Field Activity 7: ArcPad Data Collection Part 2

Introduction

In this week's lab exercise we performed the same activity as we did last week however in this exercise we actually collected our microclimate data. As pairs went to various zones of UW Eau Claire campus to take a total of 50-100 microclimate data points. Using the Kestrel units provided for us we were able to collect temperature at the surface and 2m, dew point, relative humidity, windchill, and wind speed. The more points where we collected this data the more accurate of an overall microclimate dataset we would have for the study area. For this reason it will be the best use of our time and resources to divide up the UW Eau Claire campus. 

Method

First each of the 7 groups of two were assigned on of the predetermined zones which would be our areas of focus within the study area. Once they were assigned we repeated the process of deploying the basemap and geodatabase to our Trimble Juno GPS units to take into the field with us to collect our data. One thing that is different about this week's procedure compared to last was the geodatabases we used. Since we wanted to collect microclimate data from different areas of the campus and compare it all we needed to have the same geodatabase to use in order to keep our data collection consistent. After deploying the data to the GPS units we headed outside to start our collection process.

This image shows the 7 zones that the UW Eau Claire was divided into for data collection outlined in red. The yellow points were each spot where microclimate data was collected by the members of the Field Methods class.

On the day we went out into the field it was a beautiful, windy, partly cloudy, around 55 degree day. We took data points about every 15 to 25 feet to cover as much area as we could while not collecting overlapping points. Once we all finished collecting our 50 points within our zone we grouped the data together in order to compile a map showing the microclimate data of the entire study area. After everyone uploaded their feature classes into the class geodatabase it was imperative to combine the feature classes into one since until this is done the data is useless since every group classified theirs differently.  Then after everything was combined we were able to construct various maps to show the microclimate data we collected and how it differed throughout the campus. 

This map shows the distribution of relative humidity within the UW Eau Claire campus study area.

Discussion

The hands on experience of going out into the field to collect the microclimate data proved to be a very interesting learning experience. It was a useful exercise to practice gathering data using the Trimble GPS units, ArcPad and the kestrel units. At first I thought that using the equiptment would be easy however I needed to review how to gather points and other functions of the units. By the end of the activity though I felt very confident using the units. 

While organizing the class data it became more clear just how important it is to coordinate with everyone prior to going into the field. Not only was it so useful to use the same geodatabase for collecting the data but also determining the best way to break up the study area so that we could cover the greatest amount of area in the time constraint of class. This pre-planning was crucial to the success of this project. Also, having a week of practice prior to data collection in the field was really nice since it gave everyone a chance to become more familiar with the equipment and procedure. 

Conclusion

Even though this was only a class field activity to collect microclimate data to be used in a UW Eau Claire campus map, it was a great deal of work. Not only was it a complicated process to prepare the geodatabase that could be used in the field effectively, utilize ArcPad to collect the data, making sure to properly use and read the other instruments in the field and downloading the data to prepare it in ArcMap. 

It was really nice to have the whole class work together on this project, especially when technical problems arose we could all work together to solve it. Team work is important in any line of work but collaborating with peers in this case was great practice. Working together to develop a project and divide up the workload to collect data is something I can see being a real world example so I really appreciated the experience. 

Field Activity 6: ArcPad Data Collection Part 1

Introduction

This week's activity was the trial run of utilizing our geodatabases created in Field Activity 5 to collect microclimate data on the UW-Eau Claire campus. We were divided into 7 groups of 2 and tasked with practicing data collection using the Trimble Juno GPS units and the program ArcPad. To collect the weather data itself including wind speed, temperature, dew point etc we used handheld Kestrel weather detectors. The first step in this process was to get the project ready in ArcMap and deploy the map and geodatabase information onto the GPS unit to collect data in the field. The reason for this test run was to determine if there were any problems with the geodatabases we created that would need to be resolved before collecting our data. This proved to be very useful since it showed where the flaws existed in my geodatabase that needed to be fixed before it was to be used in the field. 

Methods

The first step in this process was to get the project reading in ArcMap. To do this I imported the feature class that is apart of the geodatabase I previously created. I found that it was very important to import this feature class before bringing in any base map data into the project in ArcMap to ensure that all the other data was in the same coordinate system. The base map data serves as a background which can be used on the Trimble GPS units to show where in the study area my data points were collected. It acts as a reference for the data points collected in the field. I found the best base map data could be downloaded online within ArcMap of a street view map of the UW-Eau Claire Campus area. I also imported another image from the department data of Eau Claire County. 

The next process was to deploy the data onto the Trimble GPS unit from ArcMap which was done using the ArcPad Data Manager Toolbar. After making a copy of the deployment and moving it onto the storage card of the GPS unit I was able to view the base map as well as take data points with the various attributes that I created last week in the domain of my geodatabase. We then went outside to test out this system and take some test points. After our test points were taken we exported them off of the GPS units and into ArcMap to view and analyze our data.

Discussion

I learned quite quickly that there were some problems with my geodatabase once we got into the field to test them. First, I realized that I had forgotten to include the domain for relative humidity which is important in our analysis of the microclimate of the UW-Eau Claire campus. 

I also encountered further problems when I attempted to download the data I collected in the field onto the computer. For unknown reasons when I used the ArcPad Data Manager tool to import the data from my GPS unit into ArcMap my data points would appear in the dialog showing that they were indeed collected however when I went to import them the data would not show up on my base map. After a lot of troubleshooting with my professor and fellow classmates we solved the problem by simply right clicking on the feature class and selecting the option to "zoom to layer" and my data points appeared as they should. 

Conclusion

Overall I found it extremely helpful to have a week where we simply had a chance to get to learn the equipment we would be using for our data collection prior to actually collecting the data. I have a better understanding now of how important it is to test out not only your field methods but also equipment in order to make sure that you have set everything up correctly and that they will serve their proper purpose. Had we not tested out our geodatabases before collecting the data I would not have had all the domain fields necessary to collect all the microclimate data we needed. It was also better to troubleshoot when the data was only practice and I had not spent hours in the field collecting it since now I will have a better understanding of how to address this problem, should it come up again. 

We also decided as a class to create one geodatabase that would be standard and used by all the groups in the next week when we did our actual data collection in the field. This way we could divide up the campus based on our 7 groups and share our data to create a microclimate map of the entire Eau Claire campus rather than just a small portion of it.