Lab 3: Using Analysis Tools, Visio, and Python

Zach Miller

GEOG 335.001

Lab 3

5-6-16

The goal of this lab was to familiarize myself with using analysis tools, data flow modeling, and python. We used these skills to combine multiple feature classes together to represent a specific topic topographically. 

In this scenario, I was working for the Michigan D.N.R. of Marquette County. My job was to find suitable ares for bears of the upper peninsula to inhabit based on the three types of land cover where bears were spotted the most, on D.N.R. observation land, and 5 km away from urbanized land. This would provide a suitable habitat for the bears, as well as research opportunity and a safe distance for the bears to be away from large populations.

When combing and projecting this data, I used intersect, summarize, query, buffer, dissolve, and erase. I learned, over the course of this lab, how to use intersect, dissolve and erase. Intersect selects two or more features based on proximity. Like select by location, intersect allows you more options as to how far away the features need to be to get selected. Dissolve allows you to clean up or get rid of lines within a polygon layer so that it can be recognized as one polygon. Erase allows you to cut out any selected features. This was especially useful when I had to get rid of all areas of potential bear habitats that fell within 5 km of urbanized land. 

I also learned how to use Visio and Python. Visio was used to create my data flow model for this lab. It was pretty easy to work with as you just click and drag which shape you want to use into the document, double click to add text, and click and drag using the connector tool to connect text boxes to eachother with arrows.

In python, we scripted commands into ArcMap that utilized tools like buffer, intersect, and erase. This is another way to use tools in ArcMap,

My map turned out pretty well. There is clear representation as to where there are safe and suitable areas for bears to inhabit. It's relevant to the viewer as the map shows urban populated areas. The polygon features appear to be clean and precise.

Sources used in this lab include: ESRI, USGS NLCD, Michigan DNR Management, and Michigan Geographic Framework - Marquette County.