My Geographic Information Journal

  In this lab we learned how to depict elevated precipitation data accurately using both continuous tone and hypsometric tint approaches. We used the hillshade effect to present the data in a way that reflects the elevation in a 3D format. We also overlayed contour lines on top of the hypsometric tint to display the different classes being presented. We learned about the PRISM method of collecting precipitation data with climate and landscape adjustments. 

  This module we learned how to create a choropleth map by using two parts of the data from a set and creating graduated color symbology that reflects the ratio of these two parts. This map was wine consumption to population density in each country. We used the histogram to evaluate the breaks in the data and then utilized classification methods, data exclusion, labeling, and symbology to make the map portray the data in an accurate and interesting way. I used natural breaks (jenks) classification method, which really groups together the data in an accurate way that isn't monotone. It gives the viewer a sense of where the countries group together on this topic. 

This weeks lab taught about types of classification schemes and thematic maps. The task was to create a layout to compare and contrast these different methods and reasons for using each. The first of the two layouts was created by inputting the percentages of Age 65 Up census data for Miami-Dade counties. It uses 4 of the classification schemes; natural breaks, quantile, equal interval, and standard deviation. This evaluation of percentages shows us how the different methods highlight certain aspects of a data field, and that they can be utilized in appropriate situations.   The second layout shows the same census data but with the input being based on the population count normalized by area. This type of data scheme is used to highlight population density. It shows where actual numbers are, not just percentages of various amounts. 

 Good morning, Maps and everything that comes with them can be informative and well thought out as possible, but be lacking in the visual appeal that portrays a message or tells the story on the surface when first reaching the audience. These visual appeal can be difficult to achieve when map components look clustered or even too empty in some areas. That is the purpose of doing this lab was to practice strategies and steps to giving a map the needed visual appeal to portray the right message in the easiest way. The easier the map is to interpret for its given audience, the better its message is. With this specific map, I utilized layers from the class repository drive, or from ArcGIS Online, to give a combined look at Florida's main river systems, its large swamp/wetland areas, and its major cities. After adding all of the layers, I went through each and picked out the information I wanted to be showing without clogging up the map. Then went through and made all of their symbology...

 This assignment was to evaluate a well done map and a poor map based off of cartographic design principles.  1. -This was the example of a well designed map I decided to evaluate. Overall this map was created with purpose, and utilized colors and symbols that portrayed that purpose. It used neutral colors for the topic of hazardous fuels treatment, as to not evoke emotions about this from the viewer. It uses topographic design to show a relative size of these areas to the mountainous landscape, also giving the viewer an idea of the lands value. It gave an appropriate amount of information for a college-educated audience, likely working in the energy, conservation, environmental, or land management fields. It did a good job of highlighting the focus-area, and greying out irrelevant areas. Texts were easy to read, but not over-bearing. The symbol for highways and rivers, however, looked too similar and should probably have been different colors. The layout of all the pieces are...

  My name is Reese and I am in my third 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...