Module 5: Add XY Data Points and Geocoding

 Module 5: Add XY Data Points and Geocoding

This weeks lab was about taking other data that we have not worked with previously and project it onto a map. When getting a lot of data off the internet it is important to know the best way to consolidate the information. The best way to do that is by using Excel sheets! Excel has so many different functions that can help a person understand their data and consolidate it.

The first part of the lab was learning how to take longitude and latitude coordinates of decimal, minutes, and seconds into the Excel table. Knowing how to make formulas in excel to make your job easier when you have a lot of data and not enough time. If you had to do the math by hand it would take you so much longer and would be less accurate. It is important to note that when you are including the data in ArcGIS Pro changing the excel to comma separated values (csv) is the best file to save as. Also, when projected that data it is necessary to know what projection to use. Much of the data used would be in WGS 84, but there are times to need to change it to State Plane or UTM.

The second part of the lab was about geocoding a lot of data onto a map. Having the background of the first part of the lab was important because we had to take a lot of data and consolidate it into the Excel sheet. Being able to get the data into an area that can be read in ArcGIS Pro. We needed to learn how to filter and get the streets, counties, state, and zip codes separated without having to do it manually. Also, we took shapefiles from a website and learned how to get the shapefiles we needed for our project. When taking the data in ArcGIS Pro we took the shapefiles we got and separated for Manatee County. This was done by using the Project Tool which helped us take the attributes out we wanted and save as a shapefile layer for our map. This is important because sometimes we get data for the whole United States but only need it for one state or county, i.e. Manatee County, Florida. For the data we got we needed to geocode the street addresses of schools. This was done from the data of the table we created in excel. There was data that could not be projected on the map and that was either because of the address being a P.O. Box or outside Manatee County.

After doing everything we needed to create a Web Map that everyone could see and that is included here: https://arcg.is/1080Tz

Module 4: Georeferencing and Data Quality

 Module 4: Georeferencing and Data Quality

In this weeks lab it was about trying to get data to in the correct area on the map and presenting data to the client to where they understand what is being presented. There are different ways one can present maps to their clients.

For this map it was important to show buffers around rivers, lakes, and roads. We learned how to buffer around different features on the map. There needed to be a 300 meter buffer around the roads. The reason for this was probably because the noise from the roads would disturb the campsite. The next buffer needed to be 150 meters for lakes and 500 meters for rivers. The reason for this would be for possible flooding in the area. The next step was finding areas where they crossed to find the perfect area to set up possible campsites. When doing this you union the two feature outputs to create a buffer output. The last portion is to know where the conservation areas cross the buffer. The reason for this was to make sure the public does not disturb those areas and are protected. I was able to do this by creating a feature that erases the areas that cross over the conservation areas.

This map is showing the area of all the possible campsites in DeSoto National Forest, Mississippi. I choose the graduated colors for the unique values. Then in the Field box I choose Area which was in hectares for the different features. In the Normalization box I chose nothing because I wanted to show the areas that were in the same hectares class. In the Method box I chose Geometric Interval because it shows the different campsites in a closer data range, such as 0.07481 - 2.804 ha is one color. The other methods were making them too far a part. In the Classes box I chose 6 because it brought the campsites to ranges that made sense. Lastly, I went the advanced symbology options tab and said not to pad with zero which took the percentage away. I chose this because the percentage at the end was confusing on what I was trying to show through the data.

I have included the hectares because I wanted the client to understand that these were the colors for the different areas of all the locations on the map. Another thing was I chose these colors because they were giving the most contrast with the other features in the map. Lastly, the topo was the best fit to show all the features against the background.

 Module 3: G.I.Systems and Data

During this weeks module we learned how to collect data out in the field and how to share that data. Also, we learned how different projections of a map can change how it will be seen in ArcGIS Pro.

ArcGIS Collector and Data Sharing

As an archaeologist I have been using ArcGIS online and Field Maps. This was important for my job because we could take our cell phones out in the field and collect the data we needed for our projects. Also, we could make the maps that were created on ArcGIS online to an off line status for times when we were in the field and did not have cell service but could still collect data. Finally when you are done collecting the data you can sync it with your account and update your online map.

When sharing the data there have been different ways I have given it to others and have received it from a client. Many people within the company can use the ArcGIS online account and we can share maps that way and make it easier for people in the field. Another way I have shared data was by making a Map Package. I usually did this when I was done with a map, but I needed to send it to another person who did not have all the data I had saved on my computer. The map package is easier because you can send the data to someone else and they can manipulate it on their end without messing up your original map. Lastly, when sharing data I would usually get a kmz/kml file from Google Earth that the client had created and put it into ArcGIS Pro. The only bad part about the Google Earth files is that you cannot manipulate it yourself (i.e. change the symbol or the color of the file). It makes it harder when the color is not what you need it to be for the client.

Being able to share data is important because you know exactly what the client needs to get the project done and you can work through many different avenues to get that done.

Projections

When getting data one does not always know what form the data is being projected. Many different entities use different projections. An example is how most people in navigation use State Plane. It does change sometimes from 1983 and 1983 HARN. It is important to know the difference because it can change where a feature gets projected on the map. As an archaeologist I mostly use Universal Transverse Meracator (UTM) because that is what most GPS systems have as a default. Also, since archaeologists work in meters it is easier to stay in the same projection. 

When making this weeks map we projected Albers Conical Equal Area, NAD 1983 UTM Zone 16N, and NAD 1983 to HARN Florida. Each one of the projections map the map slightly different. This could only be seen when making a map for each projection. Also, the module showed how each projection would change the area of the counties that were shown. The reason for this is that each projection is based off how it lines up with the equator. Another important aspect to know about imagery and raster data is being presented. The data will automatically end up in the Atlantic ocean until you are able to project into your projection. Once you do that the image with end up in the correct location. Sometimes when you don't know the projection you do have to play around with in until you find the right projection.

The map below represents four different counties (Alachua, Escambia, Miami-Dade, and Polk) in the the state of Florida and how each projection changes the location of the state slightly. Also, I learned how to get the colors to be the same across all the maps. Lastly, the map has a table that shows how each projection does change the area of the feature across the different projections.

M2 Cartography Lab Assignment

 M2 Cartography Lab Assignment

In this weeks lab we learned about Cartography, the history, and the essential map elements. When creating a map it is important to know what data one has and how the data should be represented. There are going to be times when you get the data and you need to figure out what is the best way it should be shown to the client. 

Cartography is the study and practice of making maps and charts. When studying about cartography it is important to look at the history of maps and charts. Starting in 600 B.C. was when the oldest maps were being done. Then in 1440, with the invention of the printing press, cartographers made new maps that could be seen by a greater population. Lastly, cartography changed even more in the 1960s because of the inventions of total station surveying, photogrammetry, and remote sensing.

When creating the maps for this lab assignment it was important to know the essential map elements. The different elements are Title, Scale, Legend, North Arrow, Border, Date, Data Source, and Cartographer Name. Each element is able to be created on an individual basis and it can be changed depending on what the map. Having the different options can be overwhelming at times, but each map needs all the elements to make a good map. When doing a title is important to make it clear, concise, and easy to see. The scale does need to end on a round zero number and one should know if they want miles, kilometers, or any other form of measurement. The legend needs everything represented and should be in complete sentences. One can change the titles of the shapefiles in the map layout. Also, you are able to change the order by dragging it up or down. The north arrow can be different but it needs to easy to see and not in the way. The border can change but it does need to be simple. Lastly, the date, data source, and cartographer can be put all together. The information can be found in the dynamic text section and is able to be changed.

Knowing all the information of the data, where it came from, and what it is representing can help make a map good to great. In the map below was the best representation of the information that was given to me.