Esri ArcGIS Pro Associate Pro Certification Practice Exam

Which analysis process can be utilized to assess which features are covered by overlapping layers?

1. Network Analysis

2. Count Overlapping Features

3. Overlay Analysis

4. Erase Analysis

The correct answer is: Overlay Analysis

Overlay Analysis is the process that allows you to assess which features are covered by overlapping layers. This method involves combining multiple layers in a GIS to evaluate their interactions, such as how features from one layer relate to features from another. Common types of overlay analysis include intersection, union, and difference operations, which are crucial for understanding the spatial relationships between different datasets. By leveraging this technique, users can identify areas of overlap between datasets, revealing information about shared attributes, conditions, or characteristics among features. This is particularly useful for environmental assessments, land use planning, and resource management, where knowing how features interrelate is essential for decision-making. The other processes mentioned serve different analytical purposes. For example, Network Analysis focuses on analyzing networks, such as transportation or utility networks, to determine optimal paths or routes. Count Overlapping Features may suggest simply quantifying features in overlapping conditions without detailed spatial analysis. Erase Analysis, on the other hand, involves removing portions of one layer based on the shape of another, which does not directly address the assessment of overlapping coverage. Each of these processes has its specific use cases, but Overlay Analysis is specifically designed for evaluating overlaps between features across layers.