Create Spatially Balanced Points (Geostatisical Analyst)

License Level:BasicStandardAdvanced

Summary

Generates a set of sample points based on inclusion probabilities, resulting in a spatially balanced sample design. This tool is generally used for designing a monitoring network by suggesting locations to take samples, and a preference for particular locations can be defined using an inclusion probability raster.

Usage

Syntax

CreateSpatiallyBalancedPoints_ga (in_probability_raster, number_output_points, out_feature_class)
ParameterExplanationData Type
in_probability_raster

This raster defines the inclusion probabilities for each location in the area of interest. The location values range from 0 (low inclusion probability) to 1 (high inclusion probability).

Raster Layer; Mosaic Layer
number_output_points

Specify how many sample locations to generate.

Long
out_feature_class

The output feature class contains the selected sample locations and their inclusion probabilities.

Feature Class

Code Sample

CreateSpatiallyBalancedPoints example 1 (Python window)

Create a set of spatially balanced points based on an input inclusion probability raster.

import arcpy
arcpy.env.workspace = "C:/gapyexamples/data"
arcpy.CreateSpatiallyBalancedPoints_ga("ca_prob", "10", "C:/gapyexamples/output/csbp")
CreateSpatiallyBalancedPoints example 2 (stand-alone script)

Create a set of spatially balanced points based on an input inclusion probability raster.

# Name: CreateSpatiallyBalancedPoints_Example_02.py
# Description: This tool generates a set of sample points based on inclusion
#   probabilities. The resulting sample design is spatially balanced, meaning
#   that the spatial independence between samples is maximized, making the 
#   design more efficient than sampling the study area at random.
# Requirements: Geostatistical Analyst Extension

# Import system modules
import arcpy

# Set environment settings
arcpy.env.workspace = "C:/gapyexamples/data"

# Set local variables
inProb = "ca_prob"
numberPoints = 10
outPoints = "C:/gapyexamples/output/csbp"

# Check out the ArcGIS Geostatistical Analyst extension license
arcpy.CheckOutExtension("GeoStats")

# Execute CreateSpatiallyBalancedPoints
arcpy.CreateSpatiallyBalancedPoints_ga(inProb, numberPoints, outPoints)

Environments

Related Topics

Licensing Information

ArcGIS for Desktop Basic: Requires Geostatistical Analyst
ArcGIS for Desktop Standard: Requires Geostatistical Analyst
ArcGIS for Desktop Advanced: Requires Geostatistical Analyst
6/24/2013