What This Document Is
This is a lab manual supplement designed for students in a GIS & Ecology course, specifically focusing on raster analysis techniques within a Geographic Information System (GIS) environment. It provides a focused exploration of how raster data can be used to model real-world ecological and environmental processes. The material builds upon foundational GIS concepts and applies them to a practical problem involving landscape assessment and cost analysis.
Why This Document Matters
This resource is ideal for students learning to apply GIS skills to ecological questions. It’s particularly beneficial for those needing to understand how to work with continuous data like elevation and distance, and how to integrate raster and vector data for spatial modeling. If you’re tackling projects involving accessibility analysis, cost surface creation, or terrain-based modeling, this guide will offer valuable context and a structured approach to problem-solving. It’s designed to be used in conjunction with a core GIS Fundamentals textbook.
Topics Covered
* Raster data fundamentals and applications
* Spatial analysis techniques using raster datasets
* Cost surface modeling
* Slope analysis derived from Digital Elevation Models (DEMs)
* Distance calculations from vector features
* Raster reclassification and thresholding
* Data management of temporary raster layers
* Integration of vector and raster data for analysis
What This Document Provides
* A practical lab exercise focused on a specific ecological application.
* Background information on the principles behind raster-based cost analysis.
* Details on the data required for the lab, including data formats and coordinate systems.
* An overview of the expected output – a map visualizing a cost surface.
* Guidance on managing temporary data files within a GIS software environment.
* A discussion of the differences between permanent and display reclassification techniques.
