCalc, I encourage you review the two short demos (a
few minutes each) on MapCalc basics and example operation that are posted at…
http://www.innovativegis.com/basis/Senarios/Movies/Default.htm,
Short
Video Demos viewable online or download
Billy Gates will warn/scare you about not executing the demos
but I assure you that they are virus free so be persistent in telling him you
want to “run” the executable.
Also, you ought to check out the annotated Campground Model
example posted at…
http://www.innovativegis.com/basis/Senarios/Campground.htm
…before you begin
your report preparation.
This year the exercise is particularly unfair as I mistakenly
skipped the slides describing the campground logic used in Exercise #1 when we
returned from break (oops)…
What I had planned to say was that the logic of the
campground GIS model can be expressed as a “simple” flowchart of processing
with the rows identifying the criteria employed in the model (slide
24). Best locations for a campground are thought to be…
·
Gently sloped so a
family of five won’t roll down the hill.
·
Near roads, so
access is easy.
·
Near water, for
fun and fishing.
·
Good views (of
water) for added visual enjoyment.
·
Westerly oriented so tired
campers can sleep-in late.
The columns in the flowchart represent existing and
derived map layers of increasing levels of abstraction from left to right
(slide 25)…
·
Base maps of Elevation, Roads and
Water depicting physical things that can be objectively measured and
inventoried.
·
Derived maps of
Slope, Proximity to Road, Proximity to Water, Visual Exposure to water (how
many water cells can be seen from each grid cell location and Aspect (in
N,NE,E,SE,S,SW,W,NW octants and no aspect for perfectly flat areas). The
transition from Base to Derived maps use map analysis tools, hence it is termed
“Algorithm.”
Note: Base
maps are most often directly measured and Derived maps could be measured at
each grid space as they arte real-world conditions
(Abney level to measure slope; surveyor chain to measure proximity to road and
water; ocular estimate for proportion of water; compass for aspect), but it is
much easier to use a computer algorithm to derive the information for each of
thousands of grid locations. Hence Derived maps using algorithms (map analysis
“tools”) are a bit more abstract in nature than base maps. So just how does the software calculate visual exposure (Radiate
command) …that detail is reserved for week 4.
·
Interpreted maps of
preferred slopes (S-Pref), road proximity (R-Pref), water proximity (W-Pref),
views ((V-Pref) and aspects (A-Pref).
This step is monumental as it represents a huge jump in the level of
abstraction from “facts” on the landscape to “judgment” about what are good and
bad conditions for each of the model criteria. There isn’t “goodness for
campground meter” that you can poke in the ground …that involves human judgment
and values interpretation of conditions. The process is analogous to a
professor grading papers with a possible interpretation of “goodness” from 1=
crummy to 9= awesome. This process is termed “Calibration.”
·
The final Modeled map combines the five criteria
expressions into a single, overall expression. This is analogous to a
professor compiling a final grade by averaging the grades on each paper (viz.
criteria rating in place of a paper grade) for each student (viz. each grid
cell location in place of each student). This process is termed
“Weighting” as a weighted average is often used that recognizes differences in
criteria importance.
The red labeling in slide 25 denotes the MapCalc commands that
executes the processing from left to right.
Slide 26 shows the command script that you will use in the
exercise. Your challenge when running the model (Tutor25_Campground.scr
using the Tutor25.rgs database pursuant to the instructions in
Exer#1.doc) is to…
1) double-click on the first command
line (Slope Elevation fitted FOR Slopemap),
2) note/appreciate the information in the pop-up dialog box,
3) press the Help button to get
information about the command function and syntax (more information in the
MapCalc Manual that is posted on the class website for down load as a .pdf file), and finally
4) press the OK button to submit the
command. The new map will automatically be displayed (the “Slopemap” for the first command line). Right-click
anywhere on the legend in the map display and more information will
pop-up.
Continue executing the model by successively double-clicking on
the command lines one at a time (individual processing steps); top to bottom
(processing order). Enjoy the show BUT DON’T MESS WITH ANY OF THE
SETTINGS in the dialog boxes or legend shading manager tables …you will
have ample time (way too much?) in subsequent exercises to be reckless/creative.
This first encounter with MapCalc is a “tricycle level” exposure. You
will be at the BMX racetrack in due time, provided you don’t break your neck on
this toddler ride.
The real objective of Exer#1 is at a
intellectual level higher than mechanics …to get you thinking about the
connection between the campground model logic (flowchart) and its expression as
map analysis steps (commands) that transition base maps into a modeled
map. As you progress through the exercise you will be asked to capture
screen displays using SnagIt and paste them into the Exer#1 template report at
the appropriate places. Also you will be asked to explain what you think
is happening at each processing step …sort of an unfair toss into the deep end
of the pool. But the task is doable if you concentrate on how the
numbers on the maps change (not the colors in the display). All
grid-based map analysis involves deriving new map numbers from old map
numbers—everything is in the numbers!
Shoot me an email if your team hits the wall …I bet a short
return email will easily right the tricycle. If not, we can always set up
a Go-to-Meeting session where I can in real-time button pressing lead you
through the rough spot. Also, keep in mind that I am on campus by 10:30am
on Thursday so we can have eyeball-to-eyeball exchange to polish any trouble
spots in your team’s report or you just want to chat. Send me an email to
set up a meeting time or drop by 3-6pm before class for open-door hours.
We are having fun, right???
Joe
___________________________
(1/5/12) Hi Joe …this is Paulina Kruse. I am a
junior at DU. I was having second thoughts about taking your class this
quarter. I did talk to my adviser and he said I would be fine taking this
class without taking the Introduction to
GIS class. I still feel like I don't have much experience but
why not start now? I haven't quite determined my specific interests in the
GIS world yet, but it was the use of technology and visual layout of information that
has caught my attention. I like to learn new things, and work
hard. I expect to learn a lot in your
class and I might discover my interests in GIS.
See you tomorrow, Paulina
Paulina—the material presented does not require a GIS background
…more an interest in quantitative analysis (basic math/stat) and an ability to
visualize spatial problems. The course is taught at an
upper-division/grad level pace with weekly team reports that is a fairly
consistent demand on your time. It focuses on grid-based map analysis and
modeling, not traditional GIS mapping—more “thinking with maps” than producing
map products.
I have taught a similar set of concepts in the JETS (Junior
Engineers and Tomorrow’s Scientists) intercity program and numerous 2-5 day
workshops for professionals from a wide variety disciplines and backgrounds,
such as managers, administrators and staff in most of the USFS National Forest
offices. Most of the attendees find the concepts, approaches, procedures
and considerations both interesting and useful; very few find it “over their
heads.”
What is different from these instructional environments and the
GIS Modeling course is that we have 10 weeks following fundamentally the same
lecture material but added time for students to delve into “hands-on” experience
with various options, extensions and more detail into how the operations work
…or when they don’t work (limitations and inappropriate use). The team
reports are what elevate the course to UD/Grad level. Joe
___________________________
(1/4/12) Dr. Berry-- I am currently enrolled in
your GIS modeling class, however, I am an anthropology student taking classes
outside of my department and am trying to make the decision on whether I should
be formally enrolled in your class or perhaps audit it (should you be agreeable
to such an arrangement). I have taken 2 GIS courses at DU prior to yours
because I intend on using GIS in my master's thesis. I have some
questions about the class itself and some issues concerning my thesis and I was
wondering if you would have some time to meet with me before class tomorrow, I
will be on campus all day and can meet at any time that is most convenient for
you.
Thank you, Christian Driver
Christian— the weekly course load is
estimated at about 1) two hours required reading 1) three hours lecture and 3)
six hours team reports ...about eleven hours total. If you haven’t
had a chance, I encourage you to check out the class website at…
http://www.innovativegis.com/basis/Courses/GMcourse12/
…for a description of
class content and logistics.
Generally speaking, the course focuses on grid-based
map analysis and modeling tools and procedures. The white paper…
An Analytical Framework for GIS Modeling — white
paper presenting a conceptual framework for map analysis and GIS Modeling
…serves as a good overview of the course
material. A shorter and less didactic description is posted at…
Beyond Mapping III, Topic 24 – Overview
of Spatial Analysis and Statistics
I am open to your auditing the class
(Thursday evening lectures and readings?) but most of the learning occurs by
completing the weekly team reports that provide “hands-on” experience with the
concepts, procedures and applications. Auditing would develop a basic
appreciation of the capabilities and considerations involved in GIS modeling
but likely not the “skill level of understanding/experience” that you would
need to translate the approaches to your thesis research.
I would be delighted to meet with you
tomorrow (Thursday) to discuss your objectives and the course further. My
normal office hours are Thursdays 3:00 to 5:00pm on but my trek from Fort
Collins usually has me on campus by 10:30am. Let me know your best time
to meet. Joe
___________________________
(12/10/11) Folks—I
am delighted that you have enrolled in GIS Modeling for next term.
Please send an email (jberry@innovativegis.com) that briefly outlines your background, interests
and objectives in taking the course.
I encourage you to check out the class
syllabus posted at www.innovativegis.com/basis/Courses/GMcourse12/Syllabus/
for more information on the course format and
requirements. Note that homework exercises are completed in 2-to-3-person
teams and are completed outside of class. Please send an email to
me with any questions or needed explanation of any aspect of the course …I’ll
share the Q/A by posting on the “Email Dialog” item on the class website.
Since the class is fairly small and my
Blackboard skills limited, I prefer to run the course through my own
server. I will establish a limited BlackBoard course outline but it will
simply “bounce” to my server.
Some
logistical announcements…
-
The Class Website is posted at http://www.innovativegis.com/basis/Courses/GMcourse12/
and contains all materials
supporting the course including syllabus, schedule, reading assignments, and
exercises.
-
The Map Analysis textbook (www.innovativegis.com/basis/Books/MapAnalysis/) will be available at the 1st class
meeting for the author's discount price of $34.64, cash or check payable to
Joseph K. Berry. The companion CD contains the MapCalc, Surfer, and
Snagit software we will use in the course. If you want to get a copy of
the book/CD before the 1st class meeting, check with Will in the
Geography Department office.
-
The online links for the Readings for
the 1st Class are posted on the class website at http://www.innovativegis.com/basis/Courses/GMcourse12/. Be sure to read the http://www.innovativegis.com/basis/Papers/Other/GISmodelingFramework/ paper that presents a conceptual framework for map
analysis/modeling that will be used in the course. As the course kickoff
approaches I will post the PowerPoint on the class website.
-
The BASIS website at http://www.innovativegis.com/basis/ contains additional materials and papers
supporting the course. Of particular importance is the online book Beyond
Mapping III posted at http://www.innovativegis.com/basis/MapAnalysis/Default.htm containing extended discussion of material
presented in class and the textbook. The "Chronological Listing"
link identifies articles published since the Map Analysis textbook (2007).
Have a great set of holidays!!! See
you in January. Joe
___________________________
(12/8/11) Dear
Dr. Berry-- My name is Courtney Hall. I am a first year graduate student in
ecology and am interested in taking your course. Is this an advanced GIS course? Or, could a
student understand and excel in the course if they have no GIS knowledge? I have no GIS experience, but I think that
this would be a good course for me. I am interested in restoration ecology and
conservation ecology. Is there anything
else that a student should know prior to taking this course? Kind
regards, Courtney Hall
Courtney—my educational background is in natural resources
management which pioneered many of map analysis techniques and applications
…not mapmaking. Developing skills in
analytical procedures for understanding spatial patterns and relationships
impacting natural systems seems keystone to ecology— the GIS Modeling course
focuses on these procedures.
Data nuances, structures, formats, and acquisition, as well as
display and geo-query/retrieval, are major elements of an introductory GIS
course. These concepts and practices are
the bedrock of GIS, but in GIS Modeling we focus on “maps as numbers,” presume
that are data is “perfect” and basic cartographic procedures are reserved for
final map display. The emphasis in
the course is on “thinking with mapped data” and “spatial reasoning” which
do not require a deep keel of understanding of mapping techniques as we focus
on the analytical concepts and applications.
The bottom line is that you don’t need a prior GIS course but you do
need to be 1) comfortable with basic math/stat principles that we will apply to
digital mapped data and 2) a bit of fortitude as the workload of the course is
at the upper division/grad level.
I encourage you to check out the background reading for the
first class…
http://www.innovativegis.com/basis/Courses/GMcourse12/,
under Course Readings item
…as well as…
http://www.innovativegis.com/basis/MapAnalysis/MA_Intro/MA_Intro.htm#sSTEM1,
SpatialSTEM Has Deep Mathematical Roots
http://www.innovativegis.com/basis/MapAnalysis/Topic4/Topic4.htm#Disciplinary_cave,
A Quick Peek Outside
GIS’s Disciplinary Cave
The main thing to keep in mind is that while the material
presented doesn’t require prior GIS experience or advanced perquisites,
the course is taught at the upper division/graduate level making the demands
fairly substantial (about 10-12 hours per week) with weekly team reports,
readings, directed mini-project and a couple of exams that keep students busy
throughout the term …the pace makes getting behind tough to catch up. Joe
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(11/26/11) Hi Dr. Berry— I'm thinking of enrolling in
your GIS Modeling class next quarter and I have a few questions. I heard from a
couple of people that you teach a good modeling class, but I seem to remember
them mentioning some 3D stuff. Were they describing another course you teach? I
have a lot of experience with ArcGIS so I'm looking for more of an advanced
course to learn about expanding the software functionality rather than
performing standard site-selection exercises. Do you happen to have a syllabus
you could send me so I could see if the class might be what I'm looking for?
Thanks for your help! -Alison Terry
Alison—the class website has the course Syllabus and other materials…
http://www.innovativegis.com/basis/Courses/GMcourse12/
The 3D experience in the class involves data
visualization of mapped data surfaces, not “landscape visualization.”
Checkout…
Topic 18
– Understanding Grid-based Data
…in the online book Beyond Mapping
that serves as optional reading beyond our basic text. 3D is used to visually explore the spatial
distribution of mapped data layers to better understand the spatial patterns
and relationships in continuous map surfaces.
We do not use
ArcGIS in the course but there is a cross-reference to Spatial Analyst/Grid
operations for the analytical tools used in the course—the focus of the course
is on map analysis and modeling concepts, procedures and considerations,
independent of software system. To give
you an idea of MapCalc software we
use, check out the short videos at…
http://www.innovativegis.com/basis/Senarios/Movies/Default.htm
Let me know if
additional questions or thoughts arise.
Joe
P.S.—I post most
email responses of potentially general interest to Email
dialog and other helpful hints item
on the class website—this might be a useful resource to occasionally check
out in case other potential students have questions.
____________________________________________________
Course Content and Who Wants to Be a GIS Modeler?
Joe-- Who do you feel is your ideal student? Someone
who is planning to continue using
Hilary-- students who are interested in
learning concepts/procedures/considerations in analyzing spatial
relationships are best served ...be they
The idea that
We will not be using ArcGIS directly as it
is a fairly large and complex system that has and a steep learning curve
in mapping, database development and spatial database management that must
be negotiated to use it in learning concepts, procedures and
considerations underlying grid-based map analysis. This would limit the class to
However, all of the MapCalc and Surfer
operations we will be using are cross-referenced to ArcGIS operations and those
with this background should be able to translate the concepts,
procedures and considerations they learn to the command syntax of the ArcGIS
environment (Grid/Spatial Analyst, Geo-statistical Analyst, Image
Analyst and 3D Analyst extensions).
Joe
P.S.—more on GIS Education “philosophy and approach” is
in the online book Beyond Mapping III, Topic 4, “Where Is
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