03: Mapping Through Transects
In Lab 03, I worked with vector data, which included the rivers, lakes, and basins in the Great Lakes region, watershed boundary datasets, and a North American base map. I also used a digital elevation model sourced from the NASA Shuttle Topography Mission. Different hydrologic unit levels can affect the spatial resolution due to the amount of data being processed. As seen above, I focused on a smaller sub-basin to be able to see the finer details. If I selected a larger region, there would be much more data, and our grid sections would be much broader/less precise. It is important to use a grid because it ensures consistent intervals and makes it easier to interpret the data. Additionally, later in the lab, when I placed my files in Illustrator, it was much easier to place each elevation on the necessary grid line. If I were working across polygonal water bodies and linear water features, it would be important to account for the three-dimensional shape of water bodies.
Software: QGIS and Adobe Illustrator2023
