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Cofrin Center for Biodiversity

•  APPLICATIONS & RESEARCH METHODS  •

As with all flavors of geospatial technology, desktop GIS requires access to spatial databases containing the information needed for the work at hand. Finding the spatial databases needed to support coursework and research simultaneous with battling the ArcGIS learning curve can be a major challenge for a novice. The Biodiversity Center has tried to moderate this problem by facilitating access to data resources. We believe that our efforts in this regard help desktop GIS users get their projects off to a faster start than would otherwise be possible.

Airborn LiDAR

Local governments build extensive libraries of spatial databases to support their own operational and administrative functions - zoning, parcel mapping, street maintenece to name just a few. We've made data sharing arrangements with local governments to secure access to their databases for students and researchers at UW-Green Bay.

Ground-Based LiDAR

Recreation-Grade GPS Receivers

The majority of the Biodiversity Center's GPS mapping work is done with recreation-grade receivers. If recommended procedures are used, this equipment is capable of 5-10 meter accuracy. We have around thirty of these units of varying age and technical capability. They are in constant demand for classes and research projects. However, there are usually a few available to be loaned out. Biodiversity Center Program Assistant Kim McKeefry manages equipment sign-outs. About half of our receivers have the Garmin high-sensitivity antenna technology. Anyone planning to work in tree cover should try to get one of these (look for the "x" in the model number).

Submeter Mapping - GPS & GNSS

Land Survey Methods and Equipment

Image Analysis Tools and Methods

Orthoimagery

Orthoimagery

In-House Data Archive
Desktop GIS users at UWGB have made extensive use of the resources described above to obtain spatial databases for use in their work. To avoid the waste associated with starting from scratch for each new project, the Biodiversity Center has archived most of the spatial data that has come our way. We've also identified some important database families that are served up on State and Federal FTP sites. We've systematically downloaded some items anticipating that they will be needed sooner or later. Examples include the Watershed Boundary Database aka WBD, SSURGO soil surveys and aerial imagery from the National Agriculture Imagery Progam (NAIP). As of Summer 2011, our holdings include more than 200 volumes containing roughly 24,000 databases. Archived data is focused mainly on the western Great Lakes, but databases relevant to UW-Green Bay research in Panama and other parts of the world are also included.
    •   Archive Location and Cataloging System
    •   User Access Via the Geodata Drive
    •   Archive History and Organization