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Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Derek Hafstad
Stockton University, ENVL4300
Dr. Tait Chirenji
January 25, 2019
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Introduction:

Environmental science is a field that requires the analysis of large amounts of data, whether it is

air quality readings across the country or mapping the soil measurements taken while out in the field. In

order to make the data more manageable and easier to analyze, software such as geographic

information systems (GIS) can be used. This software has many functions, including importing shapefiles

and isolating the desired information or working with multiple sets of data at the same time. Being able

to visualize multiple data sets in a mapping program such as GIS can show the correlation between

different information such as pollutants and the various effects it might have in the region.

There are three types of data that can be used in this program. The first is point data which are

specific points that are mapped such as contaminated sites. The next is area data, such as a map of the

United States with the individual states outline. The last is line data such as roads or waterways. All of

these types of data are combined to produce maps that can present the data in a manner that is more

readily digested by an audience. While in a professional setting, being able to create a visual for the raw

numerical data is a necessary skill when giving presentations and trying to obtain support for a project.

Methods:

Activity 1: Data of the geographic coordinates for the homes of the students in ENVL4300 was provided

in an excel spreadsheet. The data was imported into ArcMap 10.6 using the add xy data option under

the file and add data tab. The geometric coordinates were chosen by clicking edit, and choosing NAD

1983 (2011) under Geographic Coordinate Systems, North America, USA and territories tabs. The data

points were then plotted on a base map as shown in map 1.

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Activity 2: Future sampling sites were plotted in ArcMap 10.6. The latitude and longitude were

determined using Find Google Maps coordinates before being transferred into an excel file which was

then imported into ArcMap 10.6 through the add xy data option under the file and add data tab. The

geometric coordinates were chosen by clicking edit, and choosing NAD 1983 (2011) under Geographic

Coordinate Systems, North America, USA and territories tabs. The resulting points were then plotted on

top of a base map as shown in map 2.

Activity 3: A map of the polluted sites, polluted groundwater, and roads in Seaside Heights, New Jersey

was created. The shapefiles for the state, county, and municipalities as well as the contaminated

groundwater were downloaded from NJDEP Open Data site from the NJDEP Bureau of GIS. The

shapefiles for the roads and contaminated sites were provided. After importing the shapefiles into

ArcMAP 10.6, the specific county was isolated from the NJ counties map by right clicking the file on the

side and going into the attributes table. Then the specific county was highlighted. It was separated by

right clicking the file on the side and under the data tab, export data option was chosen.

The municipalities were then isolated in that county by selecting clip from the

Geoprocessing tab, with the input features being the municipalities’ shapefile, and the clip features

being the specific county. The name of the file was changed in the output feature class line. The specific

municipality was then isolated by selecting the specific municipality from the attributes table and using

the export data option. The roads, contaminated groundwater, and contaminated sites were then

isolated by using the clip option with the input features being the roads, contaminated groundwater,

and contaminated sites and the clip features being the specific municipality. The results are shown in

map 3.

Activity 4: A map of the national forests in the states of California, Utah, Montana, and Washington

were created. The shapefile for the national parks were downloaded from the Data Store while the
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shapefile for the state boundaries in the United States was downloaded from the United States Census

Bureau. Each of the four states were isolated by using the export data feature for the shapefile after

highlighting the desired states in the attributes table. The national parks for that state were isolated by

clipping the national parks shapefile in the inputs features while the specific states were the clip

features. The resulting figures are shown in Map 4, Map 5, Map 6, and Map 7.
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Display:

Map 1

Location of ENVL 4300 student’s homes

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Map 2

Location of Future Sample Locations for Lake Fred

Data from Find Google Maps coordinates

Table 1

The Longitude and Latitude for the Sample Locations and the Reason for Sampling at those Locations

Latitude Longitude Why

39.49555922 -74.53596801 Along a major rout of traveling
39.49561718 -74.52876359 It is the only outlet for the
water beside evaporation
39.49419729 -74.53306049 Connection to one of the feeder
ponds
39.49675555 -74.53100592 By the lounge with a lot of
activity
39.4942304 -74.52975601 A shallow area with high
vegetation in the spring,
summer, and fall.
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Map 3

The Polluted Sites, Polluted Groundwater, and Roads in Seaside Heights, New Jersey

Data from: NJDEP Bureau of GIS

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Map 4

The location of National Forests in California

Data from: Cartographic Boundary Shapefiles, Data Store

Map 5

Location of National Forests in Montana

Data From: Cartographic Boundary Shapefiles, Data Store

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Map 6

Location of National Forests in Utah

Data from: Cartographic Boundary Shapefiles, Data Store

Map 7

Locations of National Forests in the State of Washington

Data from: Cartographic Boundary Shapefiles, Data Store

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References:

Cartographic Boundary Shapefiles. https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/tiger-cart-

boundary.html (accessed Jan 23, 2019).

Data Store. https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/Reference/Profile/2224545?lnv=True (accessed Jan 23,

2019).

Find Google Maps coordinates - fast and easy! https://www.mapcoordinates.net/en (accessed Jan 23,
2019).

NJDEP Bureau of GIS. https://gisdata-njdep.opendata.arcgis.com/ (accessed Jan 23, 2019).