Crash Course in Georeferencing

Michelle Koo, Carol Spencer, Andrew Reagan, Lauren

Scheinberg

Good and Bad Locality Good and Bad Locality DescriptionsDescriptions

Elements and ExamplesElements and Examples

OverviewOverview

Elements of a LocalityElements of a Locality• Verbatim Locality DescriptionVerbatim Locality Description• ElevationElevation• CoordinatesCoordinates• DatumDatum• GPS AccuracyGPS Accuracy• ExtentExtent• ReferenceReference

ExamplesExamples

What A Locality Should Be What A Locality Should Be

SpecificSpecific SuccinctSuccinct UnambiguousUnambiguous CompleteComplete AccurateAccurate PrecisePrecise

More Precise

Less Precise

More Accurate

Less Accurate

x

Locality TipsLocality Tips

Avoid uncertainty due to imprecise headingsAvoid uncertainty due to imprecise headings • distance along a path distance along a path • two orthogonal distances from a placetwo orthogonal distances from a place

Use only one reference pointUse only one reference point• small in size (extent)small in size (extent)• stable in position and size over timestable in position and size over time• easy to find on maps or in gazetteerseasy to find on maps or in gazetteers

Avoid vague terms such as “near”, “vicinity of”, Avoid vague terms such as “near”, “vicinity of”, “about”, etc“about”, etc

ElevationElevation

Provide an elevation valueProvide an elevation value Beware elevation from Beware elevation from

GPS - it is less accurate GPS - it is less accurate than a barometric altimeter than a barometric altimeter (when calibrated)(when calibrated)

Report the source of Report the source of elevation (map, altimeter, elevation (map, altimeter, seat of pants, etc.)seat of pants, etc.)

CoordinatesCoordinates It is not enough to have coordinates alone, a It is not enough to have coordinates alone, a

locality description is essential.locality description is essential. Decimal degrees are recommended. If a Decimal degrees are recommended. If a

different system is used, record your different system is used, record your resources.resources.

More decimal places are better.More decimal places are better. Original coordinates from GPS should be Original coordinates from GPS should be

preserved.preserved. Know your GPS Make/Model and DATUMKnow your GPS Make/Model and DATUM

DatumDatum Datum has a Datum has a

corresponding corresponding coordinate systemcoordinate system

Default datum Default datum WGS84WGS84• Coordinate your Coordinate your

resources, especially if resources, especially if you’re using a different you’re using a different datumdatum

Coordinates without Coordinates without datum are ambiguousdatum are ambiguous

Be consistentBe consistent

GPS AccuracyGPS Accuracy GPS GPS accuracyaccuracy can be can be

affected by many issuesaffected by many issues• number of satellitesnumber of satellites• interferenceinterference• presence of presence of reflective reflective

surfacessurfaces Provide the GPS overall Provide the GPS overall

accuracy, or error, while accuracy, or error, while reading the GPS reading the GPS coordinatescoordinates• It will not be available later, It will not be available later,

and are not stored with the and are not stored with the waypointswaypoints

ExtentExtent

Indicates the size of the area within which Indicates the size of the area within which an event (collection, observation) an event (collection, observation) occurredoccurred

Can be a city, park, intersection, transect, Can be a city, park, intersection, transect, grid, river, road, etc.grid, river, road, etc.

ReferencesReferences

Document the sources and toolsDocument the sources and tools Topographic map in fieldTopographic map in field Map title, publisher, scale, year, sheet numberMap title, publisher, scale, year, sheet number Gazetteer or Road AtlasGazetteer or Road Atlas AltimeterAltimeter GPS GPS

• Model Model • DatumDatum• AccuracyAccuracy

Examples of Good and Examples of Good and Bad LocalitiesBad Localities

Vague localitiesVague localities• BAD:BAD: “Sacramento River Delta” - an extremely “Sacramento River Delta” - an extremely

large geographic arealarge geographic areaBETTER:BETTER: “Locke, Sacramento River Delta, “Locke, Sacramento River Delta, Sacramento Co., California” - names a town Sacramento Co., California” - names a town within the Deltawithin the Delta

• BAD:BAD: “3 mi W of San Jose/Cartago border” - “3 mi W of San Jose/Cartago border” - without additional details, this would mean without additional details, this would mean anywhere 3 mi W of the borderanywhere 3 mi W of the borderGOOD:GOOD: “3 mi W of San Jose/Cartago border on “3 mi W of San Jose/Cartago border on Highway 2, San Jose Province, Costa Rica”Highway 2, San Jose Province, Costa Rica”

Examples of Good and Examples of Good and Bad LocalitiesBad Localities

Names of Roads without additional Names of Roads without additional referencereference• BAD:BAD: “Highway 9, Alajuela Province, Costa “Highway 9, Alajuela Province, Costa

Rica” Rica” GOOD:GOOD: “Intersection of Hwy 9 and Rio “Intersection of Hwy 9 and Rio Cariblanco, Cariblanco (town), Alajuela Cariblanco, Cariblanco (town), Alajuela Province, Costa Rica” Province, Costa Rica”

• BAD:BAD: “S Berkeley, Alameda County, California” “S Berkeley, Alameda County, California”GOOD:GOOD: “Oakland,1 mi S of intersection of 66th “Oakland,1 mi S of intersection of 66th St and Telegraph Ave on Telegraph Ave., St and Telegraph Ave on Telegraph Ave., Alameda Co., California”Alameda Co., California”

Examples of Good and Examples of Good and Bad LocalitiesBad Localities

Localities that are difficult to Localities that are difficult to GeoreferenceGeoreference• BAD:BAD: “Battle Mountain, Lander Co., “Battle Mountain, Lander Co.,

Nevada”Nevada”BETTER:BETTER: “Battle Mountain (city), Lander “Battle Mountain (city), Lander Co., Nevada”Co., Nevada”

• BAD:BAD: “Km 58 Pan American Highway” “Km 58 Pan American Highway”GOOD:GOOD: “Km 58 Pan American Highway, 6 “Km 58 Pan American Highway, 6 km S of Cartago on Pan American Highway, km S of Cartago on Pan American Highway, Cartago Province, Costa Rica”Cartago Province, Costa Rica”

Vague

Requires specific knowledge

Non-sensical

Biologically unlikely

REAL LOCALITIES FROM MaNIS

Online ResourcesOnline Resources

Locality GuidelinesLocality Guidelineshttp://mvz.berkeley.edu/Policies.htmlhttp://mvz.berkeley.edu/Policies.html

http://mvz.berkeley.edu/Locality_Documentation.htmlhttp://mvz.berkeley.edu/Locality_Documentation.html

Online resources for Online resources for georeferencinggeoreferencinghttp://herpnet.org/Gazetteer/GeorefResources.htmhttp://herpnet.org/Gazetteer/GeorefResources.htm

Online resources for Online resources for georeferencinggeoreferencing

http://canadensys.net/digitization/georeferencing

http://canadensys.net/digitization/georeferencing

Google MapsGoogle Maps

http://http://maps.google.commaps.google.com Search & directionsSearch & directions

• Free text search, Free text search, zoom -dependentzoom -dependent

• Directions for travelling by car, bike, public transport Directions for travelling by car, bike, public transport and footand foot

• Data compiled from different sourcesData compiled from different sources MapsMaps

• Datum: WGS84Datum: WGS84• Views: map, satellite (= aerial photography), terrain, Views: map, satellite (= aerial photography), terrain,

Google Street View + various layers of informationGoogle Street View + various layers of information• Data compiled from different sources (indicated at the Data compiled from different sources (indicated at the

bottom of each map)bottom of each map) Third Party Plug-ins extend functionalityThird Party Plug-ins extend functionality

Search now with suggestionsSearch now with suggestions

Google Maps - Google Maps - SearchingSearching

MapsMaps SatelliteSatellite

Terrain (under ‘More’)Terrain (under ‘More’) Earth (plug-in required)Earth (plug-in required)

Google Maps - ViewingGoogle Maps - Viewing

Google Maps – Street ViewGoogle Maps – Street View

Street ViewStreet View

Google Maps – Street ViewGoogle Maps – Street View

I collected hereI collected here

Google Maps – Getting Google Maps – Getting coordinatescoordinates Requires additional widgets or plug-ins

• Activate LatLng MarkerLatLng Marker in Google Maps Labs• Install a mapplet like GPS LocationGPS Location or

Position FinderPosition Finder in ‘My Maps > Browse the directory’. Now deprecated!

• Use Canadensys LatLong CrosshairsLatLong Crosshairs bookmarklet: http://www.canadensys.net/georeferencing

Use Distance Measurement ToolDistance Measurement Tool to measure extent

Use My MapsMy Maps to save markers, create maps, share with others (including kml import)

Google Maps – Getting Google Maps – Getting coordinatescoordinates

Google Maps LabsGoogle Maps Labs

LatLng MarkerRight-click and‘Drop LatLng Marker’(activate in ‘Labs’ first)

LatLng MarkerRight-click and‘Drop LatLng Marker’(activate in ‘Labs’ first)

Canadensys bookmarkletClick to toggleCanadensys bookmarkletClick to toggle

CrosshairsPan map to change positionClick to get coordinates

CrosshairsPan map to change positionClick to get coordinates

Google Maps – Getting Google Maps – Getting coordinatescoordinates

Distance Measurement Tool(activate in ‘Labs’ first)Distance Measurement Tool(activate in ‘Labs’ first)

Google Maps – Measuring Google Maps – Measuring extentextent

http://http://earth.google.comearth.google.com 3D globe 3D globe desktopdesktop application application Same data as Google MapsSame data as Google Maps

• Datum: WGS84Datum: WGS84• No Map or Terrain viewNo Map or Terrain view

Similar functionalities as Google MapsSimilar functionalities as Google Maps• Search more limited than Google Maps (no Search more limited than Google Maps (no

suggestions)suggestions)• Right-click and choose ‘Get Info’ for coordinatesRight-click and choose ‘Get Info’ for coordinates• Use ruler to measure extentUse ruler to measure extent• Several coordinate formatsSeveral coordinate formats• Numerous information layers (format: kml)Numerous information layers (format: kml)

Google EarthGoogle Earth

http://http://mapper.acme.commapper.acme.com// Google Maps interfaceGoogle Maps interface

• Datum: WGS84 (& NAD27)Datum: WGS84 (& NAD27)• Map, satellite, hybrid and terrainMap, satellite, hybrid and terrain• Topo, DOQ, NEXRAD and MapnikTopo, DOQ, NEXRAD and Mapnik• Free text search Free text search not Zoom level-not Zoom level-

dependent dependent • Markers cannot be moved, but new markers Markers cannot be moved, but new markers

can be placed at crosshairs (click ‘Mark’)can be placed at crosshairs (click ‘Mark’)• Several coordinate formats for each marker + Several coordinate formats for each marker +

heading and distance from crosshairsheading and distance from crosshairs• Saves all markers automaticallySaves all markers automatically

AcmeMapperAcmeMapper

GEOnet Names Server (GNS)GEOnet Names Server (GNS) http://earth-http://earth-info.nga.mil/gns/htmlinfo.nga.mil/gns/html// Worldwide dataWorldwide data from NGA and from NGA and

US BGNUS BGN• NIMA = National Imagery andNIMA = National Imagery and

Mapping AgencyMapping Agency• Datum: WGS84Datum: WGS84• Degrees minutes seconds,Degrees minutes seconds,

precision to nearest minuteprecision to nearest minute• Feature typeFeature type• Used as a source for many gazetteersUsed as a source for many gazetteers

For For US dataUS data, use Geographic Names Information , use Geographic Names Information System (GNIS): System (GNIS): http://http://geonames.usgs.gov/pls/gnispublicgeonames.usgs.gov/pls/gnispublic//

Geographical Name Search Service Geographical Name Search Service (GNSS)(GNSS)

http://gnss.nrcan.gc.ca/gnss-srt/searchName.http://gnss.nrcan.gc.ca/gnss-srt/searchName.jspjsp

Canadian dataCanadian data by the Canadian by the CanadianGeographical Names ServiceGeographical Names Service(CGNS)(CGNS)• Datum: NAD83Datum: NAD83• Degrees minutes seconds andDegrees minutes seconds and

decimal degreesdecimal degrees• Feature typeFeature type

Full Canadian Geographical Names datasets Full Canadian Geographical Names datasets can be downloaded from GeoBase: can be downloaded from GeoBase: http://http://www.geobase.cawww.geobase.ca//

Falling RainFalling Rain http://http://www.fallingrain.comwww.fallingrain.com Worldwide gazetteer for Worldwide gazetteer for citiescities

and and townstowns Great for Great for hard to find localitieshard to find localities,,

especially outside USespecially outside US• Datum: WGS84Datum: WGS84• Degrees minutes (seconds), based on NIMADegrees minutes (seconds), based on NIMA• Browse to find locality (Browse to find locality (no searchno search))• Provides hierarchy, alternative names, topo maps, Provides hierarchy, alternative names, topo maps,

altitude, weather information and location of nearby altitude, weather information and location of nearby towns in nautical miles (nm). towns in nautical miles (nm). Tip: Use Google/Chromey to translate nm into km.Tip: Use Google/Chromey to translate nm into km.

Example: Qaryeh-ye Gol`alam, Velayat-e Lowgar, AFExample: Qaryeh-ye Gol`alam, Velayat-e Lowgar, AF You can also check against Statoids: You can also check against Statoids: http://http://

www.statoids.comwww.statoids.com//

Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names (TGN)(TGN)

http://www.getty.edu/research/conducting_research/http://www.getty.edu/research/conducting_research/vocabularies/tgn/vocabularies/tgn/

Worldwide gazetteer byWorldwide gazetteer byThe GettyThe Getty

Useful for finding Useful for finding alternativealternativeand and old namesold names• Feature typesFeature types• Geographical hierarchyGeographical hierarchy• Coordinates only to minutes (or not at all)!Coordinates only to minutes (or not at all)!

Use recent name and search in Google MapsUse recent name and search in Google Maps Example: Big Apple, inhabited place, United StatesExample: Big Apple, inhabited place, United States

FuzzyG – JRC Fuzzy GazetteerFuzzyG – JRC Fuzzy Gazetteer http://http://dma.jrc.it/services/fuzzygdma.jrc.it/services/fuzzyg// Worldwide gazetteer Worldwide gazetteer

designed for bad spelling!designed for bad spelling! Useful for finding Useful for finding alternative, alternative,

doubtful spelling,doubtful spelling, old namesold names• Feature typesFeature types• By continentBy continent• Coordinates only to minutes (or not at all)!Coordinates only to minutes (or not at all)!

Use recent name and search in Google MapsUse recent name and search in Google Maps Example: Narobi, AfricaExample: Narobi, Africa

GPS Visualizer: GPS Visualizer: http://http://www.gpsvisualizer.comwww.gpsvisualizer.com//• Use to translate a file with coordinates into kml or a Use to translate a file with coordinates into kml or a

picturepicture• Similar: Similar: http://http://www.simplemappr.netwww.simplemappr.net// for publications for publications

GeoLocate: http://www.museum.tulane.edu/geolocate/GeoLocate: http://www.museum.tulane.edu/geolocate/• Georeferencing desktop and web applicationGeoreferencing desktop and web application• Useful for roads and rivers (US only)Useful for roads and rivers (US only)

Statoids: http://www.statoids.com/Statoids: http://www.statoids.com/• Information about administrative divisions (provinces, Information about administrative divisions (provinces,

counties) and their history, area, population, codes, counties) and their history, area, population, codes, etc.etc.

• No coordinates!No coordinates!• Similar: CIA World Factbook http://bit.ly/dDtT1iSimilar: CIA World Factbook http://bit.ly/dDtT1i

See http://herpnet.org for more…See http://herpnet.org for more…

Other ResourcesOther Resources

BioGeomancer:Semi-automated

Georeferencing Engine

http://bg.berkeley.edu/latest/

Currently works on Firefox, Explorer,

not Chrome, Safari.

Developed by: John Wieczorek, Aaron Steele, Dave Neufeld, P. Bryan Heidorn, Robert Guralnick, Reed Beaman, Chris Frazier,

Paul Flemons, Nelson Rios, Greg Hill, Youjun Guo

37 Locality Types37 Locality Types

F – featureF – feature P – pathP – path FO – offset from a feature, sans headingFO – offset from a feature, sans heading FOH – offset from feature at a headingFOH – offset from feature at a heading FO+ – orthogonal offsets from a featureFO+ – orthogonal offsets from a feature FPOH – offset at a heading from a FPOH – offset at a heading from a feature along a pathfeature along a path

31 other locality types known so far31 other locality types known so far

Five Most Common Locality Types*Five Most Common Locality Types*

51.0% - feature51.0% - feature 21.4% - locality not recorded21.4% - locality not recorded 17.6% - offset from feature at a heading17.6% - offset from feature at a heading 8.6% - path8.6% - path 5.8% - undefined5.8% - undefined types of localities BG recognizestypes of localities BG recognizes*based on 500 records randomly selected from the 296k *based on 500 records randomly selected from the 296k records georeferenced manually in the MaNIS Project.records georeferenced manually in the MaNIS Project.

Types of Data BG Uses and Types of Data BG Uses and GeoreferencesGeoreferences

BG has >11 million entries in the gazetteerBG has >11 million entries in the gazetteer http://www.biogeomancer.org/http://www.biogeomancer.org/

metadata.htmlmetadata.html User created places = 112,000User created places = 112,000 1.5 million localities were georeferenced,1.5 million localities were georeferenced,

for 6.2 million georeferences (so on average for 6.2 million georeferences (so on average 4 georeferences per locality) 4 georeferences per locality)

Over 500 login users, 6,000 projects doneOver 500 login users, 6,000 projects done ORNIS did 189k localities in BG batch ORNIS did 189k localities in BG batch

processingprocessing

How BG works:How BG works:

Additional BG Commands:Additional BG Commands:

•Add: lets you add another georeference to the current view

•Hg: searches on higher geography only

•Create: lets you create a new locality (this only works if you are not logged in)

•Also you can display lat and longs by typing coordinates into the georeference box, with a space between them (no comma)

•http://bg.berkeley.edu/latest/

Batch Processing:Batch Processing:

https://sites.google.com/site/https://sites.google.com/site/biogeomancerworkbench/support/biogeomancerworkbench/support/

batch-formattingbatch-formatting

Georeferencing tool originally Georeferencing tool originally designed for aquatic natural history designed for aquatic natural history datadata

Calculates Uncertainty in same Calculates Uncertainty in same standardsstandards

Several Versions: standalone Several Versions: standalone desktop, web app, java client app (in desktop, web app, java client app (in development), web servicesdevelopment), web services

Online ExercisesOnline Exercises

Download exercise and all handouts Download exercise and all handouts here:here:

http://mvzgis.wordpress.com/http://mvzgis.wordpress.com/tutorials/shortgeorefws/tutorials/shortgeorefws/