GIS 1: Lab 5, Suitable Habitats for Bears and Python Scripting

Suitable Habitat for Bears and Introduction to Python

Goal and Background:

The goal of this assignment was to familiarize myself with and test my knowledge of the various geoprocessing tools we have learned about this semester. Using these, I was tasked with finding suitable habitats for bears in a region of Marquette County in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Additionally, this assignment was an introduction to Python scripting and writing script to preform certain tasks. 

In lecture, we learned about the geoprocessing tools that ArcMap offers to help run analysis of study areas. These tools include but are not limited to, Overlay functions (Clip, Erase, Intersect, Union, & Dissolve), Buffer, Append, Split and others. Learning what they tools do and their applications with data, I was able to incorporate them into my analysis of data and creation of my map.

Methods:

To start this assignment, I uploaded the shapefiles and table from the Lab 5 data folder provided by my instructor. With those in ArcMap, I could start my analysis and work towards finding the areas that matched the described criteria. Finding that my bear location shapefile was missing the location data, I imported the X,Y data from the table and exported it as a feature class. By doing so, my bear locations shapefile had data attached to it, and the locations of bears showed up on my map. 

Next, in order to find where the bears were in relations to the type of land, I spatially joined my bear locations with my land cover, thus forming a bear cover feature class. By using the summarize tool, I found the habitats of bears, and could accurately show that on my map.

It was indicated that bears may be attracted to habitats near streams, so to further look into this, I added the streams feature class to my map. The assignment said that biologists suggested bears would be with in 500 meters of a stream. With this knowledge, I used the buffer tool to create a buffer of 500 m on either side of the streams. By spatially joining this to my bear locations, I found how many bears were in the buffer zone, confirming that the biologists were correct. 

Then, to find suitable habitats, I intersected my buffer with the land cover to get my dissolved buffer. After spatially joining that with my land cover, I found the suitable habitats I was looking for. 

Next, to help form a bear management plan with the DNR, I focused on DNR lands in the study area in Marquette County. by clipping my study area and DNR Managed lands, I was able to narrow my analysis to only the study area. By intersecting that with my suitable habitats I could see if any were on DNR land. At the same time, I queried through my land cover feature class to find urban build up so I could know where bears are to stay away from. After buffering that by 5 km, I added that and my DNR suitable habitats and use the erase tool to find my final suitable habitats for the bears.

For part 2 of the assignment, I opened a new map document and used the feature classes from the lab 5 folder provided by my instructor. I was tasked with finding suitable sites for possible resorts in Wisconsin. 

To do so, I opened the Python window and called up the buffer tool to set a buffer of 10 miles around Wisconsin cities. After checking for syntax errors, I ran the operation. Next, I wanted to find lakes in Wisconsin that have an area greater than 5 square miles. To do this, I converted it to square meters as that is what the area units were in. After finding these selected features, I created a new feature class from the features and ran the operation. 

     Figure 1: Python scripting to find buffer

       Figure 2: Python Script to find the lakes with area greater than 5 sq. mi.

Next, to model air pollution impact zones, I removed the previous code, and started a new script. By calling up the multiple ring buffer tool I specified distances based on the pollution hazard zones. I created the feature output and ran the operation. 

      Figure 3: Multiple ring buffer Python script.

Results:

After completing the various tasks and using a number of geoprocessing tools, I was able to create a map to display the suitable habitats for bears within the study area. As you can see in figure 4, 

                               Figure 4: Suitable Habitats for Bears Map

          Figure 5: Data Flow Model

Next, Figure 6 shows the map that I created by using the Python scripts and the data provided for by my instructor. By adding some base layers, I produced this map showing the suitable tourist destinations. ****Note: An error was made in the labeling of these maps, and the labels are connected to the incorrect maps. 

                               Figure 6: Suitable Tourist Destinations

Lastly, by using the Python script, I was able to determine areas of significant pollution along the interstates. Adding some basic layers, I was able to create figure 7, my map of polluted areas.

                                Figure 7: Air Pollution Impact Zone Map

Sources: 

Mastering ArcGIS, 7th edition by Maribeth Price (2015) [DVD-ROM]. McGraw-Hill Higher Ed: Dubuque, Iowa.

Data provided by Wilson, Cyril Dr. at the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire.