Lab 3: Vector Analysis with ArcGIS

GOAL & BACKGROUND

This lab consisted of finding a suitable habitat for bears in the study area of Marquette County, Michigan using geoprocessing tools in ArcGIS for vector analysis. Based on the results, a technical report containing a map and data flow model was created to illustrate the findings. Python was used as an introductory method rather than ArcMap’s interface procedures in creating feature classes. Data on the bear locations with a GPS MS Excel file was provided along with the feature classes of bear management areas and political boundaries.

METHODS

Mapping a GPS MS Excel file of black bears in study area

The first step was unzipping the file so it would be able to be used. However because the standalone table of bear_locations_geo$ was in an x,y location format it needed to be transferred to an ‘event theme’. From there the data was then able to be included in ArcGIS as points. Since ‘event theme’ cannot be edited it had to be exported into a shapefile.

Finding forest types of where black bears are found

This created an editable featureclass. After adding all of the data from the bear_management_area feature datatset, the intersect tool was used with the land_cover and bear_location features to create the bear_cover featureclass. To find how many bears were in each habitat, summarizing the FIPS_Bear_Location and Minor_Type created a standalone table. From that it gave the top 3 land coverings that were able to be queried in the Land_Cover featureclass and then created the new featureclass Bear Forests.

Determining if bears are found near streams

The next area that was examined for possible bear habitats were the streams area. Intersecting the bear_location and stream feature class created a layer. Then using the buffer tool on the stream layer gave the results of where bears were located within 500 meters of a stream. To further separate the bear population in 500 meters of a stream the intersect tool was made.

Finding suitable bear habitat based on land cover types and being within 500 meters of a stream

Using the Top 3 land covering layer and intersecting it with the results layer of bear’s location within 500 meters of a stream gave the Bear_Habitat.

Suitable bear habitats within the Michigan DNR area

Using the DNR Management area feature class and the study area feature with the intersect tool created a layer just showing DNR areas in the study area. Then using the dissolve tool, it merged together the parcels. In order to find the DNR areas within the bear habitats the clipping tool was used, this created the layer of DNR Bear Habitats.

Eliminating areas near urban or built up lands

Finally, to create the DNR Bear Habitat 5 km away from Urban or Built up Land layer a query was used on the land cover layer for Urban or Built up land. Then the buffer tool was used to create a 5 km zone. From there the erase tool was used with the DNR Bear Habitat and Urban or Built up land buffer layer.

Using python

A short introduction to python was used in creating feature classes rather than using the interface of ArcMap. Figure 1. Below shows three codes used in replicating data already 

found. 

Figure 1.

RESULTS

Figure 2. below represents the Suitable Black Bear Habitat in Marquette County, MI. The Bear Location icon indicates where Black Bears have been seen in the Marquette County, MI. The Bear Habitat represents areas that are within the top three land covering with bears (Evergreen Forests, Forested Wetlands, and Mixed Forests) and areas within 500 meters of stream. The map shows that most Black Bears reside in the North and Center of Marquette County, MI.

Figure 2.

Figure 3. Below is a map of the three most common Land Coverings that Black Bears are located in. Comparing this map with Figure 1. It can be seen that Mixed Forests holds the largest population of Black Bears.

Figure 3.

Figure 4. Below shows the flowchart created to obtain the information of Suitable Habitats in Marquette, MI for Black Bears. As shown in the legend the blue circles were feature classes already provided with the geodatabase for this lab exercise. The yellow squares are the tools used to create the new information represented by the green circles. The Microsoft Program Visio Professional was used to create this flowchart.

Figure 4.

SOURCES

All Data is from the State of Michigan Open GIS Data

http://gis.michigan.opendata.arcgis.com/

Landcover from USGS NLCD

http://www.mcgi.state.mi.us/mgdl/nlcd/metadata/nlcdshp.html

DNR management units

http://www.dnr.state.mi.us/spatialdatalibrary/metadata/wildlife_mgmt_units.htm

Streams from

Http://www.mcgi.state.mi.us/mgdl/framework/metadat/Marquette.html