Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
environmental themes were used quite frequently by respondents since these are
linked directly to many watershed concerns, but it was a surprise that orthoimagery
was used just as much. The ability to download high resolution aerial photography
and satellite images at no cost from some of the data resources mentioned, such as
Data Gateway and Ohio View, could be a reason that it is used more frequently than
believed. This suggests that the respondents are looking at geographic areas and
their related ground conditions at specific time periods.
When participants were directed to the Maumee Basin GIS website, they needed
to open another window which could have resulted in a lower response rate. If the
website had been displayed in another way from the survey site, there may not have
been the number of “drop-outs.” Even so, many had never been to this website or
used the online GIS viewing system. The website has only been “live” for 2 months
before the survey was conducted, so it may have been unknown that the website
exists, at least to the extent of those participating in the survey. There had been less
than 200 total visits to the Maumee Basin GIS web page prior to the survey.
When manipulating the viewer at the various extents, the data layers that were
utilized most were general layers that appear on many base maps. These include
major rivers, stream network, watershed boundaries, counties and roads. This
response could be biased in the fact that the viewer automatically turns some of
these layers on when using the zoom tool to view a smaller extent. Whether or
not the participants really utilized these layers is unknown. If the layers had all
been turned off, the answers may be more accurate. The census data, however, was
rarely utilized, if at all, and the reason could possibly stem from the background or
interest of the respondents.
The overall response of the Online GIS viewer from the Maumee Basin webpage
was positive with several respondents saying that it is a good start. One suggestion
was that clearer instructions were needed. This survey didn't provide explicit
instructions on how to manipulate the viewer (only a suggested link to map tools),
which could have limited the overall use by the respondents who were new to
looking at these types of GIS viewers, map tools and data layers.
The amount of GIS user group/data sharing activities really depends on how
established the organization is. Several respondents said that they didn't coordinate
with anyone or that they didn't know if they participated in sharing data. This
suggests that they haven't researched the resources that are in their area because it
seems there are plenty of user groups or at least people who are willing to share their
data out there based on other respondents' replies.
The survey results propose that the Maumee Basin Online GIS will probably be
used by half of these respondents in public outreach, mapping needs, and referencing
data. There are no analysis capabilities at this time, so mature GIS users probably
won't need to use this tool given the fact that they have their own software with
modelling and spatial analyst functions. Future mapping needs mainly consisted
of data needs, funding and personnel. These responses show that some of the
respondents are really at the base stages of implementing this kind of work and do
feel that it could prove worthy in managing their watershed efforts.
The feedback from all who were emailed the survey was unanimously positive.
The only suggestion was to allow respondents more time to fully engage themselves
