Cougar Habitat Case Study - Analysis Workflow using ArcGIS Online
Cougar Habitat Case Study - Analysis Workflow using ArcGIS Online
This story map walks you through the analysis workflow for finding potential cougar habitat, as presented in the case study "Which areas are good cougar habitat?"
1First, view the pop-ups for the three sub-watersheds that comprise the study area to get their unique IDs. There are several fields with unique values, but the shortest one is the three-digit HUC5_ID field.
Go ahead--try it on the map to the right. Just click the sub-watersheds.
2Now filter the sub-watershed layer, specifying that features match "Any" of the three HUC5_ID values. Learn about filtering a layer.
3Then use the Dissolve Boundaries tool (in the Manage data category) to erase the boundaries between the filtered sub-watersheds, creating a new layer containing the study area boundary. Choose "Areas that overlap or are adjacent" as the dissolve method, and skip the "Add statistic" option. When the result layer is added to your map, change the style to a transparent fill and a thick, dark gray outline.
Create a layer of highway features within the study area.
To clip features using another layer in ArcGIS Online, you extract the features to a file, download the file to your local device, and then add the file containing the features back into your map.
1First, use the Extract Data tool (in the Manage data category) to create the file containing the clipped features. Specify "State highway" as the layer to extract features from, specify the “Study area boundary” layer as the study area, and specify the option to Clip features. Since you’ll be adding the file into your map, specify the output data format as a CSV file or a shapefile.
2Once created, the file will appear in your My Content list. Use the dropdown to select the Download option and save the file on your device.
3Now, back in your map, use the "Add layer from file" option to locate the file and import the layer into your map. Learn about adding layers. Rename the layer to "Highway" and change the style to a thick, red line.
Identify the area that are suitable cougar habitat using the criteria defined by the experts from the State Park.
In ArcGIS Online, the Derive New Locations tool allows you to combine attribute and spatial criteria in a single statement by adding a set of expressions, one at a time. A new layer of areas that meet the specified criteria is created.
1Before running Derive New Locations, filter the vegetation layer to select the three vegetation types to be included: codes 34, 49, and 67. (You can actually specify the vegetation criteria in the Derive New Locations tool, but using the filter first will create a simpler selection statement. It will also streamline the process when you run the analysis again using the criteria defined by the Department of Fish and Wildlife.)
2Now perform the suitability analysis. The slope layer is continuous across the entire study area so can be used as the basis for the analysis--that is, the layer to which the other criteria layers are related (although you could also use the vegetation layer). Click the down arrow next to the Slope layer in the Contents, select Perform Analysis, and, under Find Locations, select the Derive New Locations Tool.
Identify areas that are suitable cougar habitat using the criteria defined by the experts from the Department of Fish and Wildlife.
1First, edit the Vegetation filter to add the timber harvest areas. Add a fourth expression and specify VEG_CODE is 121 (you’ll need to scroll down to see the newly added expression). Then apply the filter.
2Now open the Derive New Locations tool again, and add the expressions, as shown in the previous analysis. This time, though, specify that the suitable areas are within 2500 feet of a stream and more than 500 feet from a highway. When the expressions are complete, run the analysis.
Cougar Habitat Case Study - Analysis Workflow using ArcGIS Online
This story map walks you through the analysis workflow for finding potential cougar habitat, as presented in the case study "Which areas are good cougar habitat?"
1First, view the pop-ups for the three sub-watersheds that comprise the study area to get their unique IDs. There are several fields with unique values, but the shortest one is the three-digit HUC5_ID field.
Go ahead--try it on the map to the right. Just click the sub-watersheds.
2Now filter the sub-watershed layer, specifying that features match "Any" of the three HUC5_ID values. Learn about filtering a layer.
3Then use the Dissolve Boundaries tool (in the Manage data category) to erase the boundaries between the filtered sub-watersheds, creating a new layer containing the study area boundary. Choose "Areas that overlap or are adjacent" as the dissolve method, and skip the "Add statistic" option. When the result layer is added to your map, change the style to a transparent fill and a thick, dark gray outline.
Create a layer of highway features within the study area.
To clip features using another layer in ArcGIS Online, you extract the features to a file, download the file to your local device, and then add the file containing the features back into your map.
1First, use the Extract Data tool (in the Manage data category) to create the file containing the clipped features. Specify "State highway" as the layer to extract features from, specify the “Study area boundary” layer as the study area, and specify the option to Clip features. Since you’ll be adding the file into your map, specify the output data format as a CSV file or a shapefile.
2Once created, the file will appear in your My Content list. Use the dropdown to select the Download option and save the file on your device.
3Now, back in your map, use the "Add layer from file" option to locate the file and import the layer into your map. Learn about adding layers. Rename the layer to "Highway" and change the style to a thick, red line.
Identify the area that are suitable cougar habitat using the criteria defined by the experts from the State Park.
In ArcGIS Online, the Derive New Locations tool allows you to combine attribute and spatial criteria in a single statement by adding a set of expressions, one at a time. A new layer of areas that meet the specified criteria is created.
1Before running Derive New Locations, filter the vegetation layer to select the three vegetation types to be included: codes 34, 49, and 67. (You can actually specify the vegetation criteria in the Derive New Locations tool, but using the filter first will create a simpler selection statement. It will also streamline the process when you run the analysis again using the criteria defined by the Department of Fish and Wildlife.)
2Now perform the suitability analysis. The slope layer is continuous across the entire study area so can be used as the basis for the analysis--that is, the layer to which the other criteria layers are related (although you could also use the vegetation layer). Click the down arrow next to the Slope layer in the Contents, select Perform Analysis, and, under Find Locations, select the Derive New Locations Tool.
Identify areas that are suitable cougar habitat using the criteria defined by the experts from the Department of Fish and Wildlife.
1First, edit the Vegetation filter to add the timber harvest areas. Add a fourth expression and specify VEG_CODE is 121 (you’ll need to scroll down to see the newly added expression). Then apply the filter.
2Now open the Derive New Locations tool again, and add the expressions, as shown in the previous analysis. This time, though, specify that the suitable areas are within 2500 feet of a stream and more than 500 feet from a highway. When the expressions are complete, run the analysis.