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This issue of GeoMatters is devoted What is ? to the growing field of geovisualization. Brian McGregor uses geovisualiztion to by Joni Storie produce animated showing settle- ment patterns of Hutterite colonies. Dr. Marc Vachon’s students use it to produce From a , dynamic presentation options to com- videos about urban (City geovisualization represents a change in municate knowledge. For example, at- Hall and Assiniboine Park), while Dr. how knowledge is formed and repre- lases require extra planning compared Chris Storie shows geovisualiztion for sented. Traditional cartography is usu- to individual maps, structurally they retail mapping in Winnipeg. Also in this issue Honours students describe their ally seen a visualization (a.k.a. ) could include hundreds of maps, and thesis projects for the upcoming collo- that is presented after the conclusion all the maps relate to each . Dr. quium next March, Adrienne Ducharme is reached to emphasize or compliment Danny Blair and Dr. Ian Mauro, in the tells us about her graduate at the research conclusions. Geovisual- Department of , provide an ELA, we have a report about Cultivate ization changes this format by incor- excellent example of this integration UWinnipeg and our alumni profile fea- porating spatial into the analysis with the Prairie (http:// tures Michelle Méthot (Smith). (O’Sullivan and Unwin, 2010). Spatial www.climateatlas.ca/). The combina- Please feel free to pass this newsletter data, and analysis are used to tion of maps with multimedia provides to anyone with an interest in geography. answer questions which contribute to for better understanding as well as en- Individuals can also see GeoMatters at the Geography website, or keep up with the conclusion that is reached within riched and informative experiences of us on Facebook (Department of Geog- the research. In this manner, Geovisual- the mapped phenomena, the raphy, University of Winnipeg) or on ization integrates approaches, includes and its people. Twitter (@UWGeography). methods and tools for visual explora- If you have any suggestions for future tion, analysis, synthesis and presenta- newsletter articles, please feel free to tion of geospatial data (MacKay, 1995); References contact us at: [email protected] develop problem solutions and con- struct knowledge (Krackhardt, 1996); Lorensen, B. 2004. Panel statement: On the Editors: Joni Storie & Weldon Hiebert death of visualization: Can it survive with- transforms data in a search for patterns out customers. In NIH/NSF Fall 2004 Work- and relationships (MacEachren, 2001); shop on Visualization Research Challenges, and facilitate thinking, understanding http://visual.nlm.nih.gov. and knowledge about Krackhardt, D. 1996. Social networks and the of Contents geospatial data (Lorensen, 2004). liability of newness for managers. Trends in There is more to geovisualization Organizational Behavior 3: 159–173. Animated Map Sequences...... 2 than the advancement of cartographic MacEachren, A. M. 2001. An evolving cog- Cultivate UWinnipeg...... 2 knowledge generation. Because of dig- nitive-semiotic approach to geographic Undergraduate Thesis Students...... 3 ital and computerization of mapping visualization and knowledge construction. Information Journal 10: 26–36. Graduate Research Profile...... 4 in geography, news ways of visualiz- Mackay, W. E. 1995. Ethics, lies and video- Alumni Profile...... 4 ing and using spatial information is be- tape. In SIGCHI conference on Human fac- Retail Mapping for Winnipeg...... 5 ing developed. allows for tors in computing systems. pp. 138–145. , Urban Geovisualization...... 5 three-dimensional and animated pre- New York, NY: Addison-Wesley/ACM Press. sentations, quick and well distributed O’Sullivan, D., and D. Unwin.2014. Geo- Haidi Gwaii...... 6 Electronic , and the incorpora- graphic information analysis. Hoboken, NJ: tion of multimedia into otherwise stat- John Wiley & Sons. (2014). ic maps and/or geographic representa- tions. Many of the questions today are how to effectively use and deliver these http://geography.uwinnipeg.ca

1 Animated Map Sequences: Revealing Cultivate UWinnipeg Changes in Spatial Patterns Over Time by Jeremy Leathers by Brian McGregor Cultivate UWinnipeg started out as an initiative to address food security at the An important function of maps is grees of generalization when - University of Winnipeg campus. There weren’t many places to buy fresh produce to make things visible by representing izing spatial relationships at a smaller in the area, understanding that an outlet spatial relationships at a we can scale on a map, temporal changes can was needed for affordable, locally grown see. For example, we can’t stand out- be represented with different degrees produce. The initiative grew into a patio side and see where the cities of of generalization. For example, a sec- garden that was for students by students. America are in relation to one another ond can be used to represent a day, a Organic, non-GMO produce would now but a map can let us see their spatial week, a month or a year etc. be available to the campus public, while relationships by portraying them at Over the years I have created a also raising awareness about food security a much smaller scale. However, map- number of animated map sequences to issues on campus. ping not only extends our vision in help researchers understand changes Students, Hailey Robichaud, Matthew Nguyen, and Daniel LeBlanc, collaborated terms of scale. Even if we could make in spatial patterns over time. One proj- and received the 2015/2016 GESA Eco- a trip up to the International Sta- ect, with Dr. Tony Kuz, looked at differ- Grant to begin the project. What was only tion every time we wanted to see cloud ential change in house prices over time an idea and sketches turned into a reality. cover, instead of looking at a map of it across Winnipeg’s neighbourhoods. Even the campus cafeteria approached the such as a , we can never Another, with Dr. Jerry Buckland, ex- project to be involved! directly see average cloud cover. Maps amined the retreat of banks from Inner- During the late winter 2015/2016, can make patterns, such as the pattern city Winnipeg and how that void was seeding began in the greenhouse, and life of average cloud cover, visible by rep- filled by payday lenders. emerged! Garden beds were set up, and resenting temporal (time) relationships Include here are three examples seeding and transplanting began taking place. The once bare, and unused patios at another scale. Conventionally this of animated maps created in collabo- began to bloom with life, making an invit- has been done by compressing a period ration with Dr. John Lehr, a Histori- ing space. of time down to a point in time. For cal . One of his areas of Although it has only been the first year, example, we can create a map showing expertise is the settlement of Western the project has shown tremendous prog- European settlement that took place Canada. The first shows settlement ress. The group members hope to attract on the Canadian prairies between 1890 by ethnic group in -eastern more student interest in the fall, and cre- and 1900. Manitoba from 1870 to 1946 (SE_MB_ ate more ways for students to be involved. With the advent of modern com- Settlement_1870to1946_1sec.wmv). The project has recently been teaming up puter hardware and software it be- The second shows Hutterite settle- with the UWSA to continue the proj- ect into the coming years, promote the came practical to create animated map ment in from 1874 to garden, and spread awareness of food sequences. For example, to study the 2003 (Hutterite_1874to2003_5yr_2sec. security issues. progress of European settlement on wmv). This map would not have been Students who would like to get involved the Canadian prairies we can change possible without the work of Weldon in the project can email us at CUWinni- the scale of time so each year is repre- Hiebert in determining the location of [email protected] sented by one second. In the same way present day colonies. The final animat- We also have a facebook page at that small distances between the sym- ed map shows the spread of European https://www.facebook.com/CUWinnipeg/ bols on the map are used to represent agricultural settlement across the- Ca larger distances, we can use small units nadian prairies from 1871 to 1920 using of time to represent longer time peri- schools as a surrogate(Ag_Settlement_ ods. Just as we can use different -de Cdn_Prairies_1871to1920_1sec.wmv).

GESA Beer Festival

GESA will host their 4th Annual Beer Festival Fund- faiser on November 17, 2016 from 8-10 pm. at Gar- bonzo’s University of Winnipeg AnX. For $20 you get a slice of beer and unlimited samples of beers from local brewers and distributors. Tickets are available from GESA executive members, Tania (5L02) or at Matthew Nguyen proudly displaying the the door. Proceeds from this fundraiser support cam- fruits of Cultivate UWinnipeg’s labour. pus eco-projects. (Photo courtesy of M. Nguyen)

2 2016-2017 Geography Undergraduate Thesis Students

The Geography Students Colloquium will take place on Friday, March 31, 2017 at the University Club (4th floor Wesley Hall) from 1:00-4:00 pm. The following students will be making presentations:

Stephanie Higgins Nadine Kanik

Thesis Title: Seasonal patterns of phos- Thesis Title: Carbon (δ¹³C) and nitrogen phorus in agricultural streams in south- (δ¹⁵N) bulk organic isotope analysis of western Manitoba the 9000-year sediment record from Ce- note Jennifer, Cayo Coco Cuba Advisor: Dr. Nora CAsson Advisor: Dr. Bill Buhay Summary: Phosphorus (P) is a limiting nutrient in freshwater and Summary: Lacustrine and marine sedi- fuels eutrophication in lakes. Anthropogenic disturbances to the ments contain environmental proxies that provide valuable records such as wetland drainage enhance nutrient loading to of ancient anthropogenic activities, storm impacts, and Holocene lakes. An understanding of phosphorus loading dynamics allows level, climate, and vegetation changes. The δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N iso- for informed practices in the future. The goal of this study is to in- tope analysis of bulk organics from a 300cm sediment core extract- vestigate drivers of P loading to agricultural streams in southwest- ed from Cenote Jennifer, a 13m deep flooded sinkhole, facilitated ern Manitoba. There is a consistent seasonal pattern in total P, with reconstruction of the core’s 9000yr history. Data gaps for the Carib- peaks in both the spring and summer. However, it is unlikely that bean hinder small island fate adaptation/planning, in response to the same hydrological mechanisms operate in both seasons. Future climate and anthropogenic changes, making paleoenvironmental research will explore hydrological and biological mechanisms un- information from this Cuban site vital. derlying these patterns.

Jeremy Leathers Jordan Poitras

Thesis Title: Effect of freeze thaw cycles Title: Martian Analogue Mineral Stabil- on the release of phosphorus from ripar- ity ian vegetation Advisor: Dr. Ed Cloutis Advisor: Dr. Nora Casson Summary: What’s the difference be- Summary: Freeze/thaw cycles have been tween gypsum here on and gyp- implicated in the release of phosphorus sum on Mars? There is no real answer or from soils and cover crops, but little is known about their effect punch line, this is just one question my Honours thesis on Martian on phosphorus release from riparian vegetation. The goal of my mineral stability will help answer. We have never been to Mars, project is to determine if freeze/thaw cycles cause cattails to release so the spectroscopic fingerprint of earth minerals is matched to a significant amount of phosphorus. Cattail samples will be taken data we receive from and rovers sent from Mars. Using from wetland areas around Winnipeg. In the lab each sample will an environment chamber I subject 28 carefully selected analogue be broken into three subsamples. The first will be a control, the sec- minerals to a simulated Martian surface environment for 133 days. ond will be frozen dry and the third will be frozen in water. Each Because minerals form in particular environments, the results will sample will then be analyzed to determine the amount of phos- help to identify Martian observations which will inform future ex- phorus that was released. This project is part of a network of un- ploration. dergraduate projects across North America, and so the results will be pooled to assess the importance of this process across a of sites.

Continued on page 5

3 Graduate Research Profile Alumni Profile: The effect of and hydrol- Michelle Méthot (Smith) ogy on DOC export to streams at the by Michell Méthot (Smith) 2003-2004 BSc in Geography Experimental Lakes Area in northwest- ern Ontario It was my love of the outdoors and appreciation of the by Adrienne Ducharme Prairie landscape that drew me to the Department of Ge- ography 17 years ago. At the time I took an initial suite of Geography courses more for interest sake, but as the courses Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) is an important control progressed I found myself gravitating towards GIS and Re- on the functioning of aquatic ecosystems as it influences mote Sensing and sought to make a career of it. Upon grad- many parameters, including light penetration, temperature, uation I gained employment with the Province of Manitoba, microbial respiration, pH and mobility of metals. DOC in- Department of Sustainable Development Branch. creases in aquatic systems have been widely observed in Armed with a handheld , air photo and Duksbak lakes and streams in recent years in the northern hemisphere waterproof I spent a summer in Manitoba’s coniferous but the mechanisms for this increase are not entirely well forests conducting silviculture surveys. understood. One hypothesis is that climate-driven changes With winter fast approaching, my term with Forestry in result in changes in terrestrial DOC export to Branch was nearing an end. In fall of 2003 I accepted a po- lakes. More recent work suggests that watershed-specific sition with Manitoba Centre within the hydrological and topographic characteristics, (e.g., the pro- Department of Sustainable Development. Drawing on my portion of wetlands in a catchment), play an important role experience from Forestry Branch and pulling out knowl- in controlling DOC export from forested catchments. Quan- edge gained from my University of Winnipeg coursework tifying DOC export during storm events with varying de- in Remote Sensing, Aerial and GIS, I spent the grees of wetland coverage is paramount for explaining the next three years working on the Earth Observation for Sus- mechanisms underlying these changing patterns of DOC in tainable Development of Forests (EOSD) landcover dataset streams and lakes. utilizing 30 metre resolution Landsat 7 imagery. This research will examine how variability in hydrologi- Once again with a term position coming to an end, in cal flowpaths, resulting either from catchment topography 2007 I was hired as a GIS Technologist and most recently (e.g., different proportions of wetland coverage) orhy- Development Review Specialist for Water Management and drological conditions (e.g., storm events, spring melt, and Structures within the Department Manitoba Infrastructure. baseflow conditions) influence catchment DOC export to While in these roles I play an active role in GIS support to streams. the Department, especially during flood fighting efforts. I am taking two approaches to address this research objec- Outside of times of flood, my job duties entail assessing de- tive. First, I am using long-term stream discharge and chem- velopment for flood hazard, and bank instability. istry records from the Experimental Lakes Area in north- Since graduating over 13 years ago I have noticed a defi- western Ontario to determine the variability in baseflow nite growth in the GIS vs. stormflow contributions of DOC from three catchments community. Although it with varying proportions of wetland coverage. Second, I am is still a relatively small collecting water samples from the same catchments at a sub- community, I am amazed daily during storm events to evaluate how these and encouraged at the storm events affect estimates of DOC loading to lakes. number of graduates from the University of Winnipeg, Department of Geography. When my career path crosses with these students, gradu- ates, faculty members I feel a great sense of pride with being an alumni member.

4 Retail Mapping of Winnipeg by Christopher Storie

Visualizing commercial structure may seem redun- By visualizing the entire system, patterns emerge, and dant as the average person knows where to shop, however, new questions can be asked. One of the most effective ways through visualization we are able to better see the overall is to visualize the data and to aggregate that data into group- system as a series of independent commercial zones con- ings of 5 or more stores. The included map (next page)) il- nected via the urban transportation system. By looking at lustrates commercial zones which contain at least 5 stores the overall system we can better understand: per polygon. The resulting pattern demonstrate the signifi- 1) How these commercial zones interact with one anoth- cance that major and arterial developments have on er - Do people looking for a restaurant in Osborne Village our commercial system – moreover this linear pattern also wander over to Corydon?; demonstrates how car dominate we are in Winnipeg. Ad- 2) How commercial zones grow over time and what im- ditionally we are clearly able to see larger neighborhood plications will that have - The presence of Ikea on Stirling developments (Corydon, Osborne, St. Boniface), the domi- Lyon has promoted the development of other neighboring nance of the downtown, the size of the Polo Park/Century parcels of land; areas and the length of the developments along Pembina 3) Will the continued expansion of major areas have an Highway south. Finally the underlying thematic informa- adverse impacts of minor areas? - Will the continued growth tion illustrates the average family income for Winnipeg (ap- of Polo Park and its surrounding retail developments cause proximately $75 000/family) in relation to the commercial an area like Grant Park Mall to stagnate because of proxim- structure. We can see how many of the larger developments ity?; and most importantly, appear to be within neighborhoods with less than the aver- 4) What will the emergence of new areas (Sage Creek) or age income but neighborhoods with more than the the revitalization of older areas (Exchange District) have on average income, thus providing services to a wealthier mar- the overall system. ket.

2016-2017 Geography Undergraduate Thesis Students Urban Geovisualization

Continued from page 3 by Marc Vachon

Heather Reeves Over the past three years, students have been producing 10 minute videos exploring the integration of architecture within city planning or a critical overview of urban land use within Title: Augmented Reality and Place GEOG-4403 (Urban Land Use Development Processes) & GEOG-4409 (Architecture and City Planning). The city is a visual Advisor: Dr. Marc Vachon landscape, and more often than not, we take it for granted in our daily life. The production of detailed short-films pertaining to Summary: The geography of gaming has the cityscape permits a better understanding of what works (or changed drastically in the past 20 years. what does not work) in urban planning and architecture. Where a user was once confined to using A library of over 20 short-films, covering many cities (Winni- games such as massively multiplayer on- peg, Kenora, Vancouver, etc.), has been collected over the years. These short-films have become instrumental in teaching various line role playing games (MMORPGs) in his or her own home, teth- 2nd year urban courses and have been enthusiastically appreci- ered by technological limitations, this is no longer the case. With ated by the students. These short-films illustrate the power of the advancement in mobile gaming technology, the user has been geovisualization as a critical tool to understand urban issues and freed from the confines of buildings. While augmented reality (AR) potential solutions. They also demonstrate the possibilities for applications have, no doubt, played a role in the recent surge of students to further their urban studies through urban geovisual- people that could be seen this past summer congregating in public ization. , what effect are they having on the way people utilize and I invite you to view a sample of two short-films on YouTube. perceive the spaces that they are in? Does urban exploration while The first one is about Winnipeg City Hall https://www.youtube. using AR applications help improve one’s knowledge and recollec- com/watch?v=7lXOjmI3KP8 and the 2nd one is about Assini- boine Park https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iK0PEJRJ0o tion of the spaces they move through and does this, in turn, help the user generate a better mental map?

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