Week 1: Spatial Thinking

Map 1: Distribution of the Delta Smelt

Source:

This map is from the UC Davis Information Center for the Environment.
Distribution maps of fish found at:
http://ice.ucdavis.edu/aquadiv/fishcovs/fishmaps.html
Specific map found at:http://ice.ucdavis.edu/aquadiv/fishcovs/dsm.gif

Description:

This thematic map shows the distribution of the delta smelt, a native fish to California that is currently endangered.

The different shades of blue represent that different confidence levels that the area is in the fish's range, denoted by "probable" and "possible".
Present, not historical, range for the species is shown on the map.

Discussion:

This map is very relevant to biogeographers because determining an endangered species' habitat is a critical step in determining which areas need to be protected, which is often a deciding factor in whether the species will go extinct.

This map shows that the fish's range is relatively small, even if the fish actually is distributed through the "possible" area. This map would be important in assessing the consequence that adding a new dam would have on the fish, because if the fish's habitat is destroyed it is likely the fish will go extinct. This map then would be useful in land use planning.

Map 2: Eight Maps

Source:

This map is from http://www.eightmaps.com.

It is a mash-up of Google Maps and information on donors who supported Proposition 8.

The information about who and what amount was donated was obtained from the government website of California Secretary of State Debra Bowen. The website for this information is: http://cal-access.ss.ca.gov/Campaign/Measures/Detail.aspx?id=1302602&session=2007.

Description:

This is an dynamic map which allows the user to see on a variety of scales the locations of the people who donated to help pass Proposition 8. The red flags indicate the address that a donation was made from, and clicking the red flag gives information on the donor's name, occupation, and the amount and date of their donation.

The caption on the website says, "Proposition 8 changed the California state constitution to prohibit same-sex marriage. These are the people who donated in order to pass it."

Discussion:

This map has a lot of power, because the information on it is a sensitive topic. Proposition 8 passed in November 2008, banning same sex marriage in the state of California. This effects a relatively large group of people in California, and if those people decide to lash out against those that contributed to the proposition passing, they have the people's names and locations laid out for them on a map.

This makes it easier for those angry at the donors to find them and potentially do harm, so putting this information on a map gives it more user accessibility, and therefore more power. By mashing together Google maps and the donor information, people can see who in their own region, neighborhood, and even street donated in favor of a controversial proposition.

Map 3: Historic Earthquakes in Southern California

Source:

This map is from http://www.data.scec.org/clickmap.html.

This is the Southern California Earthquake Data Center website, which aims to provide easily-accessible, organized earthquake data.

Description:

This is a thematic map that shows earthquakes of magnitude 4.5 or greater in southern California. Because it is a historic map, it shows the epicenters of historic earthquakes back to 1812.

Major highways and faults are also shown on the map. The size and color of the dot on the epicenter shows the magnitude of the quake that occurred in that location.

Discussion:

This map is useful because plotting the locations of major earthquakes over a map of southern California allows us to see where previous earthquakes have concentrated, which gives us some insight into where earthquakes will likely occur in the future.

It gives us the ability to spatially analyze where earthquakes cluster, which typically is near faults. This helps us to better understand fault boundaries and can influence legislation, such as building codes.