How do texture and color communicate uncertainty in climate change map displays?

Abstract

We report on an empirical study with over hundred online participants where we investigatedhow texture and color value, two popular visual variables used to convey uncertainty in maps,are understood by non-domain-experts. Participants intuit denser dot textures to mean greaterattribute certainty; irrespective of whether the dot pattern is labeled certain or uncertain. Withthis additional empirical evidence, we hope to further improve our understanding of how non-domain experts interpret uncertainty information depicted in map displays. This in turn willallow us to more clearly and legibly communicate uncertainty information in climate changemaps, so that these displays can be unmistakably understood by decision-makers and the generalpublic.