Assignment: Introduction to GIS

Introduction to Geographic Information Systems in Forest Resources

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Assignment: Introduction to GIS


Screen Captures	Creating PDFs	Creating Zip Files	Using E-submit	Course E-submit Page

For the next two questions, make sure you cover each of these topics:

data representation
attribute (relational/tabular) structure
georeferencing (how are features given a location that represents a place in the real world)
when one model might be used rather than the other.

Answer in your own words, without using quotes from other materials.

Describe the vector data model in GIS. (20)
Describe the raster data model in GIS. (20)

Federal regulations dealing with endangered species require a 2,000 acre no-harvest zone around a tree known to bear a Northern Spotted Owl nest. Suppose you have a 1:24,000 scale map representing a forested area in Western Washington, and the map covers an area with a Spotted Owl nest tree.

Some linear features on the paper map measure 1.0 mm wide.
If you were to stretch a latex copy of the map out to full scale, how wide would the line be (give your answer in meters)? (20)
Using a compass, you draw a circle around the nest tree location. The line you draw is also 1.0 mm wide. Given the error associated with this line (from your previous answer), what is the minimum and maximum area (in hectares) this circle could contain? (20)

Here is an image illustrating the concept:

The center of the black dot represents the nest tree location. The purple line represents the "true" position of the 2000 acre boundary line. The maximum area is defined by the the outer edge of the blue circle. The minumum area is calculated by the unshaded area within the blue circle.
Why would (or why not) this 1:24,000 scale map, with the 1 mm wide lines, be an appropriate data source for planning something like a harvest operation (i.e., road planning, unit boundary or landing location) or a county zoning plan (i.e., creating legal boundaries between farming and residential zones? [Choose to address either harvest operations or zoning, based on what you have most knowledge of.] (20)

Answers

Syllabus	Schedule	Class Meetings	Assignments	Course Data	Internet Search
Current Grades	Contact Us	CFR 590	Internet-only section	Lab Locations

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