Hawassa University

Wondo Genet College of Forestry and Natural Resources

Department of Geographic Information Science

Manual for Remote Sensing and GSI

2023

Prepared By: Kefyalew Sahle and Oytisa Onato

Wondo Genet, Ethiopia

August 2023
Disclaimer

The administrative boundaries, denominations, and any other information stored

in the datasets are not authoritative and do not imply any judgment about the legal
status of any territory, or constitute any official endorsement or acceptance of the
boundaries of Ethiopia or neighboring countries.

The manual developers Mr. Kefyalew Sahle or Mr. Oytisa Onato and the Hawassa
University, GISc department, Ethiopia – do not accept responsibility for any
consequences or claims by any third party arising from use of the data or
information herein. Users of the manual and the datasets herein listed should rely
on their own skill and judgment when utilizing the data and information.
It is forbidden to share the manual or part of the manual without the consent with
the manual compilers or the department of GISc of Hawassa University.
Table of Content
Overview to the training iv
Scope of the training manual iv
Structure of the GIS manual (general purpose) iv
Required Exercise Data v
The GIS software for the training vi
Module 1: Basics of GIS and Remote Sensing 1
1 Introduction 1
What is GIS? 1
GIS components 1
GIS data requirement for PA management 1
GIS data types 3
Coordinate reference systems 5
Explore existing GIS data and GIS project demonstration 6
Remote sensing for PA management 8
2 QGIS and the Plugins 9
2.1 Installing QGIS 9
2.2 Start QGIS 9
2.3 Installing and Managing Plugins 9
2.4 Installing New Plugins 10
3 A Brief Introduction to GIS Project 11
3.1 An Overview of the Interface 11
3.2 Open existing QGIS Project 13
3.3 Start QGIS and Create Project 16
3.4 Exercise 18
4 Coordinate Reference Systems (CRS) 19
4.1 Reprojecting and Transforming Data 19
4.2 Project’s coordinate system 19
4.3 ‘EPSG ID” of coordinate systems used in Ethiopia 20
4.4 Saving a Dataset to Another CRS 20
5 Creating a Basic Map 22
5.1 Working with Vector Data Symbology 22
5.2 Symbology 24
6 Classifying Vector Data 29
6.1 Attribute Data 29
6.2 Explore the attribute data 29
6.3 The Label Tool 29
6.4 Classification 32
7 Changing Raster Symbology 35
7.1 Add raster layer 35
7.2 Changing Raster Layer Symbology 36
Module 2: Workflow for creating and editing features 39
Design database structure for PA management 39
Identify data sources for PA management 40
Overview to the data processing 41
8 Geo-referencing existing paper maps 42
8.1 What is Geo-referencing? 43
8.2 Usual procedure 43
9 Satellite Image Interpretation 50
9.1 What is the reason for selecting images as source of data? 50
9.2 Which image and bands to use? 50
9.3 Practical: Image preparation for interpretation / information extraction 52
9.4 Image interpretation 57
10 Creating Vector Data 59
10.1 Using GPS data / working with spreadsheets or CSV files 59
10.2 Export the Delimited Text layer into Shapefile (vector layer) 61
10.3 Create a vector using geo-referenced existing map / images 62
10.4 Project: creating vector layer using group discussion sketch 71
11 Advanced digitizing: creating a land cover / habitat dataset 72
11.1 Create the project 72
11.2 Prepare the data sources for digitizing 76
11.3 Manual digitizing of vector layer (land cover) 77

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 11.4 Feature Topology 80
11.5 Forms 85
Module 3: Managing QGIS Toolbox 87
12 Analysis tools / data management tools 87
12.1 Parameter types 88
12.2 Logging the execution 89
13 Exploring geodata and using algorithms (tips) 89
13.1 Exploring and browsing algorithms 89
13.2 Algorithms from menu bars 89
13.3 Algorithms from Toolbox under Processing 89
13.4 Algorithms from Locate box 90
13.5 Exercise 90
Module 4: Map layout 92
14 Creating Maps 92
14.1 Using Map Composer 92
14.2 Basic of PA thematic map layouts 96
14.3 Exercise: Create and manage map layout and exporting the map layout 97
Module 5: Analysis 97
15 Preparing data for analysis 98
15.1 Practical: Projection and Transformation 98
15.2 Practical: Data cleansing 98
15.3 Requirements for GIS analysis 99
15.4 The GIS Process 99
16 Analysis: Habitat quality and suitability Analysis 99
16.1 Practical: Landcover mapping 99
16.2 Your Turn (Homework in group): Apply what you have learned from previous sections 102
16.3 Practical: Generating biophysical data from existing data 104
16.4 Practical: LULC Change analysis – raster based 109
17 Analysis: Protected area Resource mapping/Delineating 116
17.1 Sampling design 116
17.2 Project: wildlife species distribution mapping 123
17.3 Project: Resource / tourist map preparation 125
17.4 Project: Threat map preparation 126
17.5 Project: Zonation map 130
18 Introduction to SMART for conservation planning 131

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Overview to the training

Scope of the training manual

The training focuses on the application of GIS and remote seining in protected area
management. All practical exercise uses protected areas related cases.

The following are the cases that will be used during the practical exercises:
• DIS data requirement for PA management
• QGIS and Plugin installation
• Working with existing protected area GIS project
• Remote sensing for protected area management
• Preprocessing and interpretation of satellite images
• Identify sources for protected area management
• Georeferencing existing paper maps
• Creating and manipulating new features (Point, Line, Polygon) and editing attributes
such as park boundary, river, spring, habitat, road, landmarks, invasive species. These
exercises focus on the use of GPS data, satellite images, georeferenced existing map,
and satiate images.;
• Preparing data for analysis )check for errors/mistakes) and correct, managing
coordinate systems.
• using of QGIS Toolbox for locating analysis/management functions
• Preparing map layout with focus on the PA thematic map such as protected area
boundary map, habitat map, treat map (fire map), tourist map, buffer area map, etac
• spatial analysis such as
o habitat type and spatial distribution
o land cover / habitat change (temporal analysis)
o biophysical situation of the protected area (rainfall, slope, elevation patterns)
o spatial distribution of wildlife
• Preparation of a tourist map
• park zonation according to EWCA guideline
• Preparation of treat map (fire, hunting, herding)

Structure of the GIS manual (general purpose)

The training manual covers:

• Open and review existing QGIS project
• Create new GIS project using existing GIS data
o Add existing GIS data
o Change symbols
o Label features
o etc
• Image classification
o Image interpretation
o Vectorizing classified layer
o Integrate with GIS data
• Create and update vector data layers using
o Preprocessed moderate resolution satellite images
o Google Erath Images

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o Topographic maps
o GPS data
o Focused Grope Discussion based paper maps (e.g., fire, wildlife
distribution)
• Carryout spatial common spatial analysis
• Prepare and export map layouts and tables

Required Exercise Data

The sample data provided with the Training Manual

refers to the protected area surroundings of Wondo
Genet College of Forestry and Natural Resources.
The dataset contains feature names in English.

Anyone can use this dataset without difficulty, but

you may prefer to use data from your own protected
area. If you choose to do so, your localised data will
be used in all lessons.

The files are saved in the folder named

protectedareadb (protected areas database). In
the folder, there are three different folders

The figure shows the structure of an imaginary

protected area level database. It contains the folder
based database. Each subfolder contains data that are
relevant for protected are management. All practical
sessions will use this database.

There is another sample data for the practical

sessions (eth_gis2023). It contains Ethiopian
level datasets.

Try to save the data that you create or import in

the corresponding folders; e.g. vector data layer
in the folder data_vector.

Save all GIS projects in the folder named project.

In the figure, the file named elevation_climate.

It is a project (see the file type , which is

QGIS Project).
Note
Before starting this exercise, QGIS must be installed on your computer. Also, copy the training
material protectedareadb.zip (or protectedareadb folder) from the GIS
Lab. Extract or copy the folder directly in C or D derives.

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The GIS software for the training

As information becomes increasingly spatially aware, there is no shortage of tools able to fulfill
some or all commonly used GIS functions. Why should anyone be using QGIS over some other
GIS software package?

Here are only some of the reasons:

• It’s free, as in lunch. Installing and using the QGIS program costs you a grand total of
zero money. No initial fee, no recurring fee, nothing.
• It’s free, as in liberty. If you need extra functionality in QGIS, you can do more than
just hope it will be included in the next release. You can sponsor the development of a
feature, or add it yourself if you are familiar with programming.
• It’s constantly developing. Because anyone can add new features and improve on
existing ones, QGIS never stagnates. The development of a new tool can happen as
quickly as you need it to.
• Extensive help and documentation is available. If you’re stuck with anything, you can
turn to the extensive documentation, your fellow QGIS users, or even the developers.
• Cross-platform. QGIS can be installed on MacOS, Windows and Linux.

For further reading on the status of QGIS by comparing it with ArcGIS can be found in WWW.

Now that you know why you want to use QGIS, we can show you how. The first lesson will
guide you in creating your first QGIS map.

After completing this section, you will be able to correctly identify the main elements of the
screen in QGIS and know what each of them does, and load a shapefile into QGIS.

In this module we introduce the QGIS project itself, as well as explaining the user interface.

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Module 1: Basics of GIS and Remote Sensing

1 Introduction
What is GIS?

A geographic information system (GIS) is a system that creates, manages, analyzes, and maps
all types of data. GIS connects data to a map, integrating location data (where things are) with
all types of descriptive information (what things are like there). This provides a foundation for
mapping and analysis that is used in science and almost every industry. GIS helps users
understand patterns, relationships, and geographic context. The benefits include improved
communication and efficiency as well as better management and decision making.

GIS components

A working GIS integrates five key components: hardware, software, data, people, and methods.
Hardware: Hardware is the computer on which a GIS operates. Today, GIS software runs on a
wide range of hardware types, from centralized computer servers to desktop computers used in
stand-alone or networked configurations.
Software: GIS software provides the functions and tools needed to store, analyze, and display
geographic information. Key software components are:
· Tools for the input and manipulation of geographic information
· A database management system (DBMS)
· Tools that support geographic query, analysis, and visualization
· A graphical user interface (GUI) for easy access to tools
Data: Possibly the most important component of a GIS is the data. Geographic data and related
tabular data can be collected in-house or purchased from a commercial data provider. A GIS
will integrate spatial data with other data resources and can even use a DBMS, used by most
organizations to organize and maintain their data, to manage spatial data.
People: GIS technology is of limited value without the people who manage the system and
develop plans for applying it to real world problems. GIS users range from technical specialists
who design and maintain the system to those who use it to help them perform their everyday
work.
Methods: A successful GIS operates according to a well-designed plan and business rules,
which are the models and operating practices unique to each organization.

GIS data requirement for PA management

GIS data is essential for effective and efficient Protected Area (PA) management. GIS
technology provides spatial data on the distribution, size, quality, and connectivity of habitats
within PAs which aid in monitoring PA biodiversity conservation efforts. Additionally, it helps
to identify priority areas for management interventions to safeguard these areas against human
pressures such as habitat destruction and climate change. GIS data also assists in planning for
ecotourism development within PAs by highlighting opportunities and constraints around
visitor facilities providing a more sustainable experience while maintaining ecological integrity.
The successful use of GIS relies heavily on accurate and up-to-date information that is collected

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during regular monitoring of the natural resources in the protected area. This includes regularly-
updated standardized inventories of flora-fauna species composition, geospatial datasets from
remote sensing tools including satellite imagery, LiDAR or aerial surveys among others. In
conclusion, having adequate GIS data ensures that there is an informed decision-making
process that informs strategies towards better delivery of protection services in protected areas
for the benefit of ecological functioning as well as safeguarding economic aspects pertaining to
ecotourism initiatives.
Common information required in PA:
• Location of the protected area
• Biophysical information
• Habitat type
• Wildlife resources distribution
• Track Illegal Activity
• Monitor Wildlife Populations
• Manage Wildlife Conflicts
• Generate Protected Area Report
• Monitor Protected Area Operation
• Attraction sites
• Invasive species
Track Illegal Activity: The cornerstone of any protected area is ensuring the safety and integrity
of its wildlife and natural resources. Poaching and other illegal activities harm the long-term
sustainability of a protected area, which are often some of the most diverse in the world. If a
park is to become sustainable for the long-term, the security of the parks is a prerequisite for
poverty alleviation, economic development, and for providing safety for all wildlife and their
habitats.
Monitor Wildlife Populations: Protected areas contain some of the most spectacular wildlife in
the world and the protection of their habitats from extreme pressures are critical. Routine
wildlife surveys help protected area managers understand whether strategies they have
implemented are having an impact. Monitoring survey information and trends derived from
this information informs monitoring and protection plans.
Manage Wildlife Conflicts: Local communities are at the heart of any protected area and
ensuring a positive outcome for those local communities is key to its success. In some cases,
wildlife conflicts have a negative impact on surrounding populations and the needs of local
wildlife. Capturing location-based data when a conflict occurs helps protected area staff make
informed decisions and mitigate future conflicts.
Generate Protected Area Reports: Protected area staff must provide key decision-makers with
accurate and current information that communicates the scope of the field operations; the status
of investigations; and wildlife observations. Using maps to brief key stakeholders ensures clear
communication across all levels and enables effective executive-level decision-making.
Monitor Protected Area Operations: When managing a protected area, there may be many
incidents occurring simultaneously and access to real-time information is critical for protected
area staff. Using location-based information to maintain complete, real-time situational
awareness across a protected area ensures managers are able to stay aware of, and responsive
to, rapidly changing conditions across the landscape.
Create, Inspect, and Maintain Park Assets: Parks improve quality of life, protect natural
resources, and enhance local economies. Unfortunately, park agencies are increasingly
burdened with overuse and many times the first agency to receive funding cuts during an

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economic downturn. As a result, they are continuously balancing park asset maintenance needs
with available funding.

GIS data types

Data vs. information

• Data are raw, unsummarized and unanalyzed facts.
• Information is data that has been processed into a meaningful form.
• One person’s information can be another person’s data. Information that is meaningful
to one person can be too detailed for another person.
Geographic data types
• Normally geographic data are organized in a geographic database
• Two components of geographic data:
o Spatial data: geographic position of features
o Non-spatial: attributes or properties of geographic features, also called aspatial
data, descriptive data, attribute data
Representing the geographic world as
• As discrete objects: The discrete object view represents the geographic world as
objects with well-defined boundaries in otherwise empty space. Objects are
distinguished by their dimensions, and naturally fall into categories of points, lines, or
areas.
• Continuous fields: The continuous field view represents the real world as a finite
number of variables, each one defined at every possible position. Continuous fields
can be distinguished by what varies, and how smoothly. A continuous field of
elevation, for example, varies much more smoothly
Data model types: The two fundamental map (spatial data) representation techniques:
• vector data model an draster data model
• Raster and vector are two methods of representing geographic data in digital
computers.

Vector data model

Spatial information is represented in the form of coordinates (e.g X,Y or X,Y, Z).
• The basic units of spatial information are: Points, Lines, and Polygons
• Pairs of numbers are expressing horizontal distances along orthogonal axes, or triplets
of numbers measuring horizontal and vertical distances.
Point feature in vector data model
• The simplest type of spatial data.
• A point normally represents a geographic feature too small to be displayed as a line or
area
• Has a position in space but no length.
• Represented by a single X,Y co-ordinate. E.g. building on a small-scale map.
Line feature in vector data model
• Line is a set of ordered co-ordinates
• has a position in space and a length

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• Used to represent the shape of geographic features too narrow to be displayed as an

area at the given scale
• E.g., contours, street centerlines, or streams
Polygon feature in vector data model
• Has a position in space, a length (perimeter), an area
• used to represent areas.
• A polygon is defined by the lines that make up its boundary (and a point inside its
boundary for identification/ labeling).

Exercise
• List some examples of geographic features represented by
o point
o line
o polygon
Topology
• Topology is the science and mathematics of relationships used to validate the
geometry of vector entities, and for operations such as network tracing and tests of
polygon adjacency.

Raster data model

• a method for the storage, processing and display of spatial data.
• Each area is divided into rows and columns, which form a regular grid structure.
• Each cell within this matrix contains location co-ordinates as well as an attribute
value.
• The spatial location of each cell is implicitly contained within the ordering of the
matrix.
• Areas containing the same attribute value are recognized as such, however, raster
structures cannot identify the boundaries of such areas as polygons.
• With the raster data model, spatial data is not continuous but divided into discrete
units.
• Raster structures may lead to increased storage in certain situations since they store
each cell in the matrix regardless of whether it is a feature or simply 'empty' space (0
in the previous figure).
E.g. of raster data model
• Most often, images (satellite images and their digital processing results) are raster data
• Scanned aerial photographs
• Scanned maps e.g. Topographic map, Thematic map such as vegetation map, landover
map
• Most of derived data based on data that are in raster format
• Rasterized vector data *

Raster-vector data conversion

• Since digital data are collected and stored in various ways, the two data sources may
not be entirely compatible.
• Therefore, a GIS must be able to convert geographic data from one structure to
another.

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Coordinate reference systems

• Geospatial data is represented in the form of coordinates.

• The two main types of coordinate systems are:
o geographic coordinate systems
o projected coordinate systems

Geography coordinate system

• Defined by set of east-west rings around the globe (parallel to the equator), and set of
north-south rings crossing the equator at right angles and converging at the poles
• Using the longitudes and latitudes a network of reference lines is formed from which
any point on the earth's surface can be located.
Latitudes
• The rings around the earth parallel to the equator are called parallels of latitude or
simply parallels.
• Lines of latitude run east-west.
• Numbered from 0 to 90 and tagged with N/S
Longitudes
• A second set of rings around the globe at right angles to lines of latitude and passing
through the poles is known as meridians of longitude or simply meridians. One
meridian is designated as the prime meridian.
• The distance east or west of a prime meridian to a point is known as its longitude.
Lines of longitude (meridians) run north-south.
• Numbered from 0 to 180 and tagged with E/W
Unit formats for GCS
• Three options
o Degree Minute Second decimal)
o Degree Minute (decimal)
o Degree (decimal)
• Convert from one format to the other
o A is located at 7 degree 4 minute 12 second. Convert the values into degree
decimal.

Projected coordinate system

• A map projection (projection) is a mathematical means of transferring information
from a model of the Earth, which represents a three-dimensional curved surface, to a
two-dimensional medium (paper or a computer screen).
• Why is map projection needed?
o To know distances between places, areas of features, and direction.
• Various types of projection exist; e.g. of map projection is UTM
Universal Transverse Mercator /UTM/
• is very accurate in narrow zones,
• used in Ethiopia (1:50000 topographic maps of Ethiopia),
• has become the basis for a global coordinate system; used by
o GPS
o Satellite images

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• UTM’s unit of measurement is meter.

Universal Transverse Mercator
• The world is divided into 60 zones of 6o of longitude in width.
• Zone 1 has its western edge at 180o. Zone 60 has its eastern edge on the same
meridian.
• Numbered from west to east.
• A second zoning is made along the latitudes following 8o intervals (except the most
northern zone).
• The origin of each zone is located on a point at the equator, where it is intersected by
the central meridian of the zone. (!!!!)
• The easting of the origin of each zone is assigned a value 500000 m.
• Each zone has its own coordinate system.
• Northings: For the S Hemisphere the equator is assigned the value 10000000.
• For N Hemisphere the value at the equator is assigned as 0.

Datum
A datum is a model of the earth that is used in mapping. The datum consists of a series of
numbers that define the shape and size of the ellipsoid and it's orientation in space. A datum is
chosen to give the best possible fit to the true shape of the Earth.
Datum used in Ethiopia
o Adindan (e.g. the Ethiopian topographic maps, the cadastral databases)
o WGS84 (most satellite imges)

Explore existing GIS data and GIS project demonstration

GIS Data
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have revolutionized the spatial analysis of data by
providing tools to capture, manage, and analyze geospatial data, thus enabling better decision-
making and understanding of complex spatial relationships. GIS data refers to the digital
representation of geographic features that can be used for spatial analysis. Spatial and non-
spatial data are two types of GIS data.
Spatial data refer to the locations of geographic features and their shapes, sizes, orientations,
and other characteristics. Spatial data can further be classified as raster or vector. Raster data
are based on a grid or image, where each cell in the grid represents a geographic location. For
example, satellite images can be used to create raster data representing land use, vegetation,
and other environmental attributes. Raster data are useful for models that require continuous
data, such as elevation or temperature. They are also useful for visualizing data at high
resolutions.
Vector data, on the other hand, represent geographic features as points, lines, and polygons.
Vector data are used to represent discrete features, such as cities, roads, or administrative
boundaries. Vector data can be collected from various sources, such as surveys, aerial
photographs, or digital maps. The advantage of vector data is that they can be used to model
spatial relationships between features, such as connectivity or proximity.
Non-spatial data, also known as attribute data, refer to the descriptive characteristics of
geographic features, such as their names, heights, or populations. Non-spatial data are stored in
tables that can be linked to spatial data through a unique identifier. Non-spatial data are useful

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for analyzing patterns and trends in spatial data. For example, demographic data can be linked
to land use data to understand the impact of urbanization on population distribution.
Raster and vector data have their pros and cons, and each type of data is suited to different
applications. Raster data are better suited for analyzing continuous data and visualizing data at
high resolutions. Vector data, on the other hand, are better suited for modeling spatial
relationships between features and representing discrete features. The choice of data type
depends on the research question and the availability of data.
GIS data can be analyzed using spatial analysis tools, such as buffer analysis, interpolation, or
network analysis. Spatial analysis tools are used to extract new information from spatial data
and uncover spatial patterns and trends. For example, buffer analysis can be used to identify
areas within a certain distance from a school, while interpolation can be used to estimate the
values of a variable at unsampled locations.
Summary: GIS data is an essential component of spatial analysis and used to represent
geographic features and their attributes. Spatial and non-spatial data are the two types of GIS
data, and each type of data is suited to different applications. Raster and vector data are the two
types of spatial data and are used to represent continuous and discrete features, respectively.
GIS data can be analyzed using spatial analysis tools to uncover spatial patterns and
relationships and promote better decision-making. Access to accurate and up-to-date GIS data
is critical for effective spatial analysis and informed decision-making.

GIS project
A GIS project in QGIS is made up of several layers, with each layer representing a specific
aspect of the project.
The first objective of creating GIS projects using QGIS is to capture spatial data. This data is
collected in various forms such as satellite images, GPS, and aerial photography. For instance,
if you are studying the distribution of mineral deposits in a particular region, you will need to
gather data on the geological features of the area. By capturing spatial data, the researcher can
create a base map of the area, which will form the foundation for subsequent analyses.
The second objective is to analyze spatial data. Once the base map has been created, various
analytical tools can be applied to understand the relationships between different layers. For
example, if you are interested in the relationship between land use and population density in a
particular region, the different layers on the map can indicate areas with high or low population
density. This information can be used to make informed decisions on where to allocate
resources such as schools, hospitals, and other facilities.
The third objective is to visualize spatial data. GIS projects enable researchers to create visually
compelling maps and graphics. This visualization can be used to represent complex data in
simple, easy-to-understand visualizations. Georeferencing imagery is one of the most powerful
approaches used in QGIS projects to share data.
The fourth objective is to share project results. The projects in GIS-related areas can be shared
with different stakeholders. For example, a map of a natural disaster can be shared with a relief
organization to aid in their response to the event. GIS projects can be published on the internet
to allow people to view and download maps remotely, which can be useful for situations such
as community planning.
The fifth objective is to enhance decision making. By consolidating all the required information
into a single geographic display, GIS projects can help decision-makers to make better
decisions. For example, if a government agency is interested in building a new highway, the
proposed route can be analyzed visually to assess its effect on public resources. In this way,
GIS projects can become an essential tool for policy planning and analysis.

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The sixth objective is to create a comprehensive GIS database. GIS projects provide a platform
for collating and analyzing geographic data. Over time, the database generated from GIS
projects can grow significantly, and it can provide historical data useful for policy analysis over
a sustained period. For instance, a GIS database that captures demographic data of a particular
region over several years can help to measure the impact of policies on the local population.

Remote sensing for PA management

Remote sensing is the science of gathering information about objects or space from a distance,
usually by using sensors mounted on satellites.
Remote sensing technology has provided valuable insights into the management of protected
areas. Satellites equipped with remote sensing instruments can detect changes in the land cover,
such as deforestation or encroachment of human settlements. These changes can be monitored
over time to determine the extent of degradation and to inform management decisions
concerning the amount of intervention needed.
There are several satellites that are used for protected area management. One of the most
commonly used is the Landsat series of satellites of NASA. Landsat has been providing data
on the Earth's surface since 1972 and has been instrumental in monitoring changes in land use
and land cover over time. The Landsat series is equipped with high-resolution cameras that
capture images of the Earth's surface. These images are used to create maps that show how the
land cover has changed over time.
Another important satellite in protected area management is the European Space Agency's
(ESA) Sentinel-2 satellite. Sentinel-2 is a multi-spectral imaging satellite that captures data in
13 different spectral bands. This data can be used to create detailed maps of land cover and
vegetation health, which are critical pieces of information for protected area managers.
Sentinel-2 also has a repeat cycle of 5 days, which means it can provide more frequent updates
on changes in land cover than other satellites.
The importance of remote sensing for protected area management cannot be overstated. For
example, satellite data can be used to monitor poaching activity in protected areas. By analyzing
satellite images, conservationists can detect any patterns that indicate poaching activity, such
as tracks of heavy vehicles or clusters of tents. This information can then be used to improve
the park's surveillance and enforcement efforts.
There are, however, some limitations to the use of remote sensing for protected area
management. One of the main limitations is the resolution of the images captured by the
satellites. While Landsat and Sentinel-2 can capture images with a resolution of 10-30 meters,
some protected areas require much higher resolution imagery to detect changes in the land
cover. In such cases, other remote sensing technologies, such as unmanned aerial vehicles
(UAVs), may need to be employed.
The HCM GIS satellite images are a valuable resource for protected area management.
HCM stands for High-Resolution Coastal Mapping, which is a program that uses satellite
images to map and monitor coastal environments, including protected areas. These images are
highly detailed and can provide information about the land cover, vegetation, topography, and
other parameters. By analyzing this data, the managers of protected areas can make more
informed decisions about their management strategies.

Google Earth is an online virtual tool that allows us to explore the world from the comfort of
our homes. It features satellite images, maps, and 3D representations of buildings, terrain, and
natural wonders. This technology has revolutionized the way we view and understand our planet

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by providing us with vivid visual aids of the world’s most beautiful and remote locations. One
of the features the platform offers are satellite images that have become increasingly popular
for educational, scientific, and recreational purposes.

2 QGIS and the Plugins

Plugins allow you to extend the functionality QGIS offers. In this module, you will be shown
how to activate and use plugins.

2.1 Installing QGIS

• Navigate to the QGIS download page

(https://www.qgis.org/en/site/forusers/download.html).
• Find the appropriate installer for your operating system. Download the most stable
version.
• Run the installer when it has finished downloading:
• Continue the installation using the default installation options.

2.2 Start QGIS

There are different ways to start QGIS. Launch

QGIS from its desktop shortcut, menu item, etc.,
depending on how you configured its
installation.
• Go to start menu
• Search for QGIS 3.3 or above
• Click QGIS Desktop 3.30.2 or above

2.3 Installing and Managing Plugins

To begin using plugins, you need to know how to download, install and activate them. To do
this, you will learn how to use the Plugin Installer and Plugin Manager.

• To open the Plugin Manager, click on the menu item Plugins ‣ Manage and Install
Plugins.
• In the dialog that opens, find the Processing plugin:
• Click in the box next to this plugin and uncheck it to uninstall it.
• Click Close.
• Looking at the menu, you will notice that the Processing menu is is now gone. This
means that many of the processing functions you have been using before have
disappeared! This is because they are part of the Processing plugin, which needs to be
activated for you to use them.
• Open the Plugin Manager again and reactivate the Processing plugin by clicking in the
checkbox next to it and clicking Close..
• The Processing menu should be available again.

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2.4 Installing New Plugins

The list of plugins that you can activate and deactivate draws from the plugins that you currently
have installed.

• To install new plugins, select the Not

Installed option in the Plugin
Manager dialog. (1).
• The plugins available for you to
install will be listed here. This list will
vary depending on your existing
system setup. If you nknow the name
of the pugin, type in the serch box the
name of the plygin.
• For our land cover data collection we
need Google Earth Images. There is a
playgin that support us to access
available images of Google Earth. It
is called HCMGIS. Type HCMGIS
in the search box (2)
• Click install Plugin from the list (3)
• Click install plugins button (bottom of the dialog)
• Once installed enable the checkbox of the Plugins (3 again)
• You can find information about each plugin by selecting it in the list of plugins
displayed.
• A plugin can be installed by clicking the Install Plugin button below the plugin
information panel.

Now use the plugin to give you a

Google map of the area. You can
click on HCMGIS ‣ BaseMap ‣
Google Hybrid Layer (or Add
Google Satellite layer) to add it:

This will load a new raster image

in from Google that you can use
as a backdrop, or to help you find
out where you are on the map.

Note

You may need to drag your

vector layer above the Google
layer to make it visible above the
background layer. It may also be
necessary to zoom to the extent
of the vector layer to re-center
the map.

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3 A Brief Introduction to GIS Project

3.1 An Overview of the Interface

We will explore the QGIS user interface so that you are familiar with the menus, toolbars, map
canvas and layers list that form the basic structure of the interface.

3.1.1 The Basics of the GUI

The elements identified in the figure above are:

1. Layers List / Browser Panel (6,7)
2. Toolbars
3. Map canvas
4. Status bar
5. Side Toolbar
6. Menu

3.1.2 Open an existing project and explore the components of the GUI

• Start QGIS, if it not open.

• To open an existing GIS project., you
have to know the name of the project
and where the project is saved. For this
exercise, the name of the project is
protectedareas. The project
file is located in the folder
eth_gis2023/project/
(see the figure)
• Click project menu -> Open. Go to the
folder where the file is located. ->
Select the project file from the list. ->
Open
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• Another option to open an existing

project is: -> Click Browser tab ->
expand the folder where the file is
saved
(eth_gis2023/project/). ->
double click the project file name
The project is now opened. Explore the
(protectedareas) or right
different components of the project (refer
clock on the file name then click Open to the next explanations of the GUI )
Project,

3.1.3 The Layers List

In the Layers list, you can see a list, at any time, of all the layers available to you.
Expanding collapsed items (by clicking the arrow or plus symbol beside them) will provide you
with more information on the layer’s current appearance.
Right-clicking on a layer will give you a menu with lots of extra options. You will be using
some of them before long, so take a look around!
Some versions of QGIS have a separate Control rendering order checkbox just underneath the
Layers list. Don’t worry if you can’t see it. If it is present, ensure that it’s checked for now.

Note: A vector layer is a dataset, usually of a specific kind of object, such as roads, trees, etc.
A vector layer can consist of either points, lines or polygons. Move the mouse over the file
name to know its coordinate system and where it is located.

3.1.4 Exercise
What are the layers added to the project? Describe each layer: the name, the feature it represents,
the data type (line, point, polygon), the geographic extent, the coordinate system, where is the
file located. What is the coordinate system the project?

3.1.5 The Browser Panel

The QGIS Browser is a panel in QGIS that lets you easily navigate in your database. You can
have access to common vector files (e.g. ESRI shapefile or MapInfo files), databases
(e.g.PostGIS, Oracle, Spatialite or MSSQL Spatial) and WMS/WFS connections. You can also
view your GRASS data.

3.1.6 Toolbars
Your most often used sets of tools can be turned into toolbars for basic access. For example,
the File toolbar allows you to save, load, print, and start a new project. You can easily customize
the interface to see only the tools you use most often, adding or removing toolbars as necessary
via the Settings ‣ Toolbars menu.
Even if they are not visible in a toolbar, all of your tools will remain accessible via the menus.
For example, if you remove the File toolbar (which contains the Save button), you can still save
your map by clicking on the Project menu and then clicking on Save.

3.1.7 The Map Canvas

This is where the map itself is displayed.

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3.1.8 The Status Bar

Shows you information about the current map. Also allows you to adjust the map scale and see
the mouse cursor’s coordinates on the map.

3.1.9 Exercise:
Try to identify the four elements listed above on your own screen, without referring to the
diagram above. See if you can identify their names and functions. You will become more
familiar with these elements as you use them in the coming days.

Try to find each of these tools on your screen. What is their purpose?
1.
2.

3.
4.
5.

Note
If any of these tools is not visible on the screen, try enabling some toolbars that are currently
hidden. Also keep in mind that if there isn’t enough space on the screen, a toolbar may be
shortened by hiding some of its tools. You can see the hidden tools by clicking on the double
right arrow button in any such collapsed toolbar. You can see a tooltip with the name of any
tool by holding your mouse over the tool for a while.

3.1.10 Enable panels

To enable panels
• Click view menu in the menu bar
• Click Panels
• From the Panels list click on the name of the panel that you want enable

3.1.11 Enable toolbars

To enable toolbars
• Click View menu in the menu bar
• Click Toolbars
• From the Toolbars list click on the name of the toolbar that you want enable

3.2 Open existing QGIS Project

We open existing project of QGIS. The project is saved under your working folder named
protectedareadb. The name of the project is landcover2022.

To open existing QGIS project

• click Project in the menu bar

• Go to the folder where the file is located.

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• With this file selected, click Open. The project you specified will now load.
• Or
• Click on the Browse panel and navigate to the project folder
protectedareasdb/project/. With this file landcover2022 selected,
click Open. The project you specified will now load.

• What are the different data added/loaded to

this project?
• What are the data format (raster / vector) of
each loaded data?

Compare the layers and the figure bellow

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•Open the attribute table of the

land cover layer. What are the
available attributes of the land
cover layer?
To open the attribute data click the
right mouse on the layer name and
select.
In the next figure, the land cover layer
is selected and the right mouse is
clicked. It pops up the corresponding
shortcuts. To open its table, click Open
Attribute Table.

• Exercise with some of tools such as Zoom in, pan, make layers show / hide selected
layers (check / uncheck the box left of the layer name in the layers panel)

•
• Close the project. To close
the project
o Project menu --> Exit
QGIS
o or click the X button at the
top-left of the window.
• The following message will
appear. Click discard, because we do
not want to save any of the changes
you have done. If you want to save
the change, click Save

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3.3 Start QGIS and Create Project

3.3.1 What is required to create map?

We will start the application, and create a basic map to use for examples and exercises. We add
existing layer.
Note: To add existing layer, you should know:
• Data type that you are going to add
• Name of the layer (data)
• Location of the data

For your first task, you have the following information about the data that you are going to add.
• Data type that you are going to add: vector
• Name of the vector layer: road
• Location of the data: protectedareadb/data_vector/

3.3.2 Prepare a map

• Open QGIS. You will have a new,
blank map.
• On the Project Toolbar, click New

Project button (1)

3.3.3 Add Vector layer (exiting) options

1. There different options: Browser panel
2. Layer menu → Add Layer → Add Vector Layer
3. Ctrl + Shift + L

3.3.4 Add Vector layer (exiting)

Option 1: Browser panel
Click the Browse button in the
Browse panel (1)

Expand C where the database is

located (2)

Expand the folder/subfolder

(3/4)

Click the file to add to the

project (e.g. road) (5) and drag
and drop it to the canvas
Or
Right clack on the filename and
select Add Layer Project (5)

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Add more layers from the vector dataset (4). You can add
the spring, stream to your project

Add the raster dataset from the folder data_raster (6).

Expand this folder first

Add the dem and topo layers to the project

Option 2: Layer menu

• Look for the Add Vector Layer button:

• Click on it to open the following dialog:

• Click on the Browse button and navigate to the file

protectedareadb/data_vector/road.shp (in your training directory).
• With this file selected, click Open. You will see the original dialog, but with the file
path filled in. Click Open here as well. The data you specified will now load.

3.3.5 Save the project

You now have a basic map. Now would be a good time to save your work. We save the project
that contains only one layer.

•
Click on the Save As button: Or
• Click on the menu, Project → Save As..
• Save the map under protectedareadb/project and call it
basic_mapYOURNAME.qgs. This is now the name of your project. Check that
the name of your project is displayed at the title page of the project.
• You can add more vector layers from the same folder using the Browser option
• Save the updates:

o Click the save Button to to save the project (updates)

Or
o On the menu, select Project → Save
Or Ctrl + S on the Keyboard

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3.4 Exercise

• Open the existing projects in the eth_gis2023/project and

protectedareadb/project.
• explore the data in each of the projects.
• try to use the different tools such as Zoom In, Pan, etc
• Note: Do not save the project when you exit/close the project. Click
Discard

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4 Coordinate Reference Systems (CRS)

4.1 Reprojecting and Transforming Data

• Check your coordinate system of your data

o What is the coordinate system of your project?
o What is the coordinate system of your data?

4.2 Project’s coordinate system

To get information about the coordinate system (CRS) of your current project
• move the mouse to the bottom-right corner of the Interface (see the arrow in the
figure)

To change the coordinate reference system (CRS)

• Double click the name of the coordinate reference system (CRS, the above figure)
• The Project Property window will appear (the figure below).

• Select the CRS tab (1)

• Filter or browse your coordinate system (2)
o Either select the CRS from the recently used (3)
o browse your coordinate system from the coordinate system of the world (4) or

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o Filter it by typing the EPSG ID of your CRS (2)

• Check that your coordinates system is correct (5)
• Click Apply (6) / OK (7)

4.3 ‘EPSG ID” of coordinate systems used in Ethiopia

EPSG ID of CRS - Ethiopia

Coordinate Reference Authority ID Remark
System
Adindan 4201 Geographic Coordinate System / Eth
WGS 84 4326 Geographic Coordinate System / Glob

Adindan / UTM zone 36N 20136 Projected Coordinate System

Adindan / UTM zone 37N 20137 Projected Coordinate System
Adindan / UTM zone 38N 20138 Projected Coordinate System

WGS 84 / UTM zone 36N 32636 Projected Coordinate System

WGS 84 / UTM zone 37N 32637 Projected Coordinate System
WGS 84 / UTM zone 38N 32638 Projected Coordinate System

4.4 Saving a Dataset to Another CRS

For example, we want to save the watershed layer using the UTM Zone 37 with Adindan
datum (EPSG: 20137)
• Right-click on the watershed layer in the Layers list.
• click Export and select Save Feature As... in the menu that appears. You will be
shown the Save vector layer as... dialog.
• Click on the Browse button next to the Save as field.
• On the Format option, select ESRI Shapefile (1 in the figure).

• Navigate to protectedareadb/ data_vector/ and specify the name of the new

layer as watershed 20137shp. . (2)
• Leave the Encoding unchanged.

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• Change the value of the Layer CRS dropdown to Selected CRS. → EPSG:20137 (if it
is available in the list).

• If the new CRS is not in the list, browse for the CRS (Click ) Click the
Browse button beneath the dropdown. (3)
• The CRS Selector dialog will now appear.
• In its Filter field, type 20137.
• Choose Adindan / UTM zone 37N from the list.
• Leave the Symbology export unchanged.
• Click OK
• The new layer will be added to the project list.

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5 Creating a Basic Map

In this module, you will create a basic map which will be used later as a basis for further
demonstrations of QGIS functionality.

5.1 Working with Vector Data Symbology

Vector data is arguably the most common kind of data you will find in the daily use of GIS. It
describes geographic data in terms of points, that may be connected into lines and polygons.
Every object in a vector dataset is called a feature, and is associated with data that describes
that feature.
The goal for this: To learn about the structure of vector data, and how to load vector datasets
into a map.

5.1.1 Viewing Layer Attributes

It’s important to know that the data you will be working with does not only represent where
objects are in space, but also tells you what those objects are.
You will continue with your previous project.
• Open the map project named landcover2022. This is the project that you created
in one of your previous exercises. It is under protectedareadb/ and the project
name is basic_mapYOURNAME.qgs. If it doesn’t exist, open
basic_map.qgs.
From the previous exercise, you should have the roads layer loaded in your map. What you
can see right now is merely the position of the roads.
To see all the data available to you, with the road’s layer selected in the Layers panel:

• Click on this button:

It will show you a table with more data about the roads layer. This extra data is called attribute
data. The lines that you can see on your map represent where the roads go; this is the spatial
data.
These definitions are commonly used in GIS, so it’s essential to remember them!
• You may now close the attribute table.
Vector data represents features in terms of points, lines and polygons on a coordinate plane. It
is usually used to store discrete features, like roads and city blocks.

5.1.2 Loading Vector Data From Shapefiles

The Shapefile is a specific file format that allows you to store GIS data in an associated group
of files. Each layer consists of several files with the same name, but different file types.
Shapefiles are easy to send back and forth, and most GIS software can read them.
Refer back to the introductory exercise in the previous section for instructions on how to add
vector layers.
Load the data sets from the data_vector folder into your map following the same method:
• “landmark”
• “stream”
• spring
• “landcover2022”
• “watershed”
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Note
Remember to save the map often! The map file doesn’t contain any of the data directly, but it
remembers which layers you loaded into your map.

5.1.3 Reordering the Layers

The layers in your Layers list are drawn on the map in a certain order. The layer at the bottom
of the list is drawn first, and the layer at the top is drawn last. By changing the order that they
are shown on the list, you can change the order they are drawn in.
Note
Depending on the version of QGIS that you are using, you may have a checkbox beneath your
Layers list reading Control rendering order. This must be checked (switched on) so that moving
the layers up and down in the Layers list will bring them to the front or send them to the back
in the map. If your version of QGIS doesn’t have this option, then it is switched on by default
and you don’t need to worry about it.
The order in which the layers have been loaded into the map is probably not logical at this stage.
It’s possible that the road layer is completely hidden because other layers are on top of it.
For example, this layer order...

... would result in roads and landmark being

hidden as they run underneath land cover.

To resolve this problem:

• Click on the layer name (e.g.
landmark) and drag it on a layer in
the Layers list.
• Reorder them to look like this:

You’ll see that the map now makes more sense visually, with roads and buildings appearing
above the land use regions.
Save this project in your working directory with the name landcover_wondoYOURNAME.
You can work with this project any time. Please save it directly in your database
(protectedareadb).

5.1.4 Save a project with another name

o On menu, Select Project → Save As
o Browse to the folder where you want to save the project (in our case open the folder
named project under protectedareadb
o Type the project name in the File name box (e.g. landcover_wondoYOURNAME).
o Save
o Notice that the project name is changed at the title bar (top left of the GUI).

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5.1.5 What’s Next?

Using the random palette automatically assigned when loading the layers, your current map is
probably not easy to read. It would be preferable to assign your own choice of colors and
symbols. This is what you’ll learn to do in the next lesson.

5.2 Symbology

The symbology of a layer is its visual appearance on the map. The basic strength of GIS over
other ways of representing data with spatial aspects is that with GIS, you have a dynamic visual
representation of the data you’re working with.
Therefore, the visual appearance of the map (which depends on the symbology of the individual
layers) is very important. The end user of the maps you produce will need to be able to easily
see what the map represents. Equally as important, you need to be able to explore the data as
you’re working with it, and good symbology helps a lot.
In other words, having proper symbology is not a luxury or just nice to have. In fact, it’s
essential for you to use a GIS properly and produce maps and information that people will be
able to use.
The goal for this To be able to create any symbology you want for any vector layer.

5.2.1 Changing Colors / style

To change a layer’s symbology, open its Layer Properties. Let’s begin by changing the color
of the landcover layer that you added in your previous session. Remember that you have created
a project named landcover_wondoYOURNAME. If you do not have created this project, open
an existing project named landcover_wondo, which if found in the working directory named
protectedareadb/project.
• Right-click on the watershed layer in the Layers list.
• Select the menu item Properties in the menu that appears.
Note: By default, you can also access a layer’s properties by double-clicking on the layer in the
Layers list.
In the Properties window (see the next fgure):
o Select the Symbology tab at the extreme left (see next figure, 1):
o Select Simple File under Fill option (2)
o Click the color select button next to the Fill Color label (3)
o A standard color dialog will appear.
o Choose a gray color and click OK.
o If you want, you can also change Fill style (4)
o You can change the Strike color, width and style (5,6,7)
o Click Apply and OK again in the Layer Properties window, and you will see the color
change being applied to the layer.

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5.2.2 Exercise
Change the watershed layer symbol:
o Fill style = no brush
o Strike color = blue
o Strike width = 2.

5.2.3 Exercise
• Change the watershed layer’s symbology again so that it is has a darker blue outline.
• Change the stream layer’s symbology to a sensible representation of waterways.

5.2.4 Exercise
• Change the landcover2022 layer’s symbology so that it is has a darker outline.
o Fill style = no brush
o Strike color = dark
o Strike width = 0.5

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5.2.5 Point Symbol Layer Types

• Change the symbol properties for the landmark layer: (1 -→ 2)

• You can access the various symbol layer types by selecting the Simple marker (2)
layer in the Symbol layers panel, then click the Symbol layer type dropdown:
• Investigate the various options available to you, and choose a symbol with styling you
think is appropriate.
• If in doubt, use a round Simple marker with a white border and pale green fill, with a
size of 3,00 and an Outline width of 0.5.
• You can change the color and Size of the point (3,4)
• You can also select predefined symbols from the Project style (5)
• Click Apply and OK

5.2.6 Line Symbol Layer Types

To see the various options available for line data:
• Change the symbol layer type for the road layer:
• Open the layer property window of the layer
o Click the layer name in the Layers panel (the name of the layer is road), then
the properties
o Refer to the next figure
• Symbology (1)
• Select single symbol (2)
• Select available symbols (3)
• Observe the symbol type (4)
• Preview the symbol type (5)
• Change the color and line width (6,7)
• Click Apply (8)
• Finally OK (8)

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Once you have applied the style, take a look at its results on the map.

5.2.7 Polygon Symbol Layer Types

To see the various options available for polygon data:
• Change the symbol layer type for the watershed layer, as before for the other layers.
• Investigate what the different options on the list can do.
• Choose one of them that you find suitable.
Note (see figure below)

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In the layer properties window

• click Symbology first (1), then simple fill (2)
• try different
o Symbol layer type (3)
o fill type (4)
o stroke type (5)
• preview the changes (6)
• Click Apply to check the symbol of the layer in the canvas
• OK, if you are satisfied with the symbol.

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6 Classifying Vector Data

Classifying vector data allows you to assign different symbols to features (different objects in
the same layer), depending on their attributes. This allows someone who uses the map to easily
see the attributes of various features.

6.1 Attribute Data

Up to now, none of the changes we have made to the map have been influenced by the objects
that are being shown. In other words, all the land cover areas look alike, and all the streams
look alike. When looking at the map, the viewers don’t know anything about the roads they are
seeing; only that there is a road of a certain shape in a certain area.

But the whole strength of GIS is that all the objects that are visible on the map also have
attributes. Maps in a GIS aren’t just pictures. They represent not only objects in locations, but
also information about those objects.

The goal of this To explore the attribute data of an object and understand what the various data
can be useful for.

6.2 Explore the attribute data

Open the attribute table for the landmark layer (refer back to the previous section if necessary).
Which field would be the most useful to represent in label form, and why?

Any dataset will only be useful to you if it has the attributes that you care about. If you know
which attributes you need, you can quickly decide if you’re able to use a given dataset, or if
you need to look for another one that has the required attribute data.

Different attributes are useful for different purposes. Some of them can be represented directly
as text for the map user to see. You’ll learn how to do this in the next lesson.

6.3 The Label Tool

Labels can be added to a map to show any information about an object. Any vector layer can
have labels associated with it. These labels rely on the attribute data of a layer for their content.

Note: The Layer Properties dialog does have a Labels tab, which now offers the same
functionality, but for this example we’ll use the Label tool, accessed via a toolbar button.

6.3.1 Using Labels

Before being able to access the Label tool, you will need to ensure that it has been activated.
• Go to the menu item View ‣ Toolbars.
• Ensure that the Label Toolbar item has a check mark next to it. If it doesn’t, click on
the Label toolbr item, and it will be activated.
• Click on the landmarks layer in the Layers list, so that it is highlighted.
• Click on the following toolbar button:
This gives you the Layer labeling settings dialog.
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You’ll need to choose which field in the attributes will be used for the labels. In the previous
lesson, you decided that the name field was the most suitable one for this purpose.
• select landmark from the list (1)
• Select single lables (2)
• Select name from the list (3):
• Click OK.

6.3.2 Changing Label Options

Depending on the styles you chose for your map in earlier lessons, you’ll might find that the
labels are not appropriately formatted and either overlap or are too far away from their point
markers.
• Open the Label tool again by clicking on its button as before.

That’s the font problem solved! Now let’s look at the problem of the labels overlapping the
points, but before we do that, let’s take a look at the Buffer option.
• Open the Label tool dialog.
• Select Buffer from the options list.
• Select the checkbox next to Draw text buffer, then choose options to match those
shown here:
• Click Apply.
You’ll see that this adds a colored buffer or border to the place labels, making them easier to
pick out on the map:
Now we can address the positioning of the labels in relation to their point markers.

• In the Label tool dialog, go to the Placement tab .

• Change the value of Distance to 2mm and make sure that Around point is selected:
• Click Apply. (You’ll see that the labels are no longer overlapping their point markers.)

6.3.3 Using Labels Instead of Layer Symbology

In many cases, the location of a point doesn’t need to be very specific

In QGIS, you can do this by changing the position of the labels to be rendered directly over the
points they refer to.

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• Open the Layer labeling settings dialog for the places layer.
• Select the Placement option from the options list.
• Click on the Offset from point button.

This will reveal the Quadrant options which you can use to set the position of the label in
relation to the point marker. In this case, we want the label to be centered on the point, so choose
the center quadrant:
• Hide the point symbols by editing the layer style as usual, and setting the size of the
Ellipse marker width and height to 0:
• Click OK and you’ll see this result:

If you were to zoom out on the map, you would see that some of the labels disappear at larger
scales to avoid overlapping. Sometimes this is what you want when dealing with datasets that
have many points, but at other times you will lose useful information this way. There is another
possibility for handling cases like this, which we’ll cover in a later exercise in this lesson.

6.3.4 Exercise
Try Yourself to Customize the Labels
• Return the label and symbol settings to have a point marker and a label offset of
2.00mm. You may like to adjust the styling of the point marker or labels at this stage.

6.3.5 Labeling Lines

Now you know how labeling works, there’s an additional problem. Points and polygons are
easy to label, but what about lines? If you label them the same way as the points, your results
would look like this:

We will now reformat the streams layer labels so that they are easy to understand.
• Hide the landmark layer so that it doesn’t distract you.
• Activate labels for the stream layer as before (1, 2)
• Set the font Size
to 10 so that you
can see more
labels.
In the Label tool dialog’s
Advanced tab (4), choose
the following settings
(see the figure):
• Mode = curved
(5)
• Allowed position
= online , above
line (6)
• click Apply

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Hawassa University, WGCFNR- GISc Department

You’ll probably find that the text styling has used default values and the labels are consequently
very hard to read. Set the label text format to have a dark-grey or black Color and a light-yellow
buffer.

You’ll see that some of the stream names appear more than once and that’s not always
necessary. To prevent this from happening:
• In the Label labelling settings dialog, choose the Rendering option and select the
Merge connected lines to avoid duplicate labels:

• Click OK

Another useful function is to prevent labels being drawn for features too short to be of notice.
• In the same Rendering panel, set the value of Suppress labeling of features smaller
than ... to 5mm and note the results when you click Apply.

Try out different Placement settings as well. As we’ve seen before, the horizontal option is not
a good idea in this case, so let’s try the curved option instead.
• Select the Curved option in the Placement panel of the Layer labeling settings dialog.

6.4 Classification

Labels are a good way to communicate information such as the names of individual places, but
they can’t be used for everything. For example, let’s say that someone wants to know what each
land cover area is used for.

This makes the map’s labeling difficult to read and even overwhelming if there are numerous
different land cover areas on the map.

The goal for this To learn how to classify vector data effectively.

6.4.1 Classifying Nominal Data

• Open the Layer Properties dialog for the landcover2022 layer.
• Go to the Symbology tab. (1)
• Click on the dropdown that says Single Symbol and change it to Categorized (2)

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Hawassa University, WGCFNR- GISc Department

• Change the Column to cover(3)

• Click the button labeled Classify (4)
• Click OK / Apply (5).
• Click the arrow (or plus sign) next to landcover2022 in the Layer list, you’ll see
the categories explained

Now our landcover polygons are appropriately colored and are classified so that areas with the
same land use are the same color. You may wish to remove the black border from the landcover
layer:
• Open Layer Properties, go to the Symbology tab and select Symbol.
• Change the color of the land cover types (use appropriate color)!
• Change the symbol by removing the border from the Simple Fill layer and click OK.

You’ll see that the landuse polygon outlines have been removed, leaving just our new fill
colours for each categorisation.
• If you wish to, you can change the fill color for each landcover area by double-
clicking the relevant color block:

Notice that there is one category that’s empty. This empty category is used to color any objects
which do not have a landuse value defined or which have a NULL value. It is important to keep
this empty category so that areas with a NULL value are still represented on the map. You may
like to change the color to more obviously represent a blank or NULL value.

Remember to save your map now so that you don’t lose all your hard-earned changes!

6.4.2 Exercise

If you are only following the basic-level content, use the knowledge you gained above to
classify the landmark layer. Set the categorisation against the ltype column.

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Hawassa University, WGCFNR- GISc Department

Symbology allows us to represent the attributes of a layer in an easy-to-read way. It allows us

as well as the map reader to understand the significance of features, using any relevant attributes
that we choose. Depending on the problems you face, you’ll apply different classification
techniques to solve them.

6.4.3 What’s Next?

Now we have a nice-looking map, but how are we going to get it out of QGIS and into a format
we can print out, or make into an image or PDF? That’s the topic of the next lesson!

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Hawassa University, WGCFNR- GISc Department

7 Changing Raster Symbology

Example of data in raster format
• satellite imageries,
• aerial photographs,
• digital terrain models (DEM),
• data derived from satellite imageries and DEM,
• raster analysis outputs, and
• rasterized vector layers
There are many other forms of raster data (see above), and in many of those cases, it’s essential
to symbolize the data properly so that it becomes properly visible and useful.

The goal for this session: To change the symbology for a raster layer.

7.1 Add raster layer

7.1.1 Create new QGIS project

Your tasks: Apply what you have learned in the previous sessions.
• Create new project and save it as terrainYOURNAME in the folder
eth_gis2023/project. The project should be saved under eth_gis2023 working
directory!
• Add the basin layer from eth_gis2023
/data_vector and change the Symbology
o (Fill style = No Brush; Stroke color =
blue; Stroke width = 2, Stroke style =
Dashed line)
• Save the project at certain intervals.
• Add the raster and vector layers shown in the
figure (from data_raster and data_vector
folders of eth_gis2023, respectively)
• Re-arrange the layers as shown in the figure
Change the symbols of the different vector layers.

To add a raster layer

• Click Browser panel (1)
• Expand the folder where the file is
located (2, 3)
• Click and drag the file to the canvas
(4)
or
• Right click on the file name that you
want to add and select Add Layer to
the Project
7.1.2 Exercise
• Rename the elevation layer to DEM (if you want). To rename
o Right click on the file name elevation in the Layers list
o Click Rename from the Short list
o Type DEM
o Press enter button on your Key Board
o Note: the file name in your dataset will not be changed!
• Zoom to the extent of this layer by right-clicking on it in the Layer List and selecting
Zoom to Layer Extent.

This dataset is a Digital Elevation Model (DEM). It’s a map of the elevation (altitude) of the
terrain, allowing us to see where the mountains and valleys are, for example.

Once it’s loaded, you’ll notice that it’s a basic stretched grayscale representation of the DEM.
Rearrange the layers so that line and point layers are on top of the DEM:

QGIS has automatically applied a stretch to the image for visualization purposes, and we will
learn more about how this works as we continue.

7.2 Changing Raster Layer Symbology

7.2.1 Changing Raster Layer Symbology - linear

• Zoom to Layer extent of the DEM. Right click on the layer elevation (hereafter
DEM) and select Zoom to Layer extent.
• Open the Layer Properties dialog for the DEM layer by right-clicking on the layer in
the Layer tree and selecting Properties option.
• Switch to the Symbology tab. (1)
These are the
current settings
that QGIS
applied for us
by default. It’s
just one way to
look at a DEM,
so let’s explore
some others.

• Change the Render type to Singleband pseudocolor, and use the default options
presented. (2)

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 • Change the min and maximum values if you want (3 / 4)
• Select equal interval and change the number of class, if you want. (5/6),
• Click the Classify button to generate a new color classification, and click Apply to
apply this classification to the DEM. (7/8)
Note: Another option of value setting.
This is an interesting way of looking at the DEM, but maybe we don’t want to symbolize it
using these colors.
• Open Layer Properties dialog again.
• Switch the Render Type back to Singleband gray.
• Click OK to apply this setting to the raster.

This is because we have lost the default settings which “stretch” the color values to show them
contrast.

Let’s tell QGIS to again “stretch” the color values based on the range of data in the DEM. This
will make QGIS use all of the available colors (in Grayscale, this is black, white and all shades
of gray in between).
• Specify the Min and Max values as shown below.
• Set the value Contrast enhancement to Stretch To MinMax:

But what are the minimum and maximum values that should be used for the stretch? The ones
that are currently under Min and Max values are the same values that just gave us a gray
rectangle before. Instead, we should be using the minimum and maximum values that are
actually in the image, right? Fortunately, you can determine those values easily by loading the
minimum and maximum values of the raster.
• Under Load min / max values, select Min / Max option.
• Click the Load button:

Notice how the Custom min / max values have changed to reflect the actual values in our DEM:
• Click OK to apply these settings to the image.

You’ll now see that the values of the raster are again properly displayed, with the darker colors
representing valleys and the lighter ones, mountains:

You can try the other buttons in this toolbar and see how they alter the stretch of the image
when zoomed in to local areas or when fully zoomed out.

These are only the basic functions to get you started with raster symbology. QGIS also allows
you many other options, such as symbolizing a layer using standard deviations, or representing
different bands with different colors in a multispectral image.

7.2.2 Changing Raster Layer Symbology – Discrete

You need to change the Interpolation method from Linear to Discrete, and you will be able to
get a separate class for each range of values similar to the old behavior. Actually, the Distrete
interpolation was always there in the previous versions of QGIS, but Linear interpolation was
the default rendering behavior of raster.
• task: classify the elevation according to the elevation class of the agro-ecology of
Ethiopia
• Add the elevation layer from data_raster for the second time
• Open the elevation property

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 • Select Symbology (0)
• Change the Render type to Singleband pseudocolor, and use the default options
presented. (1)
• Change the min and maximum values if you want (2)
• On interpolation, select Discrete (3)
• As color ramp, select Spectral (4)
• Select equal interval and change the number of class, if you want. (5/6),
• Change the upper limit of the elevation classes as shone in the figure (7)
• Apply and OK to apply this classification to the DEM.

7.2.3 Exercise:
• What is the difference between the discrete and linear interpolations?

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Module 2: Workflow for creating and editing features
Design database structure for PA management

Managing these protected areas, however, requires a carefully designed database structure to
help keep track of the various aspects. The most effective approach to ensure that a database
structure is effective is to determine the key data that needs collecting, organizing, and storing.
These data may consist of the characteristics and features of lands and waters in the area,
populations of species, ranger patrol activity, and permits issued, among others. A robust
database structure can help ensure efficient management and assist in decision-making.
The first step in designing the database structure is to establish its purpose. It could be for
research, monitoring, or management functions, or all of them. The most common is the
management function, in which the system helps to manage and allocate resources in the
protected area efficiently. Defining these purposes explicitly sets out what the database is
intended to capture and how to capture it in its best representation. The second step is to
establish population coverage and geographic extent. This information determines the scale and
detail of the database structure as it carries through the development process.
The next step is to choose the most appropriate database model for the organization's needs.
The data organization models used for database designs include the flat file model, hierarchical
model, network model, object-oriented model, and relational model. The relational model is the
most commonly used, with data structured in tables consisting of rows as records and columns
as fields. This model is flexible, scalable, and easy to maintain, ensuring easy integration with
other applications. For instance, the table for records of permit applications should contain
fields for the name of the applicant, the activity they intend to undertake, and the date and
duration of the permit.

After selecting the database model, the next step is to create tables/layer. Each table /layer of
the database represents a unique aspect of the protected area covered by the management plan.
In creating tables, it is necessary to link them through keys that will relate the tables to each
other. A unique key of each record is added to the related table to ensure its traceability when
queried. For example, the Record Unique Identifier (RUI) for the inventory table and the Ranger
information table must create a unique key that links the patrol table to both tables. This
connector allows for the delivery of comprehensive reports of both rangers' activity and the
inventory.
The next step is the management of the collected data. The system has full access to the data in
the tables to create comprehensive reports, including calculated and summarized fields. For
instance, based on inventory data, the management system could generate reports of species
populations and their distribution. Additionally, ranger patrol data could produce reports on
specific patrol areas or a comprehensive report on all activities carried out by the rangers. The
system achieves substantially improved data availability and analysis, thereby improving park
management and the execution of conservation efforts.
Finally, validation of the input data entered into the database is crucial. This critical aspect of
database management ensures the durability, reliability, and accuracy of the database. It is
necessary to put in place validation routines that flag errors or omissions in data entries. Reports
of these flagged errors could be channeled back to park staff to improve data quality and
improve the accuracy of future entries.
Proposed data for a PA database:
• park boundary
 • administration boundary (kebele, zone, region)
• patrol
• fire
• herding
• tree cutting
• hunting
• settlement
• road
• river
• habitat
• wild animal distribution
• buildings
• camp
• towns/villages

Identify data sources for PA management

The use of geographic information systems (GIS) has become increasingly important in
protected area management, as it allows for the efficient analysis of spatial data at different
scales. However, an important question is where to find the data for these GIS analyses that are
necessary for protected area management. This section identifies various sources of GIS data
for protected area management.

The first source of GIS data for protected area management is primary data sources. This may
include data collected by the park management team or other related professionals. These data
sources may include detailed ecological assessments, biodiversity surveys, climatic data,
topography and soils data, and hydrology. Data from primary sources is usually the most
accurate and comprehensive, but it may also require more resources and expertise to acquire
and process.

Secondly, another source of GIS data for protected area management is secondary data sources,
which are often readily available from reliable sources. These can include data from
government. Additionally, privately-managed data infrastructure services such as Google Earth
or satellite imagery like Landsat and Sentinel-2 can be used as secondary data sources. These
sources generally offer high-quality data, but it may be limited in scope or not specific enough
to support the needs of protected area management.

The third source of GIS data for protected area management is citizen science data. Citizen
science is a collaborative effort, involving non-professionals to collect data and contribute to
scientific research. Citizen science data, therefore, provides an opportunity to widen the scope
of available data for protected area management and may include observations of endangered
species, habitat conditions, and invasive species. Citizen science data is generally valuable but
may require rigorous validation and verification before use in primary planning and analysis.

The fourth source of GIS data for protected area management is academic research, which can
provide highly specialized and methodologically rigorous data from peer-reviewed journals,
research reports, and publications. Research data can be used to generate insights about changes

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in protected areas over time and may inform the development of policies and best practices for
the effective management of protected areas.

The fifth source of GIS data for protected areas is data obtained through stakeholder
engagement. This may include data from NGOs, local communities, and other stakeholders
who are involved in the protection and management of specific areas. Stakeholder mapping and
stakeholder engagement is an essential aspect of protected area management, as knowledge and
information from stakeholders can provide valuable insight into changes in the ecosystem and
landscape.

The sixth source of GIS data for protected area management is Open-Source repositories that
provide free access to geospatial data. These data sources have become increasingly accessible
and can be used to supplement and verify data gleaned from other sources. Public datasets such
as Open Street Map (OSM) and Global Land-cover products, for example, provide rich
resources for mapping and visualizing protected areas and can assist in land-use decision-
making processes.

Finally, social media is an emerging source of GIS data for protected area management. Social
media platforms are increasingly used by stakeholders to share information about protected
areas, including photos, videos, and descriptive information. Social media data can be used for
monitoring and evaluation, generating insights and informing policy implementation. Social
media data may require advanced processing and analysis due to their often unstructured nature,
making them harder to analyze.

Overview to the data processing

The following are some of the common spatial data creating / generation approaches:
• Use existing data
• Create data using field data such as location records as table
• Create spatial data suing geo-referenced maps such as topographic maps
• Create spatial data suing remote sensing images (satellite images / aerial photographs)
• Derive data from existing spatial data using algorithms
In the next sections, we will deal with each of the above listed methods.

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8 Geo-referencing existing paper maps
Why is it necessary to georeference a scanned photo before digitizing features on the image?
There is a great deal of geographic data available in formats that cannot be immediately
integrated with other GIS data. In order to use these types of data in GIS it is necessary to align
it with existing geographically referenced data, this process is also called georeferencing.
Valuable Geo-spatial information is contained in a wide variety of maps available in the form
of images (scanned maps). Unfortunately, we cannot analyse this data without digitizing it. The
conventional approach is to manually extract data and store it in a digital format. The
requirement for the digitizing in this case is that the map is as image and is geo-referenced.
Georeferencing existing paper maps in protected areas management is essential in ensuring
effective management of protected areas. The section about geo-referencing explains the steps
for geo-referencing and digitizing scanned maps. Some of the important terms used in this guide
are as follows:
• Scanned Map: Refers to the digital, scanned copy of a paper map.
• Geo-referencing: Refers to the process of assigning real-world coordinates to pixels of
the scanned map.
• Digitizing: Refers to the process of converting geo-referenced data to digital format
(shapefile).
Objectives: Geo-referencing scanned paper maps
• Create a digital image of a scanned paper that can be used as a reference for
digitizing geographic features.
Input
1. Scanned paper map; e.g.
• Topographic map. From this map, streams in the PA can be digitized.
• Fire affected areas of the PA. Participants in a focused group discussion may draw
areas in PA frequently affected by fire, hunting, and herding.
2. Ground control points
Steps
1. Scan the paper map
2. Create a new GIS project
3. Open the QGIS Georeferencer.
4. Open the scanned image you want to georeferenced.
5. The scan is open.
6. Find ground control points (GCP).
7. Enter map coordinates
8. Start the QGIS Georeferencer.
9. Set the Transformation parameters
10. Start geo-referencing
11. The image has been georeferenced in QGIS

The geo-referenced image can be used as background for digitizing data.

8.1 What is Geo-referencing?

Raster data is obtained from many sources, such as satellite images, aerial cameras, and scanned
maps. Modern satellite images and aerial cameras tend to have relatively accurate location
information, but might need slight adjustments to line up all your GIS data. Scanned maps and
historical data usually do not contain spatial reference information. In these cases you will need
to use accurate location data to align or georeference your raster data to a map coordinate
system. A map coordinate system is defined using a map projection-a method by which the
curved surface of the earth is portrayed on a flat surface.
When you georeference your raster data, you define its location using map coordinates and
assign the coordinate system of the map frame. Georeferencing raster data allows it to be
viewed, queried, and analyzed with your other geographic data. The georeferencing tools on
the Georeference tab allows you to georeference any raster dataset.

8.2 Usual procedure

As X and Y coordinates (DMS (dd mm ss.ss), DD (dd.dd) or projected coordinates

(mmmm.mm)), which correspond with the selected point on the image, two alternative
procedures can be used:

• The raster itself sometimes provides crosses with coordinates “written” on the image. In
this case, you can enter the coordinates manually.
• Using already georeferenced layers. This can be either vector or raster data that contain
the same objects/features that you have on the image that you want to georeference and
with the projection that you want for your image. In this case, you can enter the
coordinates by clicking on the reference dataset loaded in the QGIS map canvas.
The usual procedure for georeferencing an image involves selecting multiple points on the
raster, specifying their coordinates, and choosing a relevant transformation type. Based on the
input parameters and data, the Georeferencer will compute the world file parameters. The more
coordinates you provide, the better the result will be.

The first step is to start QGIS and click on Layer ► Georeferencer , which appears in the
QGIS menu bar. The Georeferencer dialog appears as shown in the figure.
For this example, we are using a topo sheet of South Dakota from SDGS. It can later be
visualized together with the data from the GRASS spearfish60 location.

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8.2.1 Entering ground control points (GCPs)
1. To start georeferencing an unreferenced raster, we must load it using the button. The
raster will show up in the main working area of the dialog. Once the raster is loaded, we
can start to enter reference points.
Add Point
2. Using the button, add points to the main working area and enter their
coordinates. For this procedure you have the following options:
• Click on a point in the raster image and enter the X and Y coordinates manually, along
with the CRS of the point.
From map canvas
• Click on a point in the raster image and choose the button to add
the X and Y coordinates with the help of a georeferenced map already loaded in the
QGIS map canvas. The CRS will be set automatically.
3. Continue entering points. You should have at least four points, and the more coordinates
you can provide, the better the result will be. There are additional tools for zooming and
panning the working area in order to locate a relevant set of GCP points.
4. With the tool, you can move the GCPs in both the canvas and the georeferencing
window, if you need to correct them.

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The points that are added to the map will be stored in a separate text file ( [filename].points )
usually together with the raster image. This allows us to reopen the Georeferencer at a later date
and add new points or delete existing ones to optimize the result. The points file contains values
Load GCP points Save
of the form: mapX, mapY, pixelX, pixelY . You can use the and
GCP points as
buttons to manage the files.

8.2.2 Defining the transformation settings

After you have added your GCPs to the raster image, you need to define the transformation
settings for the georeferencing process.

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Available Transformation algorithms

A number of transformation algorithms are available, dependent on the type and quality of input
data, the nature and amount of geometric distortion that you are willing to introduce to the final
result, and the number of ground control points (GCPs).

Currently, the following Transformation types are available:

• The Linear algorithm is used to create a world file and is different from the other
algorithms, as it does not actually transform the raster pixels. It allows positioning
(translating) the image and uniform scaling, but no rotation or other transformations. It is
the most suitable if your image is a good quality raster map, in a known CRS, but is just
missing georeferencing information. At least 2 GCPs are needed.
• The Helmert transformation also allows rotation. It is particularly useful if your raster is a
good quality local map or orthorectified aerial image, but not aligned with the grid bearing
in your CRS. At least 2 GCPs are needed.

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• The Polynomial 1 algorithm allows a more general affine transformation, in particular
also a uniform shear. Straight lines remain straight (i.e., collinear points stay collinear)
and parallel lines remain parallel. This is particularly useful for georeferencing data
cartograms, which may have been plotted (or data collected) with different ground pixel
sizes in different directions. At least 3 GCP’s are required.
• The Polynomial algorithms 2-3 use more general 2nd or 3rd degree polynomials instead
of just affine transformation. This allows them to account for curvature or other
systematic warping of the image, for instance photographed maps with curving edges. At
least 6 (respectively 10) GCP’s are required. Angles and local scale are not preserved or
treated uniformly across the image. In particular, straight lines may become curved, and
there may be significant distortion introduced at the edges or far from any GCPs arising
from extrapolating the data-fitted polynomials too far.
• The Projective algorithm generalizes Polynomial 1 in a different way, allowing
transformations representing a central projection between 2 non-parallel planes, the image
and the map canvas. Straight lines stay straight, but parallelism is not preserved and scale
across the image varies consistently with the change in perspective. This transformation
type is most useful for georeferencing angled photographs (rather than flat scans) of good
quality maps, or oblique aerial images. A minimum of 4 GCPs is required.
• Finally, the Thin Plate Spline (TPS) algorithm “rubber sheets” the raster using multiple
local polynomials to match the GCPs specified, with overall surface curvature minimized.
Areas away from GCPs will be moved around in the output to accommodate the GCP
matching, but will otherwise be minimally locally deformed. TPS is most useful for
georeferencing damaged, deformed, or otherwise slightly inaccurate maps, or poorly
orthorectified aerials. It is also useful for approximately georeferencing and implicitly
reprojecting maps with unknown projection type or parameters, but where a regular grid
or dense set of ad-hoc GCPs can be matched with a reference map layer. It technically
requires a minimum of 10 GCPs, but usually more to be successful.
In all of the algorithms except TPS, if more than the minimum GCPs are specified, parameters
will be fitted so that the overall residual error is minimized. This is helpful to minimize the
impact of registration errors, i.e. slight imprecisions in pointer clicks or typed coordinates, or
other small local image deformations. Absent other GCPs to compensate, such errors or
deformations could translate into significant distortions, especially near the edges of the
georeferenced image. However, if more than the minimum GCPs are specified, they will match
only approximately in the output. In contrast, TPS will precisely match all specified GCPs, but
may introduce significant deformations between nearby GCPs with registration errors.

8.2.3 Define the Resampling method

The type of resampling you choose will likely depend on your input data and the ultimate
objective of the exercise. If you don’t want to change statistics of the raster (other than as
implied by nonuniform geometric scaling if using other than the Linear, Helmert, or Polynomial

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1 transformations), you might want to choose ‘Nearest neighbour’. In contrast, ‘cubic
resampling’, for instance, will usually generate a visually smoother result.

It is possible to choose between five different resampling methods:

1. Nearest neighbour
2. Linear
3. Cubic
4. Cubic Spline
5. Lanczos
Define the transformation settings

There are several options that need to be defined for the georeferenced output raster.

• The Create world file checkbox is only available if you decide to use the linear
transformation type, because this means that the raster image actually won’t be
transformed. In this case, the Output raster field is not activated, because only a new
world file will be created.
• For all other transformation types, you have to define an Output raster. As default, a new
file ([filename]_modified) will be created in the same folder together with the original
raster image.
• As a next step, you have to define the Target SRS (Spatial Reference System) for the
georeferenced raster.
• If you like, you can generate a pdf map and also a pdf report. The report includes
information about the used transformation parameters, an image of the residuals and a list
with all GCPs and their RMS errors.
• Furthermore, you can activate the Set Target Resolution checkbox and define the
pixel resolution of the output raster. Default horizontal and vertical resolution is 1.
• The Use 0 for transparency when needed can be activated, if pixels with the value 0
shall be visualized transparent. In our example toposheet, all white areas would be
transparent.
• Finally, Load in QGIS when done loads the output raster automatically into the
QGIS map canvas when the transformation is done.

8.2.4 Show and adapt raster properties

Clicking on the Raster properties option in the Setting s menu opens the Layer
properties dialog of the raster file that you want to georeference.

8.2.5 Configure the georeferencer

• You can define whether you want to show GCP coordinates and/or IDs.
• As residual units, pixels and map units can be chosen.

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• For the PDF report, a left and right margin can be defined and you can also set the paper
size for the PDF map.
• Finally, you can activate to Show Georeferencer window docked.

8.2.6 Running the transformation

After all GCPs have been collected and all transformation settings are defined, just press
Start georeferencing
the button to create the new georeferenced raster.

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9 Satellite Image Interpretation
9.1 What is the reason for selecting images as source of data?

Satellite imagery has revolutionized the process of digitization of protected features. By using
satellite images, conservationists and environmentalists can map out protected areas quickly
and accurately. This allows for better management and monitoring of these areas, as it keeps
track of any changes or developments that could potentially harm the protected features. In this
session, we will explore the advantages of satellite imagery for digitization of protected
features.
One of the most significant advantages of using satellite images for digitization is its ability to
capture vast areas of land. With one image, environmentalists can scan a large area and record
the protected features within it. This process is much faster and safer than other methods, as it
is non-invasive and eliminates the need for physical access to these areas. Thus,
conservationists can conduct their work from the safety of their offices while still receiving
accurate information.
Another advantage of utilizing satellite imagery is the ability to monitor protected areas over
time. Satellite images allow for the compilation of historic data, which can help with the
analysis of trends and changes in both natural and anthropogenic activities. This information
can help conservationists detect any illegal activities or harmful practices that could damage
the protected features and take necessary measures accordingly.
Satellite images can also assist in identifying landscape features and structures that could be
difficult to access or identify through traditional methods. This identification can be used to
make informed decisions regarding land use and informs the development of conservation
plans. Additionally, satellite imagery can provide environmentalists with critical data about
weather patterns, vegetation patterns, and water resources, among other things.
Finally, incorporating satellite images into digitization processes allows for the more
transparent communication of conservation data. These data sets can be accessible to the
general public, which enhances transparency and accountability. The democratization of this
information presents an opportunity for the general public to assume a more active role in
conservation efforts and raises awareness about the importance of protecting these features.

9.2 Which image and bands to use?

We have two satellite images that were already preprocessed. The images were geometrically
corrected and stacked
To use the images, we have to add the images into the canvas, create a composite using three
bands as Red, Green, and Blue Band. The selected bands should be stretched according to the
users preference. EWE will try two types of image composites:
• True color composite using the Red, Green and Blue layers of the satellite images
• False color composite using Infrared, Red and Green layers of the satellite image
Note: The different satellites have different spectral resolution and this should be considered
when creating an image composite.
9.2.1 Landsat
Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager (OLI) and Thermal Infrared Sensor (TIRS)
Band Wavelength Useful for mapping
Band 1 – Coastal Aerosol 0.435 - 0.451 Coastal and aerosol studies
Bathymetric mapping, distinguishing soil
Band 2 – Blue 0.452 - 0.512 from vegetation, and deciduous from
coniferous vegetation
Emphasizes peak vegetation, which is useful
Band 3 - Green 0.533 - 0.590
for assessing plant vigor
Band 4 – Red 0.636 - 0.673 Discriminates vegetation slopes
Band 5 - Near Infrared
0.851 - 0.879 Emphasizes biomass content and shorelines
(NIR)
Band 6 - Short-wave Discriminates moisture content of soil and
1.566 - 1.651
Infrared (SWIR) 1 vegetation; penetrates thin clouds
Band 7 - Short-wave Improved moisture content of soil and
2.107 - 2.294
Infrared (SWIR) 2 vegetation and thin cloud penetration
15 meter resolution, sharper image
Band 8 - Panchromatic 0.503 - 0.676
definition
Improved detection of cirrus cloud
Band 9 – Cirrus 1.363 - 1.384
contamination
100 meter resolution, thermal mapping and
Band 10 – TIRS 1 10.60 – 11.19
estimated soil moisture
100 meter resolution, Improved thermal
Band 11 – TIRS 2 11.50 - 12.51
mapping and estimated soil moisture
Landsat 1-5 Multispectral Scanner (MSS)
Landsat MSS 1, 2, Landsat MSS 4 &
Wavelength Useful for mapping
3 Spectral Bands 5 Spectral Bands
Sediment-laden water, delineates areas
Band 4 – green Band 1 - green 0.5 - 0.6
of shallow water
Band 5 – red Band 2 - red 0.6 - 0.7 Cultural features
Band 3 - Near Vegetation boundary between land and
Band 6 - Near Infrared 0.7 - 0.8
Infrared water, and landforms
Penetrates atmospheric haze best,
Band 4 - Near
Band 7 - Near Infrared 0.8 - 1.1 emphasizes vegetation, boundary
Infrared
between land and water, and landforms

Landsat 4-5 Thematic Mapper (TM) and Landsat 7 Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+)
Band Wavelength Useful for mapping
Bathymetric mapping, distinguishing soil from
Band 1 – Blue 0.45 - 0.52 vegetation, and deciduous from coniferous
vegetation
Emphasizes peak vegetation, which is useful for
Band 2 - Green 0.52 - 0.60
assessing plant vigor
Band 3 – Red 0.63 - 0.69 Discriminates vegetation slopes
Band 4 - Near Infrared 0.77 - 0.90 Emphasizes biomass content and shorelines
Band 5 - Short-wave Discriminates moisture content of soil and
1.55 - 1.75
Infrared vegetation; penetrates thin clouds
Band 6 - Thermal
10.40 - 12.50 Thermal mapping and estimated soil moisture
Infrared
Band 7 - Short-wave Hydrothermally altered rocks associated with
2.09 - 2.35
Infrared mineral deposits
Band 8 -
Panchromatic 0.52 - 0.90 15 meter resolution, sharper image definition
(Landsat 7 only)

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9.2.2 Sentinel 2
Sentinel 2 bands
The list of band with their central wavelengths and resolutions are shown below

Central
Sentinel-2 Bands Resolution (m)
Wavelength (µm)
Band 1 - Coastal aerosol 0.443 60
Band 2 - Blue 0.49 10
Band 3 - Green 0.56 10
Band 4 - Red 0.665 10
Band 5 - Vegetation Red Edge 0.705 20
Band 6 - Vegetation Red Edge 0.74 20
Band 7 - Vegetation Red Edge 0.783 20
Band 8 - NIR 0.842 10
Band 8A - Vegetation Red 0.865 20
Edge
Band 9 - Water vapour 0.945 60
Band 10 - SWIR - Cirrus 1.375 60
Band 11 – SWIR 1.61 20
Band 12 – SWIR 2.19 20

9.3 Practical: Image preparation for interpretation / information extraction

Tasks:
• We will add the satellite images covering the area from lake Langano to lake Hawassa.
The images were taken in 1986, 1999, 2015 and 2021. The images were taken by
different types of Landsat Sensors.
• For the purpose of image interpretation and extraction of features (e.g. land cover)
through digitization, False or true image composite should be created using the
standard approaches. The composites should also be enhanced for better interpretation.
of the features.
Required and a variable images:
• The following figure shows the
location and the name of the
images. available for the project
area.
• The 2015 and 2021 are Landsat 8
images (the original first bands is
excluded when creating the image
composite)
• 1999 images is Landsat 7 image • The 1986 image is Landsat 5 image.

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9.3.1 Add satellite image
• Create a new GIS project and save it as images1986To2021_GCP in the folder
named project
• Change the project CRS to EPSG:32637
• Save the project
• Add the park boundary (park_boundary32637 from the data_vector folder)
• Move the park boundary at the top of the images
• Change the Symbology of the park boundary: Open the property of the park boundary
→ Symbology (1) → Simple Fill (2) → Fill style = No brush (3) → Strike color =
green (4) → Strike width = 1.5 → Apply and OK (6, 7)

• Save the project

• Add the images (4 images) from the
image folder
• The images will appear on the
canavas
• Each images name and the three
bands assigned to Red, Green, and
Blue are visible.

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 • Collapse the expanded bands of the
mages by clicking the triangle at the
name of the image (1)
• This is required only for the clear
visualization of the list of images
added to the project. (see the last
three images (2)

9.3.2 Create False color composite and image enhancement (Landsat 5)

To create a False color composite for e.g. for the 2015 image
• right click on the image name in the Layers’ list (LT05_168055_19861223) → select
Property

• The image property will be displayed. The name of the image is displayed at the title
bar of the Property window (1, in the figure below).
• To change the band combination, → (2) Select Symbology → on Red band select B4
→ on Green band select B3 → on Blue band select B2.(3, 4, 5 in the figure)
• RemarKk: B4, B3 and B2 are bands for Infar Red, Red and Green reflectance of the
surface. These are bands of the image.
• On Contrast enhancement, select Stretch to MinMax (6)

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 • Expand Min/Max Value Settings (if it is not)
• Select one of the options (e.g. Mean +- Standard deviations) → on Statistics extent
select one of the options (Update canvas or or Whole raster)(8)
• Apply and OK
• The image composite is no false color composite. You can use now the image for
extracting geographic features through digitization (e.g. land cover, stream, road, etc).
• Save the project!

9.3.3 Exercise: Create False color composite for Landsat 7 and 8 images
• Task: Change the image combination of the other three images based on the following
specifications.
• Given: Three images
Layer name in added in the Source Infrared Red Green Remark
project Band Band band
LE07_168055_19991203V2 Landsat 7 B4 B3 B2
LC08_168055_20210326V2 Landsat 8 B4 (B5*) B3 (B4*) B2 (B3*) *
LC08_168055_20150310V2 Landsat 8 B4 (B5*) B3 (B4*) B2 (B3*) *

* . In the original image the Infrared, Red, and Green are as B, B4, and B3, respectively. The
images used in the training do not include the original band 1. The Landsat 8 images used in
this training are, therefore, have shifted the band representation.
• After change the band combination and the contrast enhancement, pelase save the
project.

9.3.4 Exercise: Identify features on the image

• Use the Pan and Zoom in/out buttons and identify the major land cover types in the
images.
• Which one do you prefer for the image interpretation?
• . Turn on/of the images. Do you see any difference between the images? What, why,
when and where?
• Discuss in the class your findings/observations

9.3.5 Exercise: Change image bands (true color)

• Change the band combination of the 2021 image to true color.
• Use B3, B2, and B1 as Red, Green and Blue, respectively.
• What is the difference between the true and false color composite?

9.3.6 Clip / crop an image

If the image cover more areas than the area being processed, it is advisable to clip part of the
image covering the project area. The left image is Landsat scene covering an area approximately
186 km wide. The right image is clipped from the left image covering an area with 30km width.

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To clip the image
• Zoom in to an area of interest covering for instance the park area and the surrounding
towns and the lake.
• Open the algorithm for clipping the raster. It is known as Clip Raster by Extent.
o Select on the Menu → Raster → Extraction → Clip Raster by Extent
• The Clip Raster by Extent window will be opened.
• On the Input layer. select the image to be clipped (LC08_168055_20210326V2) → (1)
• To define the clip extent, select one of the options from the list by clicking the
triangle→ 2
• The available options will be listed (3) → select Use Current Map Canvas Extent (4)
• Save the new layer under the folder named image. Type wondogenet2021 as file
name (5)
• Run

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 • The new image will be added to the project automatically.
• Change the band combination f the image to carte a false color composite.
• Turn off the other images.
• Save the project!

9.4 Image interpretation

9.4.1 Interpretation Elements

Analysis of remote sensing imagery involves the identification of various targets in an image,
and those targets may be environmental or artificial features which consist of points, lines, or
areas. Targets may be defined in terms of the way they reflect or emit radiation. This radiation
is measured and recorded by a sensor, and ultimately is depicted as an image product such as
an air photo or a satellite image.
Recognizing targets is the key to interpretation and information extraction. Observing the
differences between targets and their backgrounds involves comparing different targets based
on any, or all, of the visual elements of tone, shape, size, pattern, texture, shadow, and
association. Visual interpretation using these elements is often a part of our daily lives, whether
we are conscious of it or not. Identifying targets in remotely sensed images based on these
visual elements allows us to further interpret and analyze. The nature of each of these elements
is described below, along with an image example of each.
Tone refers to the relative brightness or colour of objects in an image. Generally, tone is the
fundamental element for distinguishing between different targets or features. Variations in tone
also allows the elements of shape, texture, and pattern of objects to be distinguished.
Shape refers to the general form, structure, or outline of individual objects. Shape can be a very
distinctive clue for interpretation. Straight edge shapes typically represent urban or agricultural
(field) targets, while natural features, such as forest edges, are generally more irregular in shape,
except where man has created a road or clear cuts. Farm or crop land irrigated by rotating
sprinkler systems would appear as circular shapes.
Size of objects in an image is a function of scale. It is important to assess the size of a target
relative to other objects in a scene, as well as the absolute size, to aid in the interpretation of
that target. A quick approximation of target size can direct interpretation to an appropriate result
more quickly. For example, if an interpreter had to distinguish zones of land use, and had
identified an area with a number of buildings in it, large buildings such as factories or
warehouses would suggest commercial property, whereas small buildings would indicate
residential use.
Pattern refers to the spatial arrangement of visibly discernible objects. Typically an orderly
repetition of similar tones and textures will produce a distinctive and ultimately recognizable
pattern. Orchards with evenly spaced trees, and urban streets with regularly spaced houses are
good examples of pattern.
Texture refers to the arrangement and frequency of tonal variation in particular areas of an
image. Rough textures would consist of a mottled tone where the grey levels change abruptly
in a small area, whereas smooth textures would have very little tonal variation. Smooth textures
are most often the result of uniform, even surfaces, such as fields, asphalt, or grasslands. A
target with a rough surface and irregular structure, such as a forest canopy, results in a rough
textured appearance. Texture is one of the most important elements for distinguishing features
in radar imagery.
Shadow is also helpful in interpretation as it may provide an idea of the profile and relative
height of a target or targets which may make identification easier. However, shadows can also

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reduce or eliminate interpretation in their area of influence, since targets within shadows are
much less (or not at all) discernible from their surroundings. Shadow is also useful for
enhancing or identifying topography and landforms, particularly in radar imagery.
Association takes into account the relationship between other recognizable objects or features
in proximity to the target of interest. The identification of features that one would expect to
associate with other features may provide information to facilitate identification. In the example
given above, commercial properties may be associated with proximity to major transportation
routes, whereas residential areas would be associated with schools, playgrounds, and sports
fields. In our example, a lake is associated with boats, a marina, and adjacent recreational land.

9.4.2 Practical: Interoperation of False color image composite

Objective
• Use of the image interpretation elements to identify different geographic features such
as forest, water bodies, grassland, cropland, settlement, and other man made features.
Task
• The task involves selecting a few sample points, ideally between 5 to 10. These points
will represent different Ground Control Points (GCPs) in a set of images. Next, a
group discussion will take place to determine what each sampled GCP corresponds to
in the various images. The participants will then explain the method they used to
identify the features present in the images. The overall time allocated for this task is 5
minutes.
Give
• Landsat images from different years for the project area. The images are found under
the folder named image.
• Your working director is protectedareadb
Activities
• Open the project named images1999to2021_GCP_WGCFNR.qgz which is found
under the folder named project
• The project contains four images from different years, the imagery protected area, and
GCP.
• You have to zoom in to the first selected point.
• What is the land cove type represented by the point? Which interoperation elements
have you used to identify the land cover type?
• Repeat the above two tasks for the other sampled points.

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10 Creating Vector Data
In this lesson you will be creating Shapefiles (which are a type of vector data) to represent the
resources, phenomena and infrastructures in a selected protected area. Each shapefile can be
created as one of the three types of features: line, point, polygon (though these features can’t be
mixed within a shapefile) Each feature you create in a shapefile has a corresponding set of
attributes, which are stored in an attribute table. You will create features and learn how to
modify them, which involves not only the visual creation of the three types of features, but also
the modification of their attributes. To do so, we will use the files concerning the Wondo Genet
College of Forestry and surrounding areas (for practical purpose).
The practical sessions will cover crating protected area relevant GIS data including:
• Using GPS data which were collected in a PA (e.g. protected areas boundary, land
marks (spring, mountain peak, dam) invasive species, PA infrastructures (headquarter,
lodges, camping sites, viewpoints, etc.)
• Creating PA boundary using field data (GPS data), field protocol, topographic map,
satellite images, and baseline data)
• Creating habitat data using field observation, baseline data, and satellite images
• Creating baseline data such as stream, road, etc. using field observation and satellite
images
• Creating problem data such as fire, herding, hunting using FGD data, field observation
and satellite images

The practical will focus on creating vector layers using CSV (field data) and manual
digitization.

10.1 Using GPS data / working with spreadsheets or CSV files

Many times the GIS data comes in a table or in a spreadsheet. QGIS allows you to import
structured text files with coordinates as a vector layer. This tutorial shows how you can use
the Data Source Manager to import Delimited Text files.
We will be importing a text file with survey points, which are used to define protected area
boundary, to QGIS and create a points layer.. The file is in the comma separated values (CSV)
format. Note that it represents an imaginary area.
Objectives: create a point layer representing a point feature of a protected area.
• use field observation / record data to create a point feature. In this practical, GPS
data will be imported in to the GIS environment. The GPS data for this exercise is
the boundary mark of a protected area. It was collected during the park boundary
demarcation.
• use GPS data record on a paper to create a vector layer (point)
Input
• GPS data recorded as CSV file or on a paper
Steps (general steps)
1. Create a new GIS project or open an existing project
2. use the Add the delimited text layer function to add the CSV file as point in the
canvas
3. Export the Added text layer as point layer.
Detailed steps
• First get the data: For this exercise, we will use a dataset of boundary corner points
(imaginary data). It is located in the folder named data_table in your training folder.
• Examine your tabular data source. The data contains the Latitude and Longitude fields
indicating the location of the stations and other related attributes. We will use these
fields to import the file as a point layer. Open the data in a text editor such as Notepad
to view the contents. You will see that a comma separates each field.
• QGIS comes with a unified data manager that allows you to load all the various
supported data formats. Click the Open Data Source Manager button on the Data
Source Toolbar. You may also use Ctrl+L keyboard shortcut. You can also use the
Option 1 (see the figure below) Option 2: Go to the Layer menu -> Add Layer *->
Add Delimited Text Layer … (see the figure below
and follow from 1 to 3).

• In the Data Source Manager dialog box, switch to the Delimited Text tab. Click

the … button next to the File name (1 in the fgure).

• Depending upon the operating system, you may or may not view the file at the
downloaded location. In File formats, switch to All files (*; *.*) to view the csv file.
The name of the file is park_boundary_survey_point
• Now you will see the file. Select that and click Open.

• In the Data Source Manager dialog box (1), the path to file will be available in File
Name. In the File format section, check CSV (4). In the Geometry
definition section, choose Point coordinates. By default X field and Y field values
will be auto-populated if it finds a suitable name field in the input (5 and 6). In our
case, they are Longitude and Latitude. You may change it if the import selects the
wrong fields. Change the Geometry CRS to the “EPSG:20137 – Adindan” (7). If your
file contains coordinates in a different CRS, you could select the appropriate CRS
here. Click Add (8).

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 • You will now see that the data will be imported and displayed in the QGIS canvas as a
new layer called park_boundary_survey_point with CRS EPSG:20137.

10.2 Export the Delimited Text layer into Shapefile (vector layer)

A Delimited Text layer added to a canvas, such as the one in the previous exercise, is not a a
vector layer. It is not possible for instance to edit such layer. Therefore, such a layer should be
exported as a shapefile.
To export Delimited Text layer to shapefile
• Left lick on the Layer name of the Demitted text layer in the layers panel
• Select Export -> Save feature As …
The dialog box named Save Vector Layer as .. will be opened (see the next figure (1)
• In the Format option, select ESRI Shapefile (2)
• In the File name, click the Browse button (3)
• Navigate to the folder where you want to shave the file (e.g.
C:/protectedareadb/data_vector) (3)
• Type the name of the output file (park_boundary_survey_point) without an extension
(3)
• In the CRS, select the appropriate CRS (e.g. UTM Zone 37 with Adindan (EPSG:
20137)) (4)
• Click OK (5)
• The new file will be added to the layers list panel. Remove the Delimited Text layer
from the list

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Note: The following types of protected area relevant GIS data can be created using CSV / GPS
data
• field observation including encroachments
• land marks
• infrastructures such as buildings, water points
• natural features such as spring, water fall

10.2.1 Exercise: Create

10.3 Create a vector using geo-referenced existing map / images

Example of geo-referenced maps that can be used for digitizing features are location of
protected area boundary, and topographic maps. River, mountain peak, and spring can be
digitized using the geo-referenced topographic maps.

10.3.1 Practical: digitize center of settlements / built-up areas images

1. create a new layer for storing landmarks as point

• The dialogue box New Shapefile Layer will be appear. Fill/select the required
parameters as follows

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 1 Delete
new_layer
and type
landmark.
Don’t delete
.shp!

2 Select Point
as Geometry
type

3 Select
EPSG: 20137
as CRS

4 Type the
first attribute
name (e.g.
name as text
with 8
character
length)

5 Click Add
to Field Lit
6 The new filed will be added to the list.
Repeat 4 and 5 until all your attributes are added
7 Final click OK

• Add the landmark layer to the project (by drag and drop from the folder where it is
created)

Edit Vector Points Layer

• Turn on Digitizing Toolbar, if is not.
o Right-click on empty part of Toolbar Area
o Mouse down to CLICK on the Digitizing Toolbar
The Digitizing Tools will be GRAYED OUT until a layer is selected and is Editable.

• You can use any point layer and polygon layer. For this exercise, we use the point
layer (landmark).
• First click on a POINTS layer in the Layers Panel to make it ACTIVE

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 • Then click the toggle editing button or (right click on the Layer and scroll
down to TOGGLE EDITING)
• Now the Tools will be Clickable on the Digitizing Toolbar
• The Layer in the Layers Panel will have an EDITABLE icon
• Each Editable VERTEX will have a small RED X over it, indicating that it is possible
to edit (if there an point exits)

• To digitize new feature, Zoom in / pan to the feature on the image that you want to
digitize. For instance, Zoom in to the town center.

• Click on the Add Point Feature within the Digitizing Toolbar

• Click to the center of the town.
The feature attribute form
will appear. →

Leave empty the id

The attribute name is now

NULL.
Type the name of the feature.
in our Example we typed
Shashemene town

• Similarly, digitize the different landmarks using the image, topographic map as source
of information
During the digitizing operation, save your
work by clicking the Save Layers Edit
button (2)

The Symbol in before the layer name (1)

indicates the layers is currently in editing
mode.

When you finish or want to stop editing,

click the Toggle Editing button (3).

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 Save your project while you are also working
with your project by clicking the Save
Project button .

Note: Please do not mix the Save layers Edit with the Save Project.

Editing existing points

• To begin editing POINTS, click on the Vertex Toll (1) within the Digitizing Toolbar

• Move the cursor over the POINT that you wish to edit and click on it
• The point and "editable" RED X will turn into a RED SQUARE, which means the
specific vertex, or node, is now engaged to be edited, or moved to a new position
• Also note, a VERTEX EDITOR panel will appear when you have selected a vertex to
EDIT, with the current x, y value of the vertex in the current Projection
• Click and HOLD on the POINT
• The POINT will turn BLUE when it is engaged to be dragged to a new location
• The Vertex Editor Panel will highlight the currently engaged Vertex
• Drag the point to the desired location and release the CLICK of the mouse
• The POINT will relocate to the new location
• The POINT will still be BLUE (as a temporary edit) until you click on another vertex
to be edited
• Note that the X, Y coordinates in the Vertex Editor Panel will now be UPDATED to
those of the new location
• Before continuing, you can ROLL BACK this edit by pressing both ctl-Z (both the
CONTROL and the Z keys at the same time)
• If you click ctl-Z, the POINT will revert back to its original position, and the X, Y
values in the Vertex Editor will also be rolled back
• Note that by using ctl-Z, the POINT will no longer be BLUE, but will roll back to the
state of the RED X, meaning that the point is selectable and can be edited, but is not
clicked on and engaged for moving, nor has it been moved to a new location
• You can END the editing session at any time by CLICKING on the Toggle Editing
(the single Pencil icon)
• If you have made any changes, you will be prompted as to whether these should be
SAVED or DISCARDED
• Clicking DISCARD will end the EDIT session and leave the active layer unchanged
•
• If you are sure that the new edits are correct, click SAVE, which will OVERWRITE
the layer with the newly edited version. You will NOT be able to roll back, after
SAVING the edits!
• One method to control your editing process, is to SAVE A NEW version of the layer
that will be edited, with a serial number or Timestamp in the filename. By creating
new files for each editing session, you can revert to previous versions in case of some
emergency need to roll back.

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10.3.2 Practical: digitize road using images
Before we start, we need to set default Digitizing Options. Go to Settings ‣ Options….
• Select the Digitizing tab in the Options dialog (1). Check the Enable snapping by
default under Snapping section (2). In Default snap mode choose Vertex (3). This will
allow you to snap to the nearest vertex. I also prefer to set the Default snapping
tolerance and Search radius for vertex edits in pixels instead of map units (4). This
will ensure that the snapping distance remains constant regardless of zoom level.
Depending on your computer screen resolution, you may choose an appropriate value.
Click OK.

Now we are ready to start digitizing.

• We will first create a road layer and digitize the roads around the park area.
Click Layer ‣ Create Layer ‣ New Shapefile Layer… icon from Panels.
• Go to the folder where you want to save the file (e.g. data_vector). Save the file
o The name of the file is roads.
o CRS = EPSG:20137
o geometry type = LineString
o When creating a GIS layer, you must decide on each feature’s attributes. Since
this is a road layer, we additionally will have four primary attributes – Name,
Class, status, and lengthkm.
▪ In New Field Enter Name of the type Text data, with 50 as Maximum
length and click Add to attribute list.
▪ Now create a new attribute Class of the type Text data,
with 50 as Maximum length.
▪ Next create a new attribute status of the type Text data,
with 10 as Maximum length.
▪ Finaly create a new attribute length of the type Decimal data, with 7
as Maximum length and 2 as Precision.
• Click OK

Once the Roads layer is loaded,

click the Toggle Editing button to
put the layer in editing mode. 1 and
2

Your image or top map should be

ON. Zoom to the start of the first
road segment that you want to Click on the map canvas to add a new vertex. Add new
digitize vertices along with the road feature. Once you have
digitized a road segment, right-click to end the feature.

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 Click the Add Line Feature button.
(3)
• After you right-click to end the feature, you will get a pop-up dialog called Road -
Feature Attributes. Here you can enter attributes of the newly created feature. Skip
entering any value for fid or id as it is a sequential id that will be autogenerated. Enter
the road name. Optionally, assign a Road Class value and status as well. The length
will be calculated using the formula. Leave it blank. Click OK.

Before we digitize the remaining roads, it is essential to

update some other important snap settings to create an error-
free layer. Right-click on any space on the toolbar area and
activate the Snapping toolbar.

• Now an Enable Snapping (Magnet Icon) will appear on the panel. Click on it to enable
it and select All Layers and choose Open Snapping Options...
• In the Snapping options dialog, click the Snapping on Intersection, which allows you
to snap on an intersection of a background layer.
• Now you can click Add feature button and digitize other roads around the park. Make
sure to click Save Edits after adding a new feature to save your work. A helpful tool to
help you digitize is the Vertex Tool. Click the Vertex Tool button and
select Vertex Tool (Current Layer).
• Once the node tool is activated, click on any feature to show the vertices. Click on any
vertex to select it. The vertex will change the color once it is selected. Now you can
click and drag your mouse to move the vertex. This is useful when you want to make
adjustments after the feature is created. You can also delete a selected vertex by
clicking the Delete key.
• Once you have finished digitizing all the roads, click the Toggle Editing button.
Click Save.

10.3.3 Exercise: Create a river layer

Objectives: create vector layers (a point, line, polygon) using geo-referenced map as
background data – river
• add geo-referenced topographic map, and the satellite image to the GIS project
• create new vector layer for storing the rivers location
• digitize the rivers using the topographic map
• add attributes
• editing exiting river layer
Input
• geo-referenced image, satellite image
General steps
1. Create a new GIS project or open an existing project
2. Add geo-referenced topographic map
3. Create a new vector layer for river as line [attributes: name (text,20),
lengthkm(number), rivertype (text), order(number)]
4. Sett the snapping options
5. Digitize the river using the geo-referenced topographic map, and the satellite
image

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 6. Snap to river segments end points; avoid over- and under-shoots
7. Enter the attributes for each digitized river segment

10.3.4 Practical: digitize a polygon layer (e.g. protected area boundary)

Objectives: create vector layers (a point, line, polygon) using geo-referenced map as
background data – park boundary
• add geo-referenced image, satellite image and the survey point layer to GIS project
• create new vector layer for storing the protected area boundary
• digitize the protected area boundary using the point layer (park boundary point from
previous exercise), geo-referenced map, and satellite image as data source
• add attributes
• editing exiting vector layers / features
Input
• geo-referenced image, satellite image, the boundary point layer from previous
exercise
General steps
1. Create a new GIS project or open an existing project
2. Add geo-referenced images
3. Create a polygon layer for saving the location of the protected area:
• name of the layer = parkboundary2023;
• folder= data_vector
• CRS = 20137
• attributes: name (text, 55), areaha(number), status (text, 25), designate (text),
perimeter(number)
4. Enable snapping and configure the setting [check the layer park boundary
survey point, and the park boundary. In case of the park boundary, check avoid
overlap]
5. Digitize the protected area using the geo-referenced map, the point layer, and
the satellite image. Snap always to the nearest survey point!
6. Edit the shape of the layer using reshape tool.
7. Enter the name, status and designate of the digitized park

Procedure
• Create new project (name of the project = Protected Area 2023, folder = project
• Set the CRS to UTM Z37 and Adindan (EPSG: 20137)if necessary
• Add the data layers that can be used for creating the PA boundary
o park boundary survey point (park_boundary_survey_point20137.shp)
o satellite image composite (LC08_168055_20210326V2.tif)
o topographic map
o baseline data such as river and road
• Change the order of the layers (top to bottom)
o point layers
o line features
o polygon
o images
o topographic maps

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 • To create forest boundary layer, make clear the following specifications:
o folder = data_ vector
o name of the layer = parkboundary2023;
o Geometry type = polygon
o CRS = EPSG:20137
o attributes: paname (text, 55), areaha(Decimal; length = 10, precision = 2),
status (text, 25), designate (text), pmeterkm(Decimal; length = 10, precision =
2)
• Now we will create another layer to digitize the parks as polygons. Click Layer ‣
Create Layer ‣ New Shapefile Layer… icon from Panels.
• In the New Shapefile Layer dialog, click the … button of the File name (1). Navigate
to the folder where you want to shave the layer (data_vector). Type the file name
(park_boundary2023) in the box for File name Select Polygon as the Geometry
Type (2). Select the EPSG: 20137 as CRS (3). In New Field Enter paname, and
the type as Text data, with 50 as Maximum length and Add to Fields List ((4, 5, 6,7).
Add the other fields/attributes proposed above for the park layer (repeat 4 to 7).

. Click OK.

• Set the napping options: (1) Enable snapping, (2) select Advanced Configuration
option, (3) Edit advanced configuration: check road, station, and stream (4), set the
tolerance units to meter (you can change it any time) (5).

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 • Now select layer park_boundary then click Toggle Editing and click the Add
feature button and click on the map canvas to add a polygon vertex. As reference, use
the image / topographic map and the field sketch. Digitize the polygon representing
the park. Make sure you snap to the stations. Make sure you snap to the road’s and
stream’s vertices so there are no gaps between the park polygons and road/stream lines
(where it is required!). Right-click to finish the polygon. Note: For the shape of the
boundary line between the stations, refer to the field protocol map. For instance, the
boundary follows in some cases the ridge or the watershed boundary.
• Enter the pname, status, and designate the park_boundary - Feature
Attributes pop-up. Leave the other attributes such as the areaha and the pmeterkm
unedited.
• Now digitize the other region of the park. Enter the attributes and save the changes.
• Once you have finished digitizing all parts of the park, click the Toggle
Editing button. Click Save.

10.3.5 What next?

To correct parts of the park boundary (reshape, delete, etc), use the tools in the Advanced
Digitizing Toolbar. The different advanced digitizing tools are described in detail in section
??????. Follow the instructions and make all required editing to the park boundary that you have
created.
The figure below shows the position of stations and sketch of the boundaries that were plotted
on the topographic map during the fieldwork.

The table below gives some information about the boundary segments (source = field team).
Use this table and the field sketch during the boundary digitization.

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Table 1: Short description of boundary segments to support the digitizing; please use the
satellite image from 2016, the topographic map numbered 0738D3 and the field survey data
(coordinates)

Pillar number Description

1 to 3 The boundary is along the ridge from pillar nr 1to nr3.
The boundary follows the upper part of the of the cliff/steep terrain. The steep
3 to 5 terrain is within the forest boundary.
5 to 8 The boundary is along the ridge from pillar nr 5 to nr 8.
The boundary follows the upper part of the of the cliff/steep terrain. The steep
8 to 12 terrain is within the forest boundary.
12 to 15 The boundary follows the bank of the rivers.
15 to 18 The boundary is formed by connecting the pillars.
18 to 21 The boundary follows the river.
21 to 22 and 1 The forest boundary follows the public road.

10.4 Project: creating vector layer using group discussion sketch

10.4.1 Project: digitize fire affected areas using group discussion sketch
Objectives:
• create new vector layer for storing the fire related information
• add field data showing historical fire locations
• digitize the fire affected areas using images, field data, baseline data such as road,
stream, landmarks
• add attributes
• editing exiting vector layers / features
Input
• Satellite image, filed data, baseline data such as road, stream, spring, land marks
• Sketch map showing the recent years’ fire affected areas prepared by participants of
Focused Group Discussion (FGD) (paper map). This map was first produced using
the land cover and baseline data. The FGD marked the approximate location of
recent fires in the area. All is imaginary!

Procedure
1. Open a project named baslineDataPA. It is found under the folder named project.
2. Save the project as problemPA
3. If the baslineData project does not exist, you have to create the project. Follow the steps
below (a to d):
a. Create a new GIS project and save it. The name of the project is problem
b. Change the CRS to EPSG:20137 (if it is another CRS)
c. Add the recent satellite image to the project. We propose the 2021 image (e.g.
LC08_168055_20210326V2.tif) from the folder named image.
i. Change the band composition to Infrared, Red and Green, if it is not a
false color composite.
ii. Apply the required contrast enhancement (Stretch to MinMax), if the
image is not enhanced.

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 d. Add the road, stream, landmark, landcover2023, and contour layers from the
folder named data_vector.
i. Change the order of the layers
ii. Change the symbol of the layers

4. Create a polygon layer for fire: or add it to the project if it exists.

a. The name of the layer should be problem_fire.
b. It should be saved under the folder named data_vector.
c. It should have the following attributes:
• problem (text; 25)
• areaha (integer; length 5)
5. Set the snapping options (avoid overlapping, check that the snapping should be only for
the layer problem_fire.
6. Digitize the fire affected area referring to the baseline data, imagery, the field points and
the sketch map. Enter the required attributes. Discus with the key informants.
7. Update the area attribute
8. Save the project
9. Prepare a map layout for the fire related problem using the following layers
a. problem_fire
b. land mark
c. road
d. stream
e. park boundary
f. land cover

10.4.2 Project: herding problems using group discussion sketch

10.4.3 Project: hunting problems using group discussion sketch

10.4.4 Project: tree cutting problems using group discussion sketch

11 Advanced digitizing: creating a land cover / habitat dataset

The data that you use has to come from somewhere. For most common applications, the data
exists already; but the more particular and specialized the project, the less likely it is that the
data will already be available. In such cases, you’ll need to create your own new data. In this
practical, you will create habitat/land cover of the protected area and its surrounding using
satellite images as reference.

The goal for this To create a new vector dataset using the Digitizing and Advanced Digitizing
Toolbars.

11.1 Create the project

11.1.1 Create a new project

• The name of the project = Land Cover digitizing
• The folder where to save the project = project

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 • Change the CRS: EPSG: 20137
• Save your project while you are working with the project.

11.1.2 The Layer Creation Dialog

Before you can add new vector data, you need a vector dataset to add it to. In our case, you’ll
begin by creating new data entirely, rather than editing an existing dataset. Therefore, you’ll
need to define your own new dataset first.

11.1.3 Define the vector layer that you create

You should first define the vector data layer that should create indicating
• the folder where the file should be saved
• category of the layer
• name of the layer
• coordinate reference system (CRS)
• attributes (filed): name and type of each field
• data source /s
• method of creation

11.1.4 Creating new vector layer

You’ll need to open the New Vector Layer dialog that will allow you to define a new layer.
• Navigate to and click on the menu entry Layer ‣ Create Layer ‣ New Shapefile Layer.

You’ll be presented with the following dialog:

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It’s important to decide which kind of dataset you want at this stage. Each different vector layer
type is “built differently” in the background, so once you’ve created the layer, you can’t change
its type.

For the next exercise, we’re going to be creating new features which describe areas. For such
features, you’ll need to create a polygon dataset.
• Navigate to the protectedareasb /data_vector directory. Save your new layer as
landcover2023. (1)
• select the tGeometry Type (polygon)(2)

The next field allows you to specify the Coordinate Reference System, or CRS. A CRS specifies
how to describe a point on Earth in terms of coordinates, and because there are many different
ways to do this, there are many different CRSs. The CRS of this project is UTM Zone 37 N,
Adindan (EPSG: 20137).
• If the coordinate referns system (CRS) is not correct, browse the coordinate referenc
system (3); see the next diagrm fo detail in selcting CRS

To change the CSR, click (3, above figure); the next figure appears:
• type the EPSG code in the box for fileter (A, next figure); or serch from the list
• Select / click on the name of the cordnate system (B)
• OK

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Next there is a collection of fields grouped under New field. By default, a new layer has only
one attribute, the id field (which you should see in the Field list) below. However, in order for
the data you create to be useful, you actually need to say something about the features you’ll be
creating in this new layer. For our current purposes, it will be enough to add one field called
landcover.
• Type the field name (no space) (4)
• Selct the field type (5)
• Enter the field length (6)
• Click Add to field list (7)
• The new field appers in the fieldlsit; if the field is not correct select it from the list and
click remove field(8)
• repeat 4 through 8 for all fileds (e.g. areaha, it shold be decimal numder, width 12 and
precison 2)
• Click OK

The new layer should appear in your Layers list. It is empty!

11.1.5 Change the symbol of the park boundary

• No brush, make the boundary only visible (e.g. green color for the boundary line)

11.1.6 Save the project!

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11.1.7 What is next?
You have to add data source for land cover manual digitizing.

11.2 Prepare the data sources for digitizing

When you create new data, it obviously has to be about objects that really exist on the ground.
Therefore, you’ll need to get your information from somewhere.

There are many different ways to obtain data about objects. For example, you could use a GPS
to capture points in the real world, then import the data into QGIS afterwards. You could use
the digitizing process to trace objects from remote sensing data, such as satellite imagery or
aerial photography.

For our example, you’ll be using the digitizing approach. Sample raster datasets are provided,
so you’ll need to import them if necessary. We use Landsat 8 image. Its band are Near Infrared,
Red and Green. It is a false colure composite. You can also the images available in HCMGIS.
How to load images from HCM GIS is explained in section

11.2.1 Load satellite imagery for land cover digitizing

• Use the Browser panel
• Navigate to protectedareasdb/image/
• Select the file LC08_168055_20210326V2.tif
• Add the layer to the project (drag and drop it to the canvas).
• Find the new image in the Layers list.
• Click and drag it to the bottom of the list so that you can still see your other layers
(e.g. landcover2023).

11.2.2 Add the park boundary layer

• Use the Browser panel to add the park boundary layer.
• Go to the vector_data folder
• Select the file and drag and drop it to the canvas
• Change the symbol of the park boundary (no brush) so that only the boundary is only
viable.

11.2.3 Image enhancement

If the image has poor contrast, you have to make some adjustment.
• Open the image property window (double click the image name or right click on the
image name → property)
• Assign Near Infrared, Red and Green to Red band, Green band, and Blue band,
respectively. (1, 2 and 3)
• Change the Min/Max setting: (4) select Mean +/- > option and Update canvas (5 and
6)
• Apply and OK (7,8)

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Note: If some your layers symbology are covering part or all of the raster layer, you can
temporarily disable the layers by deselecting it in the Layers panel.

11.3 Manual digitizing of vector layer (land cover)

• Zoom in to the area where you want to start digitizing the land cover
• You’ll be digitizing these two fields (gr = Grass, Ag = Agriculture):
• Click

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 • Change symbology of the vector layer (landcover2023. This is the vector layer
that you created in the previous session. open the property window of this
layer and make changes as shown below (at least; select color and style of stroke as you
wish; the fill style should be no brush )

• The vector layer should be top of the image.

In order to begin digitizing, you’ll need to enter edit mode. GIS software commonly requires
this to prevent you from accidentally editing or deleting important data. Edit mode is switched
on or off individually for each layer.

To enter edit mode for the landcover2023 layer:

• Click on the layer in the Layer list to select it. (Make very sure that the correct layer is
selected, otherwise you’ll edit the wrong layer!)
• Click on the Toggle Editing button:

If you can’t find this button, check that the Digitizing toolbar is enabled. There should be a
check mark next to the View ‣ Toolbars ‣ Digitizing menu entry.

As soon as you are in edit mode, you’ll see the digitizing tools are now active:

Four other relevant buttons are still inactive, but will become active when we start interacting
with our new data:

On the toolbar, they are:

• Current edits

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 • Togle editing: to start and stop editing
• Save Edits: saves changes made to the layer.
• Add Feature: start digitizing a new feature.
• Move Feature(s): move an entire feature around.
• vertex Tool: move only one part of a feature.
• Modify the attributes of selected attributes simultaniously
• Delete Selected: delete the selected feature.
• Cut Features: cut the selected feature.
• Copy Features: copy the selected feature.
• Paste Features: paste a cut or copied feature back into the map.

You want to add a new feature.

• Click on the Add Feature button now to begin digitizing our school fields.

You’ll notice that your mouse cursor has become a crosshair. This allows you to more
accurately place the points you’ll be digitizing. Remember that even as you’re using the
digitizing tool, you can zoom in and out on your map by rolling the mouse wheel, and you can
pan around by holding down the mouse wheel and dragging around in the map.

The first feature you’ll be digitizing is the Grass land (Gr, above figure) field:
• Start digitizing by clicking on a point somewhere along the edge of the field.
• Place more points by clicking further along the edge, until the shape you’re drawing
completely covers the field.
• After placing your last point, right-click to finish drawing the polygon. This will
finalize the feature and show you the Attributes dialog.
• Fill in the values in the landover box (grass land)
• Click OK and you’ve created a new feature!

Remember, if you’ve made a mistake while digitizing a feature, you can always edit it after
you’re done creating it. If you’ve made a mistake, continue digitizing until you’re done creating
the feature as above. Then:
• Select the feature with the Select Feature tool (1,2):

You can use:

• Delete Selected to get rid of the feature entirely so you can try again, and
• the Move Feature(s) tool to move the entire feature,
• the vertex Tool to move only one point where you may have miss-clicked,
• the Edit ‣ Undo menu item or the ctrl + z keyboard shortcut to undo mistakes.

11.3.1 Try Yourself

• Digitize the agricultural land (Ag in the above figure, use this image to assist you).

Note: When you’re done adding features to a layer, remember to save your edits and then exit
edit mode.

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Note: You can style the fill, outline and label placement and formatting of the landcover2023
using techniques learnt in earlier lessons. In our example, we will use a dashed outline of purple
color with no fill.

Knowing how to digitize is important because it’s a very common activity in GIS programs.
1.1.1 What’s Next?
Features in a GIS layer aren’t just pictures, but objects in space. For example, adjacent polygons
know where they are in relation to one another. This is called topology. In the next lesson you’ll
see an example of why this can be useful.

11.4 Feature Topology

Topology is a useful aspect of vector data layers, because it minimizes errors such as overlap
or gaps.

For example: if two features share a border, and you edit the border using topology, then you
won’t need to edit first one feature, then another, and carefully line up the borders so that they
match. Instead, you can edit their shared border and both features will change at the same time.

The goal for this To understand topology-using examples.

11.4.1 Snapping
To make topological editing easier, it’s best if you enable snapping. This will allow your mouse
cursor to snap to other objects while you digitize. To set snapping options:

Snapping toolbar

• If you can’t find the sapping toolbar, check that the Snapping toolbar is enabled. Click
right mouse on empty area on the toolbar, then check Snapping toolbar. Assume you
are going to edit the land cover layer that you created in the previous session
(landcover2023)
• Set up your Snapping options dialog as shown:
o Enable snapping 1
o Advanced configuration 2
o Edit advanced configuration 3
o Enable topological editing 4
o Check landcover2023 only 5
o Check Avoid intersection for land cover only 6, 7
o Check Avoid Overlapping on Active Layer 8

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 • Ensure that the box in the Avoid Int. column is checked (set to true).
• Click OK to save your changes and leave the dialog.
• Enter edit mode with the landuse2023 layer selected.
• Check under View ‣ Toolbars to make sure that your Advanced Digitizing toolbar is
enabled.
• Zoom In to this area (enable layers and labels if necessary):
• Digitize this new area

• When prompted, enter the landcover.

If you’re careful while digitizing and allow the cursor to snap to the vertices of adjoining farms,
you’ll notice that there won’t be any gaps between your new farm and the existing farms
adjacent to it.

• Note the undo/redo tools in the Advanced Digitizing toolbar:

11.4.2 Digitize New Adjacent Features

Two adjacent polygons share common boundary. This boundary should be digitized only once.
While digitizing adjacent boundary, avoid overlapping and gaps between the adjacent polygons.
To perform topologically clean digitizing,

• apply the snapping options (see past session).

• In the snapping option, under the edit advanced configuration, check the polygon layer
to be digitized and the option Avoid intersection.
• Enable topological editing button should be active.
• start digitizing the polygon. You have to digitize overlapping the existing polygon (left
figure, polygon A, B, C, D, E, A). Once you finish digitizing, it will remove the
overlapping part of the new polygon. (Ag= Agriculture and Ir= Irrigation right figure)

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Topology features can sometimes need to be updated. In our example, the landcover2023 layer
has some complex forest areas which have recently been joined to form one area.

11.4.3 Correct Topological Features

Topology features can sometimes need to be updated. In our example, the landcover2023 layer
has some complex forest areas which have recently been joined to form one area.

Instead of creating new polygons to join the forest areas, we’re going to use the Node Tool to
edit the existing polygons and join them.
• Enter edit mode, if it isn’t active already.
• Select the Node Tool.
• Pick an area of forest, select a corner and move it to an adjoining corner so two forest
sections meet:

• Click and drag the nodes until they snap into place.

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The topologically correct border looks like this:

Go ahead and join a few more areas using the Node Tool. You can also use the Add Feature
tool if it is appropriate.

11.4.4 Reshape Features

This is the Reshape Features tool:

It can add a bump to an existing feature. With this tool selected:

• Left-click inside the polygon that you want reshape to start drawing a polygon (see left
figure > start).

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 • Draw a polygon with three corners, the last of which should be back inside the original
polygon, forming an open-sided rectangle.
• Right-click to finish marking points (see left figure >> End)

You can do the opposite, too:

• Click outside the polygon.
• Draw a rectangle into the polygon.
• Right-click outside the polygon again.

11.4.5 Split Features

The Split Features tool is similar to how you took part of the farm away, except that it doesn’t
delete either of the two parts. Instead, it keeps them both.

• First, re-enable snapping for the landuse layer.

We will use the tool to split a corner from the landcover2023.

• Select the Split Features tool and click on a vertex to begin drawing a line. Click the
vertex on the opposite side (start) of the corner you wish to split and right-click to
complete the line (End):

• At this point, it may seem as if nothing has happened. But remember that your
symbology for the landcover2023 layer does not have any border, so the new
division line will not be shown.

11.4.6 Merge Features

Now we will re-join the feature you just created to the original polygon:

• Select the adjacent features to merge using the select tool

• Click the merge tool

• Follow the displayed dialogue

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11.4.7 Add Ring

This is the Add Ring tool:

It allows you to take a hole out of a feature, as long as the hole is bounded on all side by the
feature. For example, if you’ve digitized the outer boundaries of South Africa and you need to
add a hole for Lesotho, you’d use this tool.

If you experiment with this tool, you’ll notice that the current snapping options prevent you
from creating a ring in the middle of the polygon. This would be fine if the area you wished to
exclude linked to the polygon’s boundaries.

• Disable snapping for the landuse layer via the dialog you used earlier.
• Now try using the Add Ring tool to create a gap in the middle of the landcover2023
agricultural land.
• Delete your new feature by using the Delete Ring tool:

Note: You need to select a corner of the ring in order to delete it.

11.4.8 What’s Next?

Now you know how to digitize the shape of the objects easily, but adding in the attributes is
still a bit of a headache! Next we’ll show you how to use forms so that attribute editing is
simpler and more effective.

11.5 Forms

When you add new data via digitizing, you’re presented with a dialog that lets you fill in the
attributes for that feature. However, this dialog is not by default, very nice to look at. This can
cause a usability problem, especially if you have large datasets to create, or if you want other
people to help you digitize and they find the default forms to be confusing.

Fortunately, QGIS lets you create your own custom dialogs for a layer. This lesson shows you
how.

The goal for this To create a form for a layer.

11.5.1 Using QGIS’ Form Design Functionality

• Select the ladcover2023 layer in the Layers list.
• Enter Edit Mode as before.
• Open its Attribute Table.
• Right-click on any cell in the table. A short menu will appear, with the only entry
being Open form.
• Click on it to see the form that QGIS generates for this layer.

Obviously it would be nice to be able to do this while looking at the map, rather than needing
to search for a specific street in the Attribute Table all the time.

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 • Select the ladcover2023 layer in the Layers list.

• Using the Identify tool, click on any street in the map.

• The Identify Results panel opens and shows in a tree view the fields values and other
general information about the clicked feature.
• At the bottom of the panel, Check the Auto open form checkbox
• Now, click again on any street in the map. Along the previous Identify Results dialog,
you’ll see the now-familiar form.
• Each time you click on a single feature with the Identify tool, its form pops-up unless
the Auto open form is unchecked.

11.5.2 Using the Form to Edit Values

If you are in edit mode, you can use this form to edit a feature’s attributes.
• Activate edit mode (if it isn’t already activated).
• Using the Identify tool, click on the newly digitized feature.
• Edit its landcover2023 value to be forest.
• Save your edits.
• Exit edit mode.
• Open the Attribute Table and note that the value has been updated in the attributes
table and therefore in the source data.

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Module 3: Managing QGIS Toolbox

12 Analysis tools / data management tools

The Processing Toolbox is the main element of the
processing GUI, and the one that you are more likely
to use in your daily work. It shows the list of all
available algorithms grouped in different blocks
called Providers, and custom models and scripts you
can add to extend the set of tools. Hence the toolbox
is the access point to run them, whether as a single
process or as a batch process involving several
executions of the same algorithm on different sets of
inputs.

Providers can be (de)activated in the Processing

settings dialog. By default, only providers that do not
rely on third-party applications (that is, those that only
require QGIS elements to be run) are active.
Algorithms requiring external applications might need
additional configuration..
In the upper part of the toolbox dialog, you will find a
set of tools to:

• work with Models: Create New

Model…, Open Existing Model… and Add
Model to Toolbox…;
• work with Scripts: Create New
Script…, Create New Script from
Template…, Open Existing Script… and Add
Script to Toolbox…;
• open the History panel;
• open the Results Viewer panel;
• toggle the toolbox to the in-place
modification mode using the Edit
Features In-Place button: only the algorithms
that are suitable to be executed on the active
layer without outputting a new layer are
displayed;
• open the Options dialog.

Below this toolbar is a Search… box to help you easily find the tools you need. You can
enter any word or phrase on the text box. Notice that, as you type, the number of algorithms,
models or scripts in the toolbox is reduced to just those that contain the text you have entered
in their names or keywords.
The algorithm dialog
Once you double-click on the name of the algorithm that you want to execute, a dialog similar
to that in the figure below is shown (in this case, the dialog corresponds to
the Centroids algorithm).

The dialog shows two tabs (Parameters and Log) on the left part, the algorithm description on
the right, and a set of buttons at the bottom.

12.1 Parameter types

The Parameters tab is used to set the input values that the algorithm needs to be executed. It
shows a list of input values and configuration parameters to be set. It of course has a different
content, depending on the requirements of the algorithm to be executed, and is created
automatically based on those requirements.
Although the number and type of parameters depend on the characteristics of the algorithm, the
structure is similar for all of them. The parameters found in the table can be of one of the
following types.
• A raster layer, to select from a list of all such layers available (currently opened) in
QGIS. The selector contains as well a button on its right-hand side, to let you select
filenames that represent layers currently not loaded in QGIS.
• A vector layer, to select from a list of all vector layers available in QGIS. Layers not
currently loaded in QGIS can be selected as well, just like for raster layers.
You will see an iterator button by each vector layer selector, as shown in the figure below.

If the algorithm contains several of them, you will be able to toggle just one of them. If the
button corresponding to a vector input is toggled, the algorithm will be executed iteratively on
each one of its features, instead of just once for the whole layer, producing as many outputs as

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times the algorithm is executed. This allows for automating the process when all features in a
layer have to be processed separately.

12.2 Logging the execution

Along with the Parameters tab, there is another tab named Log. Information provided by the
algorithm during its execution is written in this tab, allowing you to track the execution as well
as being aware and having more details about the algorithm as it runs. Information on algorithm
execution is also output in the View ► Panels ► Log Messages Panel.
Notice that not all algorithms write information to the Log tab, and many of them might run
silently without producing any output other than the final files. Check the Log Messages
Panel in that case.

13 Exploring geodata and using algorithms (tips)

13.1 Exploring and browsing algorithms

There are different ways for exploring and starting algorithms.

• From menu bar: e.g. raster, vector menus
• using the tool box from the Processing menu
• use the locate box which is found left bottom corner of the QGIS interface

13.2 Algorithms from menu bars

Go to vector menu and explore which algorithms (commands exist for vector data). What is the
purpose of each command under Vector > Geoprocessing (see the figure shown below)?

Which tools can be accessed from the Raster menu?

13.3 Algorithms from Toolbox under Processing

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 The Processing Toolbox is the main
element of the processing GUI (3), and the
one that you are more likely to use in your
daily work. It shows the list of all available
algorithms grouped in different blocks
called Providers, and custom models and
scripts you can add to extend the set of
tools.
To open the Processing Toolbox
• Click Processing in the menu →
Toolbox
• Expand the group to get the list of
the available tools
• You can enter the algorithm name
to filter list (in the search box)

13.4 Algorithms from Locate box

You can also access the algorithm by entering

the algorithm name in box found at the lower
left corner of the GUI of QGIS ( 5 in the
figure)

13.5 Exercise

In the analysis section of our training, we will utilize selected algorithms to conduct
assessments. GIS provides a wide range of geospatial analysis tools. By leveraging these tools,
we can gain valuable insights into our data.
In the following subsections, we will assess the dialogue box within the GIS interface to input
and adjust the parameters of our chosen algorithms. We will take two examples of algorithms:
buffer and slope. The dialogue box serves as a vital component in configuring and fine-tuning
our analysis by allowing us to modify settings. Its user-friendly design enables efficient
navigation through various options while ensuring accuracy in our analyses.

13.5.1 Explore the algorithm buffer

Question: Run the buffer algorism and answer the following questions.
• What does the buffer perform?
• What are the required inputs?

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 • What are the other optional parameters required?
• What is the output of the buffer analysis?
• Please do not run the algorithm?

Answer: The buffer algorithm is a powerful spatial analysis tool that allows users to create
buffer zones around input vector features. The algorithm requires two main inputs: the layer
containing the vector features and a parameter specifying the distance or size of the desired
buffer zone. Additionally, users may specify other optional parameters such as buffer method,
end style, and dissolve mode to customize the output. The buffer method can be set to create
buffers on all sides of the input features or only on certain sides based on an attribute field. End
styles determine how the buffer's ends are shaped, including round, flat, or square options.
Finally, dissolve mode provides users with flexibility in combining overlapping buffers into
larger contiguous areas. The output of the buffer algorithm is a new layer containing polygon
features representing the buffered zones around the input features, with attributes retained from
the original input layer for further analysis or visualization purposes.

13.5.2 Explore the algorithm slope

Question: Run the slope algorism and answer the following questions.
• What does the slope perform?
• What are the required inputs?
• What are the other optional parameters required?
• What is the output of the slope analysis?
• Please do not run the algorithm?
The slope algorithm acts as a powerful tool for analyzing terrain characteristics and has become
an integral component of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Developed using advanced
geospatial algorithms, this feature calculates the steepness or gradient of a specified area,
providing valuable insights into landscape features and facilitating various applications such as
hydrology, environmental impact assessment, and land management. The input required for this
algorithm is a digital elevation model (DEM), which can be obtained from multiple sources
including aerial surveys and satellite imagery. Additionally, users can adjust various parameters
during the analysis process to customize the output according to specific requirements. These
parameters include choosing between different slope measurement units (degrees or
percentages) and determining whether they want to calculate slope angles for both upper- and
lower-bound calculations or just one of them. The result produced by this algorithm is an
accurate representation of slope values across the study area, displayed in a visually informative
manner that aids professionals in making well-informed decisions about terrain analysis and
related applications.

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Module 4: Map layout

14 Creating Maps
In this module, you will learn how to use the QGIS Map Composer to produce quality maps
with all the required map components.

14.1 Using Map Composer

Now that you have a map, you need to be able to print it or to export it to a document. The
reason is, a GIS map file is not an image. Rather, it saves the state of the GIS program, with
references to all the layers, their labels, colors, etc. So for someone who doesn’t have the data
or the same GIS program (such as QGIS), the map file will be useless. Luckily, GIS can export
its map file to a format that anyone’s computer can read, as well as printing out the map if you
have a printer connected. Both exporting and printing is handled via the Map Composer.

The goal for this: To use the QGIS Map Composer to create a basic map with all the required
settings.

14.1.1 The Composer Manager

QGIS allows you to create multiple maps using the same map file. For this reason, it has a tool
called the Composer Manager.

• Open existing project (e.g.

landcover2022s)
• Zoom to the layer park_boundary
• Click on the Project ‣ New Print
Layout
• (1) give the new composer name =
landcover2022
• Click OK.

OR
• Click on the Project ‣ Layout Manager menu entry to open this tool. You’ll see a
blank Layout manager dialog appear.
 • Click the Create button and give the new composer the name landcover2022.
• Click OK.
• You will now see Print Composer window, if not click the Show button.
(You could also close the dialog and navigate to a composer via the Project ‣ Layout menus.)
Whichever route you take to get there, you will now see the Print Composer window:

14.1.2 Basic Map Composition

In this example, the composition was already the way we wanted it. Ensure that yours is as well.
• In the Print Composer window, click on
o blank white area right mouse > page properties
• check that the values under Item Properties are set to the following:
• Size: A4 (210x297mm)
• Orientation: Landscape
Now you’ve got the page layout the way you wanted it, but this page is still blank. It clearly
lacks a map. Let’s fix that!
• Click on the Add New Map button: or Add Item → Add Map
With this tool activated, you’ll be able to place a map on the page.
• Click and drag a box on the blank page:
The map will appear on the page.
• Move the map by clicking and dragging it around:
• Resize it by clicking and dragging the boxes in the corners:
Note
Your map may look a lot different, of course! This depends on how your own project is set up.
But not to worry! These instructions are general, so they will work the same regardless of what
the map itself looks like.
• Be sure to leave margins along the edges, and a space along the top for the title.
• Zoom in and out on the page (but not the map!) by using these buttons:

• Zoom and pan the map in the main QGIS window. You can also pan the map using the
Move item content tool:
When zooming in, the map view will not refresh by itself. This is so that it doesn’t waste your
time redrawing the map while you’re zooming the page to where you want it, but it also means
that if you zoom in or out, the map will be at the wrong resolution and will look ugly or
unreadable.
• Force the map to refresh by clicking this button:

Remember that the size and position you’ve given the map doesn’t need to be final. You can
always come back and change it later if you’re not satisfied. For now, you need to ensure that
you’ve saved your work on this map. Because a Composer in QGIS is part of the main map
file, you’ll need to save your main project. Go to the main QGIS window (the one with the
Layers list and all the other familiar elements you were working with before), and save your
project from there as usual.

14.1.3 Adding a Title

Now your map is looking good on the page, but your readers/users are not being told what’s
going on yet. They need some context, which is what you’ll provide for them by adding map
elements. First, let’s add a title.

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 • Click on this button: or Add Item → Add Label
• Click on the page, above the map, and a label will appear at the top of the map.
• Resize it and place it in the top center of the page. It can be resized and moved in the
same way that you resized and moved the map.
As you move the title, you’ll notice that guidelines appear to help you position the title in the
center of the page.
However, there is also a tool to help position the title relative to the map (not the page):

• Click the map to select it.

• Hold in shift on your keyboard and click on the label so that both the map and the
label are selected.
• Look for the Align button and click on the dropdown arrow next to it to reveal the
positioning options and click Align center:

To make sure that you don’t accidentally move these elements around now that you’ve aligned
them:
• Right-click on both the map and the label.
A small lock icon will appear in the corner to tell you that an element can’t be dragged right
now. You can always right-click on an element again to unlock it, though.
Now the label is centered to the map, but not the contents. To center the contents of the label:
• Select the label by clicking on it.
• Click on the Item Properties tab in the side panel of the Composer window.
• Change the text of the label to “Wondo Genet”:
• Use this interface to set the font and alignment options:
• Choose a large but sensible font (the example will use the default font with a size of
36) and set the Horizontal Alignment to Center.
You can also change the font color, but it’s probably best to keep it black as per the default.
The default setting is not to add a frame to the title’s text box. However, if you wish to add a
frame, you can do so:
• In the Item Properties tab, scroll down until you see the Frame option.
• Click the Frame checkbox to enable the frame. You can also change the frame’s color
and width.
In this example, we won’t enable the frame, so here is our page so far:

14.1.4 Adding a Legend

The map reader also needs to be able to see what various things on the map actually mean. In
some cases, like the place names, this is quite obvious. In other cases, it’s more difficult to
guess, like the colors of the farms. Let’s add a new legend.

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 • Click on this button: or Add Item → Add Legend
• Click on the page to place the legend, and move it to where you want it:

14.1.5 Customizing Legend Items

Not everything on the legend is necessary, so let’s remove some unwanted items.
• In the Item Properties tab, you’ll find the Legend items panel.
• Select the buildings entry.
• Delete it from the legend by clicking the minus button:
You can also rename items.
• Select a layer from the same list.
• Click the Edit button:
• Rename the layers to Landmark, Roads and Streams, and Land cover.
• Set landcover to Hidden, then click the down arrow and edit each category to name
them on the legend. You can also reorder the items:
As the legend will likely be widened by the new layer names, you may wish to move and resize
the legend and or map. This is the result:

14.1.6 Exercise
Add to your map
• scale bare
• arrow

14.1.7 Exporting Your Map

Note: Did you remember to save your work often?
Finally the map is ready for export! You’ll see the export buttons near the top left corner of the
Composer window:

The button on the left is the Print button, which interfaces with a printer. Since the printer
options will differ depending on the model of printer that you’re working with, it’s probably
better to consult the printer manual or a general guide to printing for more information on this
topic.
The other three buttons allow you to export the map page to a file. There are three export formats
to choose from:
• Export as Image
• Export as SVG
• Export as PDF
Exporting as an image will give you a selection of various common image formats to choose
from. This is probably the simplest option, but the image it creates is “dead” and difficult to
edit.
The other two options are more common.
If you need to send the map to a client, it’s most common to use a PDF, because it’s easier to
set up printing options for a PDF. Some cartographers may prefer PDF as well, if they have a
program that allows them to import and edit this format.
For our purposes, we’re going to use PDF.
• Click the Export as PDF button:
• Choose a save location and a file name as usual.
• Click Save.

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14.1.8 In Conclusion
• Close the Composer window.
• Save your map.
• Find your exported PDF using your operating system’s file manager.
• Open it.

14.1.9 What’s Next?

On the next page, you will be given an assignment to complete. This will allow you to practice
the techniques you have learned so far.

14.2 Basic of PA thematic map layouts

Thematic maps are single-topic maps that focus on specific themes or phenomena, such as
protected areas location, zonation, hazard, habitat, population density, rainfall and precipitation
levels, vegetation distribution, and tourist attractions.
Thematic maps have attributes that make spatial patterns more clear, shedding new light on the
theme in questions and allowing for further insights.
These maps are very useful when you want to analyze the spatial distribution of your
information, or look for any geographic patterns and trends contained within your data sets.
They are also an excellent way to search for correlations between data in two different locations.
There are likely a number of important insights contained in your data that may not be evident
when viewing it in a spreadsheet. Thematic maps let you visualize your location-based
information and bring it to life, making those insights much easier to spot.
The figure below is an example of thematic map that is relevant to protected areas. It shows the
different zonation of an imaginary park, Such map should be included in the Management Plan
of a protected area according to the guideline.

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14.3 Exercise: Create and manage map layout and exporting the map layout

Objectives:
• Create a thematic map related to protected areas
• Create a zonation map for the proposed protected area
Input
• Zone layer
• Protected area boundary
Steps
1. Create a new GIS project
2. Add the zone and proposed protected area boundary shape vector layers
3. Create a new layout
4. Add the different components of a map: the map, title, scale, legend, footnote,
and grid
5. Export the map layout as JPG

Module 5: Analysis

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15 Preparing data for analysis
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are widely used across different fields to map, analyze,
and manage data that has a location component. GIS applications require data to be organized
and prepared for analysis. Preparing data for analysis involves several steps, including data
collection, data cleaning, data integration, and data conversion. These steps are crucial because
they can affect the accuracy of the analysis results.
Data collection is the first step in preparing data for GIS. It involves gathering relevant data
from different sources, such as field surveys, satellite images, and existing databases. Data
collected should be of high quality and should have a location component. Additionally, data
should be collected with the intended analysis in mind to ensure that the right data is collected.
Data cleaning is the process of identifying and correcting errors in collected data. This step is
crucial because inaccurate data can lead to incorrect results and wrong decisions. In GIS, data
cleaning involves identifying and removing outliers, duplicates, and incomplete data. Data
integration involves combining data from different sources to create a unified dataset. This step
is important because it allows analysts to have a comprehensive view of the information being
analyzed. Lastly, data conversion is the process of converting different data formats into a
uniform format that can be used with GIS software. This step ensures that all data being
analyzed conforms to the same standards, making the analysis process more efficient and less
prone to errors.

15.1 Practical: Projection and Transformation

For conducting spatial analysis, the input data should be in the same coordinate system.
Objectives:
• project or transform spatial data
Input
• vector or /and raster data (e.g. the river layer created using the topgraphic map)
Steps
1. Create a new GIS project or open an existing project
2. Add the data which should be reprojected to another CRS. In our exam-ple, the
river’s CRS is ‘EPSG:20137’
3. Export the data using the selected CRS (in our case ‘EPSG:32637”)

15.2 Practical: Data cleansing

The practical explains the importance of having error-free input data for spatial analysis. This
includes ensuring both the spatial and attribute components are clean. To clean the spatial
components of vector data, it is proposed to use the advanced digitizing toolbar and tools such
as reshape, merge, split, and fill ring. Additionally, the practical emphasizes the need to edit the
attribute data.
• Open the project, which was created for digitizing the river layer.
• Clean your data such as the river layer.

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Spatial data can also be analyzed to reveal how different features interact with each other in
space. There are many different analysis-related functions in GIS, so we won’t go through them
all. Rather, we’ll pose a question and try to solve it using the tools that QGIS provides.

The goal for this To ask a question and solve it using analysis tools.

15.3 Requirements for GIS analysis

• Problem to be answered with help of GIS

• Clear procedure / process
• Data
• GIS software with tools / algorithms to process data

15.4 The GIS Process

Before we start, it would be useful to give a brief overview of a process that can be used to
solve any GIS problem. The way to go about it is:

16 Analysis: Habitat quality and suitability Analysis

This session will focus on using GIS to generate information that will answer specific questions
directly related to a protected area. These questions include what the water resources situation
in a protected area is, as well as the slope, elevation, and rainfall. Additionally, analysis of the
land cover in the area from 1986 to 2021 will be conducted. The requirement for the analysis
include necessary data for the analysis and a clear procedure for analysis. Overall, the session
will provide insight into how GIS can be used to gather and analyze information in a practical
setting.

16.1 Practical: Landcover mapping

Objective:
• Create a land cover map using the existing data or the data that you have created.
• This is the continuation of the land cover mapping in section 11 Advanced digitizing:
creating a land cover / habitat dataset starting page 72

16.1.1 Prepare the project for the analysis

• Create a new project
• Change the CRS of the project to EPSG:20137
• Save the project (name = habitat2023; folder = project)
• Add the following layers from data_vector folder to the project:
o landcover2023
o road
o stream
o parkboundary
o landmark

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 o spring
o contour

16.1.2 Clip the land cover using the park boundary

• The land cover layer includes the park and the surrounding areas. We want to have the
land cover of the park only. Therefore, we have to clip the land cover using the park
boundary. To clip:
o Open the clip tool: select Vector menu → Geoprocessing Tool → Clip..

5. Save the output in the folder named analysis_vector. As file name type parklandcover2023.

16.1.3 Dissolve / combine features

This algorithm takes a vector layer and combines their features into new features. One or more
attributes can be specified to dissolve features belonging to the same class (having the same
value for the specified attributes), alternatively all features can be dissolved in a single one.
All output geometries will be converted to multi geometries. In case the input is a polygon layer,
common boundaries of adjacent polygons being dissolved will get erased.
• Dissolve the clipped land cover using the following specifications
o Input : parklandcover2023
o Dissolve field(s): cover
o Output: parklandcover2023dissolve

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16.1.4 Area calculation
To calculate the area of each land cover type (polygon)
• Open the attribute table of the dissolved land cover
o right click on the file name (parklandcover2023dissolve) in the layers panel
o From select open attribute table from the list
• Click Toggle Editing button from the opened table
• select the field for the area (1)
from the list
• enter the formula
$area/10000 in the box (2)
• click Update All (3)
• Save the change in the table.
• Exit the editing mode by clicking (Toggle Editing button)
• Close the table (if you want)

16.1.5 Change the symbol

• You have to change the symbol of the layers listed below. These layers are already
included at the start of the analysis. To modify the symbol of the layers, follow the
instructions in section 5.1.3 and 5.2 on page 23. Use suitable symbols, colors, and
patterns. Prioritize point layers at the top, followed by line layers, and end with the
polygon layer (bottom). The layers that should be in the project are:
o landmark, spring
o stream, road, contour

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 o parklandcover2023dissolve
• Save the project

16.1.6 Prepare map layout

Prepare map layout for the land cover/habitat. The contents of the map layout should include
the above listed layers.
o For map layout preparation and exporting, refer the instructions in section 14 starting
page 92.

16.2 Your Turn (Homework in group): Apply what you have learned from
previous sections

16.2.1 Project: using radio or satellite telemetry data for mapping home
ranges of Egyptian Vultures, Neophron percnopterus, in the Middle
East and East Africa
Project Summary
Vultures comprise the most endangered avian foraging guild (obligate scavengers) and their loss from
ecosystems can trigger trophic cascades, mesopredator release, and human rabies epidemics, indicating
their keystone species status. Vultures’ extremely large home ranges, which often cross international
borders of countries that have differing laws and capacity for wildlife conservation, makes conserving
them challenging. How- ever, satellite-tracking data can be used to identify habitat preferences and
critical sites to target conservation actions. We tracked 16 Egyptian Vultures, Neophron percnopterus,
in the Middle East and East Africa to study their behaviors, habitat use, migrations, and to target
conservation actions.
For our exercise we will create a map of home ranges of Egyptian Vultures, Neophron percnopterus, in
Ethiopia. The exercise will give you an understanding of how GIS and Remote Sensing based telemetry
data can be used in tracking the behavior of terrestrial animals in terms of the habitats they frequent,
what and where they feed, den and bedding locations, and other activities.

Problem questions
Create new QGIS Project and name it yourname_EgyptianvultureHomeranges_Ethiopia.
Example: Oytisa_EgyptianvultureHomeranges_Ethiopia
a. Where are the home ranges of Egyptian-vulture home ranges in Ethiopia?
b. Which woredas are within the Egyptian-vulture home ranges of 50% in Ethiopia?
c. What is the elevation range of the Egyptian-vulture home ranges?
d. What cities, main roads and habitat types are in the vulture home ranges?
e. create map layout with the title “Home ranges of Egyptian Vultures, Neophron
percnopterus in Ethiopia”
f. Add descriptions stated in the project summary and photo of Egyptian Vultures to your
map
Data required
• Egyptian_vultures_in_MiddleEast_EastAfrica_hr.shp
• Ethiopia boundary
• Ethiopia woreda boundary
• Ethiopian cities
• Road

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 • DEM
• Habitat type/landcover
Tools
• Clip
• Extract by mask
• Reclassify
• Summary statistics
• Print composer
Procedures
• Design the procedures on paper and the trainer will guide you then.
Expected result
• Map of home ranges of Egyptian Vultures, Neophron percnopterus, in Ethiopia

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16.3 Practical: Generating biophysical data from existing data

Your task is
• to produce information on common biophysical data including slope and elevation.
Required data are:
• park boundary (park_boundary20137) from the folder data_vector
• Digital Elevation Model (DEM); The name of the DEM file for the site is
SRTM_ffB03_p168r055.tif. It is found in the folder data_raster.
Algorithms to use:
• slope and zonal statistics
General steps:
• Create a new project and save it as park_slope_elevation
• Add the DEM and the park boundary layers (see the required data)
• Clip the DEM using the park boundary layer as mask
• Derive slope of the park using the clipped DEM
• Change the symbol of the clipped DEM and the Slope using appropriate classes and
colors
• Apply zonal statistics to derive descriptive statistics on the slope and elevation of the
different parts of the park
• prepare two map layouts: one for slope class and another for the DEM class

16.3.1 Create new project

• Create a new project and save it as park_slope_elevation
• Add to the project
o the park boundary (park_boundary20137) from the folder data_vector
o Digital Elevation Model (DEM); The name of the DEM file for the site is
SRTM_ffB03_p168r055.tif. It is found in the folder data_raster.
• Change the symbol of the park boundary (make the boundary visible and no brush!)

16.3.2 Clip raster

• Select Raster menu → Extraction → Clip Raster by Mask Layer
• On the Input layer, select the raster layer we want to clip (DEM,
SRTM_ffB03_p168r055).
• On the Mask layer, select the polygon we use to clip the raster (the park boundary,
park_boundary20137).
• You can also specify the target CRS (EPSG: 20137).
• Don’t forget to enable the option that says
o “Match the extent of the clipped raster to the extent of the mask layer”.
o Keep resolution of input raster
• Assign a specified notate to output bands to 0
• Save the file as parkdem. Click Browse (1) → Save to File (2)→ Go to the folder
analysis_raster. → Type parkdem as file name → Save → Run.

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16.3.3 Set no-data value to NULL
• Open the algorithm r.null
• On the Name of the raster map for which to edit null values, select the clipped
DEM (park_dem')
• Enter -32768 in the box for the List of the cell values to be set to NULL
• Save the Output as park_demedited in the folder analysis_raster
• Run

16.3.4 Derive slope layer

• Open the algorithm Slope
o Select Raster menu → Analysis → Slope
• On the Input layer, select the edited DEM (park_demedited )
• Check Slope expressed as percent instead of degrees
• Save the output slope as SlopePercent in the folder analysis_raster
• Run

16.3.5 Zonal statistics - Elevation

This algorithm calculates statistics of a raster layer for each feature of an overlapping polygon
vector layer.
• Open the algorithm Zonal statistics
• In the Input layer, select the park boundary (1)
• on the raster layer, select the edited DEM (park_demedited )(2)
• In the Output column, prefix box, type E (3). E is used to represent elevation
• On the Statistics to calculate, click 4 and select Median, Minimum, and Maximum
only (4,5)
• Click Back (6)
• Save the Output as park_elevation in the folder in analysis_vector (7)
• Run (8)

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16.3.6 Zonal statistics - Slope
This algorithm calculates statistics of a raster layer for each feature of an overlapping polygon
vector layer.
• Open the algorithm Zonal statistics
• In the Input layer, select the park_elevation layer (1)
• on the raster layer, select the edited Slope (2)
• In the Output column, prefix box, type S (3). S is used to represent elevation
• On the Statistics to calculate, click 4 and select Median, Minimum, and Maximum
only (4,5)
• Click Back (6)
• Save the Output as park_elevation_slope in the folder in analysis_vector (7)
• Run (8)

16.3.7 What is the result of Zonal Statistics?

• Open the table of the Zonal Statistics
• Explore the attributes of the table (park_elevation_slope). Refer the figure below.

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16.3.8 Change the symbol of the raster values (Slope)
Change the symbol of the raster values (the Slope)
• First open the Slope layer property (SlopePercent)
• In the Layer Property window, Select Symbology (1)
• On the Render type, select Singleband pseudocolr (2)
• On the Interpolation, select Discrete (3)
• As Color ramp, select Reds (4)
• As Mode, select Equal Intervals (5)
• Change class to 3 (6)
• Type the class max values (30 and 60) see (7 and 8, in the figure below)
• Apply and Run (9 and 10)
• Save the project

16.3.9 Exercise: Change the symbol of the Elevation (DEM)

• Change the symbol of the raster values (the edited DEM, which is park_demedited.
• Classes value: 1500, 2500, 3200 which corresponds to the three agro-ecological zones
of Ethiopia
• Color ramp: select appropriate col0r

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16.3.10 Exercise: Prepare map layout
• Prepare two map layouts: one for slope and another for DEM
• Use the foaling layers only
o DEM /Slope
o River
o Park boundary
o Road
• Use appropriate color and method

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16.4 Practical: LULC Change analysis – raster based

• Objectives:
o Habitat cover change analysis between two points in time (e.g. 1986 and 2022)
o Produce map showing the types of changes
• Required data
o Park boundary
o Land cover of time 1 and time 2

16.4.1 Create a project

• Create a new project (name of the project = habitat_changePA, CRS = EPSG:
20137)
• Add the following layers from the folder data_vector:
o landcover1986, landcover2022, parkboundary

16.4.2 Clip the land cove layers

• Clip the layer landcover1986 using park_boundary and save it as landcover1986PA
in the folder analysis_vector
• Clip the layer landcover2022 using park_boundary and save it as
landcover2022PA in the folder analysis_vector

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16.4.3 Vector to Raster
For the purpose of the habitat change
analysis, we rasterize the two land
cover layers (landcover1986 and
landcover2022).

Select on the menu, Raster →

Conversion → Rasterize (vector to
Raster).

On the Input layer, select the land

cover layer (e.g. landcover1986PA)
→1

As Field to use for a burn-in values,

select covercode → 2

As Output raster size units, select

Georeferenced units → 3

As Width/Horizontal resolution,
type 30 → 4
As Height/Vertical resolution, type
30 → 5
Select int8 → 6
Save the output in the
analysis_raster folder. The name of
the output file is landcover1986PA.
→7

• Repeat the vector to raster conversion for the other land cover layer (landcover2022)

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16.4.4 Reclassify raster map
For the purpose of targeted change analysis, we reclassify the land cover layers (raster) and
create layers of reduced class numbers. Fore example, we want to create Forest and not Forest
layers for 1986 and 2022.

We will use the r.reclass algorithm that The code and label for the land cover layers
creates a new raster map whose category
covercode cover
values are based upon a reclassification of the
1 Crop land
categories in an existing raster map.
2 Irrigation
3 Grass
Rules to reclassify the land cover layers into 4 Shrub land
Forest and Non-Forest: 5 Plantation forest
1234789=1 6 Natural forest
7 Town
56=2
8 Water
Old code = new code 9 Wet grass
In the new code 1 = None-Forest, and 2 = 10 Bareland
Forest

Open the processing Toolbox: in the Menu, select Processing → Processing Toolbox.
The processing Toolbox will appear. (1)

In the Search box, type r.reclass (2).

From the list, double click r.reclass

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 On the Input raster layer, select the
landcover1986PA layer → 1

In the Reclass rules text box, type the

rule →2

1234789=1
56=2

Save the layer as

landocver_FNF1986PA
➔ 3
Save the file in the folder named
analysis_raster
➔ 3

The rasterized layer will be added to

the project.

You have to rasterize the 2022 land cover similarly.

Now you have two new layers showing the forest and non-forest areas (value 1 and 2)

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16.4.5 Raster calculator
Create a layer by merging the two reclassified forest and non-forest layers.
• Open the raster calculator: → Menu → Raster → Raster Calculator
• From the list of raster layers (1), double click the 1986 forest and non-forest raster
layer (landocver_FNF1986PA@1) → 1
• It will appear in the Expression window. → 2
• Double click the multiplication symbol from the set of signs/symbols → 3
• type 10 → 2
• Double click the + symbol
• Finlay double click the 2022 forest and non-forest layer (landocver_FNF2022PA@1)
→1
• The Raster Calculator Expression should look like the following: → 2
"landcover1986PA@1" * 10 + "landcover2022PA@1"
• Save the layer as landcover_FNF1986to2022 in the folder named analysis_raster.
• Click OK

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16.4.6 Sieve
The merged layer might be sieved to remove very small areas from the layer.
• On the menu, → Raster → Analysis → Sieve..
• On the Input layer, select the merged layer (landcover_FNF1986to2022) → 1
• Enter the threshold value 10 → 2
• Save the output layer as landcover_FNF1986to2022Sieved in the folder
Analysis_raster → 3

16.4.7 Change the Symbology of the change layer

Change the symbol of the verged or the sieved raster layer
For the forest non-forest layer, there are only four possible combinations. The following figure
shows the legend used for the practical:

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 Open the property of
the sieved or merged
raster layer

As Render type, select

Palette / Unique
values

Change the legend and

the color as shown in
the figure.

Click Apply and OK

16.4.8 Exercise: Create water cover change map (in group)

• Using the land cover layers (raster) of the 1986 and 2022, perform a water cover
change analysis.

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17 Analysis: Protected area Resource mapping/Delineating
This session will concentrate on generating information about the distribution of wildlife
species, mapping tourist attractions, zoning protected areas, and preparing a treat map. These
maps will be created for specific proposed protected areas. The success of these tasks hinge on
having reliable data for each activity and a distinct process for the analysis.
17.1 Sampling design

17.1.1 Sample point distribution - polygon

• Open the land cover project named parkLandcover2023. It is fund under the folder
named project.
• Save the project as sampleDistribution2023.
• If the project does not exist create a project and save it as sampleDistribution2023
• Zoom to the park boundary
o On the Layers list, Right click on the park boundary layer name
o Select Zoom to Layer(s)
• Decide on the sampling:
o stratification or unsatisfied
o the number of sample points
o the type of sampling (systematic, random)
o the minimum distance between random samples, which is optional
17.1.1.1 Stratified random sampling
• Select the polygon in which you are going to distribute sample points.
• On the Vector menu, select Research Tools → Random points in polygons
The Random points in polygons window will appear.

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On the Input polygon layer, select
the land cover layer → 1

Check the box for Selected feature

only → 2

Set the number of points for each

feature- to 10; → 3

Set the minimum distance between

points to 100; → 4

Check the box for Include polygon

attributes → 5

Save the random points in the

folder named
analysis_vector.

The name of the file is

gridForest01Min100
→6

Run → 7

• Open the generated sample points attributes table

• What are the attribute of this table?

17.1.1.2 Stratified systematic sampling - count

• Select the polygon in which you are going to distribute sample points
• Save the selected polygon:
o → 1 right click on the file name in the Layers panel
o → 2 Select Export
o → 3 Select Save Selected Feature As
o Browse to the folder named analysis_vector
o in the box for file name, type habitat2023forest100PA
o You may change the CRS to EPSG:32637
o Click Save
o OK

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 o Change the Symbology of the layer (boundary black, fill style = no brush)
o Drag this layer to the top
Now you can create Grid for sample points
• On the Vector menu, select Research Tools → Regular points
The Regular points in polygons window will appear. Regular points creates a point layer
with a given number of regular points, all of them within a given extent.

On the input extent, select (1) →

Calculate from layer (B, see the figure
below ) → Select the layer for which you
want to create the grids (in our example:
habitat2023forest100PA)
The extent will be entered in the box
automatically→ 2
In the box for Point spacing/count, type the
number of the samples (e.g. 50) → 3
In the box for Initial inset from corner, type
100 → 4

Uncheck the box for Apply random offset to

point spacing, and use point spacing → 5
Set CRS to EPSG:32637 (why ?) → 6
Save the random points in the folder named
analysis_vector.
The name of the file is
gridForest100RegularCount100LHsidePA
→ 7
Run

To determine the input extent (1 in the above figure)

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17.1.1.3 Stratified systematic sampling - spacing
• On the Vector menu, select Research Tools → Regular points

On the input extent, select (1) →

Calculate from layer → Select the layer for
which you want to create the grids (in our
example: habitat2023forest100PA)
The extent will be entered in the box → 2
In the box for Point spacing/count, type
the number of the samples (e.g. 50) → 3
In the box for Initial inset from corner,
type 100 → 4

Check the box for use point spacing → 5

Set CRS to EPSG:32637 (why ?) → 6
Save the random points in the folder
named analysis_vector.
The name of the file is
gridForest100RegularSpacing100LHsidePA
→ 7
Run

17.1.2 Sample point distribution - transect

For this exercise we use the same project as the previous one sampleDistribution2023
To create the transect line, use a project qith
• the habitat or land cover layer, contour line, road, stream.
• Change the symbology, if the layers are displayed with single symbol
• save the project

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17.1.2.1 Create transect line
For this exercise, we use the
project that is already open for
the previous exercise
(habitat_sampling2023).
Zoom in to the area of interest

To create new layer: on the

Menu → Layer → Create Layer
→ New Shapefile Layer …
→1
Name of the new file =
transectlineForest100
Save it in the folder =
analysis_vector

Select LineString → 2
Select EPSG:32637 → 3
New field:
Name: line →4
Type → 5
Length: 6 → 6
Click Add to Field → 7
OK
The new layer (transectlineForest100) is added to the project
• Drag the layer to the top
• Change the Symbology (black color and width = 2) of the line.
Digitize the transect lines referring to the land cover, road, stream, and contour line
• Zoom in to the area of interest
• Digitize the first transect line from one side to the another side as single line
• Digitize the second transect line from one side to the another side as single line
• Save the digitization.
• Stop the editing
• Save the project

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17.1.2.2 Random points on lines
• On the Vector menu, select Research Tools → Random points on lines
This algorithm creates a point layer, with points
placed randomly on the lines of the Input line
layer. The default behavior is that the generated
point features inherit the attributes of the line
feature on which they were generated.

On the Input line layer, select the tansectline

→1

Set the Number of points for each feature = 10

→2

Set the Minimum distance between points = 300

→3

Check Include line attributes → 4

Save the output in the folder named

analysis_vector → 5

The file name is

gridOnlineRandom10MidDistance300m
Run → 6

17.1.2.3 Points along geometry

This algorithm creates a points layer, with points distributed along the lines of an input vector
layer. The distance between points (measured along the line) is defined as a parameter.
Start and end offset distances can be defined, so the first and last point will not fall exactly on
the line's first and last nodes. These start and end offsets are defined as distances, measured
along the line from the first and last nodes of the lines.
• On the Menu, select Processing → Toolbox

• The Toolbox will be open → 1

• In the search box, type Points along geometry → 2
• The algorithm will be filtered
• Double click the algorithm’s name (Points along
geometry) → 3

• The Window will open

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 On the Input line layer, select the tansectline
→1

Set the Distance to 300 → 2

Save the output in the folder named

analysis_vector → 3

The file name is

gridOnlineRegularDistance300m

Run → 4

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17.2 Project: wildlife species distribution mapping

• Objective: Spatial distribution map of wild animals will be produced using a polygon
layer.
• Required data: vector layers (polygon) for different wild animals created using the
sketch map prepared by Focused Group Discussions participants (FGDs). The
participants mark the habitats on baseline map (landcover, road, stream and contour).
A vector layer can then be created using the sketch map and the baseline data.
To creates project for wildlife distribution
1. Open a project named baslineDataPA. It is found under the folder named project.
2. Save the project as wildlifePA
3. If the baslineData project does not exist, you have to create the project. Follow the steps
below (a to d):
a. Create a new GIS project and save it. The name of the project is wildlifePA
b. Change the CRS to EPSG:20137 (if it is another CRS)
c. Add the recent satellite image to the project. We propose the 2021 image (e.g.
LC08_168055_20210326V2.tif) from the folder named image.
i. Change the band composition to Infrared, Red and Green, if it is not a
false color composite.
ii. Apply the required contrast enhancement (Stretch to MinMax), if the
image is not enhanced.
d. Add the road, stream, landmark, landcover2023, and contour layers from the
folder named data_vector.
i. Change the order of the layers
ii. Change the symbol of the layers

4. Create a polygon layer for wildlife: or add it to the project if it exists.

a. The name of the layer should be wildlife_FGD.
b. It should be saved under the folder named data_vector.
c. It should have the following attributes:
• animal (text; 25)
• areaha (integer; length 5)
5. Uncheck the snapping options (allow overlapping)
6. Digitize the location of the different wild animal referring to the sketch map, the baseline
data, imagery, and the field points. Enter the required attribute (the name of the animals).
Discuss with the key informants.
7. Update the area attribute
8. Clip the wildlife_FGD using the park boundary. Save the clipped layer as
wildlife_FGDPA
9. Change the symbol of the layer (wildlife_FGDPA). Categorize the layer using the
attribute animal.
10. As symbol, use the fill line patter option
11. Save the project
12. Prepare a map layout for the fire related problem using the following layers
a. wildlife_FGDPA
b. land mark
c. road
d. stream
e. land cover
f. park boundary

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17.3 Project: Resource / tourist map preparation

• Objective: Prepare tourist map using existing data

• Required data: land cover/habitat, road, river, spring, land mark
To creates project for tourist map
1. Create a new project and save it as resourcePA. It is to be saved in the folder named
project.
2. Save the project as wildlifePA
3. Change the CRS to EPSG:20137 (if it is another CRS)
4. Add the road, stream, landmark, landcover2023PA, and contour layers from the
folder named data_vector.
5. Note: Use the land cover layer that is clipped using the park boundary.
6. Change the order of the layers
7. Change the symbol of the layers
8. Labelle land mark (if required)
9. Label the stream layer (if required)
10. Save the project
11. Prepare a map layout for the fire related problem using the following layers
a. land mark
b. road
c. stream
d. park boundary
e. land cover

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17.4 Project: Threat map preparation

In this exercise, we create a map showing the different specific threats location.
Input required:
• baseline data such as road, stream, contour, spring, land mark
• the different threat maps created for the project (see section 10.4, starting page 71)
To create the threat maps
1. Create a new project and save the project as Threate2023PA, in the folder named
project.
2. Set the CRS to EPSG:20137
3. Add the vector data from the folder named data_vector
a. the protected area boundary
b. the threat vector layers (problem_fire, problem_herding, problem_treecutting,
problem_hunting)
4. Group all threat layers for better
overview
i. Click Add group (2) in the Lyres
panel (1)
ii. The group 1 appears (4)
iii. Drag the layers (3) and drop in
the group 1 (4)
iv. After dropping all these layers to
the group 1, rename group 1 to
problem. Right click on group 1
→ select Rename group → type
Problem FGD
v. Make the park boundary border
line black and the fill type no
brush
5. Save the project
6. Clip each threat vector layer using the protected area boundary (park_boundary20137)
a. Open the clip algorithm

b. On input layer, select

problem_fire (1)

c. On Overlay layer, select park

boundary (2)

d. Save the Clipped layer as PA_fire

in the folder analysis_vector (3)

e. Run

The clipped PA_fire is added to the project

7. Repeat the clip operation for each threat layer and create clipped layers:

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 a. PA_hunting
b. PA_treecuting
c. PA_herding
8. Group the clipped layers and rename the group to Threats
9. Rename the clipped layers to Hunting, Tree cutting, Herding, and Fire. The reason
for this is to display the layers with correct name in the legend of the final map layout.
10. Change the symbol of the clipped layers. We propose to have hashed symbols. How?
The following is the steps using the clipped fire data
• Open the property of the Fire (PA_fire)
• Select Symbology (1) → Select Simple File → On the Symbol layer type, select Line
Pattern Fill (2)
• Select Pattern Fill (3) to change the spacing, rotation
• Change the Rotation (4) and the Spacing (5)

• You can try to change the color, but click Line and Simple line (below 3, in the figure)
• Apply and close
11. Similar to the fire layer, change the
symbol of the the other threats with
different rotation and color. Tip: use
wider spacing; try different spacing
values.
12. Add stream, spring, road layers to
the project. Change their symbols.
Rename the layers in the Layers
panel to (Stream, Road, and Spring).
Refer to the figure for more
information

13. Zoom to the park boundary (right click park boundary (layer name in the layers panel)
→ Zoom to Layer (s)
14. The whole park boundary will be displayed in the current canvas.

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 15. Save the project
Note: The figure below shows data layers in the current project. The layers are now prepared
to produce map layout.

Prepare and export the map layout

For map layout preparation, refer to Module 4: Map layout starting page 92
16. Prepare the map layout (layout name = threats)
17. Export the map layout to the folder named map.

The next figure shows the expected output of the threat analysis (imaginary)

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17.5 Project: Zonation map

Objectives:
• Create a zonation layer (vector) for a selected protected area according to the
management plan guideline
• Create zonation map for a protected area
Input
• Protected area boundary
• Baseline data (land cover, road, stream, landmark, spring, field observation) and
thematic maps (e.g. threats map, wild animals habitat map)
Steps
1. Open the baselinePA project (from the folder named project).
If it does not exist, create the project using the baseline dataset (land cover, road, stream,
landmark, spring, field observation). How to create a project with the baseline is
described in sections 0 and 0.
2. Save this project with another name. The name of the project is zonationPA, It is to be
saved in the folder named project).
3. Create a polygon layer for zonation: or add it to the project if it exists.
a. The name of the layer should be zonation_FGD.
b. It should be saved under the folder named data_vector.
c. It should have the following attributes:
• zonation (text; 25)
• areaha (integer; length 5)
4. Activate the snapping options (avoid overlapping). Uncheck the snapping of the other
layers. The snapping should be only for the zonation layer, and the avoid overlapping
should be checked for this layer.
5. On the print out of the wildlife thematic map, draw the different zonation and label each
zone. This should be done during the FGD.
6. Digitize the location of the different zonation referring to the sketch map, the baseline
data, and imagery. Enter the required attribute (the name of the zone). Discus with the key
informants.
7. Update the area attribute
8. Save the project
9. Clip the zonationPA using the park boundary. It should be saved as zonationPA2023 in
the folder named analysis _vector.
10. Change the symbol of the zonation using appropriate colors/styles
11. Prepare a map layout for the zonation using the following layers
a. zonation
b. park boundary
Note: As map layout name, use zonation2023.
12. Export the map layout to the folder named map.
13. Save the project
The figure below is zonation map produced using the sample data available for the training.

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The following exercises are yet optional and required data will provided if time allows.

18 Introduction to SMART for conservation planning

Step 1: Drive biophysical data for the Chebera Churchura national park
1. Merge the dem scenes

Select the scenes

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 2. Fill the dem, and generate topographic data such as slope, aspect, viewshed and follow
the output names as indicated in the data structure above. For details look at the
hydrology data analysis section.
3. Reclassify the slope using the reclassify tool as:

4. Generate contours using the contour tool at 50m interval

5. Reclassify the elevation into 3 classes
6. Clip the tmin, tmax and precipitation into the boundary of Chebera Churchura.
Step 2: create the management buffer for patrolling
1. Buffer Chebera Churchura boundary by 5km and name it Chebera_mgtzone
2. Clip the landuse to the Chebera_mgtzone

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 3. Clip road to the buffer
Step 3: create patrolling zones
Step 4: initialize SMART software with conservation area as EthioPA, username and password
as smart

Step 5: create smart model and conservation area

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fill all the required parameters for patrolling, from configuring model to Agency and Rank list

Step 6: import the respective data from steps 1 to 3 to respective module of SMART

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Step 7: collect data and fill
Step 8: develop queries based on requirement for protected area management
Step 9: generate reports at respective management units or PA level

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