GIS Tricks for Ecologists

Transcription

1 GIS Tricks for Ecologists Irish Section CIEEM conference Feb 2016 Prepared by: Paul Walsh FRGS (Senior GIS Analyst), Robert Fennelly MCIEEM (Principal Ecologist) Corey Cannon ACIEEM (Ecologist) Queries? Contact `

2 Contents Who Compiled this Handout? GIS Tricks for Arc GIS Users Data-driven pages GIS Tricks for QQIS Users What is QGIS? Where can I download QGIS? Share data to Google Earth Easy GIS Non-Technical Tricks Layered pdfs Free Online Data share using ArcGIS... 13

3 Who Compiled this Handout? Paul Walsh Senior GIS Analyst Paul is Senior GIS Analyst in Jacobs Dublin office, and a Fellow of the Royal Geographic Society. Under Graduate Degree in Geography with GIS and Remote Sensing modules, Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental GIS, Remote Sensing and Geophysics. Paul has eight year s experience as a GIS analyst, Technician and Surveyor for government bodies, local authorities and consultancies covering Irish, UK and other major international projects. He has taught GIS at degree level in Trinity College Dublin and delivered corporate training. Robert Fennelly MCIEEM Principal Ecologist Robert is Principal Ecologist in Jacobs Dublin office, and a full member of CIEEM. Robert has been using GIS for over eight years, and is experienced in the use of MapInfo, Arc GIS as well as Autocad Light. Corey Cannon ACIEEM Ecologist Corey is Ecologist in Jacobs Dublin office, and an Associate member of CIEEM. Corey has been using Arc GIS for one year. 1

4 1. GIS Tricks for Arc GIS Users 1.1 Data-driven pages Step 1 This is a useful tool for large or linear projects or those which will require multiple maps of the same type to cover a large area. Data driven pages allow you to reproduce the same map over different geographic areas. Where multiple map types are required for a project different the same setup can be adapted across the project to save on time. Once you have your study area defined, you create a Grid to cover it. This can be done by hand by creating a new shapefile and drawing boxes on the areas you want mapped or can be automated using Grid or Strip Index tools in the Toolbox 2

5 Step 2 Give each grid square a Unique ID in the table Step 3 Enable Data-Driven Pages in the Tool bar and select the data driven setup button.- 3

6 Step 4 In the menu that pops up, set the Layer to your Index and Name field to Unique. In Extent, alter this to best suit the mapping but best practice is to round the scale to an even number 4

7 5

8 Step 5 Once you have your layout as desired and the required datasets added, select the Export map option and under Pages select to output all pages (or a selection if required) This will output a map for each index box. They can be saved as individual PDF files or a merged map book. 6

9 Step 6 Once one map type is complete, the template can be saved and then a new data type added and another set of maps output. In this way multiple map types can be quickly and efficiently produced. Step 7 Here are various options and methods for adding text to your layout which will automatically update for each grid in the index. This is done using the Insert Dynamic Text Option from the tools menu. Boxes can be created to automate Date, time, for the Unique Grid ID to show up in the side bar to differentiate the maps. Additional fields can be added to the grid and any text added to these can be automated allowing the batch production of unique and refined maps for a project. 7

10 2. GIS Tricks for QQIS Users 2.1 What is QGIS? QGIS is a free user friendly Open-Source Geographic Information system. QGIS is licensed under the GNU General Public License. It is an official project of the Open Source Geospatial Foundation (OSGeo). It runs on Linux, Unix, Mac OSX, Windows and Android and supports numerous vector, raster, and database formats and functionalities Developed by volunteers and stream- lined by users over the last number of years. Now up to version Free Tools equivalent to ArcGIS Extensions (which cost approx each) Examples - Spatial Analyst tools such as Raster Calculator and Data interpolation 2.2 Where can I download QGIS? Free download from Share data to Google Earth Add data using the following tab (Varies based on QGIS version) Once added select the data and click save as. 8

11 In Format, scroll to the KML option as shown and save to a desired location (This menu also allows quick translation of GIS data into multiple other formats including CAD and Microstation in a quick process) Once the data is saved it can be easily ed to anyone and by clicking the file it will automatically open it in Google earth and zoom to the location. For Multiple files, click them one by one to open in the same Google Earth Window. No technical abilities required to add the data. 9

12 3. Easy GIS Non-Technical Tricks 3.1 Layered pdfs Step 1 Maps saved in PDF format from ARCGIS can have Layer functionality. Layers can be turned on and off giving ability to share and view datasets easily. When the GIS user is exporting the map from ARCGIS, under Advanced setting they can change the output to Export PDF Export layers and Feature Attributes (see screen grab) 10

13 Step 2 The PDF can be opened using standard Adobe viewer (already on most computers or free to download) To use layers click on the tab highlighted below This will open the following menu. Click on the + icon beside Layers to expand Group and show all available layers. 11

14 All the layers in the list can be turned on and off using the eye symbols to make spatial comparisons. Clicking on a feature in the map will also show the table data from the original GIS file. In this way one simple PDF file can easily share a large amount of GIS information. 12

15 3.2 Free Online Data share using ArcGIS This allows both licenced and non-licenced users to create and share online, high quality maps. Outputs look similar to those generated in Arc, and many functions of the Arc package can be completed with ease (e.g. editing data, viewing metadata, and some analysis of data) Step 1 Register an account at Arc GIS Licence holders sign in using your ESRI account info Non-licenced users select 60 day trial or Public Account subject to copyright considerations 13

16 Step 2 Activate your account Input Your Organization Info 14

17 Step 3 Click Map on top ribbon to start 15

18 Step 4 Add zipped data from file (E.g. NPWS Native woodland obtained from the NPWS Research Branch) NB Data must have less than 1000 features Once imported, select show location only from choose an attribute to show dropdown Select a style and click done. 16

19 Attribute data can be viewed by clicking the Table icon in your Contents Window Step 5 Save Map this will save map to an online folder with your username 17

20 Step 6 Click Share Map and choose either Public (anyone can access map following the web link), or your organisation (only those who can login using your details can access map). Chose to embed the link in the website, or create a web app. The Web App means your page is similarly accessed by a link, but is not within the ArcGIS online portal. The Webapp takes more work to setup, but has lots of increased functionality, including the ability to insert logos (insert using a URL obtained from a google image search).step 7 To allow users to edit the map, you must re-add each shapefile for which you want editability functionality. It is first useful to open a separate browser (and login to Arc) to access your Content store To do this, go to the Content Tab Now add the zipped shapefile you would like make editable Click the shapefile within the content tab, to enter the page for the shapefile itself. Then click share. 18

21 The final step to make the shapefile editable, is to select Editing options under Properties 19