Module 4 - Vector Analysis

In this week's lab assignment, we began to work with and analyze vector data and feature classes. I created the attached map that shows possible campsite locations in De Soto National Forest in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. The campsite locations needed to meet multiple spatial query criteria. I needed campsites that were a certain number of meters away from roads and water but were also not within any conservation areas.

I created a fixed buffer area around rivers, lakes, and roads. These new buffered areas became their own road buffer and water buffer layers. Next, I created a buffer union between where the river buffer and road buffer intersected. This buffer union helped me to map the best places for a campsite near that was 150 meters from a road and 500 meters from a lake or river.

I added new columns to the attribute table to set the buffer boundaries based on the meters I entered. I then used the geoprocessing pane with the union Overlay tool to create the actual layer that would be displayed on the map. This union process had to be done carefully and had to be done correctly for each feature. In the final step, I removed road buffer and river buffer areas that were within the conservation area by using the Erase geoprocessing tool to exclude these buffer areas.

The result is a map that shows the total area percentage away each buffer is from roads and water. The red buffer areas are closest to both roads and water, while the blue areas are furthest away. I used an inset map to show the State of Mississippi and a Park/Tree symbol to show where De Soto National Forrest is in the state.