I am trying to generate map to indicate species distribution of a wildlife sanctuary. The sharp boundary of this area is not visible on Google map but vegetation cover and longitude and latitude is visible. From where can I get or create map of this area to locate my collection site for my manuscript? Few representative maps of other locations are attached with this question. From where can I get or create such images?
Dear Rahul
You can use QGIS which is free, use xyz tiles, active the srtm and google satellite images. Then use layout option to make a publish-quality layouts.
Good luck,
Hormoz
Well I am no expert but you can try QGIS (Free Version) or ArcGIS (Paid). Both of these produce very good image outputs.
QGIS : https://qgis.org/en/site/
ArcGIS: https://www.arcgis.com/index.html
Rahul Kumar You really need to closely read the 'pre-press' guidelines for the journal you intend on publishing in. Some examples: Elsevier is here: "AUTHOR ART WORK INSTRUCTIONS Version 1.2, July 2012" at https://www.elsevier.com/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/56704/Artwork.pdf or see "A handbook FOR AUTHORS: preparing your manuscript for oxford university press" https://global.oup.com/academic/pdf/authors/authors-handbook.pdf?cc=gb&lang=en ( See Art And Illustration Submission ( page 18 ), and the section Maps, Maps You Create ( page 28 ).) - ... is all, some, or none of this familiar to you? Every respectable journal / publisher has some sort of similar instructions ( except for 'junk' journals.
Are you a user ( new, occasional, experienced ) of a GIS like QGIS / ArcMap, and also graphic programs like GIMP/Photoshop or InkScape/Illustrator? Deviram comment, that 'these produce very good image outputs' is not totally true - it depends on the inputs and the user's skill level, the program defaults are not sufficient. For example if you use color, and your paper is published in grayscale, your maps may be just noisy mud in the final product. ( What operating system are you using, i.e. Windows, apple, Linux, etc.? ).
What are the extents of your Area of Interest ( max/min latitude and longitude ) for both the main map and a location map? Maybe an inset?
I'm happy to help you if you can fill in some of the details above.
Please, visit map of live site (mol.org) to prepare species distribution map.
If your AOI is an administrative boundary, you may find vector (.shp) files of the area by a simple Google search or from the website of the relevanet data agency. If you are using a custom AOI, you may create a new shape file by digitizing the boundary. You can use geo-referenced map/image or a base map to help with this. Afterwards, you can customize your map (zoom-in to the area, change the width of boundary, etc.) and design it on a GIS platform such as ArcGIS or QGIS.
I am not sure but hopefully, it will be helpful.
1. Download your desired AOI elevation data from ETOPO1 https://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/mgg/global/
2. Subset your Area of Interest (AOI).
3. Prepare a river shapefile for your study area. (you may also download it from the internet but it covers only the big river/waterbodies).
4. Input all your desired data shapefiles.
5. Chose a better color for various shapefile for differentiating each characteristic (use symbology option).
6. In layout mode, prepare 2 maps. One for the index map and the other for representing your data.
7. Incorporate all required information like lat-long, North arrow, legend, etc.
8. If everything will be fine then export the map with a minimum of 300 dpi.
Thank you. Best of luck.
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