This map highlights potential campsite locations in De Soto National Forest, showcasing their proximity to roads and water features while avoiding conservation areas. It serves as a handy guide for campers looking to explore the area while prioritizing safety and accessibility.
This week, I tackled two lab assignments that really broadened my understanding of GIS and spatial data analysis. In the first lab, I got hands-on experience with geodatabases and spatial queries. I learned how to create a geodatabase, import feature classes, and select features based on their proximity to schools and hospitals.
In the second lab, I put this new knowledge to use by conducting buffer and overlay analyses to locate suitable campsites in De Soto National Forest.I used both fixed and variable distance buffers to assess how close potential sites were to roads and water features while avoiding conservation areas. This week really emphasized that GIS analysis is an iterative process (I didn't even know what iterative meant), where refining criteria based on findings is crucial. By the end, I had a detailed map identifying the best camping spots, which showcased the practical applications of GIS in environmental planning.
While the module introduced several new steps I hadn’t encountered before, it also drew on what I had learned in earlier assignments. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I could recall while creating a polished final product. I probably spent three times as long on my map composition as I needed to, but I was having a blast exploring the various tools available in ArcGIS Pro. I know I’m just beginning to scratch the surface, but this aspect of my GIS course is incredibly exciting!
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