Map Series

BLM Vegetation Plots

A set of 1,000 random points were generated within the AOI using the “Create Random Points” tool.

The points were used to generate buffer polygons with a diameter of 20 meters using the “Buffer” tool.

BLM lands were selected using the “Select by Attribute” tool utilizing the AGENCY field from the LandOwnership layer, creating a new layer of BLM land ownership.

The “Select by Location” tool was used to identify the random polygons that fell completely within BLM land, with those locations being further selected using the same tool so that only polygons within 500 meters of a roads with speed limits under 35mph. A new layer was created for the BLM plots.

The “Subset Features” tool was used to narrow down the selected polygons to a total of 50 and was saved as rand_blm_50_plots.shp.

The rand_blm_50_plots layer was symbolized using a hollow symbol with a 3pt Peony Pink outline in order for the plot to show up well but be able to view the vegetation within the plot from the imagery layer.

The road_aoi layer was symbolized using a gray 10% 2pt line and labels were enabled and set to gray 10% with a black halo, using river placement and offset curved.

Inserted a new Layout and added the map frame. Created a Map Series centered with a constant scale of 1:1,000 using the rand_blm_50_plots layer to define and generate the series. Inserted another map frame as a locator map with an extent of 1:15,000 and linked to the map frame center from the first map frame added.

Titled the map series as BLM Vegetation Data Plot FID# <dyn text> using dynamic text to add the FID number from the rand_blm_50_plots layer so that each title clearly stated which plot was noted on the printout.

Used dynamic text to add the center coordinates for each map in the series so that that location may be found more quickly and easily using GPS.

Used dynamic text to add the date the map was exported so that the field worker would know the age of the map.

Set the two scale bars in meters as the instructions from the BLM were to create plots 20m in diameter and within 500m of a road, so wanted to keep consistency.

Overall the map was designed to be clear, concise, and easy to print. I printed one of the map series pages in black and white and all areas were still discernable.

To download a high resolution image, click here.