GEOG 226 - Spatial Data & Analysis

Terms & Concepts

You can use the Map & Compass Glossary (link now works) for many of the terms

Map Basics

• list/describe map components (a.k.a. map elements)

• compare/ contrast:

  • maps: (real) paper map vs. digital map vs. photomap (a.k.a. orthophoto)

  • planimetric map vs. topographic map vs. thematic map

  • large vs. small scale

  • map vs. plan vs. chart

  • mapping systems: NTS, BCGS

  • representative fraction (ratio) vs. word statement vs. scale bar

Georeferencing

• define: graticule, parallels, meridians, latitudes, longitudes, prime meridian, equator, georeferencing, geoid, ellipsoid, horizontal datum

• compare and contrast between non-metric & metric georeferencing systems (also, provide examples of each)

• describe the various models for the shape of the earth: sphere vs. ellipsoid vs. geoid

• describe how centrifugal force & gravity affect the shape of the earth

• determine (interpolate) UTM and lat./long. coordinates for map features

Map Projections

• List 4 properties that can be distorted due to map projection

• compare the various map projection types: conformal (lat./long. cross at right angles and shapes of small areas conserved) vs. equal-area (or equivalent) vs. equidistant (usually only from the central point of a planar projection)

• describe/compare various map projection options:

  • developable surfaces: plane (azimuthal), cylinder, cone

  • orientation: normal, transverse, oblique, polar, equatorial

  • light-source location: gnomic, stereographic, orthographic

  • orientation: normal vs transverse vs oblique

  • tangent vs. secant

• define standard line(s)

• describe commonly used map projections: Mercator, UTM, (BC) Albers Equal Area, and (Canada) Lambert Conformal

Scale (Distance & Area)

• terms

  • large scale vs small scale

  • ratio (representative fraction) vs. scale bar (graphic scale) vs. word statement

• describe the 3 ways to express map scale and be able to convert between them

• describe map generalization techniques: selection, simplification, combination, location shift, exaggeration

• provide and be able to use metric and imperial units in calculations

• solve scale problems involving map and ground distances

• determine areas of various shaped polygons using dot grid, graph paper and line transect

Traversing & Plotting

• define: cardinal directions, compass rose

• compare/ contrast:

  • quadrant vs. azimuth bearing

  • front bearing vs. back bearing

  • true north vs. magnetic north vs. grid north

  • (magnetic) declination vs. compass deviation (aka magnetic attraction)

• calculate horizontal distance and elevation change based on slope distance and slope % measures

• properly record traverse notes according to accepted standards

• plot a map to any given scale, using a ruler and a Douglas Protractor

• determine the bearing between two features on a map or air photo using a hand (Silva) compass or a Douglas protractor

Air Photos

• define:

  • remote sensing, EMR, visible spectrum, atmospheric window, reflected, refracted, absorbed, transmitted

  • flight line, endlap, sidelap, drift, crab, tilt

  • stereoscope, stereo pair, stereoscopy,

  • orthophoto

  • vertical vs. oblique air photos

• use fiducial marks on an air photo to mark principal point, conjugate principal points

• describe photo numbering systems used by the BC government

• use a stereoscope to view air photos in 3D

• differentiate between photogrammetry, photo interpretation, and orienteering

• determine the orientation (north) of an air photo

• determine the bearing between two features on a map or air photo using a hand (Silva) compass or a Douglas protractor

• calculate/ determine:

  • photo scale =  PD/ GD  = f / H

Orienteering

• in the field, orient a map or air photo to align with real world features

• resection (triangulation)

GPS

• describe the 3 segments of GPS: Space, Ground Control and Major Tom ... er, I mean User

• define: pseudorandom code, ephemeris, almanac

• describe various sources of GPS errors: ionosphere, troposphere, multi-path, clock, orbital, number of satellites, geometry of satellites (PDOP = position dilution of precision), selective availability

• describe differential correction (DGPS)

Slope & Terrain

• define: slope distance, horizontal distance, spot heights, contours (index, intermediate, supplementary, depression), contour interval, vertical datum, bathymetry, isoline, profile, vertical exaggeration,

• convert between

  • slope angle & slope percent

  • slope distance & horizontal distance

• describe the various means for depicting topography: hypsometric tinting (layer tinting), hachures, spot heights, contours, hillshading

• on a contour map, determine an 'optimal hiking trail' that utilizes ridges and minimizes steep slopes

• draw a profile of a cross-sectional line or a route

• given a maximum slope gradient, approximate a road location on a contour map that connects two points

Satellite Imagery

• define:

  • remote sensing, reflection, absorption, refraction, transmission,

  • scale, resolution, bands, spectral signature

• compare:

  • orbit: geosynchronous vs. polar

  • swath: whisk-broom vs. push-broom

  • composites: true colour vs. false colour

• Describe the remote sensing process

GIS

• whatever is relevant - to be added later