Data Analysis and Results

 

From data collected in the field and obtained from Ashe County and the web, I generated a base map seen here. ArcView generated the TIN file from elevation data, and the stands theme represents the property boundary and the different tree stands identified. The streams theme represents two permanent creeks that run through the property.

 

Slope Analysis

Purpose: For both deer feeding plots and bird baths, it is important that they are placed in a relatively flat area. For the deer, it is important that they can gather and eat somewhere besides the slopes of a steep bank. In establishing bird baths, a flat area will collect and hold rain water.

Analyzing in ArcView: Using the Spatial Analyst, ArcView can produce a grid (seen at left) that displays the slope based on elevation. With the Map Query function, ArcView can also highlight areas of the lowest slope (shown in purple)

 

Finding Placement for the Feeding Plots

Using a simple query on the stands theme, the tree stands containing mast-producing trees are highlighted in green, and the open areas are shaded orange. The same areas of low slope from the slope analysis are in purple.

To chose which areas would be the best for the feed plots, I used the Geoprocessing Wizard to find the low slope areas contained within the open areas and then selected the larger areas (highlighted in blue). The beige points within the blue sections are the proposed sights for feeding plots.

 

Placement for Bird Baths

This analysis was similar to finding the placement for the feed plots. Areas with mixed pine and hardwood forests are highlighted (using the same query function on the stands theme), and the areas of low slope from the slope analysis are in purple.
As with the feeding plots analysis, I used the Geoprocessing Wizard to clip the low slope theme with the mixed pine and hardwood stands to show which areas within the appropriate forest type have a low enough slope to hold water (results shown in blue). Within the blue areas, the green points represent the proposed sights for the bird baths.

 

Establishing Wildlife Viewpoints

After determining the placement for the feed plots (green triangles) and birdbaths (blue circles), I also wanted to find the best place to view the wildlife. Using the line of sight function in ArcView, I found points on the terrain from which a person could watch deer feeding or birds bathing. The wildlife viewpoints are shown as red flags, and the line of sight is highlighted with a yellow line. For a point of reference, a cabin on the property is shown with a large green circle.