Bulletin Board

Subject: Geospatial Modeling with QGIS and R Online Course

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Analyses of wildlife home range and habitat use are used in wildlife-focused disciplines to inform population and habitat management practices. The geographical space used by animals is largely driven by habitat selection, where habitat can be described by spatially explicit site factors (e.g., land cover). Geospatial modeling is the process of synthesizing geographically referenced field measurements and spatial data layers representing those site factors. In this course, we will process raw point location data, estimate home ranges, and conduct habitat assessments using raster land cover data and the open-source software applications QGIS and R.

TOPICS:

Review QGIS (QGIS Basics)

Downloading GIS data online (Maine Geolibrary)

Preparing spatial data in Excel

Creating Vector Data (points)

Projections and transformations (Coordinate system)

Creating shape files for individual animals

Setting up R-studio and Geospatial Modeling Environment (GME)

Calculating home ranges in GME

Home range analysis in QGIS

Determine area of home ranges

Calculate geometry

Vegetation analysis

Determining available habitat

Intro to remote sensing and raster data

Vegetation analysis

Determining used habitats

Statistical analysis of used vs. available habitat

PREREQUISITES: Introductory training or experience in R (e.g., Data Science in R) and QGIS (e.g., Introduction to QGIS) is necessary.

FORMAT: Students will take the course at their own pace over a four-week period. The course is divided into discrete competency-based modules composed of pre-recorded lecture material and hands-on exercises. Student interaction and instructor feedback will be provided in the form of online discussion forums and live Q&A. Each student will also have the opportunity over the last 2 weeks to meet with the instructor via video consultation to discuss their individual projects from school or work.

PRIMARY INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Kathleen Dunckel

DATES: July 5 - 29, 2022

FOR MORE INFO / TO REGISTER, VISIT: https://www.centerforwildlifestudies.org/courses/geospatial-modeling-online-july-2022


Center for Wildlife Studies <info@centerforwildlifestudies.org>
Tuesday, March 08, 2022