This week I have not made any changes to the maps I have made, but I have found new data available through ebird detailing 2016 peregrine falcon observations. I have run into a few problems with this data:
1. It is data for all of the birds they have on record, so it is a huge file and requires me to isolate peregrine falcons. I also only have a sample so I do not know what the real data look like. Which brings us to...
2. I will have to write up an abstract/ proposal to request the full set of data from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology to obtain the full data that I need, with all of the observations. This will be a massive file, and I can already foresee issues downloading it if/when I get it.
I have also been working on finding new land use/ land cover data, because I was unhappy with the way the urban areas layer I had chosen before was working (or not working). I have been trying to download this new data from the NLCD, but I keep running into issues where it tells me I cannot unzip the folder because the G Drive is full...
I think I have decided that the direction I want to move towards with my data is comparing the 2001 range data with the 2016 ebird observation data, to see if the birds have stayed within that range or if anything has changed in 15 years.
I am not sure if I will get to compare ideal peregrine falcon habitat based on certain criteria as I wanted too, but I think their range does cover what is considered (by the birds) good habitat, so maybe I can map urban areas over the range map instead, to see if urbanization poses a potential threat to their range.
I think it would be a good idea to change the direction or objectives of your project as you said if you are still unsatisfied with certain data. I also think that looking at maps of urban areas is a good idea to see if urbanization impacts their range because any type of urbanization usually poses some type of threat to any species. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteWhen using a really big file sometimes it is helpful to split the data up into two different maps on two different ArcMap projects. This stops ArcMap from crashing or working really slow, I had to do this and it works. It also makes it easier to see all the data that you have.
ReplyDeleteHey Melissa, I'm sorry the data isn't working out for you in the way you have hoped and planned it to. I think this new direction of comparing a 15 year difference is a good idea and will be effective for you and your topic. I like the last line and idea about mapping urban areas, and maybe a comparison here of urban to ___ would be interesting to look into too. I hope can feel a little more clarity soon!
ReplyDelete