distribution maps

[Stuart G. Poss]

Peter,

We have investigated a number of different approaches to this problem.
One package we have tried has been to use Autocad in conjunction with
DXF files derived from digital data provided by the CIA.  One
disadvantage is that Autocad is a very expensive package, of which 99%
is directed to industrial/architectural engineering.  Although it has
its own internal Lisp-like scripting language to do almost any
conceivable computer-based vector graphics, this requires a considerable
investment in time to use effectively.  I have been generating many
scorpionfish distributions in orthographic projection to help me keep
track of existing materials and their provenance.  The newer versions
run under Windows.

For use in conjunction with web we have found GMT (Generic Mapping Tool)
to be especially effective to map the distribution of various fish
species (eg. see http://www.ims.usm.edu/~musweb/hipzomap.htm and others
on the site).  GMT runs under Linux can be obtained at no cost (as can
the OS, which is one of the reasons we found this combination
particularly attractive) at the GMT homepage:
http://www.soest.hawaii.edu/gmt/.  You will need a compiler (which can
be also obtained free of charge from GNU) since the freely provided
source code is freely available.  This is a very painless process that
only takes a few minutes.  It is excellent at handling vector graphics.

More recently we have become interested in utilizing more integrated GIS
packages.  ArcView, a relatively inexpensive windows based package will
makes it quite easy to integrate database file data and GIS-related
graphics and build maps.  It is very widely used and can be employed for
mapping marine species.  There are a number of similar packages, but I
have not used them personally.  ArcView GIS is produced by ERSI, out of
Redlands, California, which also produces a very high end product
ArcInfo that allows far more analytic analysis of geographical data.
The latter  also comes with a very high end price.  One can get some of
this functionality through various extensions of ArcView (Spatial
Analyst, etc).  If you simply want to create dot distribution maps, or
simple anlaytic queries you will not need these.  However, more
complicated spatial analytic functions relating various graphic objects
will require you to either add these packages or move up to ArcInfo.

A GIS package that we have employed from time to time is IDRSI developed
by Clark University Graduate School of Geography.  It is written in
Pascal and runs under Windows and is available at a modest cost.  It has
been widely used in coastal studies.

Another complex package with extensive capabilities is ENVI produced by
Research Systems Inc. in Boulder, Colorado.  It is written entirely in
their IDL (Interactive Data Language) scientific visualization product
(which you don't actually have to purchase to run ENVI).  This product
is widely used in oceanographic circles and can run on many platforms
including Linux and Windows.  We are currently using this package to
investigate the potential of incorporating its hyperspectral scanning
analytic functions that will allow information from multispectral remote
sensing scanners to be associated and utilzied in the analysis of
distributions (ie, associations with specific signatures of
photosynthetic pigments of various algae, sea surface temperatures,
dredge spoils, etc).  It also permits one to create automated series of
images that can essentially generate a "movie" of a changing scene
(distribution).  Like ArcInfo it comes with a hefty price and would be
overkill if all you want to do is plot point distributions.

An alternative would be to download GRASS, another complex GIS packaged
developed by the US Army Corp of Engineers and freely available over the
internet.  It can be obtained at: http://www.cecer.army.mil/grass/  It
doen't runs on a Windows platform, but a commercial version GRASSLAND,
can be obtained (see cited website).  However, GRASS does run on Linux
(OS free + GIS free makes a nice combination).  I have not used it
myself, although a colleage nearby is doing some excellent work on
fishes within the lower reaches of the Mississippi River with this
package.  There are other impressive demonstrations of this package
available via the website given.

I would be interested to learn of other packages being used by the
taxonomic community and their experience.  Perhaps you can summarize
some of the responses you receive.

Stuart



Peter Schuchert wrote:
>
> can anyone recommend software (database programs) to generate
> distribution maps for marine animals?
> I saw Linneus 2 from ETI, but don't know how it is
> available.
>
> cheers,
> Peter

--
_____________________________________________________________________
Stuart G. Poss                       E-mail: sgposs at seahorse.ims.usm.edu
Senior Research Scientist & Curator  Tel: (228)872-4238
Gulf Coast Research Laboratory       FAX: (228)872-4204
P.O. Box 7000
Ocean Springs, MS  39566-7000