In this self-directed GIS project, I mapped the average high-end estimates of glyphosate application across South Carolina counties from 2013 to 2017. The data was sourced from the U.S. Geological Survey’s Pesticide National Synthesis Project which estimates annual agricultural pesticide use at the county level using USDA crop acreage data and Crop Reporting District survey data. In cases of incomplete data, the USGS provides both low and high estimates. For this project, I selected the high-use estimates to more clearly highlight areas of potential environmental and public health concern.

I cleaned and formatted the raw data, then joined it to county boundary shapefiles in ArcGIS Pro. The map uses a five-class graduated color scheme with class breaks structured to emphasize usage disparities across the state. Additional design elements including labeled counties, a scale bar, legend, north arrow, and author credit were incorporated to meet cartographic standards. This project demonstrates my ability to independently source, interpret, and visualize complex environmental data, and to make intentional methodological choices aligned with public communication goals.

Data Source: Wieben, C.M., 2019, Estimated Annual Agricultural Pesticide Use for Counties of the Conterminous United States, 2013-17 (ver. 2.0, May 2020): U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9F2SRYH.