Carleton College — Environmental and Technology Studies

 

Intensive Workshop

 

Grid-based Map Analysis Techniques and GIS Modeling

 

…for research, management and sustainability of the environment

and natural resources

 

 

Joseph K. Berry

 

Keck Scholar in Geosciences, Geography Department, University of Denver

Principal, Berry & Associates // Spatial Information Systems

Email jberry@innovativegis.com    Web www.innovativegis.com/basis/

 

<click here> for a printer-friendly version of this document

 

 

Background: Geotechnology is identified by the US Department of Labor as one of the three "mega technologies" for the 21st Century (the other two are Nanotechnology and Biotechnology).  It promises to forever change how we conceptualize, utilize and visualize spatial relations in both science and operational applications.  Simply put, Geotechnology derives and combines layers of information about a place to give you a better understanding of that place.  What layers of information you combine and how you view the results depends on your purpose—finding the best location for a new store, viewing crimes in a city to detect a pattern, analyzing environmental damage, assessing forest management actions, or simply viewing your vacation photos by clicking on an interactive map.  The radical paradigm shift of Geotechnology lies in the digital nature of modern maps …numbers first, pictures later.

 

www.nature.com/nature/journal/v427/n6972/full/nj6972-376a.html, article in Nature, Geotechnology is identified by the US Department of Labor as one of the three "mega technologies" for the 21st century (the other two are Nanotechnology and Biotechnology). 

www.innovativegis.com/basis/Papers/Other/Geotechnology/Geotecnology_history_future.htm, white paper titled “A Brief History and Probable Future of Geotechnology”

www.innovativegis.com/basis/MapAnalysis/Default.htm, online book, Beyond Mapping III, for further reading on topics covered 

 

Situation: Geotechnology involves the full integration of Remote Sensing (RS), the Global Positioning System (GPS) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).  To date, most desktop mapping and GIS applications have focused on mapping and spatial data management capabilities that address inventory assessments of "Where Is What" involving digital maps and linked databases (computer mapping and geo-query).  However, GIS provides a wealth of entirely new analytical tools and processing structures for incorporating spatial relationships that address "Why and So What" in both research and decision-making contexts (map analysis and modeling).  The extension of the geosciences from descriptive to prescriptive mapping involves new spatial reasoning concepts and skills that are not reflected in our paper map legacy and manual processing procedures.  This workshop investigates the underlying concepts, considerations and procedures of the “map-ematics” of the new analytical toolbox and its modeling framework.  

 

Workshop Description:  This introductory workshop first develops a conceptual framework and overview of Geotechnology and Map Analysis.  Further discussion focuses on several techniques for spatial analysis and spatial data mining using numerous examples from natural resources management, environmental assessment, precision agriculture and geo-business applications.  The discussion focuses on concepts, procedures and practical considerations in successfully applying grid-based map analysis in GIS modeling.  The material presented encapsulates numerous “Beyond mapping” columns by the instructor published in GeoWorld magazine and compiled into the online book Map Analysis (www.innovativegis.com/basis/, select Map Analysis book)

 

Who Should Attend:  Faculty and students who are interested in or currently involved in the development of systems that analyze spatial data should attend.  Prior GIS exposure and familiarity with basic statistical concepts are helpful but not a prerequisite.

 

Major topics addressed in the workshop include:

 

-          Overview …a plenary presentation describing the history, driving forces and future directions guiding the evolution/revolution of Geotechnology.  (General Seminar session open to all; 1 hour)

 

-          Map Analysis mini-workshop …introduction to fundamental map analysis techniques including Spatial Analysis and Spatial Statistics that support a variety of applications, such as habitat modeling, effective proximity, viewshed analysis, spatial interpolation and prescription mapping.  (Session open to all; 3 hours)

 

-          Intermediate session Emphasizing Spatial Analysis …a more in-depth, hands-on experience with Spatial Analysis operations for assessing geographical context to include underlying theory, data considerations and advanced applications for such grid-based techniques as shape/pattern indices, effective distance, optimal path connectivity, visual exposure, and roving windows.  Hands-on exercises include Maps as Data (Ex#1– Map Analysis Framework); Map-ematics (Ex#2– Example of a Simple GIS Model); Reclassifying and Overlaying Maps (Ex#3R&O Techniques); Measuring Distance and Connectivity (Ex#4Distance and Connectivity Techniques).  (Session limited to workshop participants; 4 hours)

 

-          Intermediate session Emphasizing Spatial Statistics  [(…continuation of SA operations investigating neighborhood operators and procedures for constructing sound application models; Neighborhood Characterization (Ex#5Neighborhood Techniques); Model Development and Execution (Ex#6Suitability Modeling)] …a more in-depth, hands-on experience with Spatial Statistics operations for assessing numerical context to include underlying theory, data considerations and advanced applications for such grid-based techniques as density analysis, spatial interpolation, map generalization, map similarity, spatial clustering and predictive modeling.  Hands-on exercises include Surface Modeling (Ex#7– Spatial Interpolation); Spatial Data Mining (Ex#8– Investigating Spatial Relationships).  (Session limited to workshop participants; 4 hours)

 

-          Infusing grid-based Map analysis into teaching …participants will adapt/develop map analysis demonstrations and hands-on exercises for use in their own courses.  (Session limited to workshop participants; 4 hours)  

 

-          Informal follow-on discussions …with keenly interested individual faculty or small groups, as well an opportunity to discuss, evaluate and refine GIS-based classroom demonstrations/exercises and/or scope and refiner research proposals.  (Session limited to workshop participants; 4 hours)

 

About the Instructor:  Dr. Joseph K. Berry is the Principal of Berry and Associates // Spatial Information Systems, consultants and software developers in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology.  He also serves as the Keck Scholar in Geosciences at the University of Denver and is a Special Faculty member at Colorado State University.  Prior to these assignments he was an Associate Professor and the Associate Dean at Yale University’s School of Forestry and Environmental Science.  He is the author of the “Beyond Mapping” column for GeoWorld and has written over two hundred papers on the analytic capabilities of GIS.  He is the author of the popular books Beyond Mapping (Wiley, 1993), Spatial Reasoning (Wiley, 1995) and Map Analysis (GeoTec Media, 2007) and is the co-developer of the MapCalc Learner materials for instruction of grid-based map analysis.  Dr. Berry holds a B.S. degree in Forestry, a M.S. degree in business management, and a Ph.D. emphasizing remote sensing and land use planning.

 

Curriculum Vita: www.innovativegis.com/basis/basis/cv_berry.htm      Website: www.innovativegis.com/basis/

 

Workshop Software:

 

*    You need to have Microsoft Internet Explorer and Office applications Word, PowerPoint and Excel loaded on your computer.

 

  SnagIt Trial screen capture software; free 30 day evaluation version; see http://www.techsmith.com/screen-capture.asp  for information on fully licensed system ($24.95 Academic version).

 

  MapCalc Learner map analysis software; free 14 day evaluation version; see www.farmgis.com/products/software/mapcalc/default.asp  for more information ($21.95 MapCalc Learner version); included on the companion CD with the Map Analysis book.

 

  Surfer Demo surface modeling software; free demo version; see www.goldensoftware.com/products/surfer/surfer.shtml

  for more information ($599 single seat Professional license); included on the companion CD with the Map Analysis book.

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Syllabus: Grid-based Map Analysis Workshop for Carleton College, March 19-21, 2008

 

Instructor:  Joseph K. Berry, jberry@innovativegis.com, Phone: 970-215-0825

Profile at www.innovativegis.com/basis/basis/cv_berry.htm

 

Class Website: www.innovativegis.com/basis/Courses/Carleton/     

 

Course Workbook: a workbook is provided including lecture summary notes, PowerPoint slideshows and annotated instructions for hands-on exercises.

    Text/software:  Map Analysis: Understanding Spatial Patterns and Relationships, by Joseph K. Berry (GeoTec Media, 2007; $45 +S/H; www.innovativegis.com/basis/Books/MapAnalysis/ ) with companion CD containing further reading and software used in the hands-on exercises.

 

Topics and Schedule

Date/Time

Topic/Activity

Background Reading

W Mar 19

9:30 to

11:30 am

Informal meetings with selected faculty and students keenly interested in map analysis and GIS modeling

None

12:00 to

1:00 pm

GIS and Technical Oz …a general seminar describing the history, driving forces and future directions guiding the evolution/revolution of Geotechnology …one of three mega-technologies for the 21st Century (the other two are Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)

www.innovativegis.com/basis/

- select Online Papers and choose the paper titled “A Brief History and Probable Future of Geotechnology”

click for descriptive flyer of the presentation

1:30 to

4:30 pm

Mini-workshop on Map Analysis and GIS Modeling …introduction to fundamental map analysis techniques including Spatial Analysis and Spatial Statistics that support a variety of applications, such as habitat modeling, effective proximity, visual exposure analysis, spatial interpolation and prescription mapping

www.innovativegis.com/basis/MapAnalysis/

-  select Topic 24, “Overview of Spatial Analysis and Statistics”

click for descriptive flyer of the mini-workshop

TH Mar 20

9:00 am to 12:00 pm

Intermediate session Emphasizing  Spatial Analysis …a more in-depth, hands-on experience with Spatial Analysis operations for assessing geographical context to include underlying theory, data considerations and advanced applications for such grid-based techniques as shape/pattern indices, effective distance, optimal path connectivity, visual exposure, and roving windows.  Hands-on exercises include

-  Maps as Data (Ex#1– Map Analysis Framework)

-  Map-ematics (Ex#2– Example of a Simple GIS Model)

-  Reclassifying and Overlaying Maps (Ex#3–Reclassify and Overlay Techniques)

-  Measuring Distance and Connectivity (Ex#4– Distance and Connectivity Techniques)

Map Analysis text:

 

-   Introduction

-   Topic 1, Data Structure Implications

-   Topic 2, Fundamental Map Analysis Approaches

-   Topic 3, Basic Techniques in Spatial Analysis

-   Topic 4, Calculating Effective Distance

-   Topic 5, Calculating Visual Exposure

1:30 to

4:30 pm

Intermediate session Emphasizing Spatial Statistics …continuation of SA operations investigating neighborhood operators and procedures for constructing sound application models.  Hands-on exercises include

-  Neighborhood Characterization (Ex#5– Neighborhood Techniques)

 

…a more in-depth, hands-on experience with Spatial Statistics operations for assessing numerical context to include underlying theory, data considerations and advanced applications for such grid-based techniques as density analysis, spatial interpolation, map generalization, map similarity, spatial clustering and predictive modeling.  Hands-on exercises include

-  Surface Modeling (Ex#6– Spatial Interpolation)

-  Spatial Data Mining (Ex#7– Investigating Spatial Relationships)

-   Model Development and Execution (Ex#8– Suitability Modeling)

Map Analysis text:

 

-   Topic 6, Summarizing Neighbors

-   Topic 7, Basic Spatial Modeling Approaches

-   Topic 8, Spatial Modeling Example

-   Topic 9, Basic Techniques in Spatial Statistics

-   Topic 10, Spatial Data Mining

- Epilog

F Mar 21

9:00 am to 12:00 pm

Infusing grid-based Map analysis into teaching …participants will adapt/develop map analysis demonstrations and hands-on exercises for use in their own courses

 

<click> for Example Project Topics (.pdf version)

www.innovativegis.com/basis/

 

- select Online Papers and choose the paper titled “Infusing Grid-based Map Analysis into Introductory Courses”

1:30 to

4:30 pm

Informal follow-on discussions …with keenly interested individual faculty or small groups, as well an opportunity to discuss, evaluate and refine GIS-based classroom demonstrations, exercises and/or scope and refiner research proposals 

None

 

Prerequisites: interest in maps and computers; prior GIS exposure and familiarity with basic statistical concepts are helpful but not a prerequisite; exercises require basic computer skills.

Format: lecture and “real-time” demonstrations; “hands-on” experience through exercises.

 

Workshop Materials

 

Copyright 2008.  All rights reserved.  You may use and distribute these materials for educational purposes.  Please reference individual slides as “Berry, www.innovativegis.com” and include an additional one time reference of “ Joseph K. Berry, BASIS, 1701 Lindenwood Drive, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA 80524” in the body of the materials if extensive use these resources are made.

 

PowerPoints — contains the PowerPoint slide sets used in the presentations.  Right-click on a link below and select “Open” to view directly or select “Save as…” to save a slide set to an appropriate folder on your computer. 

 

-  Seminar.ppt — overview of Geotechnology’s components (RS, GPS, GIS) and evolution (CM, SDBM, MA, MMM) with comments about the future direction of the technology

 

-  MiniWorkshopPart1.ppt — overview of Spatial Statistics tools for investigating the numerical relationships within and among map layers

-  MiniWorkshopPart2.ppt — overview of Spatial Analysis tools for investigating the contextual relationships within and among map layers

 

-  WorkshopPart1.ppt — discussion of grid-based data type/display; fundamental classes of analytical operators; Reclassify and Overlay operators for calibrating and assessing coincidence of mapped data; example GIS model (habitat)

-  WorkshopPart2.ppt — discussion of Distance and Connectivity operators for measuring effective proximity; assessing visual exposure

-  WorkshopPart3.ppt — discussion of Distance and Connectivity operators for optimal path/corridor analysis;  Neighborhood operations for surface configuration and localized summary

-  WorkshopPart4.ppt — discussion of Spatial Statistics operators for surface modeling (interpolation, descriptive statistics) and spatial data mining (map similarity, clustering and predictive modeling)    

-  \Links — this folder contains the additional PowerPoint slide; this folder must be manually copied into the same folder with the workshop PowerPoints to retain the relative links embedded in the slide sets.

 

Workshop Notes — contains a set of notes and further links supporting the material presented in the workshop.

 

-  WorkshopNotes.pdf — click on this link to access the workshop notes.  You must have Adobe Reader installed to view.

-  WorkshopNotes.doc — click on this link to access a Word document file of the workshop notes.

 

Workshop Exercises — contains a set of hands-on exercises using MapCalc and Surfer software to demonstrate concepts presented in the workshop. 

 

-  WorkshopExercises.pdf — click on this link to access a printer-friendly copy of the workshop exercises (must have Adobe Reader installed)

-  WorkshopExercises.doc — click on this link to access a Word document of the workshop exercises 

 

Workshop Hands-on Exercises

 

Exercise #1 — Map Analysis Framework (MapCalc)

Exercise #2 — Example of a Simple Erosion Potential Model (MapCalc)

Exercise #3 — Reclassify and Overlay Techniques (MapCalc)

Exercise #4 — Measuring Distance and Connectivity (MapCalc)

Exercise #5 — Characterizing Spatial Neighborhoods (MapCalc)

Exercise #6 — Surface Modeling (Surfer and MapCalc)

Exercise #7 — Spatial Data Mining (MapCalc)

Exercise #8 — Gaining GIS Modeling Experience (MapCalc)

Optional Exercise — Data Exchange Procedures (MapCalc) 

 

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