Digitizing and modernizing a historic freshwater research database

IISD Experimental Lakes Area (IISD-ELA) is an environment not-for-profit organization and one of the world’s most influential freshwater research facilities. It features a collection of 58 small lakes and their watersheds in a sparsely populated region of northwestern Ontario, Canada, unaffected by human impacts. IISD-ELA has been under operation for over 50 years, and as a result, has a vast database consisting of historical datasets that need updating and digitizing, especially as the organization transitions to remote work and learning. My main project will be to assist with the development of statistical and computational methods to automate the accomplishment of this goal. These methods will include artificial intelligence systems such as machine learning and neural networks. IISD-ELA, as part of this database, also maintains polygon representations of the 58 lakes in the area, however these polygons require updating and repair. I will be tasked with using ArcGIS to carry out this necessary geoprocessing. IISD-ELA is also heavily involved in education programming for all audiences, and I will also be completing three or more communications products to contribute to this initiative. These products will be available to the public and will serve to educate the viewer about IISD-ELA’s current research.

Faculty Supervisor:

Andrew Frederiksen

Student:

Partner:

IISD Experimental Lakes Area Inc

Discipline:

Physics

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

University of Manitoba

Program: