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deforestation analysis

introduction

my role

Information architect, Analyst

purpose

This application was created for the INFO 201 class in the University of Washington's Information School on data visualization and analysis.

process and tools

Used R studio to create this application and used GapMinder to collect our data. We then used R studio filter the data sets and create visualizations to display the rates of deforestation clearly to the user. We selected the world map and the plot as our visualizations because they presented the data in the clearest way to the user. We used various packages on R such as dplyr, shiny, and plotly to create the visualizations.

VIEW ENTIRE APPLICATION

problem

We focused on deforestation throughout the world and the rate at which it has occurred over the past several decades. As deforestation destroys the lives of organisms and their surrounding ecosystems, it also makes the world more dangerous for humans. With forests and rainforests being logged/removed at alarming rates, it's important for humans to understand the ecological and societal repercussions of their actions.

stakeholders

Organisms that are native to the forests (plants and animals), indigenous people that live nearby, loggers, miners, farmers/cattle ranchers, and the government

setting

Forests across 189 different countries.

policy and ethics

Deforestation is leading to other environmental issues such as climate change by increasing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Also, as more animals are forced out of their habitats, it is creating a larger risk for species extinction. There have been policies issued by the UN to address this issue, such as the Paris Agreement created to address climate change by focusing on greenhouse

analysis

wood removal

U.S. had the most drastic change in the amount of wood removed. The amount of wood removed from the U.S. dropped from about 500 million cubic meters to around 300 million cubic meters.
Since this difference in wood removed was so large, it had the greatest impact on the world average over that time interval (1990-2011).
This change can be explained by the U.S.'s decision to begin importing goods (such as wood) from other countries; this is why we see an increase in wood removed for many other countries.

forest coverage and area

The U.S. experienced an increase in forest coverage area over the past 2 decades by about 1%. (amounted to about 38,000 square miles of forest coverage.
Vietnam underwent the greatest relative increase in forest coverage area by approximately 19%.
In contrast, Honduras experienced the greatest relative decrease in forest coverage area by approximately 32%.

reflection

This project taught me a lot about understanding and interpreting data. I learned how to manage large chunks of data, display it in a clear, understandable way, and make viable conclusions. I also learned how to distinguish between different visualization tools and determine one that is most beneficial to the problem. Although this project was not too design heavy, it give me a deeper insight into the field of data visualization and information architecture. It taught me the important of presenting analysis in a clear, concise manner so the user is easily able to understand the problem and the conclusion.

VIEW ENTIRE APPLICATION

deforestation analysis

introduction

my role

Information architect, Analyst

purpose

This application was created for the INFO 201 class in the University of Washington's Information School on data visualization and analysis.

process and tools

problem

analysis

wood removal

U.S. had the most drastic change in the amount of wood removed. The amount of wood removed from the U.S. dropped from about 500 million cubic meters to around 300 million cubic meters.

Since this difference in wood removed was so large, it had the greatest impact on the world average over that time interval (1990-2011).

This change can be explained by the U.S.'s decision to begin importing goods (such as wood) from other countries; this is why we see an increase in wood removed for many other countries.

​

The U.S. experienced an increase in forest coverage area over the past 2 decades by about 1%. (amounted to about 38,000 square miles of forest coverage.

Vietnam underwent the greatest relative increase in forest coverage area by approximately 19%.

In contrast, Honduras experienced the greatest relative decrease in forest coverage area by approximately 32%.

reflection

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