Forest Availability and Accessibility Model — Companion materials

PowerPoint slide set—

<click here> for a PowerPoint slide set (3.8MB) of the 3-part Beyond Mapping series (GeoWorld, April-June, 2010) on “Assessing and Characterizing Relative Forest Access” (Topic 29, sections 1-3).

Hands-on exercise materials—

<click here> to download an self-guided Exercise write-up demonstrating the concepts and procedures of a grid-based GIS model for “Assessing and Characterizing Relative Forest Access.”

<click here> to download the special ForestAccess.rgs database used in the exercise. This is a self-extracting ZIP file that needs to be “unzipped” into the same folder as the other MapCalc Data sets (default is C:\Program Files\Red Hen Systems\MapCalc\MapCalc Data\).

<click here> to download the special command scripts used in the exercise (ForestAccess_basic.scr, ForestAccess_extended.scr and ForestAccess_landings.scr). This is a self-extracting ZIP file that needs to be “unzipped” into the same folder as the other MapCalc Scripts (default is C:\Program Files\Red Hen Systems\MapCalc\MapCalc Data\Scripts\).

…Note: to unzip a file, 1) click on <click here>, 2) respond “Run” to execute the self-extracting file, 3) “Run” to Publisher Verification warning, 4) Browse to the appropriate folder noted above and 5) press “Unzip” button.

__________________________________________

The exercise uses the MapCalc Learner software. If you do not have it installed on your computer—

MapCalcLearner — click on this link and select Open/Run to download MapCalc Learner and basic datasets. Follow the onscreen installation instructions. It is recommended that you accept the default specifications as exercise write-ups assume this installation location (C:\Program Files\Red Hen Systems\MapCalc\). Use Serial Number 1374MS2-0F5050-V and Release Code 6EE3-59C8-EA4B-EFB7 to register the educational MapCalc Learner version beyond the 14-day trial period.

To access MapCalc, select Startà Programsà MapCalcà MapCalc Learner. In the Quick Start box select “Open existing map set” and browse to the …\MapCalc Data folder (default C:\Program Files\Red Hen Systems\MapCalc\MapCalc Data\) on your computer and select the appropriate “.rgs” database as instructed in the exercises.

MapCalc Learner is a grid-based map analysis software package specifically designed to help students learn the rich range of analysis options available in the raster domain. The educational version is constrained to a 100 column by 100 row configuration and a Latitude/Longitude WGS84 coordinate system. Additional materials (optional) you might find of interest include—

MapCalcTutorials — click on this link to download the basic MapCalc Tutorials. You must have Adobe Reader installed to view.

MapCalc User’s Manual — click on this link to download the MapCalc User’s Manual. You must have Adobe Reader installed to view.

MapCalc Data Sets — click on this link to download an extended set of MapCalc datasets. This is a self-extracting Zip file; extract to a different folder than the basic MapCalc Data (e.g., …\extended MapCalc Data).

MapCalc Description & Examples — click on this link to access several GIS modeling examples using MapCalc for hands-on experience with map analysis capabilities.

An Analytical Framework for GIS Modeling — click on this link to access a white paper presenting a conceptual framework for Map Analysis and GIS Modeling by J.K. Berry and Shitij Mehta (BASIS, 2009).

BASIS Website — click on this link to access the online book Beyond Mapping III and numerous materials supporting map analysis learning and instruction that are available for free download.

Map Analysis — click on this link to access a description of the Map Analysis book and companion CD that provides a structured view of grid-based map analysis and modeling with software for “hands-on” exercises by J. K. Berry (GeoTec Media, 2007; US$45).