Abstract
Using ArcGIS to Teach Principles of Agricultural Ecology Track: Agriculture Author(s): Adèle Johnson, Mounir Louhaichi, Douglas Johnson The technologies of precision agriculture are expanding and making their presence felt in the discipline. University students of agriculture and agricultural consultants should be introduced to these technologies and the significant power that spatial information concerning crop and forage yield provides when coupled with spatially explicit environmental data. We developed a series of laboratory exercises using ArcGIS that employ agricultural data, demonstrating the usefulness of spatial analysis of cropland and grazing lands. Students use digital orthophotographic quadrangles, digital elevation models, USDA soils data, imported GPS-tagged yield, temperature, and plant cover data to analyze yield patterns in fields and pastures. They learn how to import spatially referenced databases and enter data via onscreen digitization. Data editing procedures and database query are demonstrated. Students generate slope and aspect maps, yield maps by interpolation, and descriptive statistics linking yield responses to environmental factors. They also create layouts and presentation maps. Adèle Johnson Oregon State University Department of Geosciences 223 Wilkinson Hall Corvallis , OR 97331 US Phone: (541) 737-1201 E-mail: johnsade@geo.oregonstate.edu Mounir Louhaichi Oregon State University Rangeland Resources 202 Strand Ag. Hall Oregon State University Corvallis , OR 97331-2218 US Phone: (541) 737-1620 E-mail: mounir.louhaichi@oregonstate.edu Douglas Johnson Oregon State University Rangeland Resources 302 Strand Ag. Hall Oregon State University Corvallis , OR 97331-2218 US Phone: (541) 737-1624 E-mail: douglas.e.johnson@oregonstate.edu |
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