Field Methods 2
Introduction
Many times in field work, we want to have data that is higher accuracy than a recreational GPS can record and we don't have access to high resolution surveying equipment.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this module, you should be able to:
- Establish a bench mark to make other measures from
- Use a compass and range finder to find horizontal distance and direction
- Correct directions for declination
- Compute eastings and northings from a benchmark, distances, and corrected directions
- Estimate uncertainty of coordinates from distance and direction measurements
Activities (optional)
Go to the Arcata city website and download the map for the Arcata Forest. Take a look at the map and ask your self:
- Who is the audience for the map?
- What is the map's projection and datum?
- What information does the map provide?
- How accurate is the information?
- How accurate does it have to be?
- Does it meet the needs of researchers or foresters working in the forest?
Try finding a location from a distance and direction:
- Given: 40.8735, -124.0782
- Direction: 30 degrees
- Distance: 1000 meters
- Where does this put you?
Hints: Use the web to convert direction in degrees to radians Use the web to convert DD to UTM Use a mapping app to find the location
Presentations
Field Methods 2 (YouTube Video)
- Using vLab to obtain access to high resolution aerial images (YouTube Video)
If needed: Spatial Reference Issues
Lab
Surveying Trees in a Forest.
For help on reports: Creating Reports in MS-Word
