Difference between revisions of "How to create management zones based on a productivity map"

Revision as of 08:43, 14 May 2014

This guide will show you how to create a Management zones map based on a productivity map. The goal is to group productivity zones into a lower number of management zones e.g.: 3 instead of 7), to facilitate managing the field.

Creating the vector layer

As a first step, we will create a new Management zones layer based on a copy of theproductivity map layer.

This way we will be able to create the Management zones map without modifying the productivity map.

1. Pick the Create vector layer tool from the Edition panel:
   
   
2. A dialog will pop up. Choose Copy layer as shown in the image below, then click on Next to proceed.
   
   
3. Fill in the creation form; enter the name of your layer, the group which will contain it. Under "Layer to be duplicated", select the productivity map for the field you want to create management zones. Make sure this is properly set; otherwise you will end up with polygons for a different field. Once that's done, click on Finish to complete the process.
   
   
4. The reference panel will now show the layer you just created:
   
   

===Related articles===

• Create vector layer

Join productivity polygons into management zones

In a productivity map, polygons are assigned 7 different classes according to their productivity: VERY HIGH, HIGH, MEDIUM TO HIGH, MEDIUM, MEDIUM TO LOW, LOW AND VERY LOW. These are also shown in the symbology.

You may have a large number of productivity polygons; planning samples for each one of them can be time consuming. So in this stage you will group them in new management zones polygons, which will make for a more manageable sampling process.

1. Review your productivity map layer, then use any of the Selection tools to select the polygons you want to add to a new management zones polygons.
   
   You will end up with a number of polygons selected
   
   
2. In order to identify the selected polygons as part of the same management zone, you need to enter the same value for all of them in the corresponding structure column. With your items selected, click on the Edit selected object data tool from the Edition panel.
   
   
3. A table will pop up showing rows corresponding to each selected object, and columns corresponding to each atrribute. Clicking on a cell will show a cursor, allowing you to modify existing data or add new.
   
   

Note:

You may modify data only from those columns colored yellow. White columns are completed automatically and cannot be modified.

1. Go to the Productiv attribute and enter a number for the current management zone; this value will act as a label for this zone. You may do it cell by cell or modify all data at once by double clicking in any cell. A new dialog will pop up, asking you to enter the value you want to assign to the whole column. Click on Accept.
   
   
2. To finish this, click on the Save button.
3. Click on the Edit Object button in the Edition panel. The Drawing tools panel will show up. Click on the Join Objects tool.
   
   
4. A window will pop up, asking you to choose the main object; its data will be kept and assigned to the new object which will absorb all other polygons. In this case, all objects have similar values, so you may pick the first item and click on Accept.
   
   
5. The split between polygons will disappear. As a consequence, all your productivity polygons have now merged into a single management zone polygon
   
   

You may now apply the same process for the rest of your map.

Related articles

• Select objects
• Edit selected object data
• Join Objects

Add symbology

To finish the process, you may now assign a symbology which will allow you to identify each polygon with a different label.

1. Make sure the Management zones layer is active.
2. Click the Edit cartography and layer properties tool in the Edition panel.
   
   
3. A dialog will pop pup. Select the Symbology Tab and the option Unique Classes.
4. Choose your symbology. Attributes you may use to identify your polygons are fill, border and label. Make sure you choose the Productiv attribute in the "Label" box.
   
   Click on "Accept" and your polygons will be shown in the symbology you assigned them.
   
   

Related articles

• Modify layer symbology