Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

My GIS Skills

Throughout my coursework at Appalachian State, I have experienced many different exercises that have increased my Geographic Information System capabilities. These images showcase my work from the courses of Cartographic Design and Analysis, Geospatial Data and Technology, Introduction to GIS, and Advanced GIS.

In these courses and by these artifacts, I have worked with ArcMap 10.6, ArcGIS Pro, Adobe Illustrator, MapTiler, and QGIS. With these technologies, I have learned about data acquisition, analysis tools within ArcMap, and proper cartographic design. I am able to create informative geographic products because of my skills.

ASU Campus Map Using QGIS

As I first learned about Geographic Information Systems (GIS), I used the GIS software QGIS prior to ESRI products. In this QGIS map, it is using GPS collected points and using the Latitude and Longitude to create a map showing these locations.

Georeferencing Using MapTiler and Google Earth

In Geospatial Data and Technology, I was presented with many GIS programs including MapTiler, in which I learned how to Georeference an image by creating control points and evaluating the error associated with the control points. I learned how to import the georeferenced image into Google Earth to evaluate the accuracy.

Dot Density Map

One of the principles of the Cartographic Design and Analysis course is to enhance our knowledge of different types of maps. This map is a Dot Density map in which it shows the principles of cartographic design of random and non-clustered placement of dots.

Isoline Map

Using a technique of interpolation, this isoline map is based off of data from over 50 weather stations as control points to illustrate the weather pattern. The isolines are determined by the information from the weather stations, and shows the ranges of snowfall across western North Carolina.

Cartographic Design and Analysis Final Project

I used choropleth mapping and graduated symbols to illustrate the topic of my choosing for this project. I overcame and learned how to fix design issues with some areas being larger or smaller than others. I learned many cartographic techniques in this color that is illustrated in this final map product including color theory, placement of map elements, and creating an informative map comprehendible for all map readers.

Fires and Burn Scar Analysis in ArcGIS Pro

This map showcases my first work within ArcGIS Pro using Remote Sensing and GIS techniques. Remote Sensing techniques of Band Combinations were used to enhance the satellite imagery. The area of a burn scar was digitized, and a map was created combining this information within ArcGIS Pro.

Geospatial Data and Technology Final Project

One of my interests is researching the environment and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. For Geospatial Data and Technology, I conducted research examining the extent of the 2016 Gatlinburg Wildfire and access points to the fire by national park trails. Based on the extent of the wildfire, I also examined the rate of employment; rates of employment indicate the economic and unemployment effects of the wildfire.

Using DEM - Watauga County Elevation

In Introduction to GIS, the first exercise consisted of using a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) and introducing raster data and spatial analysis. This exercise taught me how to represent elevation and to perform interpolation and raster analysis to create new layers within ArcMap. The resulting product is an elevation map of Watauga County.

Combining Data Frames

This map showcases my ability to combine two data frames into one map document, and my ability to use vector mapping to illustrate two data topics of the same geographic location. This map exercise taught me how to manually reclassify data, and to use ArcMap properties to inform map readers of country locations.

Vulnerability Index - Intro. to GIS Final Project

As part of a final project, I created a Vulnerability Index by adding the selected factors of the population without a diploma, in poverty, and are female. By selecting an appropriate classification method, the index shows the distribution of these factors as a value of who is vulnerable. This index shows more patterns of Moderate to Moderate – Low vulnerability.

Normalized Vulnerability Index - Intro. to GIS Final Project

A second vulnerability index was created as I compared these vulnerability factors to the total population value (determined by the Census, American Community Survey data). I normalized these values by the total population to show a more accurate representation to reality. This index shows higher vulnerability patterns, and more of Moderate to High vulnerability.

Spatial Analysis and Statistics Cluster Mapping - Intro. to GIS Final Project

These cluster maps represent the statistical correlation of these vulnerability factors and their distribution throughout the state of North Carolina. By using Incremental Spatial Autocorrelation to determine the maximum z-score, and a Spatial Autocorrelation Report (Moran’s I test) to determine the statistical significance and the amount of clustering. These reports indicate that the vulnerability factors are statistically significant clusters, in which these areas are influenced by these factors.

Site Suitability Analysis

In this Site Suitability analysis as an Advanced GIS exercise, multiple raster layers and two vector layers were used to determine the best location for a new school. By using Spatial Analyst tools within ArcMap, distance and slope layers were created from the input data. Each layer was reclassified based on its significance in a new school location. The Raster Calculator tool was used to weight and combine the layers creating the resulting map product of best school locations.

Site Suitability Flowchart

This flow chart illustrates the process to complete this site suitability analysis within ArcMap. I am capable of creating flowcharts to help others understand the process, and to illustrate data analysis.

ASU Campus Map Using QGIS

Georeferencing Using MapTiler and Google Earth

Dot Density Map

Isoline Map

Cartographic Design and Analysis Final Project

Fires and Burn Scar Analysis in ArcGIS Pro

Geospatial Data and Technology Final Project

Using DEM - Watauga County Elevation

Vulnerability Index - Intro. to GIS Final Project

Normalized Vulnerability Index - Intro. to GIS Final Project

Spatial Analysis and Statistics Cluster Mapping - Intro. to GIS Final Project

Site Suitability Analysis

Cartographic Design and Analysis Final Project

Geospatial Data and Technology Final Project

Vulnerability Index - Intro. to GIS Final Project

Normalized Vulnerability Index - Intro. to GIS Final Project

Spatial Analysis and Statistics Cluster Mapping - Intro. to GIS Final Project

Site Suitability Analysis

Anchor 2

Web Mapping and GIS

In my final semester, I completed a Web Mapping and GIS course that introduced creating web maps without other GIS software. I learned how to develop web maps by learning Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), JavaScript (JS), and other geographic-related coding libraries. Leaflet and Markdown coding languages and libraries were additional coding techniques I learned.

While completing my Associate's degree, I learned HTML and CSS in a web design course. However, this Web Mapping course expanded on previous knowledge. It made me aware of HTML, CSS, and JS's usefulness in creating interactive web maps.

In previous assignments and internships, I became experienced using ArcGIS Online. This course proved how other web mapping abilities, such as coding a map, are useful and allow for additional web mapping capabilities.

After coding a map, GitHub was used to create public repositories and host the final web map product that allows for public use.

This map shows a choropleth map of zoning districts in Asheville, North Carolina. The bivariate symbology used represents the different levels of Airbnb housing in Asheville.

Leaflet, JS, CSS, and HTML coding languages are used in this map.

Leaflet JS and CSS libraries, Leaflet Ajax JS library for the GeoJSON data, Chroma JS library for color schemes, Google Fonts CSS link, and a Leaflet provider base map JS file and linked JS script were all required for completing this map.

Buncombe County Airbnbs (2020)

Available at: Airbnb Map

Public Repository (Code Available) at: GitHub - Airbnb_Asheville

This interactive web map shows the UPS facilities as point data and the number of households as a choropleth map. The point data shows how clustered and spread out the UPS facilities are compared to the household sizes.

Utilizing Leaflet, JS, CSS, and HTML code, this map combines these coding languages to create the finalized web map. Leaflet JS and CSS libraries were necessary for creating this map.

Boston, MA UPS Facilities

Available at: UPS Boston Map

Public Repository (Code Available) at: GitHub - Boston_UPS

Using Mapbox, this is an interactive base map created based on a Vintage color palette.

This base map can be used in a variety of uses, as with any base map. The theme of this base map makes it useful for highlighting specific places of interest. The font labels and symbologies were changed to fit in a more simplistic design; with the vintage-style base map.

Vintage Themed Base Map

Available at: Mapbox

Available at: GitHub - VintageBaseMap

This interactive, proportional symbol map indicates the estimated population value for all 50 states in 2019. The differing sizes of the circles indicate changes in the population size.

Leaflet libraries and codes were used to create and enhance interaction. From creating a GeoJSON, the data was incorporated into the HTML code. Leaflet coding for mouse over and pop-up events are included in this map.

Perceptual Circle Scaling, US Population (2019)

Available at: US Population Graduated Circle Symbols

Available at: GitHub - US_Population

Holiday Travel Web Application with text associated with a current news article.

This web application uses a Bootstrap layout with changes made to the JS, CSS, and HTML coding to create the finalized application.

Leaflet libraries and creating a GeoJSON were used to implement the US Airport data. The previously created Mapbox base map was included. The left side panel of text incorporates a current news article connecting the map data to the situation.

Links throughout the web application and text take the map user to the article and data information. This web map application required combining knowledge of the previous web maps of JS, CSS, and HTML coding to create mouseover pop-ups, legend, and data implementation.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

My GIS Skills

Web Mapping and GIS

Buncombe County Airbnbs (2020)

Available at: Airbnb Map

Public Repository (Code Available) at: GitHub - Airbnb_Asheville

Boston, MA UPS Facilities

Available at: UPS Boston Map

Public Repository (Code Available) at: GitHub - Boston_UPS

Vintage Themed Base Map

Available at: Mapbox

Available at: GitHub - VintageBaseMap

Perceptual Circle Scaling, US Population (2019)

Available at: US Population Graduated Circle Symbols

Available at: GitHub - US_Population

Holiday Travel Web Application + News Article (2019, 2020)

Available at: US Airports - Holiday Travel

Available at: GitHub - USAirports_HolidayTravel