Friday, July 29, 2016
Thursday, July 28, 2016
Sunday, July 10, 2016
Thursday, June 30, 2016
USDA Web Soil Survey
As a beginner user with the
help of the tutorial I was able to browse through the information. If I did not have the tutorial I would have
felt just as frustrated as I did trying to use the ArcGIS Mapping tool discussed
my previous post. One use for this tool
would be in tracking levels of carbon, phosporus, nitrogen, etc in soil samples
taken in protected areas. The
information collected could aid in creating better management practices in
regards to the runoff of pesticides and pollution from surrounding areas. This is especially important in wetland areas
like the Everglades where there is a delicate balance and tiny changes in soil
composition can effect the entire ecosystem and its biodiversity.
I do feel this is a useful tool
for those knowledgeable with similar programs or the termanology used when
talking about soil. As for the average
person it is a little bit overwhelming and would require additional information
to create effective tools for the use of promoting biodiversity.
http://websoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda.gov/App/WebSoilSurvey.aspx?aoissa=FL615&location=(-81.56636%2026.99120,-79.29216%2025.73305)
Thursday, June 23, 2016
Climate and Weather Resources for the Everglades
This link provides historical climate data from 1961-1990 by
choosing a point on the map. It then
creates a number of graphs for the user.
This Florida State University site, Florida Climate Center
allows the user to create a climate graph based on data from one of 100 Florida
climate tracking stations. It also has other data specific to Florida such as a
discussion on humidity with maps showing humidity levels.
The site also has a link to: https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/
Where I found this link:
This is a bookmark specific to the South Florida area including
the Everglades where the user can look at a large number of current conditions
in the area from temperature, wind speed, sky cover, etc.
This map on Wundermap allows the user to look at current
data or historical data for a selected area by adding different layers. The map can also be put in motion.
This website allows the user to search through government
data for different information providing maps and data on climate for the
United States.
Friday, June 17, 2016
Google My Map vs. ArcGIS Explorer Desktop
GOOGLE MY MAPS
ArcGIS EXPLORER DESKTOP
My experience with Google My Maps was a positive one. Being a novice map builder I found it to be very
user friendly. I liked that the user is
able to create multiple layers easily by importing data or adding points to the
map. However, while creating this map I
found that on occasion I had fully created a point on the map only to realize that
I had created it in the wrong layer. When trying to move the point I was
disappointed that it couldn’t be moved to a different layer but, had to be completely
recreated and the original deleted.
The ability to have access to a large number of photos and
YouTube videos to add to the map is a plus.
I also liked the ability to add URL links to web pages for additional information. I would have liked to have been able to use
photographs directly off the hard drive of my computer not just the ones available through Goggle Image
Search, Image URL, or YouTube Search.
Overall, I think this is a mapping tool that a person with
any range of experience can easily use and I enjoyed the process of learning and creating a basic map.
The map I created through the program:
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1MeA-3gx03cUC96aN3SFpm7LzN2k&vomp=1&cid=mp&cv=V6Ul6-MCnQo.en.The map I created through the program:
ArcGIS EXPLORER DESKTOP
My experience using ArcGIS couldn’t be more different than my one with
Google My Maps. Being a novice map
builder I found the ArcGIS program difficult to use and was unsuccessful at
finding any useful tutorials to give me insight into the program. I did try to use the help function but, I felt
it assumed that the reader had previously used other versions of the program or
other related programs.
After being provided some help from my professor I was able to play
around with the program and get a better feel for it. I can see the unique benefit of the 2D/3D
function that this program provides that Google My Maps does not. If the initial goal of the user is to create
maps based on already collected data this program would be sufficient. However, the program is not user friendly and
if trying to engage the general population by creating an interactive citizen
science program promoting biodiversity stewardship through the use of maps I
think the use of this program would fail.
Friday, June 10, 2016
Thursday, May 26, 2016
Biodiversity Definition
My definition of Biodiversity is:
A variety of different life forms on the planet or in an
ecosystem.
Welcome!!
Welcome to my exploration of the Florida Everglades Biodiversity.
I have chosen the Florida Everglades for my study area. I currently live in South Florida and the
Everglades are less than a mile away. By being so close to the Everglades it will
provide me with opportunities to gain in-the-field experience that will help to
increase my understanding and knowledge.
I feel that the large amount of native and non-native biodiversity in
the Everglades will provide for the gathering of unique and new information
helping to satisfy the specific outcomes of the course. This will in turn allow me to make a
contribution to the knowledge base through my research.
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