Natural
Resources Management & Engineering 277 and 377
Natural
Resource Applications of
Geographic
Information Systems
Daniel L. Civco, Instructor[1]
Fall 2007
Meeting Times
·
Lecture Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12:30 to 2:00
PM
·
Location WB Young 303
(LERIS) and 305 (Classroom)
·
Lab Wednesdays, 1:00 to 3:00 PM
·
Location WB
Young 303 (LERIS)
·
For Students Registered under
NRME 277
·
And optionally for those in 377
·
Discussion To Be Determined
·
For Students Registered under
NRME 377
Overview
This course focuses on two different
topics. The first focuses on the raster data models, their structure and
function, and in particular on their use in a modeling context, and the second
on applications and problem-solving. Because of the enhanced modeling
flexibility available in the raster domain we will have the opportunity to
examine modeling in detail. Beyond
simply learning how to model, we will examine GIS modeling with a larger view
toward the design of GIS projects within the organizational context. As you
will see, it is essential to know about the capabilities of the GIS to be able
to explain them to other potential GIS users as you work to incorporate GIS
into their everyday activities.
GIS technology has matured over the
past quarter century and is now commonly utilized in a wide variety of public
and private organizations that have a need to deal with the analysis of
substantial quantities of spatial data.
A number of GIS implementations have failed over the years and it has
become clear to observers of the GIS scene that a significant number of these
failures are directly related to poor design approaches. The successful introduction of complex
spatial data handling technology within any organization requires that proven,
structured approaches be utilized during the design, implementation and
operational phases. We would not dream
of building a major bridge without engaging in substantial design activities;
the same should hold true for GIS.
Once we have completed the modeling
portion of this course, you will be introduced to the use of modern structured
design techniques that are capable of forming a basis for the correct design
and implementation of geographic information systems. As already mentioned,
before this can begin you will spend at least the first half of the semester
learning more about what the modeling capabilities of the GIS are. This will be
accomplished primarily through readings, discussion and laboratory exercises.
Once a more thorough knowledge of GIS capabilities are known, we can proceed to
the second phase of the course -- design
and implementation.
Upon completion of the course you will be
in a position to participate in studies utilizing these techniques and, as a
user of GIS technology or an organizational manager concerned with GIS, to deal
intelligently with the results of such investigations.
This course will also address, to a
limited extent, some of the critical legal, institutional, and organizational
questions. Although these are no less
important than the technical design questions, there are limitations as to how
much one can put into a single course.
In general, this course will focus on
the quantitative approach to the analysis of digital earth resources
information by applying geographic information systems technology to
hypothetical and actual natural resource situations. Computer-assisted analysis
of earth resources data will provide students with both an understanding of the
principles of spatially-oriented resource assessment and experience with a tool
that will prove useful in his or her career in resource management. Some of the
goals of this course are to:
·
develop an
understanding of the role of computer-assisted data analysis in geospatial,
natural resources data analysis and management
·
examine how
digital earth resources data are collected, stored, manipulated, and displayed
·
investigate
various strategies for the integration of a variety of digital earth resources
data in a resource modeling context
·
gain
experience in the use of spatial data analysis software
·
develop an
organized, logical approach to computer-assisted processing of earth resources
data for effective land management
References
Texts
·
Joseph K. Berry. 2005. Analyzing
Geo-Spatial Resource Data: A Hands-on Case Study in Spatial Analysis and Data
Mining.
·
DeMers,
M. N. 2001. GIS
Modeling in Raster. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.,
·
McCoy, J. and K. Johnston.
2004. Using
ArcGIS Spatial Analyst. ISBN: 1-58948-105-4,
233 pages.
·
Some selected readings will be provided by way of handouts
·
Tomlin, C.D. 1990. Geographic
Information Systems and Cartographic Modeling. Prentice-Hall, Inc.
Lab Exercises
will consist of selections from the following on-line courses available through
the ESRI Virtual Campus
·
Working
with Rasters in ArcGIS 9
·
Learning
ArcGIS 9 Spatial Analyst
·
Learning
ArcGIS 9 3D Analyst
Journals,
Trade Magazines, E-Resources
·
Photogrammetric
Engineering and Remote Sensing
·
International Journal of
Geographic Information Systems
·
GeoWorld
·
ArcNews
Other References
·
Selected current
Course Grading
·
Laboratory
Exercises 50 %
·
Student
Project and Poster 30 %
·
Final
Examination 20 %
About the Laboratory Exercises
This course will make use of ESRI’s ArcGIS
9.2 GIS and several of its extensions, particularly exercises on the basics of
Spatial Analyst and 3D Analyst. The latter part of the semester will address
GIS design and applications and the organization, conduct, and presentation of
individual student projects. These projects will enable students to explore
avenues of GIS applications in natural resources not covered in lecture or the
example exercises, to investigate other analysis procedures and data types, and
to share their work with their peers. This approach will help satisfy the fifth
course objective of “developing an
organized, logical approach to computer-assisted processing of earth resources
data for effective land management”.
Many of the exercises will be drawn
from ESRI’s Virtual Campus,
in particular the on-line courses:
·
Working
with Rasters in ArcGIS 9
·
Learning
ArcGIS 9 Spatial Analyst
·
Learning
ArcGIS 9 3D Analyst
About the Project
During the final week of the semester,
each of you will make a presentation (oral or poster, yet to be determined) on a raster-based GIS application, case
study, or mini-project of interest to you, and relevant to the nature of the
course Natural Resource Applications
of Geographic Information Systems. These presentations are
to be prepared as if they were to be delivered at a meeting of a professional
society such as ASPRS or AAG. By the end of the seventh week of the semester,
you should have selected a topic and prepared a brief abstract of what it is
you intend to present. In order to avoid redundancy among topics, there might
need to be some modification(s) to what you propose.
The content
for the presentation should be well-researched, using current literature
sources, including journal and conference papers, popular articles, textbooks,
and/or the Internet. Preferably, the presentation will convey the
results of original research or application developed by you as part of this
course. References used should be cited. The presentation itself should be composed using presentation software such as PowerPoint.
Notes
·
The field of
geographic information systems is a rapidly evolving one. While much of the
theory and many of the principles are somewhat invariant, textbooks tend to
become out of date rather quickly and do not always reflect the current trends
in the discipline. Therefore, in order to become informed of recent
developments in natural resource applications of GIS, it is suggested that you
read and abstract technical and popular articles in a GIS area related to your
interests. Some of the sources you might wish to consult or monitor regularly
are GeoWorld, GeoSpatial
Solutions, International Journal of GIS, Earth Observation Magazine,
Photogrammetric Engineering &
Remote Sensing, Proceedings of the Annual Conventions and Specialty Meetings of
AAG, ASPRS, ACSM, URISA, and other trade and professional organizations. The
Internet is a potentially excellent source of information not only on the
fundamentals of GIS, but also its applications and emerging technologies.
Students will routinely make use of the Internet as a source of current
information.
·
Attendance of
lectures, demonstrations, and individual and group laboratory exercises is
mandatory. Without either prior permission or a valid excuse for absence, each
day missed will result in a 3 point deduction from the student’s final grade.
·
Students are
expected to be present at scheduled examinations. Absence without an acceptable
excuse or prior consent will result in an exam grade of zero.
·
In order to
maintain a timely and logical progression to the laboratory material, exercises
will be due no later than the assigned date. Work submitted late will be down
graded by one letter grade for each day overdue.
·
The policies
on cheating and plagiarism as outlined in the
·
In accordance
with the American Disabilities Act students having any disability that might
hamper their learning in this course should speak with the instructor so that
special arrangements might be made.
Tentative Outline[2]
|
August 28 and 30 |
Lecture |
|
|
August 29 |
Exercise |
1.
Exploring
raster datasets (30 min) a.
Nothing to submit 2.
Creating
a map with a raster background (10 min) a.
Nothing to submit |
|
|
|
GIS,
Spatial Analysis, and Modeling by Michael Goddchild Geographic
Information Systems as an Integrating Technology: Context, Concepts, and
Definitions |
|
September 4 and 6 |
Lecture |
|
|
September 5 |
Exercise |
3.
Displaying
thematic rasters with unique and classified values (30 min) a. PDF of Map Layout (from Step 7) 4. Display
thematic rasters with stretched values (20 min) a. Answers to three questions (Step
6) |
|
|
|
Topic 2 – Maps
as Data |
|
September 11 and 13 |
Lecture |
GIS
Modeling and System Design |
|
September 12 |
Exercise |
5.
Displaying
multiband rasters (20 min) a. Answers to questions (Steps 6 and
7) 6.
Adding
multiband rasters to a map (30 min) a. Nothing to submit |
|
|
|
Topic 3 – Reclassify
and Overlay |
|
September 18 and 20 |
Lecture |
Characterizing
the Functional Operations Reclassification
and Overlay |
|
September 19 |
Exercise |
Learning ArcGIS 9 Spatial Analyst
Module 1 7.
Work
with Spatial Analyst tools (30 min) a. Nothing to submit 8.
Convert
vector data to raster data (15 min) a. Nothing to submit 9.
Reclassify
an elevation raster (15 min) a. Nothing to submit |
|
|
|
Topic 3 – Reclassify
and Overlay Learning ArcGIS 9 Spatial Analyst
Module 1: Getting Started with
ArcGIS Spatial Analyst |
|
September 25 and 27 |
Lecture |
Elevation
Data: Sources and Derivatives |
|
September 26 |
Exercise |
Learning ArcGIS 9 Spatial Analyst
Module 2 10.
Calculate
hillshade (15 min) 11.
Create
contours (20 min) 12.
Calculate
slope and aspect (25 min) 13.
Calculate
viewshed (15 min) a.
Answers to questions at http://clear.uconn.edu/nrme/nrme277/Exercises/SA_Surface.htm |
|
|
|
Learning ArcGIS 9 Spatial Analyst
Module 2: Analyzing Surfaces Topic 11 – Surface
Modeling |
|
October 2 and 4 |
Lecture |
Elevation
Data: Sources and Derivatives |
|
October 3 |
Exercise |
Learning ArcGIS 9 Spatial Analyst
Module 3 14.
Work with
functions (30 min) Nothing to submit 15.
Work with
operators (30 min) Nothing to submit 16.
Create a mask
to clip a raster (10 min) 17.
Merge and
mosaic rasters (10 min) Answers to questions at http://clear.uconn.edu/nrme/nrme277/Exercises/Ex_16_and_17_Questions.htm |
|
|
|
Learning ArcGIS 9 Spatial Analyst
Module 3: Working with Map Algebra |
|
October 9 and 11 |
Lecture |
|