In this course, you will explore a variety of open-source technologies for working with geosptial data, performing spatial analysis, and undertaking general data science. The first component of the class focuses on the use of QGIS and associated technologies (GDAL, PROJ, GRASS, SAGA, and Orfeo Toolbox). The second component of the class introduces Python and associated open-source libraries and modules (NumPy, Pandas, Matplotlib, Seaborn, GeoPandas, Rasterio, WhiteboxTools, and Scikit-Learn) used by geospatial scientists and data scientists. We also provide an introduction to Structured Query Language (SQL) for performing table and spatial queries. This course is designed for individuals that have a background in GIS, such as working in the ArcGIS environment, but no prior experience using open-source software and/or coding. You will be asked to work through a series of lecture modules and videos broken into several topic areas, as outlined below. Fourteen assignments and the required data have been provided as hands-on opportunites to work with data and the discussed technologies and methods. If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to contact us. We hope to continue to update and improve this course. This course was produced by West Virginia View (http://www.wvview.org/) with support from AmericaView (https://americaview.org/). This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Geological Survey under Grant/Cooperative Agreement No. G18AP00077. The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the opinions or policies of the U.S. Geological Survey. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute their endorsement by the U.S. Geological Survey. After completing this course you will be able to: apply QGIS to visualize, query, and analyze vector and raster spatial data. use available resources to further expand your knowledge of open-source technologies. describe and use a variety of open data formats. code in Python at an intermediate-level. read, summarize, visualize, and analyze data using open Python libraries. create spatial predictive models using Python and associated libraries. use SQL to perform table and spatial queries at an intermediate-level.

This dataset holds all materials for the Inform E-learning GIS course

The College and University Campuses feature class/shapefile is composed of all Post Secondary Education facilities as defined by the Homeland Infrastructure Foundation-Level Data (HIFLD) Colleges and Universities and Supplemental Colleges point feature classes/shapefiles with a POPULATION value greater than or equal to 500. Also included is a subset of campuses with a POPULATION value under 500 or equal to -999. Included are Doctoral/Research Universities, Masters Colleges and Universities, Baccalaureate Colleges, Associates Colleges, Theological seminaries, Medical Schools and other health care professions, Schools of engineering and technology, business and management, art, music, design, Law schools, Teachers colleges, Tribal colleges, and other specialized institutions. Excluded are online institutions and administrative records as well as colleges and universities that do not have a verifiable campus map. Overall, this data layer covers all 50 states, as well as Puerto Rico and other assorted U.S. territories. This feature class/shapefile contains all MEDS/MEDS+ as approved by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) Homeland Security Infrastructure Program (HSIP) Team. Complete field and attribute information is available in the ”Entities and Attributes” metadata section. Geographical coverage is depicted in the thumbnail above and detailed in the "Place Keyword" section of the metadata. This feature class does not have a relationship class but is related to Supplemental Colleges and Colleges and Universities. Note that attribution is derived from the Colleges and Universities and Supplemental Colleges feature classes/shapefiles. Refer to the metadata of those feature classes/shapefiles for further information regarding attribution. This release includes 21 new records and the removal of 88 records that are no longer applicable based on the sourced datasets.

This seminar is an applied study of deep learning methods for extracting information from geospatial data, such as aerial imagery, multispectral imagery, digital terrain data, and other digital cartographic representations. We first provide an introduction and conceptualization of artificial neural networks (ANNs). Next, we explore appropriate loss and assessment metrics for different use cases followed by the tensor data model, which is central to applying deep learning methods. Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) are then conceptualized with scene classification use cases. Lastly, we explore semantic segmentation, object detection, and instance segmentation. The primary focus of this course is semantic segmenation for pixel-level classification.

The associated GitHub repo provides a series of applied examples. We hope to continue to add examples as methods and technologies further develop. These examples make use of a vareity of datasets (e.g., SAT-6, topoDL, Inria, LandCover.ai, vfillDL, and wvlcDL). Please see the repo for links to the data and associated papers. All examples have associated videos that walk through the process, which are also linked to the repo. A variety of deep learning architectures are explored including UNet, UNet++, DeepLabv3+, and Mask R-CNN. Currenlty, two examples use ArcGIS Pro and require no coding. The remaining five examples require coding and make use of PyTorch, Python, and R within the RStudio IDE. It is assumed that you have prior knowledge of coding in the Python and R enviroinments. If you do not have experience coding, please take a look at our Open-Source GIScience and Open-Source Spatial Analytics (R) courses, which explore coding in Python and R, respectively.

After completing this seminar you will be able to:

1. explain how ANNs work including weights, bias, activation, and optimization.
2. describe and explain different loss and assessment metrics and determine appropriate use cases.
3. use the tensor data model to represent data as input for deep learning.
4. explain how CNNs work including convolutional operations/layers, kernel size, stride, padding, max pooling, activation, and batch normalization.
5. use PyTorch, Python, and R to prepare data, produce and assess scene classification models, and infer to new data.
6. explain common semantic segmentation architectures and how these methods allow for pixel-level classification and how they are different from traditional CNNs.
7. use PyTorch, Python, and R (or ArcGIS Pro) to prepare data, produce and assess semantic segmentation models, and infer to new data.
8. explain how object and instance segmentation are different from traditional CNNs and semantic segmentation and how they can be used to generate bounding boxes and feature masks for each instance of a class.
9. use ArcGIS Pro to perform object detection (to obtain bounding boxes) and instance segmentation (to obtain pixel-level instance masks).

The Colleges and Universities feature class/shapefile is composed of all Post Secondary Education facilities as defined by the Integrated Post Secondary Education System (IPEDS, http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/), National Center for Education Statistics (NCES, https://nces.ed.gov/), US Department of Education for the 2020-2021 school year. Included are Doctoral/Research Universities, Masters Colleges and Universities, Baccalaureate Colleges, Associates Colleges, Theological seminaries, Medical Schools and other health care professions, Schools of engineering and technology, business and management, art, music, design, Law schools, Teachers colleges, Tribal colleges, and other specialized institutions. Overall, this data layer covers all 50 states, as well as Puerto Rico and other assorted U.S. territories. This feature class contains all MEDS/MEDS+ as approved by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) Homeland Security Infrastructure Program (HSIP) Team. Complete field and attribute information is available in the ”Entities and Attributes” metadata section. Geographical coverage is depicted in the thumbnail above and detailed in the "Place Keyword" section of the metadata. This feature class does not have a relationship class but is related to Supplemental Colleges. Colleges and Universities that are not included in the NCES IPEDS data are added to the Supplemental Colleges feature class when found. This release includes the addition of 128 new records, the removal of 247 no longer reported by NCES, and modifications to the spatial location and/or attribution of 6312 records.

Thinking Spatially Using GIS

Thinking Spatially Using GIS is a 1:1 set of instructional materials for students that use ArcGIS Online to teach basic geography concepts found in upper elementary school and above.
Each module has both a teacher and student file.

The zoo in your community is so popular and successful that it has decided to expand. After careful research, zookeepers have decided to add an exotic animal to the zoo population. They are holding a contest for visitors to guess what the new animal will be. You will use skills you have learned in classification and analysis to find what part of the world the new animal is from and then identify it.

To help you get started, the zoo has provided a list of possible animals. A list of clues will help you choose the correct answers. You will combine information you have in multiple layers of maps to find your answer.

The Thinking Spatially Using GIS home is at: http://esriurl.com/TSG

All Esri GeoInquiries can be found at: http://www.esri.com/geoinquiries

Learn how to create and host a school locator map using ArcGIS Online. This video demonstrates how to add data, create a map, and share a map into a website or web map application. It also provides an example of using the School Locator web mapping application template using Web App Builder by Esri's ArcGIS for Local Government team. Please contact k12@esri.ca for more information.

Have you ever wanted to create your own maps, or integrate and visualize spatial datasets to examine changes in trends between locations and over time? Follow along with these training tutorials on QGIS, an open source geographic information system (GIS) and learn key concepts, procedures and skills for performing common GIS tasks – such as creating maps, as well as joining, overlaying and visualizing spatial datasets. These tutorials are geared towards new GIS users. We’ll start with foundational concepts, and build towards more advanced topics throughout – demonstrating how with a few relatively easy steps you can get quite a lot out of GIS. You can then extend these skills to datasets of thematic relevance to you in addressing tasks faced in your day-to-day work.

The Digital Geomorphic-GIS Map of Gulf Islands National Seashore (5-meter accuracy and 1-foot resolution 2006-2007 mapping), Mississippi and Florida is composed of GIS data layers and GIS tables, and is available in the following GRI-supported GIS data formats: 1.) a 10.1 file geodatabase (guis_geomorphology.gdb), a 2.) Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) geopackage, and 3.) 2.2 KMZ/KML file for use in Google Earth, however, this format version of the map is limited in data layers presented and in access to GRI ancillary table information. The file geodatabase format is supported with a 1.) ArcGIS Pro map file (.mapx) file (guis_geomorphology.mapx) and individual Pro layer (.lyrx) files (for each GIS data layer), as well as with a 2.) 10.1 ArcMap (.mxd) map document (guis_geomorphology.mxd) and individual 10.1 layer (.lyr) files (for each GIS data layer). The OGC geopackage is supported with a QGIS project (.qgz) file. Upon request, the GIS data is also available in ESRI 10.1 shapefile format. Contact Stephanie O'Meara (see contact information below) to acquire the GIS data in these GIS data formats. In addition to the GIS data and supporting GIS files, three additional files comprise a GRI digital geologic-GIS dataset or map: 1.) A GIS readme file (guis_geology_gis_readme.pdf), 2.) the GRI ancillary map information document (.pdf) file (guis_geomorphology.pdf) which contains geologic unit descriptions, as well as other ancillary map information and graphics from the source map(s) used by the GRI in the production of the GRI digital geologic-GIS data for the park, and 3.) a user-friendly FAQ PDF version of the metadata (guis_geomorphology_metadata_faq.pdf). Please read the guis_geology_gis_readme.pdf for information pertaining to the proper extraction of the GIS data and other map files. Google Earth software is available for free at: https://www.google.com/earth/versions/. QGIS software is available for free at: https://www.qgis.org/en/site/. Users are encouraged to only use the Google Earth data for basic visualization, and to use the GIS data for any type of data analysis or investigation. The data were completed as a component of the Geologic Resources Inventory (GRI) program, a National Park Service (NPS) Inventory and Monitoring (I&M) Division funded program that is administered by the NPS Geologic Resources Division (GRD). For a complete listing of GRI products visit the GRI publications webpage: For a complete listing of GRI products visit the GRI publications webpage: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/geology/geologic-resources-inventory-products.htm. For more information about the Geologic Resources Inventory Program visit the GRI webpage: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/geology/gri,htm. At the bottom of that webpage is a "Contact Us" link if you need additional information. You may also directly contact the program coordinator, Jason Kenworthy (jason_kenworthy@nps.gov). Source geologic maps and data used to complete this GRI digital dataset were provided by the following: U.S. Geological Survey. Detailed information concerning the sources used and their contribution the GRI product are listed in the Source Citation section(s) of this metadata record (guis_geomorphology_metadata.txt or guis_geomorphology_metadata_faq.pdf). Users of this data are cautioned about the locational accuracy of features within this dataset. Based on the source map scale of 1:26,000 and United States National Map Accuracy Standards features are within (horizontally) 13.2 meters or 43.3 feet of their actual location as presented by this dataset. Users of this data should thus not assume the location of features is exactly where they are portrayed in Google Earth, ArcGIS, QGIS or other software used to display this dataset. All GIS and ancillary tables were produced as per the NPS GRI Geology-GIS Geodatabase Data Model v. 2.3. (available at: https://www.nps.gov/articles/gri-geodatabase-model.htm).

Learn the basics of GIS. Work with ArcGIS Online to interact with GIS maps, explore real world problems, and tell a story. Find out how workers use GIS and what it takes to become a GIS professional.

To help with the your management of students and content in your schools ArcGIS Online account you can activate Admin Tools for ArcGIS on your account. This video steps you through how to activate Admin Tools for ArcGIS Online on your account.Recorded March 2018.

This resource contains data inputs and a Jupyter Notebook that is used to introduce Hydrologic Analysis using Terrain Analysis Using Digital Elevation Models (TauDEM) and Python. TauDEM is a free and open-source set of Digital Elevation Model (DEM) tools developed at Utah State University for the extraction and analysis of hydrologic information from topography. This resource is part of a HydroLearn Physical Hydrology learning module available at https://edx.hydrolearn.org/courses/course-v1:Utah_State_University+CEE6400+2019_Fall/about

In this activity, the student learns how to (1) derive hydrologically useful information from Digital Elevation Models (DEMs); (2) describe the sequence of steps involved in mapping stream networks, catchments, and watersheds; and (3) compute an approximate water balance for a watershed-based on publicly available data.

Please note that this exercise is designed for the Logan River watershed, which drains to USGS streamflow gauge 10109000 located just east of Logan, Utah. However, this Jupyter Notebook and the analysis can readily be applied to other locations of interest. If running the terrain analysis for other study sites, you need to prepare a DEM TIF file, an outlet shapefile for the area of interest, and the average annual streamflow and precipitation data. - There are several sources to obtain DEM data. In the U.S., the DEM data (with different spatial resolutions) can be obtained from the National Elevation Dataset available from the national map (http://viewer.nationalmap.gov/viewer/). Another DEM data source is the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (https://www2.jpl.nasa.gov/srtm/), an international research effort that obtained digital elevation models on a near-global scale (search for Digital Elevation at https://www.usgs.gov/centers/eros/science/usgs-eros-archive-products-overview?qt-science_center_objects=0#qt-science_center_objects). - If not already available, you can generate the outlet shapefile by applying basic terrain analysis steps in geospatial information system models such as ArcGIS or QGIS. - You also need to obtain average annual streamflow and precipitation data for the watershed of interest to assess the annual water balance and calculate the runoff ratio in this exercise. In the U.S., the streamflow data can be obtained from the USGS NWIS website (https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis) and the precipitation from PRISM (https://prism.oregonstate.edu/normals/). Note that using other datasets may require preprocessing steps to make data ready to use for this exercise.

Essential configurations for highly scalable ArcGIS Online web apps (ArcGIS Blog).Learn best practices for configuring web applications that receive a high amount of web traffic, use a quick checklist focus on critical settings._Communities around the world are taking strides in mitigating the threat that COVID-19 (coronavirus) poses. Geography and location analysis have a crucial role in better understanding this evolving pandemic.When you need help quickly, Esri can provide data, software, configurable applications, and technical support for your emergency GIS operations. Use GIS to rapidly access and visualize mission-critical information. Get the information you need quickly, in a way that’s easy to understand, to make better decisions during a crisis.Esri’s Disaster Response Program (DRP) assists with disasters worldwide as part of our corporate citizenship. We support response and relief efforts with GIS technology and expertise.More information...

Thinking Spatially Using GIS

Thinking Spatially Using GIS is a 1:1 set of instructional materials for students that use ArcGIS Online to teach basic geography concepts found in upper elementary school and above.
Each module has both a teacher and student file.

Meteorologists study storms that produce tornadoes. They use tools such as forecasting (predicting the weather), research (observing and trying to understand the weather), and storm chasing (following and watching storms close-up). Some tornadoes and tornado outbreaks may stick even in your memory. Some students grow up to study the science of tornadoes because of a personal experience or out of curiosity about an outbreak. Perhaps you will decide to be a meteorologist yourself one day!

In this GIS activity, you will see how tornadoes are classified into weak, strong, and violent categories. You will also take a close look at some of the memorable tornado outbreaks in history.

Let’s explore Tornado Alley.

The Thinking Spatially Using GIS home is at: http://esriurl.com/TSG

All Esri GeoInquiries can be found at: http://www.esri.com/geoinquiries

If you have ever had an error message pop up in ArcGIS Online that mentions you have exceeded the user types in your account, watch this video to see how to resolve this issue.This video takes you through the steps of how to do change students and teachers user types on the rare occasion that you are required to change user types in your schools ArcGIS Online account.ArcGIS Online Administration.Video recorded - April 2020.

Learn how to use Admin Tools for ArcGIS Online to delete students and the content (including WebMaps and WebApps). You should be thinking about removing student and content on your schools subscription at least once a year.You should be thinking about removing students and content on your subscription at least once a year.To setup Admin Tools for ArcGIS Online on your schools account refer to https://arcg.is/0z4H4rUpdated December 2022.

Boundary for the BES Metropolitan Study Area (MSA) derived from year 2000 GDT census data. This is the universal MSA boundary for all BES research. The MSA consists of the following 5 counties: Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Anne Arrundel, Carroll, Harford, and Howard. This is part of a collection of Baltimore Ecosystem Study metadata records that point to a geodatabase. The geodatabase itself is available online at beslter.org or lternet.edu. It is considerably large. Upon request, it can be shipped to you on media, such as a flash drive. The geodatabase is roughly 51.4 Gb in size, consisting of 4,914 files in 160 folders. Although this metadata record and the others like it are not rich with attributes, it is nonetheless made available because the data that it represents could be indeed useful.

Crime data assembled by census block group for the MSA from the Applied Geographic Solutions' (AGS) 1999 and 2005 'CrimeRisk' databases distributed by the Tetrad Computer Applications Inc. CrimeRisk is the result of an extensive analysis of FBI crime statistics. Based on detailed modeling of the relationships between crime and demographics, CrimeRisk provides an accurate view of the relative risk of specific crime types at the block group level. Data from 1990 - 1996,1999, and 2004-2005 were used to compute the attributes, please refer to the 'Supplemental Information' section of the metadata for more details. Attributes are available for two categories of crimes, personal crimes and property crimes, along with total and personal crime indices. Attributes for personal crimes include murder, rape, robbery, and assault. Attributes for property crimes include burglary, larceny, and mother vehicle theft. 12 block groups have no attribute information. CrimeRisk is a block group and higher level geographic database consisting of a series of standardized indexes for a range of serious crimes against both persons and property. It is derived from an extensive analysis of several years of crime reports from the vast majority of law enforcement jurisdictions nationwide. The crimes included in the database are the "Part I" crimes and include murder, rape, robbery, assault, burglary, theft, and motor vehicle theft. These categories are the primary reporting categories used by the FBI in its Uniform Crime Report (UCR), with the exception of Arson, for which data is very inconsistently reported at the jurisdictional level. Part II crimes are not reported in the detail databases and are generally available only for selected areas or at high levels of geography. In accordance with the reporting procedures using in the UCR reports, aggregate indexes have been prepared for personal and property crimes separately, as well as a total index. While this provides a useful measure of the relative "overall" crime rate in an area, it must be recognized that these are unweighted indexes, in that a murder is weighted no more heavily than a purse snatching in the computation. For this reason, caution is advised when using any of the aggregate index values. The block group boundaries used in the dataset come from TeleAtlas's (formerly GDT) Dynamap data, and are consistent with all other block group boundaries in the BES geodatabase.

   This is part of a collection of 221 Baltimore Ecosystem Study metadata records that point to a geodatabase.


   The geodatabase is available online and is considerably large. Upon request, and under certain arrangements, it can be shipped on media, such as a usb hard drive.


   The geodatabase is roughly 51.4 Gb in size, consisting of 4,914 files in 160 folders.


   Although this metadata record and the others like it are not rich with attributes, it is nonetheless made available because the data that it represents could be indeed useful.


   This is part of a collection of 221 Baltimore Ecosystem Study metadata records that point to a geodatabase.


   The geodatabase is available online and is considerably large. Upon request, and under certain arrangements, it can be shipped on media, such as a usb hard drive.


   The geodatabase is roughly 51.4 Gb in size, consisting of 4,914 files in 160 folders.


   Although this metadata record and the others like it are not rich with attributes, it is nonetheless made available because the data that it represents could be indeed useful.

Literature review dataset

This table lists the surveyed papers concerning the application of spatial analysis, GIS (Geographic Information Systems) as well as general geographic approaches and geostatistics, to the assessment of CoViD-19 dynamics. The period of survey is from January 1^st, 2020 to December 15^th, 2020. The first column lists the reference. The second lists the date of publication (preferably, the date of online publication). The third column lists the Country or the Countries and/or the subnational entities investigated. The fourth column lists the epidemiological data utilized in each paper. The fifth column lists other types of data utilized for the analysis. The sixth column lists the more traditionally statistically-based methods, if utilized. The seventh column lists the geo-statistical, GIS or geographic methods, if utilized. The eight column sums up the findings of each paper. The papers are also classified within seven thematic categories. The full references are available at the end of the table in alphabetical order.

This table was the basis for the realization of a comprehensive geographic literature review. It aims to be a useful tool to ease the "due-diligence" activity of all the researchers interested in the spatial analysis of the pandemic.

The reference to cite the related paper is the following:

Pranzo, A.M.R., Dai Prà, E. & Besana, A. Epidemiological geography at work: An exploratory review about the overall findings of spatial analysis applied to the study of CoViD-19 propagation along the first pandemic year. GeoJournal (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10708-022-10601-y

To read the manuscript please follow this link: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10708-022-10601-y

The National Hydrography Dataset Plus High Resolution (NHDplus High Resolution) maps the lakes, ponds, streams, rivers and other surface waters of the United States. Created by the US Geological Survey, NHDPlus High Resolution provides mean annual flow and velocity estimates for rivers and streams. Additional attributes provide connections between features facilitating complicated analyses.For more information on the NHDPlus High Resolution dataset see the User’s Guide for the National Hydrography Dataset Plus (NHDPlus) High Resolution.Dataset SummaryPhenomenon Mapped: Surface waters and related features of the United States and associated territoriesGeographic Extent: The Contiguous United States, Hawaii, portions of Alaska, Puerto Rico, Guam, US Virgin Islands, Northern Marianas Islands, and American SamoaProjection: Web Mercator Auxiliary Sphere Visible Scale: Visible at all scales but layer draws best at scales larger than 1:1,000,000Source: USGSUpdate Frequency: AnnualPublication Date: July 2022This layer was symbolized in the ArcGIS Map Viewer and while the features will draw in the Classic Map Viewer the advanced symbology will not. Prior to publication, the network and non-network flowline feature classes were combined into a single flowline layer. Similarly, the Area and Waterbody feature classes were merged under a single schema.Attribute fields were added to the flowline and waterbody layers to simplify symbology and enhance the layer's pop-ups. Fields added include Pop-up Title, Pop-up Subtitle, Esri Symbology (waterbodies only), and Feature Code Description. All other attributes are from the original dataset. No data values -9999 and -9998 were converted to Null values.What can you do with this layer?Feature layers work throughout the ArcGIS system. Generally your work flow with feature layers will begin in ArcGIS Online or ArcGIS Pro. Below are just a few of the things you can do with a feature service in Online and Pro.ArcGIS OnlineAdd this layer to a map in the map viewer. The layer or a map containing it can be used in an application. Change the layer’s transparency and set its visibility rangeOpen the layer’s attribute table and make selections. Selections made in the map or table are reflected in the other. Center on selection allows you to zoom to features selected in the map or table and show selected records allows you to view the selected records in the table.Apply filters. For example you can set a filter to show larger streams and rivers using the mean annual flow attribute or the stream order attribute.Change the layer’s style and symbologyAdd labels and set their propertiesCustomize the pop-upUse as an input to the ArcGIS Online analysis tools. This layer works well as a reference layer with the trace downstream and watershed tools. The buffer tool can be used to draw protective boundaries around streams and the extract data tool can be used to create copies of portions of the data.ArcGIS ProAdd this layer to a 2d or 3d map.Use as an input to geoprocessing. For example, copy features allows you to select then export portions of the data to a new feature class.Change the symbology and the attribute field used to symbolize the dataOpen table and make interactive selections with the mapModify the pop-upsApply Definition Queries to create sub-sets of the layerThis layer is part of the ArcGIS Living Atlas of the World that provides an easy way to explore the landscape layers and many other beautiful and authoritative maps on hundreds of topics.Questions?Please leave a comment below if you have a question about this layer, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.