Creating hexagon maps
Probably the best example of an ecosystem map can be found in Service Design: From Insight to Implementation (Polaine, A. et al., 2013). That map is composed of hexagons, arranged on concentric circles. I also prefer to use hexagon-based maps for my ecosystem maps. They also remind me of board games and classic turn-based strategy games, most notably Sid Meier's Civilization and Heroes of Might and Magic series.
In this chapter, we will create hexagon-based maps, but not all ecosystem maps are hexagon based. The circle is the second most common shape, but you could use pretty much any shape to represent entities on an ecosystem map.
Hexagon mapping with Inkscape
The easiest way to create hexagon maps is using the free and open source vector graphics editor, Inkscape (available from https://inkscape.org). There is a hexagon mapping extension for Inkscape, created by Pelle Nilsson, which you can download from GitHub, at https://github.com/lifelike/hexmapextension.
Pelle...