Scribd
Upload
121 views3 pages

Dasymetric Method

Dasymetric mapping is a technique that more accurately depicts statistical data variations over areas by partitioning space into zones of relative homogeneity. It redistributes enumeration data using ancillary data to best represent the underlying statistical surface. Dasymetric maps are more detailed than choropleth maps by showing local population density variations between places based on land use characteristics. The boundaries of zones in dasymetric maps are defined by changes in the statistical surface, whereas choropleth zones are administrative units not defined by the data. Dasymetric mapping uses additional variables like land use to subdivide original statistical units and add further detail about population distributions.

Uploaded by

Aman Deep Singh
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
121 views3 pages

Dasymetric Method

Dasymetric mapping is a technique that more accurately depicts statistical data variations over areas by partitioning space into zones of relative homogeneity. It redistributes enumeration data using ancillary data to best represent the underlying statistical surface. Dasymetric maps are more detailed than choropleth maps by showing local population density variations between places based on land use characteristics. The boundaries of zones in dasymetric maps are defined by changes in the statistical surface, whereas choropleth zones are administrative units not defined by the data. Dasymetric mapping uses additional variables like land use to subdivide original statistical units and add further detail about population distributions.

Uploaded by

Aman Deep Singh
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

The Dasymetric Map

Introduction: Dasymetric mapping is a method of thematic mapping, which uses


areal symbols to spatially classify volumetric data. The word 'dasymetric' has been
derived from two Greek words: 'Dasys' meaning ‘thick or dense' (in depth/detailed
presentation) and 'Metron' means measure. This method was developed in 1911
by a Russian geographer Benjamin Petrovich Semenov -Tyan- Shansky. He created
a series of dasymetric maps of European Russia in 1920s. J.K. Wright popularized
this method in America and is often mistaken as the inventor of dasymetric map.

Definitions:

Dent (1999) defined a dasymetric map as one that displays statistical surface data
by exhaustively partitioning space into zones that reflect the underlying statistical
surface variation.

Eicher and Brewer (2001) state that a dasymetric map depicts quantitative areal
data using boundaries that divide the mapped area into zones of relative
homogeneity with the purpose of best portraying the underlying statistical surface.

The dasymetric mapping is the redistribution of areal enumeration data using


ancillary information to more accurately portray an underlying statistical surface
(Petrov, 2006).

Need/importance of Dasymetric Maps:

Cartographers use dasymetric map for showing population densities more


accurately over other methods because of its ability to realistically place data over
geographical area. In fact, a dasymetric map is a hybrid of Isopleth and Choropleth
map. We can depict population data by Choropleth map, but when we want to
show in more detail the variations (local variations) in density from one place to
another than in such situation and dasymetric map is more effective.

Difference between Dasymetric and Choropleth Methods:

Although dasymetric maps are closely related to the choropleth maps, they differ
in several ways:

 The zonal boundaries on dasymetric maps are based on sharp changes in the
statistical surface being mapped, while zonal boundaries on choropleth maps
demarcate enumeration unit established for more general purposes (for
example: states within India). The cartographer generates dasymetric zones
by using ancillary/ supportive information. This information can be both
objective and subjective, depending on other available data and the
cartographer’s knowledge of the area.
 Individual dasymetric zones are developed to be internally homogeneous. In
contrast, Choropleth zones are not defined based on the data and, thus have
varying levels of internal homogeneity.
 In Choropleth technique we are able to show only one class whereas in
dasymetric technique we can show both the land use areas i.e. cropland and
urban area. In this way, we can say that by using dasymetric technique we
are able to show local variations and the outcome would be relatively close
to the reality.
Today, dasymetric mapping occupies a remarkable place among
cartographic techniques that have recently attracted renewed interest
because of rapid progress in GIS and remote sensing technologies. The
application of dasymetric method using airborne and satellite imagery, is
among the most rapidly growing fields of digital cartography.
Method of Dasymetric mapping:
The dasymetric map although often made from similar initial data as used in
choropleth map assumes the existence of areas of relatively homogeneity
which are further separated from one another by zones of rapid change. By
subdivision of original statistical unit area, cartographer can add additional
detail.
It must be noted that data itself will not indicate to the cartographer the
kind of subdivision that should be made or where the zones of rapid change
occur. Here, related variables prove helpful as they add some geographical
sense into base statistics and that are commonly gathered on the basis of
enumeration units for. For this, we need:
 To consult topographical and land utilization maps of the region under
consideration and then to pick out from these maps, areas such as
agricultural, forestland, Hills etc. on which no or very little settlements exist.
 To delimit settlement zones as denoted by settlement patterns. The zones
have to be superimposed upon the base map. Then, there areas must be
measured to calculate the density.
 Finally, the data of the newly delimited areas is classified and mapped
following the simple Choropleth method.

You might also like