INTRODUCTION TO YOUR GEOGRAPHICAL MODEL
FOR/GGR 525

THE MODEL must:

• consider at least 4 layers but not more than 7;
• have one buffer (extra credit for a buffer with variable sizes - e.g., 20m and 100m around annual streams);
• be logical; and
• result in 5 classes - exclude, poor, fair, good, optimal (for flowchart you can use the terms suitable and unsuitable). In rare cases I will except a variation on number of classes, if it's logical to do so.

PROCEDURE

1. Design Flowchart. Should include a typed cover page that states the purpose and objectives of the model (e.g., locate the optimum site for a XX; within XX of a road; on XX slope, etc.) and the coverages you plan to use (information needed). The second page should be the actual flowchart.DUE: WEEK 10.
2. Begin assembling data layers weeks 10-11, plus any buffers, overlays, etc. They will ultimately be combined into a coverage called FINAL . We will work on this in lab Week 10 and some in lab Week 11. Have this step completed before lab period in week 12. DUE: WEEK 11.
3. Edit the Weights program provided in the final.mxd you copied into your working directory from the ACADDATA drive, compile and run before the end of the lab period. Any weights you assign to variables must be justified from results you found in the literature for your annotated bibliography or elsewhere (e.g., SCS guide for soils, etc.). DUE: WEEK 12.
4. Divide final model values into suitability classes with the Classes program (also from the final.mxd), compile and run. The "break points" for classes will be determined from the results you found in the literature. Then create a table (or REPORT) of results. DUE: WEEK 13.
5. Conduct ONE variation of original model. Change some elements of your model such as weights, buffers, etc. in the Weights or Classes program, depending on errors found in the original methodology, potential improvement of the model depending on your desired results, or an added change projection for your model. You can consider this to be a type of "sensitivity analysis." DUE: WEEK 13.
6. Produce final PLOT(s) of your results. WEEK 14 will be spent on GIS output and plotting of your model results in lab. Final models must be ready to plot at this point as you will be handing these in Week 15.
7. Write a brief, five page (of text double-spaced and typed) summary report that includes an
• Introduction (include purpose and objectives),
• Methods (include description of model, model constraints and logic, layers used and manipulated variable weights based on literature results, etc.),
• Results and Discussion (include tables of overlay operation used and the amount of area involved in each suitability class, discuss the model, the iteration, how the iteration changed the results, problems you had, how you might do it differently, the final PLOTS - labeled figure 1 and figure 2),
• Conclusion, Literature Cited, and
• Appendix (should include the flowchart and the first page of the programs (Weights and Class) for each iteration.) DUE WEEK 15 (the last Friday before final's week, by 4:00pm). Turn in to your TA (who grades it).

¹ Everyone must use FINAL as their analysis layer name.

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