A COURSE @ UNIVERSITY OF STIRLING, UK September 18-22, 202
Day 1 - Foundational Concepts & geospatial data collection protocol
Objective: To provide a general overview of the week-long class, to explore student interests and background vis-a-vis geospatial data, and to begin discussion of baseline geospatial concepts.
Content Covered: (1) What is geospatial data? (2) Where is geospatial data used, and by whom? (3) Types of geospatial data (vector and raster) (4) Data resolution (4 kinds) (5) Essentials of an aerial survey design (6) Basic concepts of GNSS and RTK.
Homework: Explore the fieldwork site and become familiar with its trees and other attributes that will be visible from drone-based aerial imagery.
Class Presentation (pdf) | Geospatial Data Resolution Defined (pdf)
DAY 2 - GNSS/RTK & AERIAL Surveys
Objective: To introduce students to GNSS and RTK surveying and to collect coordinates for ground control points (GCPs) and tree locations.
Content Covered: (1) RTK Base Station setup (2) GNSS/RTK Rover operation (3) Collection of GPCs (4) Collection of tree locations (5) Operation of a laser rangefinder.
Homework: Research elevation and coordinates for the City of Stirling and compare these to our campus measurements (validation).
Dronelink - Mission Planning Software (website)
SW Maps App - Mobile Data Collection (website)
TruPulse 360R - Laser Range Finder (website)
DAY 3 - Tree Surveys & Tree Benefits
Objective: To introduce common methods of tree surveying and to use data collected from trees in the study area in a tree benefits model.
Content Covered: (1) Tree measurement tools (2) Best practices for collecting tree data (3) Explanation of i-Tree software (US Forest Service model for tree benefits assessment) (4) Process data from trees on the field site using i-Tree.
Homework: Using ArcGIS Pro, map tree locations on the field site and contemplate approaches to adding tree benefits (calculated in i-Tree) as attributes for each tree.
Day 4 - GIS & Tree Map Creation
Objective: To create a GIS-based map of the field site that contains tree locations (base point), canopy spread, and tree attributes (including species, measurements and benefits).
Content Covered: (1) Map setup in ArcGIS Pro (including coordinate system) (2) Integration of field data (measurements and benefits) (3) Symbolization of maps.
Homework: Group drone flight!
Day 5 - CarTography & Tree Web App
Objective: To review basic cartographic (map making) concepts including map layout, colour, symbology, and to explore ArcGIS Online and its web app creation capabilities.
Content Covered: (1) Use ArcGIS Pro layout to create a publishable map (2) Upload data to ArcGIS Online (3) Creation of a simple web app displaying tree locations and data from the field site.
Homework: Work on web!