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Field Plots Data FAQ Metadata
Frequently-anticipated questions:
What does this data set describe?
- Title:
-
Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, Field Plots Data Base for
Vegetation Mappings
- Abstract:
-
Vegetation field plots at Agate Fossil Beds NM were visited, described,
and documented in a digital database. The database consists of 2 parts -
(1) Physical Descriptive Data, and (2) Species Listings.
- How should this data set be cited?
U.S. Geological Survey Department of the Interior, 199808, Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, Field Plots Data Base for Vegetation Mappings: USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, USGS, Biological Resources Division, Center for Biological Informatics, Denver, CO.
Online Links:
- Other_Citation_Details:
-
Created in large part by Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc.,
Redlands, CA under contract from USGS/BRD/CBI.
- What geographic area does the data set cover?
- West_Bounding_Coordinate: -103.8
- East_Bounding_Coordinate: -103.7
- North_Bounding_Coordinate: 42.44167
- South_Bounding_Coordinate: 42.40833
- Description_of_Geographic_Extent:
-
Agate Fossil Beds National Moument,
Nebraska and a 400 meter buffer.
- What does it look like?
- <http://biology.usgs.gov/npsveg/agfo/images/agfoplots.pdf> (PDF)
-
Locations of vegetation plot samples; low resolution for web browsing.
- Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?
- Beginning_Date: 10-Jul-1995
- Ending_Date: 15-Aug-1995
- Currentness_Reference: Ground Condition
- What is the general form of this data set?
- Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: Database
- How does the data set represent geographic features?
- How are geographic features stored in the data set?
- Indirect_Spatial_Reference:
-
Agate Fossil Beds National Monument is in Sioux County, Nebraska near the
headwaters of the Niobrara River. The mound is located 20 miles south of
Harrison, Nebrasaka.
This is a Point data set.
It contains the following vector data types (SDTS terminology):
- What coordinate system is used to represent geographic features?
- Grid_Coordinate_System_Name: Universal Transverse Mercator
- Universal_Transverse_Mercator:
-
- UTM_Zone_Number: 13
- Transverse_Mercator:
-
- Longitude_of_Central_Meridian: -105
- Latitude_of_Projection_Origin: 0
- False_Easting: 500000
- False_Northing: 0
- Scale_Factor_at_Central_Meridian: .9996
Planar coordinates are encoded using coordinate pair
Abscissae (x-coordinates) are specified to the nearest 1
Ordinates (y-coordinates) are specified to the nearest 1
Planar coordinates are specified in Meters
The horizontal datum used is North American Datum of 1983.
The ellipsoid used is Geodedic Reference System 80.
The semi-major axis of the ellipsoid used is 6378137.
The flattening of the ellipsoid used is 1/298.257.
- How does the data set describe geographic features?
- Entity_and_Attribute_Overview:
-
Each of 39 vegetation mapping plot sites contains the attributes of
species found. Physical description - General plot information is
described by identification codes, locational information (including
state, park name, and USGS 7 1/2' topographic quad name). Physical
factors tabulated in the database include UTM_X, UTM_Y, UTM Zone, map
projection, survey date, name of surveyors, plot lenght and width, type
of photos used, plot elevation, slope aspect, topographic position,
landform type, surface geology, Cowardin system descriptor, hydrology,
rock size, surface material type, soil texture and drainage, leaf
phenology, leaf type, and physiognomy. Species - Species - (sp_code is
a project specific code for each species found, species is the
scientific name for that species, spcover is the species present and
the percent cover for each species, plant code is the first two letters
of the genus and first two letters of the species. If the code are not
unique a number is added to make the code unique). This includes strata
cover which is an average percent cover of that particular species,
1 = 0-10%, 2 = 10-25%, 3 = 25-60% and 4 = 60-100%, pstrata is the type
of vegetation, T1 = emergent, T2 = canopy, T3 = sub-canopy, S1 = tall
shrub, S2 = short shrub, H = herbaceous, N = non-vascular, V =
vine/liana, and E = epiphyte).
- Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation:
-
Field Methods for Vegetation mapping, December 1994. Prepared for: the
United States Department of the Interior, National Biological Survey (now
the USGS Biological Resources Division) and the National Park Service.
Prepared by: The Nature Conservancy, and Environmental Systems Research
Institute. <http://biology.usgs.gov/npsveg/fieldmethods/index.html>.
- What biological taxa does this data set concern?
- Taxonomy:
-
- Keywords/Taxon:
-
- Taxonomic_Keyword_Thesaurus: None
- Taxonomic_Keywords: vegetation classification
- Taxonomic_Keywords: Standardized National Vegetation Classification System
- Taxonomic_Keywords: alliance
- Taxonomic_Keywords: community association
- Taxonomic_Classification:
-
- Taxon_Rank_Name: Kingdom
- Taxon_Rank_Value: Plantae
Who produced the data set?
- Who are the originators of the data set? (may include formal authors, digital compilers, and editors)
- U.S. Geological Survey Department of the Interior
- Who also contributed to the data set?
BRD-USGS, U.S. BOR, TNC
- To whom should users address questions about the data?
USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program Coordinator
USGS Biological Resources Division, Center for Biological Informatics
U.S. Geological Survey, Biological Resources Division
Denver, Colorado 80225-0046
USA
(303) 202-4220 (voice)
(303) 202-4219 (org) (FAX)
gs-b-npsveg@usgs.gov
Why was the data set created?
Provide National Parks with the necessary tools to effectively manage
their natural resources. Plot data is collected and analyzed to develop a
classification (using the Standardized National Vegetation Classification
System) and description of vegetation types in preparation for
photointerpretation and mapping of the monument's vegetation types.
How was the data set created?
- What methods were used to collect the data?
- Method 0 of 1
-
Type: Field
Field sampling using releve plots
- From what previous works were the data drawn?
- SNVCS protocol document (source 1 of 3)
-
National Biological Survey (Now USGS/Biological Resources Division), and and National Park Service, 199411, Standardized National Vegetation Classification System; protocol document for the USGS-NPS Vegetation mapping Program (unpublished report): USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program Protocol documents, USGS/BRD, Center for Biological Informatics, Denver, CO.
Online Links:
- Other_Citation_Details:
-
Report prepared under contract by The Nature Conservancy, 1815 N.
Lynn Street, Arlington, Virginia 22209 and Environmental Systems
Research Institute, 380 New York Street, Redlands, California 92373
- Type_of_Source_Media: Online
- Source_Contribution:
-
This document describes and defines the vegetation classification system
which is to be used for describing and mapping the vegetation at Agate
Fossil Beds National Monument
- AGFO sample and classification (source 2 of 3)
-
USGSBRD, Center for Biological Informatics, 19980223, Classification of the Vegetation of Agate Fossil Beds National Monument: USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, USGS/BRD, Center for Biological Informatics, Denver, CO.
Online Links:
- Other_Citation_Details:
-
This report was generated by The Nature Conservancy under contract
to the USGS/BRD, Center for Biological Informatics
- Type_of_Source_Media: Online
- Source_Contribution: Report summarizing plot data collection effort
- field methods protocol document (source 3 of 3)
-
United States Dept. of the Inte, National Biological Survey (no USGS Biol, 199412, Field Methods for Vegetation Mapping: USGS/Biological Resources Division, Center for Biological Informatics, Denver, CO.
Online Links:
- Other_Citation_Details:
-
This report was generated by The Nature Conservancy under contract
to the USGS/BRD, CBI
- Type_of_Source_Media: Online
- Source_Contribution:
-
This document defines the methods and protocols for field data
collection to be used as part of the USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program
- How were the data generated, processed, and modified?
- Date: Aug-1995 (process 1 of 1)
-
The following describes the tasks performed by The Nature Conservancy to
produce descriptive data for 39 vegetation sampling plots in two
separate database files. Physical description - The first of the two
contains general descriptive information at each of the plots. Plot
sites were selected subjectively because of the heterogeneity of the
vegetation and the small number of samples per type. Since aerial
photos were not available at the time of plot selection, visual
reconnaissance was conducted at the summit of the monument to examine
vegetation patterns for the purpose of plot placement. Site physical
parameters, species types, and vegetation strata were then described
at each site. The PLOT DATA database contains tabulations of site
physical factors, listed under the ATTRIBUTE ACCURACY REPORT for each
of the 39 plots. Plot data were manually recorded on field forms on-site,
and subsequently keyed into the database files described herein.
Information in the plot database was then used to develop the
classification system and plant identification keys contained in the
AGATE FOSSIL BEDS SAMPLING AND CLASSIFICATION REPORT. Species - The
second of the two contains listings of individual species found in
each plot, along with height and cover estimates, and strata
delineations. The SPECIES LISTING database contains line entries for
each species including the Plot Code, Numeric species code, full
scientific species name, cover estimate, a unique alphnumeric species identifier
(plant code), and Plant Strata delineation. Plot sites were
selected subjectively because of the heterogeneity of the vegetation
and the small number of samples per type. Since aerial photos were not
available at the time of plot selection, visual reconnaissance was
conducted at the summit of the bluff to examine vegetation patterns
for determining plot placement. Plot data were manually recorded on
field forms on-site, and subsequently keyed into the database files
described herein. Information in the plot database was then used to
develop the classification system and plant identification keys
contained in the AGATE FOSSIL BEDS SAMPLING AND CLASSIFICATION REPORT.
Person who carried out this activity:
Jim Drake
The Nature Conservancy
Regional Chief Ecologist, The Nature Conservancy
1313 5th Street SE
Minneapolis, MN 55414
USA
(612)331-0729 (voice)
jdrake@tnc.org
Data sources used in this process:
- SNVCS protocol document
- Field Methods for Vegetation Mapping
Data sources produced in this process:
- AGFO sample and classification
- AGFO Vegetation Descriptions
- What similar or related data should the user be aware of?
How reliable are the data; what problems remain in the data set?
- How well have the observations been checked?
The descriptive plot data were collected for 39 sites whose vegetation
represents a full spectrum of alliance types present within Agate Fossil
Beds National Monument and its immediate surroundings. Physical description
- Attributes collected for each site include: a plot number,
a unique plot identification code, community name, field name, state,
park name, quad name, map projection, datum, GPS file name, raw UTM
coordinates, differentially corrected UTM coordinates, plot survey date,
name(s) of surveyors, length, width, photo type, elevation, slope, aspect,
topographic position, landform, surface geology, Cowardin System category,
hydrology, surface material description, soil texture, soil drainage, leaf
phenology, leaf type, and physiognomy. Species - Individual species described
at each of 39 plots is listed, one line per species, with the following
information: Plot Identification Code, Numeric Species Code, Species Name,
Species Cover (0=trace, 1=< 1%, 2=1-5%, 3=5-25%, 4=25-50%, 5=50-75%,
6=75-100%), Plantcode, and Strata Code (T1=emergent, T2=canopy, T3=sub-canopy,
S1=tall shrub, S2=short shrub, H=herbaceous, N=non-vascular, V=vinae/liana,
E=epiphyte).
- How accurate are the geographic locations?
X,Y UTM coordinates representing each of the 39 plots were collected via
GPS under selective availability with post processing for differential
correction. The differentially correted GPS coordinates have accuracies
in the X and Y direction of +/- 2 to 5 meters.
- How accurate are the heights or depths?
Not applicable
- Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?
Physical description - Comprehensive descriptions exist for each of the 39
plots, but some do not contain entries under headings which are not
applicable, and some plots do not have locational coordinates. Species -
One species is entered per line, by plot code, with multiple species listed
for each plot, one per row. Plot codes and species names are complete for
each row, but some species codes, cover and strata information is missing
(because it was not present on the original field forms).
- How consistent are the relationships among the observations, including topology?
Physical description - Entries for each of the listed attributes are in
the form of consistent groupings of either textual or numerical descriptors.
Species - Entries for each of the listed attributes are in the form of
consistent groupings of either textual or numerical descriptors, as defined
above under "Attribute Accuracy Report". NOTE1: The significance of numbers
appended to some of the Plant Codes is not known.
How can someone get a copy of the data set?
Are there legal restrictions on access or use of the data?
- Access_Constraints: None
- Use_Constraints:
-
Any person using the information presented here should fully understand the
data collection and compilation procedures, as described in these metadata,
before beginning analyses. The burden for determining fitness for use lies
entirely with the user. For purposes of publication or dissemination, citations
or credit should be given to the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Park Service.
- Who distributes the data set? (Distributor 1 of 1)
USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program Coordinator
U.S. Geological Survey, Center for Biological
U.S. Geological Survey, Center for Biological
Informatics, MS 302, Room 8000, Building 810,
Denver Federal Center
Denver, Colorado 80225
(303) 202-4220 (voice)
303-202-4229 (FAX)
gs-b-npsveg@usgs.gov
- What's the catalog number I need to order this data set?
AGFO Physical Descriptive Data nad Species Listing Data
- What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?
The U.S. Geological Survey and the National Park Service shall not be held liable for improper or incorrect use of the data described and/or contained herein. These data and related graphics (if available) are not legal documents and are not intended to be used as such.
The information contained in these data is dynamic and may change over time. The data are not better than the original sources from which they were derived. It is the responsibility of the data user to use the data appropriately and consistent within the limitations of geospatial data in general and these data in particular. Any related graphics (if available) are intended to aid the data user in acquiring relevant data; it is not approriate to use the related graphics as data.
The U.S. Geological Survey and the National Park Service gives no warranty, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of these data. It is strongly recommended that these data are directly acquired from an U.S. Geological Survey and National Park Service servers and not indirectly through other sources which may have changed the data in some way. Although these data have been processed successfully on a computer system at the U.S. Geological Survey, no warranty expressed or implied is made regarding the utility of the data on another system or for general or scientific purposes, nor shall the act of distribution constitute any such warranty. This disclaimer applies both to individual use of the data and aggregate use with other data. It is also strongly recommended that careful attention be paid to the contents of the metadata file associated with these data. Mention of trade names or commercial products in this metadata report does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use by the U. S. Department of the Interior, U. S. Geological Survey and National Park Service.
- How can I download or order the data?
- Availability in digital form:
- Cost to order the data: None
Who wrote the metadata?
- Dates:
- Last modified: 22-Oct-2001
Last Reviewed: 06-May-2008
- Metadata author:
-
USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program Coordinator
U.S. Geological Survey, Center for Biological Informatics, MS 302,
Room 8000, Building 810, Denver Federal Center
Denver, Colorado 80225
USA
(303) 202-4220 (voice)
(303) 202-4219 (FAX)
gs-b-npsveg@usgs.gov
- Metadata standard:
- FGDC-STD-001.1-1999 Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata, 1998 Part 1: Biological Data Profile, 1999 (FGDC-STD-001-1998)
- Metadata extensions used:
-
Generated by mp version 2.7.24 on Tue May 06 11:51:09 2008
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Biological Informatics Program 
U.S. Department of the Interior |
U.S. Geological Survey
