Camping with Vector Analyses

Good day everyone,

      This post is about my Intro To GIS assignment focusing in Vector Analyses with ArcGIS. The assignment utilized a few different data layers with particular attributes and had me working with Buffer tools, Overlay tools, and Attribute selection tools. All of this went to the creation of the map of the central portion of De Soto National Forest Mississippi. The map was created exclusively in ArcMAP, with data layers being provided by UWF, and the manipulation all performed by myself. 

Here's a look at some of the objectives for this week before we get to some key definitions and the map itself. 

• Define, Create and use ArcGIS Buffer and Overlay tools
• Create a script in ArcPy (Python Code) to run the buffer tool
• Analyze vector data using spatial queries
• Identify the 6 overlay operations available and recall when to use each
• Use the overlay modeling tool to combine or exclude multiple features
• Distinguish between multipart and singlepart layers and convert between the two

What is the Buffer tool? This tool allows you to create a buffer area around an object. That object can be a point, line, or polygon. You can set a specific distance around that object for analyses purposes. For example, the map below used buffers around the water and roads to locate areas common to both.

What is the Overlay toolset? This is a set of tools which allow you to combine, erase, modify or update the feature and information from multiple thematic layers to create a new layer for continued analyses. Several tools were used in the map below, such as the Union tool to combine two different layers, an Intersection tool to identify areas common to two layers rather than combining them, and an Erase tool to remove unwanted areas. 

What are attribute selection tools? Easy, these are tools that allow you to select specific attribute features by specifying the information in a layer you are looking for, or by location. These were used in concert with the other tools above for the final product.

Final Map highlighting particularly good areas for camping based on specific criteria. 

My map highlights all of the possible camp sites based on the criteria listed in the lower center portion. These areas are highlighted against a 1 meter imagery Basemap of the area. Also prominently displayed are two of the biggest discriminators for the choice in camping location, the roads and water features. I also took the liberty of adding an inset map of the regional perspective of this area.

The final product above was a culmination of buffering the roads and waterways by the specified distances on the map, then combining the separate layers via Union. Then selecting the attribute areas that were common to both. And finally erasing the Conservation Areas which are not pictured to not be a distraction from the key features. Thus we are left with the best places to camp in De Soto National Forest, at least by these factors. Enjoy your next visit!