Teacher Resource Centre

Understanding Geographic Information Systems (GIS) - Land Use Mapping of Point Pelee National Park

Objectives:
The students will synthesize a map of natural areas of Point Pelee with a map of human land use of Point Pelee to create a completely new map. This will simulate a GIS overlay of two maps to produce a combined product.

Curriculum Connections:
For a complete list of curriculum connections, please go to the Teacher Resource Centre website at www.pc.gc.ca/education .

Resources:

• natural vegetation map of Point Pelee National Park
• land use map of Point Pelee National Park
• completed map of natural vegetation and land use in Point Pelee National Park
• onion paper

Introductory Activity:
Briefly introduce the concept of GIS and its many applications in geography.

Development Strategies:
Supply each student with both the land use and natural vegetation maps of Point Pelee National Park. Place the onion paper over each map and in pencil, lightly trace relevant information to the master. With a thin black marker, outline the relevant information to produce the final map. Ensure that students remember to follow the proper cartographic conventions.

Concluding Activity:
As a class, discuss the benefits of GIS(computer) versus the manual method of map making used in this assignment. Discuss cost, time, reproduction, reliability etc. What would they have done?

Method of Evaluation:
Collect their maps and evaluate them based on your rubric.

© Point Pelee National Park of Canada

© Point Pelee National Park of Canada

© Point Pelee National Park of Canada