Instructor: Dr. Clio Andris
Introduction
GIS was originally developed to support several types of environmental applications. While the range of applications for this technology has expanded recently, environmental planning and management still present some of the most interesting and powerful GIS applications. Environmental systems are inherently spatial in nature and GIS provides the capability to address issues of coincident location, proximity, and connectivity.
Students will learn about GIS functions and data sources used in environmental applications. The course labs often include use Esri’s Spatial Analyst, as well as automated modeling techniques using ArcMap and R Studio.
Special attention is paid to environmental modeling decisions and considerations—as changes in the input decisions affect results. Special attention is also paid to strong environmental data visualization and using map design for persuasion.
Course Objectives
- Problem solving techniques for several critical environmental issues that concern urban and regional planners
- Finding efficient ways of completing geoprocessing tasks
- Knowing the major sources of data for environmental analysis
- Making decisions about land suitability for particular activities and for siting projects
- Testing hypothesis using simulation models
- Conducting visualization and topographical analysis
- Understanding error in data conversion
- Understanding the basics of hydrology and the use of GIS is hydrological analysis
- Conducting basic raster processing for land cover analysis
Schedule
| Date | Topic | Reading |
| Tu 8-18 | Introduction to Course, Env. GIS Modeling in Action | |
| Th 8-20 | Lab 1: Skills Review: Boko Haram | |
| Tu 8-25 | Dasymetric Modeling for Environmental Data | |
| Th 8-27 | Lab 2: Dasymetric Modeling with Land Cover/Land Use | |
| Tu 9-1 | Error in Raster Vector Conversion | Reading 1: Dasymetric Modeling |
| Th 9-3 | Lab 3: Raster / Vector Conversion | |
| Tu 9-8 | Activity: GIS/Carto in Environmental Impact Statements | |
| Th 9-10 | Group EIS presentations | |
| Tu 9-15 | Interpolation Methods for Environmental Data | Reading 2: Interpolation |
| Th 9-17 | Lab 4: Interpolation and Validation of Weather Events | |
| Tu 9-22 | Suitability / Capability I | Reading 3: Site Suitability Food |
| Th 9-24 | Lab 5: Vegetation Spread and Capability | |
| Tu 9-29 | Suitability / Capability II | |
| Th 10-1 | Lab 6: Your Suitability/Capability Model | |
| Tu 10-6 | Raster Analysis I: Local Focal Zonal and Global Operations | Reading 4: Evacuation |
| Th 10-8 | Lab 6 cont.: Your Suitability/Capability Model | |
| Tu 10-13 | Raster Analysis II: Filters and Processing | |
| Th 10-15 | Lab 7: Crop Cover Change | |
| Tu 10-20 | VGI in Environmental GIS & Midterm Review (I will answer questions) | Reading 5: Viticulture |
| Th 10-22 | MIDTERM | |
| Tu 10-27 | Hydrological Modeling | Reading 6: Toxic Releases |
| Th 10-29 | Lab 8: Trick or Treat Network Routing | |
| Tu 11-3 | Election Day – Lab 8 help | |
| Th 11-5 | Lab 9: Hydrology and Water Systems | |
| Tu 11-10 | Terrain Modeling and Cost | Reading 7: Environmental Exposure |
| Th 11-12 | Lab 10: Terrain & ArcScene | |
| Tu 11-17 | Guest Lecture: Brian Brainerd, Real-World Environmental GIS: City of Savannah | Reading 8: Discharge Hydrograph |
| Th 11-19 | Lab 11: Cost Distance and Movement | |
| Tu 11-24 | Thanksgiving break | |
| Th 11-26 | Thanksgiving break | |
| Tu 12- 1 | Course Wrap Up: Q and A about GIS |