Exercise 7 - ArcPad Data Collection II

Introduction

The exercise this week was the third and final part of the microclimate exercise. This consisted of the entire class collecting ground points across the UWEC campus. The whole class was to use the same geodatabase that was provided by one of the students. After all the groups had collected the points in each of their areas we were then going to put them all together into one feature class so that we would have all of the points collected on the same map. We could then create maps of the data collected.

Study Area

The area that we were to map out included the UWEC campus (see figure 1) with the class being split into seven group and each group taking a section shown in the yellow polygons. My group had the western portion of the lower campus.

The study area including each group's section shown in yellow. (fig. 1)

Methods

We started out with the same geodatabase as a class and split into groups of two. One of us had the Trimble GPS device and the other had the Kestral. We went to our section to collect the data and started in the western portion and worked out way in a circle until we had the entire section covered with points. One of us would be measuring the different climate fields from the geodatabase which was described in exercise 5 and the other would input the information into the Trimble. We took turns collecting the data and inputting the data. We weren't able to collect wind direction however because we didn't have a compass to collect it.

The data we collected included wind speed, surface temperature, temperature at two meters high, dew point, humidity and ground cover.

One we had collected as many points as we had time for we came back to the classroom and combined everyone's feature class into a single geodatabase. One we got it into one feature clad with everyone's points included we were then able to map the data in coherent ways.

Discussion

The data provided us with many different possibilities for map making. Below are some of the different maps I was able to create with the data we collected. I was able to create just straight data plots of the different fields as well as interpolation of the data across the study area.

Some problems I ran into while collecting points, besides not being able to collect wind speed, included sometimes not being able to collect points due to buildings being in the way or otherwise inaccessible locations.

Map of the dew point across campus (fig. 2)

Map of prevent humidity across campus (fig. 3)

Map of the surface temperature across campus (fig. 4)

Map of the wind speed across campus (fig. 5)

Conclusion

The exercise was a great way learn how to collect field data and how to use Kestral devices. We also were able to create some informational maps that showed interesting trends in the microclimate of UWEC. Collecting data in the field is a long and detailed process and practicing this skill can help get more efficient in using GPS devices and data collection devices such as the Kestral.

Exercise 6 - ArcPad Data Collection I

Introduction

In this exercise we set up the ArcPad devices for the next week when we will go out and collect point data for micro climates across the UWEC campus. Last week we set up a geodatabase with domains for collecting micro climate data. We set up the fields that we wanted to collect and tried out a test run for next week when we do it for real.

Study Area

Our area of interest is the UWEC campus as seen below (fig. 1). We will mostly stick to the open mall area in the middle. In the picture it is shown as a dirt field however now it is covered in snow. We will be collecting 20 points in the final data collection next week. This week we just took a few points to test the ArcPad application out.

Study Area of the UWEC campus (fig. 1)

Methods

ArcPad is a mobile version of ArcGIS that can be accessed out in the field using a Trimble device as seen below (fig. 2). The device application is a watered-down version of ArcGIS with many of the same features as the desktop version. We are able to access ArcGIS .mxd files the same way as on the desktop but we have to transfer them over to the device first.

Trimble ArcPad device (fig. 2)

First we need to take the geodatabase that we created last week and alter it to be able to be put on the ArcPad device. To do this I first pull up the file in ArcGIS on our desktop. I then access the extension ArcPad Data Manager. I then click Get Data for ArcMap and work through the ArcPad wizard in order to create a folder containing the .mxd file with both the feature class we created last week with all of the fields ready, as well as a basemap of the study area. Once we have the ArcPad folder ready we have to first make a copy of this folder just in case.

We then connected the ArcPad to the computer and pull up the Trimble folder within Windows Explorer. Next we find the folder within the Trimble that we wish to put our .mxd file in and simply copy and paste it in.

Now that we can access the .mxd file from our Trimble we are able to edit the feature class that we made in it last week. The feature class was a micro-climate point feature class with fields that included temperature, wind speed, wind direction, dew point, humidity, ground cover, wind chill and others. Once we were out in the field we started to collect points. To do this we first need to turn on the satellite receiver in order to get a GPS signal. Once we get a strong signal from surrounding satellites we can edit the point feature class. Once in the editing mode on the ArcPad we can just click the point feature class and collect a point. The window then comes up with the values that we wish to put in which include the fields that we set up in the geodatabase last week. To measure the micro-climate data we need a Kestrel meter as shown below (fig. 3). The Kestrel meter measures all kinds of climate data including temperature, wind speed, dew point and humidity.

Kestrel Meter for measuring micro-climate information (fig. 3)

I measured out the temperature at surface, the temperature at 2 meter height, humidity, wind speed and dew point with the Kestrel meter. The wind direction will be measured by a compass which we lacked this week but will have next week. The ground cover then was to be selected by a drop down menu that I created in domains last week. Once we collected enough points we went inside.

Now we can take the data off of the Trimble. To do this we simply copy and paste the folder from the Trimble back into the folder we took it out of. Next we go into ArcGIS and click Get Data from ArcPad in the ArcPad Data Manager Toolbar from before. The wizard then displays the points which we can then save as a feature class in a geodatabase on the computer.

Discussion

I had no problems with my Trimble however my partner need help getting his background basemap to show up on his Trimble. To fix that we simply took a lidar image and set the extent at the area of interest and that allowed us to put a background image on the Trimble so that we could see where we were when collecting out points.

The test run went very smoothly and next week we should be able to start collecting data without any problems or delays.

Conclusion

This test run was very important in ironing out any kinks or problems we could encounter when first go out into the field to collect data. Now however we have all of the data ready to go and should have no problems with the collection, feature class or geodatabase going in the exercise next week.

Sources
ArcPad photo and information from ESRI Online: Link
Kestrel Meter photo and information from KestrelMeters.com Link