Crop for SpatialPolygonsDataFrame

Question

I have two SpatialPolygonsDataFrame files: dat1, dat2

extent(dat1)
class       : Extent 
xmin        : -180 
xmax        : 180 
ymin        : -90 
ymax        : 90 


extent(dat2)
class       : Extent 
xmin        : -120.0014 
xmax        : -109.9997 
ymin        : 48.99944 
ymax        : 60 

I want to crop the file dat1 using the extent of dat2. I don't know how to do it. I just handle raster files using "crop" function before.

When I use this function for my current data, the following error occurs:

> r1 <- crop(BiomassCarbon.shp,alberta.shp)
Error in function (classes, fdef, mtable)  : 

 unable to find an inherited method for function ‘crop’ for signature"SpatialPolygonsDataFrame"’

Answer 1

Streamlined method added 2014-10-9:

raster::crop() can be used to crop Spatial* (as well as Raster*) objects.

For example, here's how you might use it to crop a SpatialPolygons* object:

## Load raster package and an example SpatialPolygonsDataFrame
library(raster) 
data("wrld_simpl", package="maptools")

## Crop to the desired extent, then plot
out <- crop(wrld_simpl, extent(130, 180, 40, 70))
plot(out, col="khaki", bg="azure2")

---

Original (and still functional) answer:

The rgeos function gIntersection() makes this pretty straightforward.

Using mnel's nifty example as a jumping off point:

library(maptools)
library(raster)   ## To convert an "Extent" object to a "SpatialPolygons" object.
library(rgeos)
data(wrld_simpl)

## Create the clipping polygon
CP <- as(extent(130, 180, 40, 70), "SpatialPolygons")
proj4string(CP) <- CRS(proj4string(wrld_simpl))

## Clip the map
out <- gIntersection(wrld_simpl, CP, byid=TRUE)

## Plot the output
plot(out, col="khaki", bg="azure2")