Homework 13: Using a GIS (Geographic Information System)

A GIS can be thought of as a digital base map over which layers of data can be displayed. GIS offers powerful ways for geographers to anlyze spatial data and make decisons. Many jobs rely on GIS technology; one reason why geography graduates are very employable. I'd like you to use the MAGIC GIS to find out a little more about Dawlish Warren as part of preparation for your coursework project.

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Before you start, be prepared for your computer to run slowly as you will be interacting with an enormous database buried deep in some high security government bunker.

Follow this link to the MAGIC map of Dawlish Warren

After a while you should be looking at a map of Dawlish Warren. The map will be complicated at first, so here are the basic tools you need to use:

To move the map (panning) click this symbol, and then drag the map

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To change the scale, click the symbol, then click again on the map to zoom in and out on the location you've selected.

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Now, lets make sense of the map data. At the moment all the available information is being displayed. Click this button to see all the data layers...

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This box will appear. Try turning all the layers off apart from Sites of Special Scientific Interest...
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Nothing will happen until you click this button!
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If the map slows down or you want to go back to the map with all the layers active, click this button.
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Reload the map or click here if you see this message for too long. While it is common for there to be delays when using GIS, this message also means that data is being collected, so be patient.

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Finally, the map tools will let you print off maps, save screen shots, measure distances and a lot more. Just mouse-over the different symbols to find out what each one does.

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Now it's time to get mapping...


5 minute GIS Homework task:

1) Create a map that shows the extent of the tourist "honeypot" at Dawlish Warren. This the area outside the Nature Reserve and Site of Special Scientific Interest. 

2) Create a map that shows sand dunes and mudflats of the whole Exe estuary and the location of Dawlish Warren.

Print these  maps off if possible. Don't upload to your Posterous. If you have problems with MAGIC the FAQ may help.

3) Use Where's The Path? to look at different maps and photos of Dawlish Warren. Follow this link. WTP isn't a real GIS, but it great for visualizing the Dawlish Warren area. It is best to use WTP in the morning, because it is limited in how many OS maps it can show in one day.

Homework 11: A Visitors Guide to Dawlish Warren

This is the final homework for the Coastal Zone unit.

Your task is to create a visitor's guide to Dawlish Warren. 

The aim is to make sure that you can describe the habitats of Dawlish Warren and the plants and animals that live there. You also need to be able to explain how  Dawlish Warren is conserved and managed sustainably.

I have included links to various information sources. Here is a template for you to download and use if you wish. 

Click here to download:
Dawlish_template.doc (143 KB)
(download)

Resources

The map you drew in the lesson will be useful. You could label a Google Maps screenshot with information about the different habitats at Dawlish Warren.


View Larger Map
 

Look at these 360 panoramas to see what Dawlish Warren looks like. You can make screenshots to use in your work.

The beach

The sand dunes

The salt marsh and mud flats

Plants and animals of Dawlish Warren:
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Link 2

Information leaflets:

Dog walking information

Information about management issues

Guide for visitors

Management strategies:

Photo gallery of some management strategies

(download)

 

 

Homework 10: Managed Realignment or Hold the line?

This is a Voicethread homework. Watch the video and decide whether, as an imaginary local resident, you support a coastal management policy of "managed realignment" or "hold the line."

Your response should include a mention of your age and job (if you have one) along with your point of view and reasons. It is perfectly fine to disagree with others :)

The aim of the homework task is to make sure that you are familiar with all sides of the arguments for different strategies of coping with sea level rise. 

Homework 9: How did Dawlish Warren form? (8 marks)

Your homework is to answer the following question:

How did the spit at Dawlish Warren form? (8 marks)


View Dawlish 360 in a larger map

The homework isn't finished until you have assessed your partner's work.


Mark scheme:

Level 1: Basic 1-3 marks
Knowledge of basic information about spits
Simple understanding of long shore drift
A limited range of geographical words
Limited evidence of sentence structure and frequent spelling, punctuation and grammatical errors. 

Level 2: Clear 4 - 6 marks
Knowledge of accurate information about spits
Clear understanding of longshore drift
Answer uses correct terms and sentences are linked together
Some spelling, punctuation and grammatical errors.

Level 3: Detailed 7-8 marks
Knowledge of accurate information about Dawlish Warren
Detailed understanding of spit formation and longshore drift.
Uses a range of specialist terms
Well structured response with effective use of sentences and few spelling, punctuation and grammatical errors.


Remember - it's called a Spit!

(download)

Homework 7: Review the film "Garbage Dreams"

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Now we've watched "Garbage Dreams" it's time to write a review. As discussed in the lesson I'd like you to consider the following points:

Location: Mokottam (aka Garbage City), Cairo, Egypt What was the Garbage City like?

Characters: Who are the Zaballeen? Describe the main characters?

Plot: Outline the Zaballeen way of life. Show how it meets the three criteria of sustainability as shown on the diagram below. Explain how the garbage recycling trade is threatened.

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 Summary: Describe your overall impression of the film. What has it taught you about the issues of waste management in Cairo. Are there any lessons for the UK that need to be learned?

Film Trailer:

Homework 6: A shanty town redevelopment: Dona Marta, Rio de Janeiro

Dona Marta (or Santa Marta) a favela in Rio de Janiero, Brazil (see in Google Maps) is a great example of a squatter settlement that has been redeveloped.

Dona Marta was featured in the Michael Jackson video They Don't Care About Us in 1996.

Since the video was filmed there have been many changes to the favela. A new kind of policing has "pacified" the community, leading to a reduction in violence and drug-related crime. The UPP strategy is described in this Class Clip.

Once the neighbourhood was safer, it could be improved through the Programa Favela Barrio. This article describes the policing policy and the subsequent physical improvements to the favela.

This is an improved version of the resource we used in the lesson, adapted from this web page.

Click here to download:
Dona_Marta_Favela_Rio_de_Janeiro_Brazil.doc (178 KB)
(download)

 

The improvments have made a big difference to the lives of the inhabitants. Dona Marta has recently hosted an international mountain bike race. Another video of the race is here. Local people are developing favela tourism. The favela is no longer officlally classed as a slum by the Rio authorities. 

Make sure that you can...

1) Describe the location of Dona / Santa Marta

2) Describe conditions in the favela before 1996

3) Describe some of the improvments that happened through the UPP police scheme and the Programa Favela Barrio - a self help / local authority scheme

4) Explain how these improvements have led to a better quality of life for the residents.