Spatial Analysis
Analyzing the data.
The next step after having gathered the data was analyzing the information. Our client had provided us with eleven paper maps as mentioned earlier. These paper maps were made digital in ArcMap by digitizing each one and locating each agricultural site using GPS point that had been provided. The next step was to quantify the agricultural sites to get a better understanding of what crop type might influence Barn Swallow abundance and breeding. Each agricultural field was classified into its respective crop types. For example, the agricultural site “Sea Island” had several different crops grown, each was portioned into polygons. Furthermore, each crop type was categorized into sub-categories to create a percentage land type. A 500 metre buffer was also created on each of the eleven field sites. This was done by using buffer tools from ArcMap, to gain a better understanding of where and how far Barn Swallows fly from their nesting habitat.
Predictive maps for feeding habitat quality were based on the insect abundance. This was done by using land cover classification data for Metro Vancouver. The data was put into ArcMap and reclassified in terms of habitat quality and insect abundance. Information was classified into areas such as “wild areas” including marsh and forest, anthropogenic lands such as parks and sports fields. Each classified area was given attributes as to what level of feeding habitat quality it provided. For example, anthropogenic areas such as sports field, were not considered to be an ideal area for insects to breed, causing the predicted insect abundance to be low. Therefore, the predicted habitat quality for Barn Swallows would be low as well since food is scarce. In contrast, forest vegetation is a much better environment for insect to breed and this would suggest that the Barn Swallows would have a higher abundance in this area.