Graph and Map Skills

Graph and Map Skills

1. Dispersion Diagrams

   • They show the frequency of data
     • Range of data on one axis, frequency on the other
       • Each dot= one piece of info

2. Triangular Graphs

   • B= 10% 2nd, 80% 1st, 10% 3rd
   • A= 70% 2nd, 20% 1st, 10% 3rd

3. Logarithmic scales

   • Used with large data ranges
     • The intervals are not fixed amounts
       • They get larger at the top end of the scale (e.g. 10, 20, 40)
         • Hard to read the y axis, can give a range

4. Radial Plots

   • Show directional data
     • The points on the outside usually shows direction (compass points)
       • The distance from the center the bars reach shows the size of the variable
         • Wind plots show what direction wind is coming from
           • Colours show frequency

5. Kite Diagrams

   • Most likely to be used to show distribution and abundance of organisms
     • x axis displays distance usually along a transect (a line along which data is collected), usually shown in metres
       • y axis displays concentrations of species (meas with a quadrat- 1m square)
         • Each species = diff data
           • Each species data has a scale
             • Data should be plotted above and below zero= symmetrical
               • Join up the dots and add a key, axes labels and title

6. Cloropleth Maps

   • Show info using different colous and patterns

7. Dot Maps

   • Show distribution and quantity using identical symbols

8. Proportional Symbol Maps

   • Use symbols of different sizes to represent different quantities, shown on the key

Images and files in the map