SUMMARY. Experiences of the QGIS course for permaculture designers run by respira.earth. Vale Pallutt reports.
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Report on the QGIS course for permaculture designers, offered by respira.earth. Vale reports: “In this five-part course for beginners, Gianluca explains clearly and at your own pace everything you need to know to visualise permaculture projects digitally. From the very basics of QGIS right through to more complex 3D models, the course demonstrates step by step how the programme can be used effectively for your own planning.”
Modular design
“The first module covers the basics. Here, you learn how QGIS works, how to deal with coordinate systems and how to map out the initial features on your own plot of land. For me, as a complete beginner, this was a very good introduction because everything is structured in a way that’s easy to understand and you can take as much time as you need. I also found it particularly helpful that topics such as zoning and network analysis are covered right from the start – things that are really useful for making an initial assessment of a site.”
Soil data and climate maps
‘The second module focuses on working with land cover data and climate maps. I found this really interesting because you learn how to source land cover data from various sources and use it for your project. You also learn how to work with topographical maps in this module.’
Before and after images
Topographical information and analysis tools
“The third module focuses on terrain analysis. The aim here is to gain a better understanding of topographical information and to draw important conclusions from it for planning purposes. Gianluca demonstrates how to work with slopes in QGIS and how water flow can be visualised. The course not only covers individual tools, but also explains why these analyses are relevant in practice.
The fourth module covers the analysis of land-use changes, vegetation indices and fires. Here, too, a wide range of available map sets is presented, which can then be used during the course.”
Creating 3D models
“Things get interesting again in the fifth module. Here, you’ll learn how to create 3D models from QGIS maps, how to work with GPS data, and how to export your map and add a legend at the end.
Overall, the course strikes me as very well thought-out and pleasantly down-to-earth. It isn’t overloaded with information, but takes you seriously and guides you clearly through each step. In my opinion, this is a really good foundation, particularly for people who want to document and plan permaculture not only in practice but also digitally, and the course has provided me with a source of knowledge that I will also be using in future GIS projects.”
About Vale
As part of his bachelor’s thesis at the University of Eberswalde near Berlin, Vale undertook, amongst other things, a six-month placement with Ana Fonio and designed and planted the un-irrigated syntropic system ‘Dangalma’. He has now taken the opportunity to expand his skills using this digital tool. In August, he will be taking part in the workshop and planting campaign at Ana Fonio.
