Presents

PRESENTS

Proposal to Create and Implementa Geodatabase for Freeman Center,

Texas State UniversitySan Marcos, TX

Team Members Hunter Krenek: GIS & Remote Sensing

Analyst Joe Dowling: Asst. Project Manager Peter Vogt: GIS Analyst Alfredo Perez: Project Manager

INTRODUCTION What is The Freeman Center?

Freeman Center is 4,200 acres of land in the Texas hill country that is owned by Texas State University, with the goals to provide effective stewardship of the center’s ecosystem and infrastructure.

3,485 acres entrusted to Texas State University in 1981 by Harry Freeman.

Introduction What is the Freeman Center?

Given for educational studies related to farming, ranching, and game management.

3 Fold Mission○ Education○ Outreach○ Research

Introduction Current Research

Texas A&M’s Eddy Co variance towersRecords

○ Weather conditions○ Grassland Monitoring○ Forestry Monitoring.

Introduction Purpose

The primary goal of this project will be to build a digital geodatabase that will enable future research and assist in the maintenance of the ranch.

Secondary goals for this project include map generation for an atlas and an illustrated brochure, plus a land-cover classification for Acacia farnesiana

IntroductionDr. Huebner expressed interest in analyzing

the spread of Acacia Farnesiana –also known as Weesatch- across the Freeman Center. Weesatch is a native-invasive thorny shrub with limited

browse potential

Introduction Scope

The physical extent of our study area is 4200 acres of land owned by Texas State University known as The Freeman Center

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Introduction Scope

Digital Scope○ Development of geodatabase including

physical and cultural features present on the property.

○ GPS data Collection○ Geodatabase Design○ Digitizing Data○ Data Management○ Cartographic Modeling

DATA AND METHODOLOGY Design of conceptual model of

geodatabaseNeeded for better understanding and

visualization of final product. Facilitates workflow.

Methodology Collect data by using GPS units in the

field and transferring it to the geodatabase trying to maintain its integrityThe transferring will be performed using

Pathfinder software which allows to create files that are compatible with ArcGIS

Methodology Create a database schema using

ArcCatalogThis includes deciding on the feature class

types: lines, points, polygons.Classifying the feature classes further into

categories. For example: two track roads, caliche roads, inner fences, property fences, etc.

Methodology Digitization of features and conversion

of .kml and .kmz files to appropriate format for later use.This will be done importing the files to

ArcCatalog and converting them with ArcGIS conversion tools.

Methodology Layer development and map creation

This will include using model builder to create the various layers that will allow to porduce the comissioned maps. Various ArcTools will be used. Examples of these tools may be:

Remote Sensing Methodology Acquire remotely sensed imagery of the

AOI○ Perform necessary corrections

• Gather training data on site with Trimble GPS unit for increased accuracy in the identified spectral response of Acacia farnesiana

• Perform a supervised land cover classification

Remote Sensing Methodology Change detection requires that multiple

images of the same AOI acquired at similar times of the year undergo the same landcover classification.

• Once classified, a multi-date composite image change detection is performed which compares the extent of Acacia farnesiana and identifies its spread over a 5 year period.

EXPECTED RESULTS

• Primary: Construction of a viable Geodatabase Consisting of Cultural and Physical Features

• Secondary: Building cartographic models including a physical Atlas and supervised classification of Acacia farnesiana.

Geodatabase UsesData Manipulation

Map generation

Geographic Research Resource

Cartographic models Bound Atlas

Ease navigation

Supervised classification of Acacia farnesianaProvide a benchmark for further research

CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION The project will deliver the Freeman

Center a geodatabase which will catalogue and make readily available information needed for spatial analysis and reference in future projects.

Geodatabase will also help improve the efficiency of maintenance procedures on the ranch.

TIME TABLE Timetable The time-table for this project is 10 weeks in length: Weeks 1–2: ascertaining the client's specific wants and

needs, identifying the cost of required services, gathering GPS datum in the field, creating schema for geodatabase, and any additional research found necessary for planning the project.

Weeks 2–6: data acquisition and manipulation, geodatabase population,

Weeks 7-8: map generation and atlas design, supervised land-cover classification using GPS training data.

Week 9: Finish atlas, prepare final product and presentation Week 10: Present final deliverables

FINAL DELIVERABLESBy the end of the project we expect to have readily available the following items: Detailed Final Report accompanied with a PowerPoint

presentation. CD/DVD copies of Map Atlas along with printed copy. Brochures with pertinent maps and information. Professional poster for display in the Geography

Department. Webpage to be embedded into Freeman Center’s

website. Drive containing the geodatabase with instructions

and metadata.

Q&A Session