Module 10: Dot Density Mapping

For this week's module, we learned about creating dot density maps. Dot density maps utilize dots to represent conceptual data for enumeration units, particularly when it is necessary to "show that the underlying phenomenon is not uniform throughout the enumeration units". This lab started off relatively easy. I started working on the map earlier this week, going through the steps provided in the lab manual to create a map showing the population of South Florida using dot density only in urban areas, It looked great and felt good about it. Today, when I went to edit my map and add the finishing touches, I turned off masking so that the software would run less slowly and not crash. Unfortunately, when I turned the masking feature back on, the software completely gave up on me. The dots no longer showed up in only the urban areas; instead, they showed up in the surface water areas. Time and time again I went through the entire process of trying to include the dots only within the urban center layer. It seemed as though the software was completely disregarding my commands, and every time I went to open the properties for the dot density population layer, the settings had to be implemented again (they were not being saved even though I was clicking "okay" and "apply"; it just kept going back to setting my control layer as surface water no matter how many times I tried to change it back to urban areas). A screen capture demonstrates this issue:

So for me, this lab was very frustrating to say the least. I tried everything I could think of to get the dots to show up in the right places again. Since it worked the first time, I was completely confused as to what was going on. My downfall was waiting until today to finish up my map because I ended up having to submit something that I know is incorrect. 

Module 9:Vector Analysis 2

For this week's lab, we continued our study of vector analysis using ArcMap. We learned about buffer, overlay, intersect, and union tools, while placing focus primarily on the buffer and overlay tools. In addition, we practiced working with Python to run these tools.  I enjoyed working with Python because I found it to be an easy and convenient way to run several processes at once. We used our new knowledge to create a map depicting potential camping sites for Desoto National Park, Mississippi.  We started with a map of  all roads, bodies of water, and conservation areas in Desoto National Park. We ran these features through a series of vector analysis tools to create the map showing only areas where it would be possible to camp. The criteria for these areas are as follows: the campsite must be within 300 m of a road, within 150 m of a lake, within 500 m of a river and outside of a conservation area.

Module 8: Isarithmic Mapping

For this weeks lab assignment, we focused on Isarithmic maps. Isarithmic maps display smooth continuous data using varying symbology and interpolation methods. These maps are usually used to display climate data.This particular map utilizes the PRISM interpolation method, which considers major physiographic influences on climate patterns when interpolating data. In these maps, the PRISM interpolation method takes into account the DEM (digital elevation model) for Washington state (since precipitation is effected by elevation). I  used this data to create two maps, each with different symbology: one continuous tone isarithmic map and one hypsometric tone isarithmic map. For both maps I incorporated the hillshade effect in order to incorporate relief into the display. The first map, the continuous tone map, shows the values for average annual precipitation for Washington state using smooth stretched symbology. The second map, the hypsometric tint map, uses classified symbology with the data divided into 10 classes. 

Module 7: Data Search Lab

For this weeks lab, we were each assigned a county in the state of Florida to map. I was assigned Broward county. I used ArcMap software to create three maps containing the required data for this assignment. I downloaded the majority of the data I used in these maps from the FGDL website and I got the DOQQ data from the LABINS website. In the first map, I included the county boundary, cities, major roads, surface water and public land. This map was the easiest to create. I used the Clip tool to make the new layers that I downloaded to the data frame fit within the boundary for Broward county. The next map I created shows the invasive species and conservation areas for Borward county. I created this map in a similar way to the first map. The final map that I created shows a DOQQ (Digital Orthophoto Quarter Quad) image for a quad in Broward county, as well as the DEM (Digital Elevation Model) for Broward county. This final map was definitely the most difficult to create. It was hard for me to work with the data that I downloaded from the LABINS website. In addition, I struggled a little with displaying the DEM using the appropriate symbology. It took me the longest to create the final map but I definitely learned a lot in the process and I know that I have a lot more to learn in the future.