My Geographic Information Journal

One tool I learned in this lab that I found very useful was using the elevation tab in properties to input a cartographic offset to manipulate the visualization of specific features that may be obstructed or out of sight. This allows the creator to focus on certain features or data so that the viewer can more easily see what is being shown. It is pretty simple, but without it one may be lost trying to fixate the viewer on the intended features. Another useful tip I learned was to use "TarIsVis =" and "Length 3D is" expressions during line of sight analysis. These expression will tell you if the target is visible or not (0=not vis, 1=vis) and give you information about distances from the target. I also learned how to use viewshed anaylsis to model the range of visibility in an area, and how to alter that range. You do this by running the viewshed tool to pick up the features you are modeling to create the viewshed. Then you use raster functions to calculate light cov...

  In this project, I created several raster maps from a LiDAR dataset to analyze forest structure and biomass. First, I generated a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) and a Digital Surface Model (DSM) by filtering the LAS dataset to isolate ground and non-ground points, respectively. Using these rasters, I calculated a Height raster to estimate tree heights by subtracting the DEM from the DSM. Then, I created a Canopy Density raster to assess vegetation density by comparing vegetation and ground return counts. One of the main challenges I ran into was locating the “Filters” option for the LAS dataset. Initially, I didn’t see it in the Contents pane and struggled to isolate ground points. I eventually realized that I needed to use a LAS Dataset (.lasd) file and switch to the Appearance tab in the 3D Scene view to access point classification filters like Ground or Vegetation. Once that was resolved, I was able to proceed with creating the DEM and DSM accurately. Another minor issue was un...

   My name is Reese and I am in my fourth set of courses in this GIS program at UWF. I work full time as an Environmental Specialist for a local municipality, which is what my story map is all about ( https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/4cf090796d3f4682a018a53db55ee664 Links to an external site. ). I have helped with lots of GIS projects in my environmental career, and taken one GIS course in my Environmental Science bachelors degree before I started this program. I absolutely love geography, history, and maps in general. Because I have done so much GIS work in the environmental and natural resource field already, I decided that I wanted to become even more skilled in this realm, which is why I joined the GIS program here. My goal in going through this program is to be as valuable to my city in environmental and geographic information science as possible. I also want to be the person who is looked to when any complex questions could be answered through GIS.   I...