The process of capturing a vector spatial data set Assignment | Get Paper Help
| In this assignment you are going to explore the process of capturing a vector spatial data set that meets the data specification for a particular application. The data set you are going to create is a historical land cover map (see definition for land cover below) of an urban area. In terms of an application you can assume you are working for an environmental consultancy who have been asked to map the assigned area with a review to regeneration. You will be supplied with a geometrically corrected RGB aerial photograph of the urban area, which covers part of Salford, UK, and you are required to create a vector-based data set from that aerial photograph for use in ArcGIS (or an equivalent GIS package). The deliverable from this process will be a written report outlining the process you have gone through to create the data set; a properly scaled image of the map you have created; associated metadata; and an evaluation of the approach you have taken. Definition of Land Cover: “Land cover refers to the physical and biological cover over the surface of the Earth, including water, vegetation, bare soil or rock” (Sultana and Powell, 2010: 1726). Added to this basic definition you could also include manmade surface types, such as concrete and tarmac. The key thing with land cover is that you do not try to interpret a use for the surface types identified. Reference: Sultana, S. and Powell, W.T., 2010. Land Use. In Warf, G., editor, Encyclopaedia of Geography. Sage Reference: Los Angeles, London, New Delhi, Singapore, Washington D.C. pp. 1726 – 1732. Aerial Photography You will each be provided with an RGB aerial photo of part of Salford. This photography is copyrighted and so should not be used for any other purpose than this assignment. The aerial photo is panchromatic and has a spatial resolution of 25cm, and dates from the early 2000s. Your report should comprise the following elements: 1. Preparation – Consider the function of a land cover map and identify what features you will include in your map and how you might represent those features (i.e. as points, lines or polygons). Examine the aerial photograph and identify issues with it as a data source for a land cover map). [30%] 2. Data capture strategy – Identification and justification of the approach to be taken, data standards to be used (i.e. metadata standards) and how any limitations with the aerial photograph as a data source will be addressed. Remember to explain what type of metadata you will create (i.e. is it for discovery or is it for detailed assessment of features) [30%] 3. Data capture – this section should include a copy of your map embedded as an image in your report, and a copy of the accompanying metadata you have created. [30%] 4. Evaluation – including a review of your map against other similar map products for the same area (if any are available), and a critical discussion about what might be the ideal data set for this application. [10%] |
