Introduction:
For this activity, ArcCollector was implemented to determine the micro-climate of the UW - Eau Claire Campus. The purpose was to learn and gain experience in using ArcCollector, a software where many individuals can join a group and have access to the feature class to collect data on, perfect for a class. ArcCollector was accessed through mobile devices and the data could be uploaded to the feature class in real time (Figure 1). Group members were able to access the data collected through ArcGIS Online.
Figure 1: The data points and the zones in ArcCollector from an IOs device.
Study Area:
This survey was conducted on the UW - Eau Claire campus of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. The campus was divided into 7 zones where the two students were assigned to collect data from (Figure 2). Zones 1 and 2 contained the Haas Fine Arts Center, parking lots, and part of Owen Park. Zones 3, 6, and 7, contained Lower Campus and the foot bridge. Zones 4 and 5 contained Upper Campus, which included residence halls and the McPhee Center. Zone 4 was assigned to the writer.
Figure 2: The seven zones where the class split into groups to collect data.
Methods:
In Zone 4, two students were assigned to collect data points. With their mobile devices, attribute and meteorological data was recorded in ArcCollector. The attributes that needed to be recorded were:
Group Number
Temperature (Fahrenheit)
Dew Point (Fahrenheit)
Wind Chill (Fahrenheit)
Wind Speed (mph)
Wind Direction
Time (military time)
Notes
The meteorological data was measured using a pocket weather meter (Figure 3). Wind direction was determined using a field compass.
Figure 3: Weather meter that was used to collect the attributes of the data points.
With a goal of twenty points per zone, students aimed to equally distribute their collection locations. At a chosen location, a student would measure the meteorological data using the weather meter and then recording the measurements into ArcCollector in their mobile device. Using a string, wind direction was determined then measured more accurately using the field compass. Once all the data was recorded, the student would sent in the data, with the phone automatically sampling the coordinate location of the student. Students repeated these steps until it was time to return to the classroom to create maps of the data.
Results/Discussion:
With the feature class of the data points collected in ArcMap, the IDW Interpolation tool in Spatial Analysis was utilized to fill out the entire map space (Figure 4). The output was a raster, stretched and displayed at 35% transparency. Extreme data points were noticed and determined to be a recording error and were deleted from the layer. The IDW tool was redone to give a more accurate representation.
Figure 4: IDW tool
The dew point values ranged from approximately 29-67 degrees Fahrenheit. It appears that higher dew points seem to congregate over a few building. Upper Campus has a higher dew point range in general, with the largest area at the edge of Upper Campus and lowland forest by the river (Figure 5).
Figure 5: Dew point in Fahrenheit of UWEC.
The temperature values ranged from 51-73 degrees Fahrenheit. The areas of higher temperatures appear to overlay where the high dew points were in the previous map. Upper Campus has the higher temps while the forested area and the base of the hill on Lower Campus hold the lower range of temps.
Figure 5: Temperature in Fahrenheit of UWEC.
Wind related attribute were displayed all together on one map (Figure 6). Wind chill values ranged from 34-69 degrees Fahrenheit. Wind speed didn't surpass 3 mph. The orientation of the arrow denote wind direction. High wind chill appears to share the same ground as high temps and high dew points. This shows that the data isn't completely nonsense. Zero wind speed in kept mostly in the trees and where the wind chill is high on the north side of the river. There aren't a lot of strong patterns in wind direction.
Figure 6: Wind speed, wind chill, and wind direction in UWEC.
Conclusion:
This activity demonstrated the technological capabilities have using ArcCollector to collect data in the field in a easier and more efficient manner. The only errors noted were attributed to incorrectly recording the data. There does appear to be correlations in the data given by the maps, perhaps due to elevation.
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