…an introduction to
grid-based map analysis and modeling
GEOG 3110,
University of Denver, Geography, Winter Term 2013
Thursdays
6:00-9:15 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…
Send an email with your
question(s) and I will respond and then post the response if your question has
general class interest.
___________________________
3/13/13
James— see responses to your questions
embedded below. I have edited the wording of the requirement for the buffer in
the mini-project write-up to be “…calculated wildfire risk for all each
of the map locations within a 300 meter buffer...
However, an important “take-home point” is Choropleth
maps can be (and often are) quantitative – a great point to make in
your presentation.
Joe
Joe-- I have completed my wildfire risk
model. I want to run a couple questions by you. I have attached my four output
maps (Average risk,
Average risk
weighted-effective proximity, Districts average risk, and Housing (300 meter) average risk).
My questions center around the district average and the housing buffer risk maps.
Both are choropleth maps with discrete
values …NO, see discussion; however, they
are not integer values. Most people are used to seeing integer values with
discrete categories …Choropleth maps can be (and
often are) quantitative—e.g., a road map with speed limit values assigned to
each grid cell (or line segment in vector) ; however, if I round or
truncate these values, I feel the data loses its granularity and distinction
between categories …absolutely.
In addition, the housing (300 meter buffer) risk map assigns an average risk value to locations with in 300 meters of all housing. I wasn't sure if
this is what you were looking for, or if your were
looking for the risk value assigned to each location within the 300 meter
buffer …this is what the client wanted—a map that
shows the calculated risk for each map location . I
wasn't sure because you made a distinction between average and calculated risk
maps.
…
calculated wildfire risk for all each
of the map locations within a 300 meter buffer
Thanks,
James
______________________________
2/7/13
I have a question about question four in
Exercise #3. I used the slice operation
on the Ve_roads and Ve_housing
maps. The operation took the ratio
data in each map and created new maps with five classes. By creating the classes, the data is now ordinal …another way to look at it is
that the quantitative ratio data in the visual exposure maps are converted to
integer interval data as “equal contour interval” steps are imposed. For the Vexposure
map, the Ve_roads_sliced and Ve_housing_sliced
maps are averaged and now can be considered
constrained ratio data as decimal steps can result in the range of map values
generated. I believe the Vexposure map (attached) still displays ordinal data …yep the data is ordered but by a
constant step and can contain decimals because the class values of each
input map are simply averaged.
Then the compute function is used to combine the Slope_sliced
and Vexposure maps (both have classes - ordinal
data). Slope_sliced
…“equal contour interval”
steps are imposed resulting in converted to integer interval data is
multiplied by 10 and then added to Vexposure. This is
intended to create an output map (Ve_slope) with two
digit classes.
The problem is that I end up with 27 classes, which
creates an indiscernible map display. The data looks better when displayed as
continuous data; however, it is still truly discrete ordinal data (Ve_slope displayed as continuous data is attached). There in lies the dilemma.
You have hit on
the problem in logic for the intended solution …CONGRATULATIONS!!! It
seems like the Vexposure map needs to be expressed as
integer values—distinct integer classes of exposure combined with distinct
integer classes of slope. Any guidance would be much appreciated. Best, James
James-- you have hit on the problem in logic for the
intended solution …CONGRATULATIONS!!! See comments embedded in your
email abovefor the background thinking of “data type”
that caused the problem.
For the “logic fix” it seems like the Vexposure
map needs to be expressed as integer values—distinct integer classes of
exposure combined with distinct integer classes of slope.
…the averaging of Ve_roads and Ve_houusing created fractional visual exposure classes.
I bet you can figure out a way to renumber (hint, hint) the map values so they
form integer classes 1= low exposure, 2, 3, 4 to 5=high …there is a couple of
ways to form the aggregation (round or truncate)—justify the one you use. Joe
___________________________
2/6/13
Hello Dr. Berry-- I had two questions for
you. First, there is some confusion surrounding how many pieces of question
five you'd like for us to answer. The power point says only 2; while the others
can be extra credit -- is two correct? Yep, only two of the five questions
are required (your team’s choice on which two)—some or all of the other three
are extra credit if you so choose.
Also, I was wondering where I might be
able to find some more information about the "drain" function. I felt ok
about what was happening in the first question of part B of question
three; but the second is more confusing. I highlited my question in the attached document.
Thank you! Sarah
Sarah—just do two
of the five questions for the
official team report …the rest are extra credit.
On the Drain front, your documentation got cutoff…
Or more likely there is confusion about the different sourceMaps—Entire and Forests.
DRAIN Entire OVER Elevation Simply
Steepest FOR Flowmap
<insert screen grab(s) and discussion>
DRAIN
Forests OVER Elevation Simply Steepest FOR Forest_flow
<insert screen grab(s) and discussion>
The Drain help file describes the more important command options
as…
Drain <sourceMap> (Entire then Forests)
Over <surfaceMap> (Elevation)
Select weight type…
Simply Counts the number
of paths through each cell. The resultant map is termed an
"optimal path density surface."
Weighted Sums the sourceMap values of all paths passing through a cell. The
resultant map is termed a "weighted optimal path density surface."
The “sourceMap” identifies all of the
“starter cell” locations as any non-zero value on the map layer. In the
case of the Entire map, all locations in the project area have the value 1
assigned, therefore Drain will Over the Elevation surfaceMap
be from all map locations.
The Forest sourceMap, on the other
hand, has lots of non-forested locations that are assigned 0…
In an interesting application for locating roads (are you having
fun yet? …or is this map analysis stuff too far from traditional GIS
mapping—and way too disgusting), the elevation surface is replaced with an accumulated cost surface expressing how much it would cost to
build a road to all locations in the project area (like travel-time but units
of $’s to build to every location). “Simply draining” the Forested areas
over this abstract surface will count the number of forested locations
“optimally serviced” through each map location—locations with high “counts” are
the best locations for the road.
…Note for
possible extended discussion— what would be the result if the forest map value
for each cell contained the value
of the timber in that cell
and the “weighted” option of
summing the path values was
used instead of the “simply” option of counting? Joe
(Follow-up thought) Sarah—here are a couple of links to Esri’s description of their “Flowaccumulation
tool” that acts similar to Drain…
http://webhelp.esri.com/arcgisdesktop/9.3/index.cfm?TopicName=Calculating_flow_accumulation
http://webhelp.esri.com/arcgisdesktop/9.2/index.cfm?TopicName=flow_accumulation
…however I don’t recall the command allowing for identifying just
some locations to flow from (sourceMap =0 to
eliminate)—it’s all or nothing I think. Maybe one could set some cells to
Null but fear that might eliminate processing on the surfaceMap
as well. Let me know if you figure out a way to limit flow accumulation
to a subset of starter locations. Also, I don’t think their tool allows
for “weighted” (summing).
This is the only online link I have that discusses Optimal Path
Density—reports on a technique for locating the “best” access routing for a
dispersed set of oil/gas well. I suppose I should dust off one of the old
logging road design project reports from the 1980s and write a BM column on the
topic in the not too distant future.
http://www.innovativegis.com/basis/MapAnalysis/Topic19/Topic19.htm#Connecting_all_the_dots
Joe
___________________________
2/6/13
Hi Joe-- I was working though
step two of this weeks exercise but I keep getting stuck and can't figure out
why. When I run the spread operation in
the
second step I get an output map that is the same as my input map. All it shows
is the cabin, surrounded by null values.
I've attached images of my input
maps (cabin and ranch_prox), the spread operation and
output map (cabin_route). Hopefully you will be able
to see where I am going wrong and guide me in the right direction. Thanks, Nick
Nick—I think I see the
problem …when you created the accumulation cost surface it didn’t reach far
enough ( To 100 “effective cells
away”) to cover the entire area. If you look at your Ranch_prox
map in 3D, you’ll see that the NE portion containing the Cabin forms a flat
surface at 100…
When the cabin location
attempts to go “downhill by the steepest path,” there is no downhill step it
can take, as all of the surrounding cells have the same value of 100.
I think your solution is
simple—just increase the “To <reach>” to a value like 500 so it
insure that the wavefront covers the entire map area.
Joe
___________________________
1/31/13
James— your script looks sound. My thoughts are embedded in your original
email…
Dr. Berry--
Thank you for the editing comments.
I have a question about MapCalc's ability to process scripts, or the ordering of my
operation commands to build a successful script.
I am attaching my script window screen capture. My .scr
file would not attach …yep,
our old programmers used that extension before there was the “Hi worm” that
used screen saver format of the same .scr extension;
to attach MapCalc .scr script files you need to
rename them to .txt; then upon receiving it rename it back to the .scr file extension MapCalc recognizes.
My script executed "operation by
operation" creates an expected response. When I run the script as a whole,
it produces the expected output maps, but with a nonsensical legend. I can work around it by
designing a custom legend. …remember
that an automatic legend is created for each new map that is created; you can
save a legend by selecting the Shading manager
Best, James
___________________________
1/30/13
Folks—I am heads-down grading your Exercise #2 reports and will
return them to you tomorrow.
However, there are a few “editing comments” that might be useful
as you prepare your Exercise #3 reports—
…could have provided more/better examples in your discussions
…ALWAYS include direct reference and discussion of any
figure; NEVER rely on the reader fully grasping the reason/meaning
for including it (this holds for any paper you write) …like Socrates’
observation that “The unexamined life is not worth living,” a “Figure
not discussed isn’t worth including” (Berry)
…very good discussion, extension and presentation; however it
is best to directly/succinctly answer the basic question first e.g., continuous
quantitative ratio/isopleth Data Type; lattice Display Type;
3D Display Form) AND THEN formulate the discussion
…extended discussion/tinkering; e.g., I wonder what the displays
would look like if shown in 3D lattice with the floor turned on (tilted
planimetric view); or if 5 intervals were specified would the differences in
appearance be less or more.
…possible extended discussion: model resolution
identifies the level of detail in a GIS model… ten criteria map layers
expressing model logic versus one with only three
…BE SURE to organize your responses—headings can be helpful; for
example…
Qualitative Numbers:
Quantitative Numbers:
Boolean Numbers:
…the above classes refer
to the numeric character of all data
…the classes below refer
to the spatial character of mapped data
Geographic Number Types:
…your answers are right on but it would be good to see a bit more
related and extended discussion
…a useful tip: you can use Word’s Table tool to create a table with
2 columns and 6 rows to organize…
Choose the Insert tabà Tableà highlight
2 columns and 6 rows
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Insert
screen grab of Equal Ranges display… |
…repeat
for the other four displays and discussions |
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Enter
figure#, title/caption… Figure 3-1. 3D Lattice
Display of Elevation using Equal Range Calculation Mode. |
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Figure
3-1 The
Equal Range calculation mode displays values maintaining an equal interval between the ranges
(figure 3-1). In the example below each of the 7 contour interval classes is approximately 290
feet |
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Insert
screen grab of Equal Ranges display… |
…repeat
for the other four displays and discussions |
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Enter
figure#, title/caption… Figure 3-1. 3D
Lattice Display of Elevation using Equal Range Calculation Mode. |
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Figure
3-1 The
Equal Range calculation mode displays values maintaining an equal interval between the ranges
(figure 3-1). In the example below each of the 7 contour interval classes is approximately 290
feet |
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…select the Tableà Right-click
and choose Table Propertiesà Borders
and Shadingsà select a light
gray for “all” of the borders
___________________________
1/23/13
Folks—since you are “up to your eyeballs” (or maybe that’s “at
the end of your patience”?) with this week’s exercise on Data Considerations, I
thought you might enjoy this morning’s exchange with a former GIS Modeling student—
…I am fairly certain the
grid size will work for MapCalc on the city level. However, I don't think the
grid size will fit at the watershed level and since I definitely want to expand
the model, now and in the future, to include other watersheds, even if only
small ones… I need to find a workaround on that even if it means using ArcGIS
(though I prefer the direct manner of dealing with the data in MapCalc).
—keep in mind that the spatial resolution needs
to match the model’s underlying conceptual level of understanding (model
resolution). Just because the available base map resolution is
10m (or 1cm for that manner) doesn’t mean that a GIS model should operate at
that detailed level. I suspect your model is fairly general (based on
broad categories of “expert opinion;” not detailed empirically derived
quantitative relationships) and to apply it at a high spatial resolution is
misleading at best (dishonest at worse).
For example, a highly resolved DEM will respond to subtle (possibly
even data “noise”) surface fluctuations. Also, unless your model uses
continuous equations in relating map variables, the “logic aggregation” will
swamp the detailed information …there is good reason why most mathematical
modeler’s “smooth” their raw data— to work with trends.
A 100x100
window at 10 meters= 10,000 * .100hectare/cell= 100hectare analysis window
A 100x100
window at 30 meters= 10,000 *.333hectare/cell= 3,330hectare analysis window
…generally
speaking, reasonable local scale (small city planning projects; 1st
and some 2nd order watershed projects depending on terrain
roughness)
A 200x200
window at 10 meters= 40,000 * .100hectare/cell= 4,000hectare analysis window
A 200x200
window at 30 meters= 40,000 *.333hectare/cell= 13,320hectare analysis window
A 500x500
window at 10 meters= 250,000 * .100hectare/cell= 25,000hectare analysis window
A 500x500
window at 30 meters= 250,000 *.333hectare/cell= 83,250hectare analysis window
…reasonable
small regional scale (city planning projects; most 2nd
order watershed projects)
A 1000x1000
window at 10 meters= 1,000,000 * .100hectare/cell= 100,000hectare analysis
window
A 1000x1000
window at 30 meters= 1,000,000 *.333hectare/cell= 330,000hectare analysis
window
…reasonable
large regional scale (metropolitan area planning projects; large
2nd and some 3rd order watershed projects)
So what do you think? Is Spatial Resolution independent
of Model Resolution? How would varying cell size of a model affect Accuracy
and Precision of the model’s results? Would a model be improved
(or degraded) if it were applied to higher spatial resolution data that might
become available (such as a 1cm DEM from Lidar
mapping replacing the model’s standard 10m or 30m DEM). …support
your answer for 3 extra credit points.
Joe
___________________________
1/22/13
Folks—two stray thoughts outlined below might be of interest— 1)
trouble visualizing/understanding the +/-
Standard Deviation display mode; and 2) MapCalc’s Help pop-up doesn’t
work on your PC computer.
Also, Week 3 Lecture PowerPoint and Exercise template are posted
on the class website.
Joe
___________________________
1) Usually there exists a bit of confusion surrounding the +/-
Standard Deviation display mode …a technique reserved for grid-based data
as it needs to be “continuous” in both data space (ratio) and geographic
space (isopleth), so you don’t see it used in vector-based systems.
While use of the technique for displaying elevation data isn’t
very constructive, it is very useful in gaining insight into other types of
mapped variables, such as pollution, activity and cost surfaces.
Decision-makers often what to know “where” things are typical; and where things
are unusually high or low—not just a aesthetically
pleasing grouping of ranges of pastel colors.
2) A “logistical” note for those who loaded MapCalc on their PC
and can’t get the Help window to pop-up—
…the contextual Help for MapCalc was developed for Windows XP or
older environments. For those of you who are running MapCalc under Vista
(sorry about that!!!) or Windows 7 on your personal computers, you have
to install a patch for the Help button in the command GUI box to work—
”Microsoft stopped including the 32-bit Help file viewer in Windows
releases beginning with Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008. To support
customers who still rely on legacy .hlp files, the Microsoft
Download Center provides WinHlp32.exe downloads for Windows Vista,
Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2008 R2.”
Download the appropriate version of Windows Help program
(WinHlp32.exe), depending on the operating system that you are using:
You have to know whether your Windows version is 32 or 64 bit, but
there are step by step instructions on how to determine your operating
environment if you don’t know.
This patch has worked on my machine for years …64 bit Windows 7.
Hopefully you have the same success.
___________________________
1/8/13
GIS Modeling enthusiasts— as promised,
below is the link to a short video on the procedures you will use in Exercise
#1…
Exer1_demo.avi – video demonstrating the procedures you
will use in Exercise #1 (Short
Video Demos viewable
online or download for the general demos). Also see…
Identifying Campground Suitability: A recreation specialist needs
to generate a map that identifies the relative suitability for locating a
campground. In an initial planning
session it was determined that the best locations for the campground is on
gently sloping terrain, near existing roads, near flowing water, with good
views of surface water and oriented toward the west. (uses
standard MapCalc Tutor25.rgs database and standard Campground.scr
script)
…annotated set of steps you will be using.
I used SnagIt to capture the
movement and audio as if you were holding a video camera focused on a portion
of my computer screen. In the new version of SnagIt it dropped their
“special (.exe) compact format” used in the older video demos and just have .avi—standard, but creates large files. Be somewhat
patient as your browser connects to the file and begins buffering …it might
take 10 or 15 seconds before the video starts playing.
In case you can’t understand the “nasally
Mickey Mouse” voice of the narrator, the script is provided below.
Have a great
weekend, Joe
___________________________
1/8/13
Dr. Berry-- I am a second year MSGISc
student. I will be completing my degree this June. I have experience with
ArcGIS and remote sensing. Primarily, I have dealt with vector data with the
exception of remotely sensed imagery. Last year, I completed an internship with
Jefferson County GIS Services. That position involved utilizing ArcMap as a strictly cartographic tool as opposed to an
analytical one. At the conclusion of the JeffCo
internship, I began working for the USGS, where I am currently employed. I work
in the National Geospatial Technical Operations Center (NGTOC) systems
development branch. My main duties involve working with vector products for The
National Map viewer and download framework.
I look forward to the course and working with raster data and conducting more
analysis than my previous experience.
Best, James
James— it is nice to have you onboard. Your academic and work experience will be
valuable for all; particularly your current position in systems
development. The focus of the course is
on grid-based mapped data (a subtle distinction from “raster” that we will
discuss later) and your experience with vector data will be helpful in
understanding the similarities and differences (advantages and disadvantages)
between the vector and raster worlds will be important …particularly for
classmates with limited GIS experience.
Also, your Arc expertise ought to be useful in bridging the
MapCalc/Surfer exposure in class to the flagship Esri software.
The distinction between the “Vector
paradigm of sets of discrete spatial objects” and the “Raster data model of a continuous
analysis frame” will be the focus of the second week’s class. Neither data format is universally superior;
rather a reflection of different perspectives of geographic space and intended
utility …your thoughtful input will be valuable to the discussion. Joe
___________________________
1/7/13
Dr Berry-- I have a
BS in Environmental Engineering from the Federal University of Vicosa in Brazil, and I am currently a second year MS student
in the Geographic Information Science program. I have been working with
geospatial technologies for about 7 years, through internships and
volunteering positions. I am currently working as a Solution Engineer Intern at
Esri, and a Remote Sensing Analyst Intern with the USGS.
I have used raster data mostly when working with
imagery and not so much in a GIS workflow. For my thesis, I am working
with Dr. Michael Daniels and we are going to build an
erosion susceptibility model for a site in the Czech Republic. Thus,
I am hoping to learn more about using raster data for environmental
modeling purposes, and more importantly, being able to think spatially using an
statistical or "Map-ematical" approach when
working with this type of data. I am sure that I will be able to learn a
lot from your experience in the field, and I look forward to our
first class next week.
Have a good weekend! Gustavo Castro
Gustavo— your academic background, GIS experience and enthusiasm
will be invaluable bedrock for the entire class …I am pleased that you can
attend.
My journey to grid-based map analysis and modeling came from
remote sensing …first from photogrammetry (manual interpretation) then to
“automated machine processing” of digital imagery in the early 1970s (viz. old
clunky computers). As an undergrad forestry student, my early
understanding was that maps were something you drew on in the field and could
help when you got lost. But my thinking soon took a right-turn with
digital images as they were akin to maps that let you actually see what was on
the ground. The pastel colors of cartography quickly turned to organized
sets of numbers that could be analyzed …my academic and professional journey
was started well before we had a word for GIS (guaranteed income stream? …or guessing is simpler? …oh yes, Geographic Information
Systems).
I believe you will readily see that the statistics one applies
in classifying RS data directly translates to generalized map analysis
operations involving grid map layers; and then further extended to most (all?)
other non-spatial math/stat procedures used by the science, technology,
engineering and math disciplines. The idea of a generalized map-ematical analysis and modeling environment for mapped data
is a natural progression that only needs a subtle paradigm shift.
We will be using MapCalc and Surfer software in
the class because most of the students have minimal experience with Esri’s more comprehensive and complex ArcGIS system. To
help you see the common ground, I encourage you to checkout…
|
February |
2013 |
Recasting
Map Analysis Operations for General Consumption — reorganizes ArcGIS’s Spatial Analyst tools into the SpatialSTEM
framework that extends traditional math/stat procedures |
…a pending Beyond Mapping column (see the
links at the end for a more detailed treatise). Joe
___________________________
1/7/13
Hello Professor Berry-- My name is Cameron Bentley,
but most people just call me Cam. I actually just transferred to DU, so this
past fall quarter was my first at DU. I transferred from Elon
University in North Carolina where I was an exercise sports science major up
until my last semester there. Now I am an environmental science major but would
like to try to minor in GIS as well.
I just completed an interterm course in December with
Steve Hicks and Heather Hick in Hawaii, and we touched upon GIS during the
course. The Hawaii interterm course was a natural disaster/hazards course and I
was intrigued how GIS can be applied and utilized in these situations. I know
GIS can be used in many situations but I would say I am more interested in how
it can be used to help people, similar to how it would be used in co …???
This course will be my first full GIS course. I
am excited by the challenge of this course, but am also slightly concerned it
might present its fair share of difficulties for me as I have actually taken
any GIS courses to date. Although, with a small class size it
might be easier to follow and digest the material. Also, I do plan
on using my own Apple laptop computer for this class; although I am sure the
computer lab computers may prove useful at times.
I look forward to meeting you and anticipate the start
of our class this Monday. Thanks,
Cameron Bentley
Cam— it is great to have you onboard. Counter intuitively, I suspect your exercise
sports science experience will prove to be good preparation for the course
…most programs I know of give you a good dose of science (often bordering on
premed). Your interterm course on natural disasters/hazards must have
triggered thoughts on how spatial relationships can drive/determine these
events.
GIS Modeling is a mainstay in getting a
handle on these events and most other aspects of environmental science.
The old adage of “location, location, location” drives
environmental science as much as real estate. The course will investigate
procedures for modeling the spatial relationships within and among map layers
for better characterizing, assessing, understanding and predicting
environmental impacts. Joe
___________________________
1/7/13
Good afternoon Professor Berry-- I have recently
registered for your GIS modeling course. I have not taken (intro to GIS), and
wanted to make sure that wouldn't be a problem for me going forward in your
class. I would appreciate if
you could let me know if I have overlooked this. I'm looking forward to
our first class, and I will see you on Thursday. Thanks, Alex Burke
Alex— I am glad to have you onboard. An introductory
course in GIS is not needed as we will focus on grid-based map analysis not the
underlying geographic principles, geo-query or cartography. What is
needed for this course is 1) a comfortable understanding of basic math and stat
operations, 2) a commitment to work at the upper-division/grad level and 3)
able to fully participate/contribute in weekly team reports.
If fact, I believe most students (particularly science,
technology, engineering and math students) should start their GIS experience
with the capabilities of GIS, not the fundamental theory of spatial data
collection, organization and mapping. This instills students with an
understanding that digital maps are simply an extended form numeric data and
most of the analytical techniques are extensions of math/stat they already
know. Subsequent courses backfill the necessary geospatial fundamentals.
The reading assignment for the first class posted on the class
website (http://www.innovativegis.com/basis/Courses/GMcourse13/)
should give you an idea of the course emphasis and breadth of material to be
covered. Joe
___________________________
1/2/13
Hello! I'm a second-year PhD student in Geography
working with Matthew Taylor. I'm a human geographer, and have not narrowed my
dissertation topic as closely as I need to yet -- possibilities include
waste-to-energy in Jamaica, hydroponic lettuce in Honduras, or renewable energy
and electrification in Nicaragua. All of these topics have inherently spatial
themes (but I have some serious focusing to do, asap!).
I want to take this class because my GIS skills are
rudimentary at best, and I'd like to have this as a solid tool as a geographer.
I've taken an intro to GIS course during my master's degree, which was in 2005,
and I really haven't used GIS since. I did take a three day ESRI GIS basics class
in 2009 when I lived in Washington DC; but I've never really used GIS in an
applied sense. I am a geographer because I love the spatial aspects of the
discipline. I've now taken two graduate level statistics classes for geography,
though this is certainly not my strong suit. I'd appreciate your opinion if you
think this course will be appropriate for me -- I don't want to be in way over
my head (though I do expect a bit of a learning curve).
At any rate, your class came highly recommended from a
non-geographer with no GIS skills, so I'm excited about the opportunity to
learn. Sincerely, Sarah
Sarah—it is great to have you onboard. Your background seems right in line with the
course …definitely not “over your head”; more likely a landing on the upswing
of the learning curve after a subtle paradigm shift on what is “data.”
Most GIS Modeling courses are designed for
GIS specialists who have considerable geospatial experience and several courses
under their belt …sort of a capstone to learning the basics. However, this course “turns GIS education on
its head” (http://www.innovativegis.com/basis/MapAnalysis/Topic4/Topic4.htm#Turning_GIS_education)
by delving into the analytical capabilities of grid-based mapped data (Spatial Analysis and Spatial Statistics) before establishing
the other mainstays of geotechnology-- capture, store, manipulate, analyze, manage, and present all types of geographical data.
In the course we view
GIS less of a “technological tool” focusing on geo-query and display of
existing data and more of a “analytical tool” for investigating spatial
patterns and relationships within and among map layers ...spatial reasoning
skills that extend traditional non-spatial quantitative analysis
techniques.
See you next Thursday,
Joe
GIS Modeling 2013
discussions (above)
Earlier course
discussions (below)
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
___________________________
12/8/11
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
___________________________
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.
____________________________________________________
12/15/09
Hi Dr. Berry— my name is Luke Kaim we have meet in
passing before. Sorry it has taken me so long to get back to you. I am a junior
at the University of Denver. I am majoring in geography. My interests include
GIS and remote sensing. I really like the applied geography courses the
department offers. One thing that I am a little worried about is the fact that
I have not taken a statistics course at DU yet.
I am currently working for Indra
USA as a GIS intern while I am home for winter break. The job is mainly using a
Trimble GeoXH and collecting storm water assets. I am
really looking forward to taking your class and being back in the GIS lab
again. I have been away for fall quarter because I did Field Quarter. I hope to
look at retail store distribution and compare it to human population and
"wilderness areas" as part of this class if possible. I really look
forward to taking this class next quarter.
Thank you, Luke Kaim
Luke—good to see we are in cyber-contact.
Statistics shouldn’t be a problem provided you are comfortable with very basic
concepts…
-
Number line
-
Histogram (Frequency Plot)
-
Standard Normal Curve (Bell Curve)
-
Mean (or Average)
-
Standard Deviation
-
Variance
-
Coefficient of Variation
-
Skewness and Kurtosis
-
Non-parametric distribution
Checkout http://www.innovativegis.com/basis/MapAnalysis/Topic7/Topic7.htm to see if you are comfortable with the discussion. All you need for the class is a conceptual understanding
of the similarities between “numerical” (non-spatial) and “geographic”
(spatial) distributions ...and a healthy interest in “maps as numbers first,
pictures later.”
We won’t be delving into the underlying theory
of statistics, but if you want sort of a “mini-stat course” you could review
look up these terms in the Wikipedia for more thorough discussion. We will be
applying very basic stat techniques to grid-based mapped data to
determine what new information and insight they bring to the table.
Your field experience is great ...part of
that “garbage in (bad field data), garbage out (spatial relationships)” that we
will ignore as in class we will assume all of the data we use is “pristine.”
You might be interested in http://www.innovativegis.com/basis/MapAnalysis/Topic6/Topic6.htm that involves establishing and analyzing in-store
shopping patterns, as well as http://www.innovativegis.com/basis/MapAnalysis/Topic14/Topic14.htm that models travel-time and store competition. My
partner and I both hail from Natural Resources and our early work in modeling
animal movements were translated into “herds of shoppers” whether inside out
away from a store.
You will likely be interested in the
related “wildlife habitat” and “corridor mapping” applications …substitute
animals for shoppers. Of particular interest might be the work of Dave Theobald with CSU in landscape connectivity (http://warnercnr.colostate.edu/~davet/LCaP.html). He has given several seminars at DU and maybe we can
entice him for another guest appearance. -Joe
___________________________
12/13/09
Hi Joe— I really enjoyed studying Operations
Management, and liked the statistics side a lot. I'd like to hear more about
the operations research work you did for your Master's. There seems to be broad
implications for GIS in business, and I feel like there are some great
opportunities out there. I took a look at the links you provided on water
modeling and terrain analysis, and it looks very interesting. Will we be doing
those things in the class? Do you remember the name of the ArcGIS hydrologic
group? I would definitely be interested in checking that out. Thanks for
sharing those resources.
Regards, Paul
Paul—My Master’s thesis was “Applications of the Program
Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) in the Planning Process, Real
Estate Series paper No. 360-5, Colorado State University, 1974. E. Prill, E. Waples
and J. Berry.” I also worked a lot in Goal Programming applications in
production forestry, as well as developed a basic business statistics package
for the Hewitt Packard programmable calculator (yep, a 70s precursor of the
personal computer).
Fun stuff but I found I liked remote sensing a bit more than
business and ended up with a doctorate thesis on “Extracting Intrinsic
Scene Features Through Plant Canopy Reflectance Modeling, using
computer modeling to predict vegetative biomass, composition and structure from
multispectral response; sponsored by NASA and DOD.” Then as a starving
assistant professor I found consulting and software development in GIS was a
great way to augment both my interests and salary …hence back to business
(started two companies) as a healthy split between academia and industry that I
enjoy through today.
We will be covering a broad sweep of “Map Analysis” concepts,
procedures and applications. Digital Terrain Modeling is a keystone in
hydrologic applications of GIS and could be a couple of courses by itself. For
your continued interest, check out—
ArcGIS Hydrologic Users Group…
http://support.esri.com/index.cfm?fa=downloads.datamodels.filteredgateway&dmid=15
Digital Terrain Modeling…
http://proceedings.esri.com/library/userconf/proc03/p1038.pdf
I advise to a pipeline software company on routing and risk
analysis that involves a lot of digital terrain modeling. Checkout—
Incorporating Grid-based Terrain Modeling
Into Linear Infrastructure Analysis, paper for GITA Conference,
Denver, Colorado, March 6-9, 2005. J.K.
Berry and N. Mattie. (PowerPoint presentation)
…for a discussion micro terrain analysis
and overland flow modeling. Let me know if this aligns
with your “hydrology” interests. -Joe
___________________________
12/13/09
Hi Joe Berry— I'm a PhD student in the department - I
did my MS at DU in GIS, and my BS at Berkeley in Natural Resource Management. I
worked for several years at the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology at Berkeley
working on bioinformatics and GIS. My PhD topic is tentatively using remote
sensing analyses for sea turtle nesting beach characteristics - an extension of
my master's.
I
TA for the department, and last quarter I taught E-Systems for the Women's College
at DU. I also work part-time for the USGS, doing remote sensing projects.
Currently I'm working on soil moisture mapping.
Let's
see, what else? I'm a California native, I'm really interested in using GIS for
things like habitat modeling and wildlife movements, and I have a rusty working
background of forestry from Berkeley. Thanks! I'm really looking forward to
your class! -Kristina
Kristina—good to see we are in cyber-contact. Your background
seems most appropriate for the class. The Spatial Analysis operations we will
be studying directly align with your biology/habitat interests; likely less so
for the Spatial Statistics operations but they ought to be applicable in your
dissertation.
My background is natural resources with a doctorate in Remote
Sensing (RS) …modeling light interaction in a plant canopy so we could plan
sensor design for the first civilian satellite (ERTS than became LandSat). My undergraduate was in Forestry at Berkeley in
the 60s, then graduate school at CSU and twelve years professor-ing at the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental
Studies. I still do about a third of my consulting and research in NR
management issues …mostly with economics, human dimensions, routing and
wildfire risk mapping.
In the wildfire work the integration of GIS and RS is
inescapable and it might play out the same for your research. One way to think
about it is that in grid-based map analysis, the GIS layers are akin to
spectral bands and feeding a RS classifier a data sandwich with both RS and GIS
layers might boost classification performance. Another is to introduce
proximity and neighborhood operators we will be studying to strengthen the
suitability modeling component.
I realize that the “beach/shore” is fairly confined environment
but modeling the land/sea interface conditions might be a possibility. Is there
good access to land terrain and vegetation data? …complimentary bathometry and
marine “cover” data?
At a minimum I am sure you will find the course interesting …and hopefully applicable. -Joe
___________________________
12/9/09
Hi Joe— I've heard good things about your class and
I'm looking forward to it. I'm a first year grad student in the GISc program. I finished the GIS certificate program and
then continued on into the Master's. My bachelor's degree is in Operations
Management from the University of Colorado at Boulder. I work for a land
services company in the GIS department and I do web development for them, too.
I am interested in water resources management, and am considering doing my
Master's project in that area. I am interested in applying spatial modeling to
water resource issues. Anyway, I hope you have a great Christmas and New Years.
Regards, Paul
Paul—good to see we are in cyber-contact. I had a brush with an
“Operations Research” emphasis in my MBA studies during the 70’s. In essence,
it involved developing and implementing computer models with a fair amount of
statistics. That experience coupled with my interest in aerial photo
interpretation (pre-cursor to Remote Sensing) feed my doctorate and started my
tumble down the GIS path.
However, it sounds like your business background is taking a turn toward water resources. My tinkering along these lines has been in relation to assessing pipeline risk through overland flow modeling (http://www.innovativegis.com/basis/MapAnalysis/Topic20/Topic20.htm). There is a very active ArcGIS “hydrologic” working group that you might consider joining if your interests tilt that way. In any event, there are a bunch of map analysis operations and procedures that align in water resources management—particularly those that involve micro-terrain characterization (http://www.innovativegis.com/basis/MapAnalysis/Topic11/Topic11.htm). -Joe
___________________________
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 commercial 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 (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
___________________________