Learning Objectives

This project focuses on real world data collection techniques, documentation, and its application to GIS analyses.  You will use your ArcView skills to create a data collection procedure and data sheet; add event themes; use geoprocessing, legend editor, queries, joining, and hotlinking (optional) in addition to other analyses tools.  Individually you will be guided through the problem-solving process and eventually create a visual and written representation of your conclusions.  Your final project will include a hand drawn map, and on a floppy diskette: your project with metadata, your data collection procedure and data sheet, and a written document that contains a map of your conclusions.

 

Getting Started

In this project you will study the biotic and abiotic community interactions in a 10 meter by 10 meter study site of your choice.  Choose an interesting plot in an area that is not well traveled.  Your plot MUST contain trees, shrubs, ground cover, habitat for animals and could also possibly contain water, bare ground etc.  It must be somewhere that is easily and legally accessible to you.  You may want to consider a certain factor that interests you and then choose a study site to match your criteria. 

This study represents a small area and therefore the data collection will be on an absolute level. It is easy, however, to visualize each 1 meter by 1 meter square of the plot representing 100's of acres of land and the data collection becoming more relative.  The first step is to measure and delineate your study site.  You will be working in teams using the Survey Team directions below and the Grid (word file) (acrobat file) to record data.

The data will then be entered into ArcView and a project of your study area will be created.  Each team member will receive a copy of the project so that another data collection procedure can be designed and an individual analysis can be completed.

Evaluation Criteria

You will submit a floppy diskette (3.5") that will contain all project materials with your ArcView project document working entirely from this diskette. You will be graded on this project using the following evaluation criteria:

• project with metadata
• text file of your data collection procedure
• data sheet
• text file of the written document that contains a map of your conclusions
• your hand drawn map should be attached to the diskette

Support and Materials

All materials needed to do Survey Team data collection will be provided for you.  Materials needed to do your individual procedures will need to be provided by you. Weekly help sessions and support via e-mail will be available to assist you with this project.
 
Email Rita Hagevik at rita_hagevik@ncsu.edu if you have any specific project questions.