Which spatial operation is used to extract features from one layer using a polygon from another?

The appropriate choice for extracting features from one layer using a polygon from another layer is the method known as 'Clip.' This spatial operation allows you to create a new layer that contains only the features from the input layer that fall within the geometric boundaries defined by the clipping polygon.

In more detail, the clip operation works by taking a feature layer (such as points, lines, or polygons) and using another polygon layer as a mask. Only the portions of the feature layer that intersect with the clipping polygon are retained in the output layer. This is particularly useful in geography and environmental analysis where you may want to focus on a specific area, such as extracting forest boundaries within a protected area polygon or isolating road segments that fall within a designated city boundary.

Through this method, the data is not merely joined or merged; instead, it is effectively trimmed to reflect only the relevant features that meet the spatial constraints established by the polygon layer. This focuses the analysis on a specific region of interest while maintaining the integrity of the original dataset for the remainder of the area outside the clipping polygon.