Maps

Map Overview

     Maps play an important role in all types of sciences, especially environmental science. The maps allow for scientist to view data and make educated observations based on the map. There are four elements that are common place among maps: a compass, a legend, a scale, and a title. The following are four maps are important for environmental scientist.

Isopleth Map

     An isopleth map uses lines or colors to show the distribution of something across an area. Most commonly they are used to indicate the temperature or rainfall rang across a region. The distance between two lines on the map indicates a gradual change. They are very simple maps and super effective when used properly.

Chloropleth Map

     A chloropleth map uses shades of colors to indicate something across a specified region. They are most commonly used to mark political districts. The difference in a chloropleth map and an isopleth map is that a whole region is bound by a certain data. Such as a map of the United States after a presidential election that shows which candidate won which state.

Dot Density Map
     A dot density map uses a dot to represent a value and then plotting it onto a region to show most commonly the distribution of something. They are very simple to read and understand because the more closely the dots are placed next to each other the higher the concentration of that source in that area. They have been used to show the population concentration in the United States as seen below.

Proportional Map

     A proportional symbol map is where a symbol is chosen and then altered based on the value of the data it is representing. This type of map is similar to dot density map and is often used to represent the population of cities across the United States.

Check out the following Hurricane Isaac below:

NOAA: Click HERE

YouTube: Click HERE