Geography
First Advisor
Stephen J. Lavin
Date of this Version
5-1998
Document Type
Thesis
Citation
A thesis presented to the faculty of the Graduate College at the University of Nebraska in partial fulfillment of requirements for the degree of Master of Arts
Major: Geography
Under the supervision of Professor Stephen J. Lavin
Lincoln, Nebraska, May 1998
Abstract
Geographic regions all have some degree of uncertainty, though this is seldom represented on their maps. The Great Plains is an excellent example of how even a well known and widely accepted region can be a source of cartographic confusion. This region is fuzzy in nature, with few landforms or sharp changes in characteristics to help locate the boundary line. Also, the act ofregionalization itself is a highly subjective process, using defining criteria and methods of mapping selected by the cartographer.
The uncertainty of the Great Plains boundary location is shown by comparing many such interpretations from individual cartographers, all assumed as being equally valid. This map set is analyzed using three categories of visualizations: boundaries shown one at a time within animations, grouped boundaries, or forms that summarize the map set.
The goal of this research is to develop and suggest graphic tools that help map users visualize the uncertainty of regional boundaries. Using these techniques, the specific characteristics of the Great Plains boundary are analyzed in detail.
Comments
Copyright 1998, Sonja Lynn Rossum. Used by permission