Learning the concepts of GIS

through Powerpoint and

ExcelGIS is a powerful tool that demands consistency and an understanding ofspatial scales, as well as the connection between data tables and the pictureson the screen.

Powerpoint and Excel are programs that can teach you the interconnectedness of GIS data layers. The following is a tutorial of how to develop a GIS layer andrelate data to the points or polygons.

The Tacoma Nature CenterSnake Lake Wetland Complex

This is an aerial photo of The TacomaNature Center provided by NatureMapping.

Insert a picture and size it to your slide.

Make a Duplicate slide and begin work in that slide (#2)

Wetland Monitoring Sites

Slide #2Using the Draw Menu, select circles and placethe circles where the monitoring sites occur

Number the sites using the Text box and fill

Make a Duplicate slide and go to Slide #3

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Wetland Monitoring Sites

Slide #3 Delete the aerial photo so just the points and locations remain

Make a duplicate slide

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Wetland Monitoring Sites

Slide #4 Delete the location numbers so just the pointsremain

Developed Area Monitoring Sites

Slide #5

Repeat the process used for slides #1-4

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Developed Area Monitoring Sites7

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Developed Area Monitoring Sites

Upland Forest Monitoring Sites

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Repeat the process used for slides #1-4

Upland Forest Monitoring Sites

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Upland Forest Monitoring Sites

Habitats

Legend:DevelopedWetlandUpland Forest

Select AutoShapes, then Lines, and thenthe icon that shows a polygon.

Begin drawing your monitoring habitat anddouble click to close the line. It may automatically fill in with a color and changecolor fill to “none”

Draw each of the habitats and create a Legend

Habitats

Make a duplicate slide and delete theaerial photo

Legend:DevelopedWetlandUpland Forest

Tacoma Nature CenterHabitats and

Monitoring Sites

Legend:DevelopedWetlandUpland Forest

Make another duplicate slide of the habitats and aerial photo.

Go to each slide that has just the points and from the File Menu, Select All (the text will alsobe selected) or hold the Shift Key down andhighlight each point.

From the File Menu, Select Copy and then go to this slide and Paste. Repeat for all points

Tacoma Nature CenterHabitats and

Monitoring Sites

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Legend:DevelopedWetlandUpland Forest

Repeat the process from the previous slideand add the location numbers.

You have now created a point and polygonGIS map.

Creating a Spreadsheet (Table)

that corresponds (relates) with your monitoring sites

Develop a Data Collection Form or use the NatureMapping Data Collection Form

Replace Column B title with “Site” and place your Site numbers in there.

Data can be sorted by Site number. This table can be imported into GIS when you are ready to use GIS software.

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