AIM Mapping System

The AIM Mapping System is being designed to be a flexible system for use with any pre-defined variable (mostly aquatic invertebrate species) to quickly create an any number of high quality maps at a wide range of scales, with significant user-controlled options. The maps themselves are interactive to provide more details for the selected location or about the samples from that location, or to allow additional options. The system is being developed and tested for Potamopyrgus antipodarum, the New Zealand mudsnail, but additional variables will be added after initial testing. Once a new variable is added, maintenance is limited to maintaining the data files. All maps are based on the latest version of the data.

Area of Coverage

The mapping system covers the entire USA, but entry is generally limited to the Western States or Greater Montana Area because of the limits of the specific data. Standard maps are available for all 50 states and all HUC units (Regions to cataloging units) in the 48 conterminous states, as well as a number of other pre-defined areas. Custom maps can cover any area with a radius between 1 and 999 km.

Mapping Options

The systems starts with a link that defines the variable of interest and possibly also the map area of interest. The variable name appears on the mapping options page and on all significant output pages. There are 5 mapping options.
  1. The time frame in whole years, inclusive. Data collected outside the time frame are not displayed in any way. The default is 1900 through the end of the current year, as indicated. This can be limited to look for new data, old data, or examine the spread of exotic species. The time frame is included on all significant output pages.

  2. The inside background color for the maps. This can be shaded relief, a flat brown or white. Some features do not show up well on white backgrounds. The default is shaded relief as there is no run-time cost associated with shaded relief on the standard maps.

  3. The 1:2,000,000 DLG line data to add to the maps. The default is none, but it can include state lines, county lines, HUC cataloging unit lines or roads. All water features are already present on the standard maps. Note that 1:2,000,000 data may not be suitable for small map areas Only 1 feature type can be added to standard maps and these include all feature levels. The custom maps allow any combination of features and feature levels, as well as the use of 1:100,000 data for smaller areas.

  4. The outside background color can be black or white. Black is the default and is best suited for screen viewing or slides. White is better for printing. The outside background color applies to most standard maps, but not to custom maps.

  5. Plotting in the outside area can be turned on (yes) or off (no). When off, no points or lines will be added outside the named map area. Outside plotting applies to most standard maps, but not to custom maps. The message Data points outside the named area are not plotted. appears on all standard maps when outside plotting is turned off.
These mapping options are maintained for all standard maps until changed by using the mapping options form again. This form is available at the top of any standard map by using the Modify this map link. Note that the mapping options form always starts with all default values. The custom maps have more detailed options that must be set for each map.

Initial Map Area Options

The initial list of available maps is a function of the initial link and thus not under direct user control. If a specific map was specified at that time, the only option will be to make a dot map for that area. This is exactly the same as when modifying a map. If a specific map was not specified with the initial link, the list of options is determined by the variable to be mapped. These normally include some set of states and HUC regions and larger areas. Not all of the areas listed will always have data available. For unfamiliar areas or variables, start with the bigger maps and then work down to smaller areas following the data. When multiple map options are available, each area can be displayed either as a dot map or as a HUC summary map.

Dot Maps

Dot maps show the sample locations as dots on the map. Selecting a sample location on a dot map provides more detailed information about the sample or samples at that location. The search radius is always the size of the dots on the map, regardless of the map scale. So you must click on a dot to get get sample results under the dot. There are, however, 3 options available for all locations, not just sample locations:
  1. Get the Graphical Locater information This provides a long list of basic information for any location. See the Graphical Locater Home Page for more information.

  2. Make a custom map centered on this location Custom maps are highly customizable. All map features and feature levels are controlled for each map. Water bodies will not be filled blue for small area maps. The range of collection dates is carried over from the previous standard map and cannot be changed here. The total map radius must be between 1 and 999 km. The other features are best explored by trial and error.

  3. HUC Options for this location This provides access to information and standard dot maps at 4 HUC scales; the cataloging unit, the accounting unit, the subregion or the region. The accounting unit dot map is not available if it does not differ from that of the subregion. There is also an option to make a table of the samples from the cataloging unit only.

HUC Summary Maps

HUC summary maps show the status of each HUC cataloging unit. The number of samples within the unit is not important here. More detailed information is available by selecting a a HUC on the map. Only positive units will have data available, but any unit can be selected. The HUC options table provides access to information and standard dot maps at 4 HUC scales; the cataloging unit, the accounting unit, the subregion or the region. The accounting unit dot map is not available if it does not differ from that of the subregion. There is also an option to make a table of the samples from the cataloging unit.
2002 JUNE 1, updated on 2002 JUNE 18 AIM maintainer