Accomplishment Statements

Lab 1: I completed an ArcGIS tutorial on the basics of GIS programming, which gave me a basic understanding of how it works and in which ways it can be used (for example, where raster versus vector data is most effective for the visualization of data), allowing me to apply my knowledge to real map-making scenarios as seen in upcoming labs.

Lab 2: I used the “Select by Attribute” tool to write a condition that selected specific features from a layer, that being only cities named Vancouver and Halifax, to measure the distance between them.

Lab 3: Using the Intersect tool, I created a vector layer that satisfied areas within greater Vancouver susceptible to a tsunami both within 1 km buffer and with less than 15 km elevation, to show where it is most dangerous to reside if a tsunami were to hit.

Lab 4: Using data from Statistics Canada, I was able to compare the real estate markets in Metro Vancouver versus Ottawa using various methods of classification, which all drastically altered my results. This exercise proved how easily maps with the same data can be manipulated to drastically cater to different outcomes/visualizations.

Lab 5: In order to assess the effects of the development of a Squamish Ski Resort on various red-listed ecosystems and fishery habitats, I independently acquired spatial datasets online, parsed and filtered data and represented it in a way that was easily readable for the viewer. In order to only assess data within the boundaries of the project areas, I used the “Clip” feature on both vector and raster data.