NCSU GIS/MEA582:
Geospatial Modeling and Analysis

Assignments: in class practice and homework

For formal requirements go to Course logistics. This course is using GRASS GIS and ArcGIS and dedicated datasets, see Course logistics for details.

1. Explore the provided data set

2. Geospatial data models and visualization

2.A. Geospatial data models

2.B. Data display and visualization

3. Geospatial Analysis

3.A. Global, zonal and focal operations, map algebra

3.B. Buffers, cost surfaces, least cost path

  • Approach: GRASS solution, ArcGIS solution
  • Homework: Prepare a paper on applications of global and zonal statistics, neighborhood operations and map algebra for analysis of continuous and discrete geospatial data. In this paper also explain and demonstrate the use of buffers and cost surfaces for solving proximity problems. Comment on specific results for the study area and given tasks.
  • Comments/answers to HW questions

4. Spatial interpolation and approximation

4.A. Spatial interpolation and approximation I: methods

4.B. Spatial interpolation and approximation II: splines

5. Geomorphometry

5.A. Terrain modeling, working with point clouds

5.B. Spatial and Temporal Terrain analysis

  • Approach: GRASS solution, ArcGIS solution
  • Homework: Prepare a paper on properties of lidar data and on computing topographic parameters from digital elevation models. Discuss how the topographic analysis methods and types of DEM influence the result. Describe results of elevation time series analysis.
  • Comments/answers to HW questions

6. Viewshed, solar potential analysis

  • Approach: GRASS solution, ArcGIS solution
  • Homework: Prepare a paper on the results of viewshed computation and solar irradiation mapping. Note that this is a single assignment paper.

7. Hydrology and modeling geospatial processes

7.A. Flow routing, watershed analysis

7.B. Modeling Geospatial Processes: Hydrologic and erosion modeling

  • Brief theoretical background (equations used to write map algebra expressions)
  • Approach: GRASS solution, ArcGIS solution
  • Optional: process based hydrologic modeling using path sampling method: SIMWE
  • GRASS solution: SIMWE
  • Homework: Prepare a paper where you compare different methods for flowrouting and watershed analysis, explain and discuss impact of model parameters and land use scenarios on spatial pattern and magnitude of erosion as simulated by simple GIS-based models.