Lab 9: ArcCollector & UWEC Microclimates

Introduction

The purpose of this activity is to provide an introduction to gathering geospatial data on a mobile device.  Since modern mobile devices (smart phones, tablets, etc.) have more computing power than GPS units, it is only logical to use these mobile devices for GPS data collection instead of stand alone GPS units.  Using mobile devices is also advantageous in that they are connected to the internet, so data can be instantaneously uploaded.  

In this case, a mobile application called ArcCollector was used to gather data about the microclimate of the UW-Eau Claire campus.  The variables collected were temperature, dew point, wind speed, and wind direction.  The campus was divided into five different zones, teams of two students each were distributed evenly among the zones (Figure 1).  Each team possessed at least one mobile device with the ArcCollector application, and these teams collected data simultaneously about the weather conditions at the UW-Eau Claire campus on Wednesday, November 8th, 2016.  Kyle Mundth and myself were assigned to Zone 1.  

Figure 1: Map displaying five zones on UW-Eau Claire campus
for data collection

Methods

Figure 2: Anneli using the Kestrel 3000 to collect
dew point data

First, in order to facilitate data gathering, each student downloaded the ArcCollector application for Android or Apple on their smart phone.  Then, using ArcGIS Online, the students accessed a base map with all five zones that had been created by the instructor.  Each team of students was asked to gather approximately 20 points from the zone to which they had been assigned.  

 The following equipment was used in the field for data collection: 

• Kestrel 3000 Wind Meter
• Compass
• Smart phone (ASUS Zenfone 2)

At each site, the Kestrel 3000 Wind Meter was used to measure the temperature, dew point, and wind speed (Figure 2).  Then, the compass was used to assess the wind speed (Figure 3).  

Figure 3: Kyle using the compass and his phone to assess and record wind direction

All of this data was recorded in the ArcCollector application on a mobile device (Figure 4, Figure 5).  When data was collected from a particularly noteworthy site, a brief explanation was provided in the "notes" section of the point in ArcCollector.  Additionally, photos were attached to some points.  During the data collection process, all of the other groups' data appeared in real time as it was collected on the ArcCollector application.  

Figure 4: Screenshot of ArcCollector on Anneli's phone

Figure 5: Screenshot of ArcCollector parameters for data entry on Anneli's phone

Results & Discussion

After data collection was finished, the resulting data points were brought into ArcGIS for geovisualization and analysis.  The first two maps examine temperature and dew point within the five zones (Figure 6, Figure 7).  Both the coldest and warmest temperatures appear to be in Zone 3 (southeast corner of study area), though Zone 2 also displays some of the warmest points.  Since the most extreme measurements almost all occur in the same area, it might be worth examining the methodology of the teams that collected data for Zone 2.  Perhaps these teams purposefully chose certain areas, such as locations near heating or cooling vents, to achieve these values.  Additionally, their equipment may have been a source of error.  

Figure 6: Map showing temperature data from ArcCollector

Figure 7: Map showing dew point data from ArcCollector

Wind speed and direction measurements are shown in the third map, though it is harder to make out any sort of pattern (Figure 8).  Greater wind speeds are seen at locations such as the foot bridge and on top of the hill near Hilltop Center, which is to be expected due to lack of wind blocks and elevation respectively.  Since each team was simply given a compass with no explicit instructions on assessing wind direction, errors are likely to have occurred.  If points had been collected at more regular intervals, or if the data was interpolated for the entire study area, a better analysis could be carried out. 

Figure 8: Map showing wind speed and direction data from ArcCollector

Conclusions

This exercise highlighted the incredible advantages of utilizing mobile devices for geospatial data collection.  The ArcCollector application itself was both easy to use and effective in accurately gathering data in the field.  Since most people already carry a smart phone or tablet with them at all times, applications such as ArcCollector are very convenient for field work.  Additionally, the ability for multiple people to gather data at the same time and upload it to the same map is valuable for team projects.  Moreover, since both the Android and Apple applications of ArcCollector were free to download, this method of data collection could be cost effective for lower budget organizations.