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Maps



    Mapping data collected from various sites is important in order to document the location where data is taken. This way, we can return to the exact site for follow-up at a later date. This also allows us to plot our data sites on a map and monitor how each area is influenced by others around it.

A map of the major trails in Centennial Woods and the major waterways. Also marked are testing sites for water quality and the sites of forest type field research.	A map highlighting the three major forest types surveyed during our field research in Centennial Woods. Green indicates middle-aged, mixed growth forest. Yellow is old pine forests that form the heart of the forest. The blue region is a narrow band of young, deciduous growth that is slowly expanding the borders of the forest.

GPS is a valuable tool in the field. It allows us to know within 5 meters exactly where we are in the field, which is critical to choosing where to take measurements. It also marks these points so that we can return later to take new data, allowing us to make accurate judgments of a single site over time. With such accurate positioning, anyone could in theory visit our test sites and take measurements of their own; to confirm, refute, or supplement our conclusions .
GPS also serves the practical purpose of mapping the landscape. If we have accurate topographical maps or aerial photography, the GPS pinpoints our location on paper. This is extremely helpful in navigating through difficult terrain and keeping track of the trial. All in all, the development and improving accuracy of GPS is critical to accurately conducting field research.