60 PART I Introduction to Geographic Information Systems ...

1 60 PARTI Introduction to Geographic Information Systems , Spatial Databases, and Map design Minnesota Planning, Land USDA Forest Service, Southern Washington Department of Natural Management Information Center. Region. 2001. Alabama: Resources. 2001b. Washington 2001. Minnesota Geographic Geographic data files. http://www. Natural Heritage Program clearinghouse. Information order form. Olympia, (accessed alabamat (accessed 1/10/03). WA: Washington Department of 1110103). Geological Survey, Federal Natural Resources. http://www. Prisley, S. P., T. G. Gregoire, and J. L. Geographic Data Committee. 2002. Smith. 1989. The mean and Manual of federal Geographic data (accessed 1/10/03). variance of area estimates in an products. Reston, VA: Wolf, P. R., and C. D. Ghilani. 1997. arc-node Geographic Information Geological Survey.

2 Adjustment computations: Statistics system . Photogrammetric Washington " De~artmentof Natural and least squares in surveying and Engineering and Remote Sensing 55: 1601-12. - Resources. 2001a. Digital GIs. New York: John Wiley and Sons. Geographic data order form. Schneider, B. 2001. On the uncertainty Olympia, WA: Washington of local shape of lines and surfaces. ~ L ~ a A m eof n t~aturalkesources. Cartography and Geographic Information Sciences 28:237-47. (accessed 1/10/03). 62 PARTI Introduction to Geographic Infornlation Systems , Spatial Databases, and Map Des~gn CHAPTER. 4 Map design 63. landscape features they attempt to present. Under- other components, such as a description of the map boxes provided by the software. Nevertheless, a vari- Graphic or bar scale: standing that maps must be created and inter- preted with a discerning eye is one of the first steps developer, the filenames and file locations of the GIs databases used, and map quality caveats, that some or.

3 - etv of svmbols are available in GIs software vrograms 500 ft 1000 ft tod describe landscape features. It is also possible 500ft 0. I necessary to becoming a successful mapmaker or ganizations may find necessary to include in a map. within many GIs software -programs to create a cus- 1'. - map user. Each of these components is briefly discussed before tomized symbol set. In some GIs software programs, Maps usually are two-dimensional representations venturing into the common types of maps that can be symbols are merely bitmap graphic files, which can be Verbal scale: Representatwe fraction (RF): of landscape features (although three-dimensional developed using GIS software programs. edited or created through graphic software programs. 1 inch = 500 feet 1 :6000. maps can be used to show volume or perspective), that use symbols, colors, and text to represent spatial phe- Other programs the use of Figure Graphical, verbal, and representative scales.

4 Tomized tools or products developed by third-party nomena. Cartography is the art and science of making Symbols software developers, many of which are designed to maps, and, although this book was not intended as a A variety of map symbols have been developed to book on cartography, many of the applications at the identify significant landscape features. Some symbols users and that scale (figure ). When a representative fraction scale are specific to the GIs software program being used. is used, such as 1:24,000, one should interpret the scale end of this chapter emphasize the development and use represent national standards for identifying landscape of maps to help describe the landscape. Maps are as 1 unit on the map representing 24,000 units on the features, such as those found on Geological Sur- graphic representations of Information , as are graphs, vey topographic maps ( , contour lines, hydrologic North Arrow 4"5\>,~& 'Jground ( 1 map inch represents 24,000 ground flowcharts, and other diagrams.))

5 Maps attempt to get symbols) (figure ). Other symbols represent organi- cally used by map developers to indicate map direc- #. Ordinal directions (north, south, east, west) are typi- 0 inches, or 1 map centimeter represents 243000 ground centimeters). Representative fraction and verbal scales across ideas to users in a different manner than other zational standards for identifying landscape features. types of graphic representations, with the hope that the For example, the National Park Service has cre- tion. ~t is common for maps to use a north arrow to 5 are also interchangeable. For example, a verbal scale human brain, with its limited capacity to store infor- ated a standard set of symbols for use on National Park indicate the orientation of the landscape being par- *)that reads 1 inch = 1 mile is the same as a representa- mation, will have an added ability to understand those Service maps (National Park Service 2001).

6 On a trayed. Although most maps are usually oriented withr scale of 1:633360 (1 inch on a map represents ideas (Phillips 1989). The design of a map can affect smaller scale, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln north at the top of the page and south at the bottom, it 63,360 inches, Or 1 mile, on the ground) Graphic bar the ability to communicate spatial Information ; thus, a (2001) has developed standard symbols for use in its is appropriate to remove the uncertainty associated scales generally do not indicate the exact scale, as do well-designed map will likely communicate ideas to transportation maps, and the Orienteering Feder- with an interpretation of a map by explicitly indicating representative fraction or verbal scales, of a map but, coworkers and supervisors more effectively than a ation (2001) has developed a set of standard map sym- the direction through the use of a north arrow.

7 A vari- rather, associate the length of a graphical shape to poorly designed map. Poorly designed maps can lead bols for orienteering events. ety of north arrows are available in most GIs software ground distances. Whether graphic, verbal, or repre- to misinterpretations by the intended users, facilitating Most GIs software programs also provide a set programs, and a number of others can be developed sentative fraction scales are used, the appropriate met- costly or inappropriate decisions. using lines, arrows, and text (figure ). rics (English vs. metric system , feet vs. miles, meters of standard map symbols for map users; however, Maps should be clear enough to enable users to vs. kilometers) and appropriate font sizes should be map developers can easily misuse the symbols, since understand (1) the land area the map represents and employed to prevent map users from becoming dis- documentation is usually limited within the dialog Scale (2) the message the map intends to communicate.

8 In tracted from the map's main message. Scale bars have Scales indicate to map users the proportions of a map an advantage over representative fraction and verbal order to do so, a variety of common tools are used, such as north arrows, scale bars, legends, and neat in relation to the landscape illustrated on the map- scales in that they generally adjust accordingly when Buildings and Related Features that is, map distance compared with Earth distance. a map is rescaled or resized within a GIs software lines. In addition, the landscape features illustrated on a map should include enough landmarks to allow map Scales can be displayed in a variety of ways, graphi- program. Buildina ~ O ~ E Z Z cally, verbally, or using a representative fraction (RF). users to reference themselves to the mapped area and to help them navigate through a landscape.

9 Two im- School, church & A Legend portant aspects of maps that map developers should keep in mind are (1) not everything that is known Built-up area N The Information contained in a map legend should de- scribe all of the landscape features illustrated on the about a landscape needs to be displayed on a single Racetrack map, allowing users to interpret the map fully (fig- map and, (2) to communicate effectively, maps should focus on showing a limited number of landscape fea- Airport x 23% ure ). Of course, if one intends to add mystery to a map, the legend may omit the description of certain tures. The landscape features primarily emphasized on Landing strip ------ L-----'. landscape features. Rarely, however, does one want a a map should be those associated with the intent of the - map to be an enigma to users.

10 Most GIs software pro- map. On a map developed to illustrate stream classes, Well (other than water), windmill 0 Y. grams now offer tools that allow the automatic creation for example, other landscape features, such as roads, Tanks @ of legends by referencing the GIs databases that are timber stands, and soils, should be secondarily empha- being used. Typically, tools are also available for GIs sized or omitted from the map entirely. Covered reservoir BE32. Gaging station B. Legend Landmark object (featured as labeled) o - . Streams Harvest area Campground, picnic area A n There are several basic components that are important Roads @ Log decksllandings to include in a map: the symbols being used to describe Cemetery: small, large ! --I---- :_+::C_y landscape feat~~res,a north arrow, the scale, the legend, locational insets, and the qualities (font, size, etc.)