Geography 335 Lab 5

Goals and Background: The main goals of this lab were to gain experience using a variety of vector geoprocessing tools to create a map of a geospatial problem, to learn the basic use of Python scripting to run various tools, and to gain experience creating digital data workflow models.


Methods:  For part 1, I started off by downloading the data I needed and using ArcCatalog create a feature class out of the XY data provided to me in an excel document.  I then made sure they were all in the proper and same coordinate systems and changed them if need be.  I then added all of the bear_management_area feature classes to a blank map in ArcMap and symbolized the landcover layer based on minor types. I intersected the bear locations with the landcover layer to figure out what the ideal landcover types for bears are.  I then buffered the streams by 500 meters, and intersected that resulting layer with the previous ideal bear landcover layer to determine their overall ideal habitat locations.  I made sure to run a dissolve function to ensure that there wouldn't be any internal boundaries that could skew further analysis of the data. I then intersected the study_area layer with the dnr_mgmt area to narrow the DNR land to be just in the area of study.  Then I intersected that area with the suitable bear habitats area to select all suitable bear habitats that also fall into DNR land.  Then I symbolized the landcover layer to be by major types, selected all urban areas, and created a layer of those. I created a 5km buffer around the urban areas, and then used the erase feature, combining that layer with the suitable dnr area layer to give me a layer of only the dnr areas that are the proper distance away from urban land.  I then renamed the layers and made a map that showed these areas.  It can be seen in the section below.

Digital Data Workflow Model for Part 1

Part 2 was my first attempt at learning Python scripting to find the ideal location for a new resort. I added the Wisconsin cities, lakes, interstates, and counties layers to a blank map in ArcMap.  Then I used python coding to create a 10 mile buffer around the major cities.

I then wanted to find lakes that had an area greater than 5 square miles:

I then wanted to exclude any lakes that didn't meet all of my criteria, so I used the clip tool:

 Then I created a map of these results, as seen in the next section.

Digital Data Workflow Model for Part 2-1

Next, I wanted to examine pollution levels around interstates.  To do this, I used a multiple ring buffer analysis tool around the interstates layer through python coding:

Results:

Map 1, showing bear management solutions for the DNR

This is the first map from part 2.  It shows eligible lakes for tourist resorts in Wisconsin.

This is the 2nd map from part 2.  It shows the pollution zone levels around the interstates of Wisconsin.

Sources:


Esri - GIS Mapping Software, Solutions, Services, Map Apps, and Data. (n.d.). Retrieved April 28, 2016, from http://www.esri.com/


Michigan Department of Natural Resources. (n.d.). Retrieved May 04, 2016, from http://www.michigan.gov/dnr


Price, M.H. (2015). Mastering ArcGIS. Dubuque, IA: McGraw-Hill Higher Ed.

Wilson, C. (2012). A comprehensive Lake features for Wisconsin.