Back to data collection tools! In general I prefer paperless methods because I don't have to worry about entering the data to a spreadsheet later, fighting all the poor handwriting. It also gives me a little more control over data format and makes tracking locations much easier. That being said, sometimes the old fashioned way… Continue reading Non-digital Data Collection Tools
Category: Uncategorized
Bike Routes!
I'm taking a quick break for data collection tools to share a feature of Google Maps I use all the time-- bike routes! I love my bikes almost as much as I love my dogs.... I bike for transportation more days than not and am pretty familiar with the trails and bike-friendly roads in my… Continue reading Bike Routes!
Collector for ArcGIS
Last week I shared some information about Survey123 and how we use it for data collection. Today I'm going to give you a quick overview of Collector, which is another Esri product. Just like Survey123, the app is free but you'll need to log in with your Esri account credentials. I do not use Collector… Continue reading Collector for ArcGIS
Survey123
Last week I mentioned that we're getting into harvest here in Ohio. In the field, easy-to-use mobile apps are a great replacement for more traditional data sheets because they organize the data and don't require manual data entry after a long day outside. Survey123, produced by Esri, is a personal favorite because it's easy to… Continue reading Survey123
Uploading Coordinates into a Map
Fall semester is here, which means we're juggling classes and planning for harvest. Over the next week or two I'll highlight some tools we use for fall data collection, including Survey 123, Collector for ArcGIS, and Google Forms. My first related post won't introduce any of these apps, but instead will use Google Maps to… Continue reading Uploading Coordinates into a Map
Google Timeline
True fact about me: I am terrible about keeping track of work or otherwise reimbursable mileage I drive in my personal vehicle. I am honestly better about keeping track of mileage on my bike. As the end of summer comes and we all have to catch up on paperwork before fall semester... I basically never… Continue reading Google Timeline
Color Palettes for Maps
A clear color palette makes your graphics both visually appealing and easy to read. Usually data type plays the strongest role in my color selection method, but I also consider what type of document it will be included in and who is likely to read it. There are two main types of data I present:… Continue reading Color Palettes for Maps
Data Sources for Satellite Images
Satellite images have a wide variety of uses. They make a great backdrop for other maps and can give you an idea of land use in your area. The greenness in summer images can give you an idea of relative productivity. Bare ground photos taken when the ground is near field capacity can give you… Continue reading Data Sources for Satellite Images
Raster Data
If you work with spatial data, you'll likely come across rasters at some point. Raster data can be thought of as a grid of cells, and each cell contains a value. This value can be continuous, such as in an elevation model where the value in each cell represents feet above sea level. The Crop… Continue reading Raster Data
Random Forest
Machine learning algorithms are cool because the can handle continuous and categorical variables and have few assumptions about data distribution. As the name machine learning would imply, it's a highly automated process. Sometimes they take a while to compute, but the computer can be unsupervised during that time. One machine learning algorithm I use in… Continue reading Random Forest
Spatially Challenged 