Lab Exercise 1 Map Elements instructions Sp24

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Feb 20, 2024

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EAE 256/545 INSTRUCTIONS (GRADED, 20 POINTS) LAB Exercise 1: Introduction to Lab Exercises, Map Elements and Map Functions Purpose : To introduce the requirements and expectations for doing lab exercises and to also introduce several basic map elements. Important : From Blackboard (the lab assignment) you will download one zipped file, which will contain several folders and files. After downloading into your device’s folder for the lab that you have previously created, you will unzip or extract the file to have access to all the materials needed for the assignment ( Dishant has a tutorial video for you ). To keep yourself organized at the outset of the course, create a folder titled “EAE 256 LABS” (or “EAE 545 LABS”) on your laptop, desktop, or flash drive. Within this folder, create 6 separate sub-folders and title them Lab 1, Lab 2, Lab3, … Lab 6. Downloading all items from the module lab assignment into the appropriate lab will help minimize confusion, panic, and anxiety. Be organized—one of the cardinal rules in cartography and GIS! Answer lab questions found at the end of each part or section of the lab instructions. Write your answers ( in blue, green, or red font color—or boldface, or both ) on the answer sheet in the zip file. Submit your answers along with other materials as required, via Blackboard. Important : Be sure Google Earth Pro is installed on your laptop or desktop before starting the assignment: Google Earth Pro . If you don’t know how to install Google Earth Pro to your computer, Dishant recorded a how-to video for you . PART I. BASIC MAP ELEMENTS Materials Two PDF maps are provided in a folder in Blackboard: IL_Somonauk_20120809_TM_geo.pdf; WA_Steamboat Mountain_244007_1998_24000_geo.pdf Background Information Cartography, or map-making, is the practice of making representations of the earth, usually on a flat surface. Types of maps vary widely, from representations of physical features such as road maps, land-use, or topography to representations such as population density, political affiliation, or income, to specialized maps such as temperature gradients or transport connections. Each of these maps will contain similar elements, depending on the purpose and content. Maps may be drawn on a scale or not, they may be oriented in several ways, and they may use a variety of projections to display information on a flat plane. In Part I we will be looking at USGS topographic maps. Issues with maps include scale representations, distortions, accuracy, and detail. Every cartographer must decide what information they want to show (and what information they don’t want to show), how to symbolize it and the 1
EAE 256/545 INSTRUCTIONS (GRADED, 20 POINTS) intended size and use of the map. To get an understanding of the elements of a USGS topographic map, make sure to watch the “How to Read a Topographic Map” video before answering the questions. The map elements we will be looking at in Part I are as follows. 1. Title of the map (What, where, and when—usually) 2. Scale: map to ground relationship 3. Projection and reference datum: Features on a 3-D object such as the earth are transferred to a 2-D surface. A certain amount of distortion will result. There are two datum references: horizontal and vertical. These will vary from country to country. 4. Legend or key: a graphical explanation of the symbols used to represent features on the map. 5. Map publisher and publication date, notes (metadata), data sources, edition, etc. For now, it is okay if you don’t understand what these elements are or why they’re important. The purpose of this exercise is to introduce a few basic items that will become familiar as the course proceeds throughout the semester. Every time you make a map in this course you should consider these elements in your design as well as ensure you include the expected elements listed below. Expectations when you are making maps in this class. Submitted maps must contain the minimum of your name, the date and a title. Depending on the map it may also include a reference point/arrow, a legend, and a scale (if applicable). Maps without these elements (if required) may be marked down. PART I QUESTIONS and ANSWERS Write your answers on the answer sheet ( in a different color and/or bold ) : 1. (4 points) In the folder “PDF Maps” select just one of the two maps listed above and answer the following questions (A-H, ½ point each) A. What is the title of the map? B. Who made (published) the map? C. What are the sources of data/information? Any updates or subsequent editions? D. What is the scale? E. When was the map made? F. What projection was used? G. What are the two reference datums? H. What symbology is described in the map legend? How are the symbols differentiated? 2. (2 points) Exploring Chicago’s changing built environment. In the folder “KMZ Maps” select the IL_Chicago map. Double-click and it should open in Google Earth automatically. If it doesn’t load, Dishant made a tutorial video for you on how to input the file into GE. Answer the following questions on the answer sheet. The 1901 Chicago map should drape or layer over a recent Google Earth image of the same area. You will notice that the map and image are presented at an “oblique” perspective. This can be changed by going to View | Reset | Tilt in the GE toolbar menu. Next, you can make the 1901 Chicago map transparent by going to the table of contents (TOC) on the left-hand side of GE by right-clicking on the “Map” (layer icon) in the temporary folder directory and selecting properties. You will notice in the “Edit image overlay” window a transparency slider bar. Use this tool to change the level of transparency in the 1901 Chicago map. If you don’t understand how to use the tools within GE, check out Dishant’s video tutorial on how to use GE. Answer the following questions. (A-D, ½ point each) A. (1/2 point) With nearly complete transparency of the 1901 Chicago map, what do you notice when you compared the road networks between the two maps? What might account for what you observe (hint: see questions 1F and 1G)? 2
EAE 256/545 INSTRUCTIONS (GRADED, 20 POINTS) B. (1 1/2 points) Find three differences in built environment-features between the two maps. The Chicago waterfront is a good place to start. List your answers below. PART II. VISUALIZING MAP FEATURE LAYERS Background Information Points, lines, and polygons (areas) as geometric object types can be used to represent real world features and geographic data. Maps are composed of one or more feature layers . These layers can be superimposed onto each producing a reference map, thematic map, navigational map (chart), or a persuasion/propaganda map. In PART II you will study the geographic distribution of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (aka CAFOs) in Duplin County, North Carolina while becoming comfortable with some basic GIS terms and concepts. But first, let’s look at just what a feature layer is and what is meant by a geometric object. Another term to think about is a “field” layer. A map is comprised of superimposed feature layers. Less abstractly think of a table which is a surface or field. This surface or field can be an image from a satellite. On top of the table, we can place objects such coffee cups (large points), pencils (lines), and pieces of paper (areas). A basemap may be in vector or raster format. PART II QUESTIONS and ANSWERS 1. (2 points) Human environment interaction in eastern North Carolina. Open the folder GE Features and Layers (Lab 1 folder in Blackboard). Double-click on the file labeled “step1_DUPL_sub- basins12.kmz. By this action you should open Google Earth automatically. (the kmz extension means that this is a keyhole markup language file that has been zipped.) Right-Click on the feature layer (in the places section in the TOC window on the left) and select Properties and then select the Style, 3
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