In what order should you place layers on a web map of sampling locations, streams, and watershed areas for clarity?

For effective clarity in a web map, the order of layers is essential to ensure that important details are visible and easy to interpret. Placing sampling locations, streams, and wetland areas in the sequence of sampling locations, streams, and wetland areas enables viewers to understand the relationships between these elements more effectively.

Starting with sampling locations at the top layer allows users to see where specific data points or sampling activities are occurring. This can be especially relevant in environmental studies where sampling points may be critical for analysis. Next, positioning streams allows users to see how these bodies of water relate to the sampling locations, providing more context for the data being presented. Streams are essential features that often carry significant ecological and hydrological implications.

Finally, having wetland areas as the bottom layer helps maintain visibility of the streams and sampling locations, as wetlands can be extensive and may otherwise obscure smaller details. Wetland areas might not require the same prioritization in visibility compared to the specific sampling points, which are often more critical for the analysis and interpretation of the data.

Thus, this order not only enhances the visual hierarchy but also promotes a clearer understanding of the spatial relationships between these elements in the context of environmental studies or resource management.