USGS:Biology Biological Informatics Program Vegetation Characterization Program Agate Fossil Beds National Monument Field Plots Data Metadata

Field Plots Data Metadata

Metadata also available as - [Questions & Answers] - [Text] - [Adobe Acrobat pdf file].

Metadata:

• Identification_Information
• Data_Quality_Information
• Spatial_Data_Organization_Information
• Spatial_Reference_Information
• Entity_and_Attribute_Information
• Distribution_Information
• Metadata_Reference_Information

Identification_Information:

Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator: U.S. Geological Survey Department of the Interior

Publication_Date: 199808

Title:

Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, Field Plots Data Base for Vegetation Mappings

Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: Database

Series_Information:

Series_Name: USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program

Issue_Identification: Agate Fossil Beds National Monument

Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: Denver, CO

Publisher:

USGS, Biological Resources Division, Center for Biological Informatics

Other_Citation_Details:

Created in large part by Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc., Redlands, CA under contract from USGS/BRD/CBI.

Online_Linkage: <http://biology.usgs.gov/npsveg/agfo/fielddata.html>

Description:

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.

Purpose:

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.

Time_Period_of_Content:

Time_Period_Information:

Range_of_Dates/Times:

Beginning_Date: 19950710

Ending_Date: 19950815

Currentness_Reference: Ground Condition

Status:

Progress: Complete

Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency: none planned

Spatial_Domain:

Bounding_Coordinates:

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.

Keywords:

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: None

Theme_Keyword: National Park Service

Theme_Keyword: U.S. Geological Survey

Theme_Keyword: The Nature Conservancy

Theme_Keyword: Aerial Information Systems

Theme_Keyword: Center for Biological Informatics

Theme_Keyword: land cover

Theme_Keyword: vegetation

Theme_Keyword: association

Theme_Keyword: Environmental System Research Institute

Place:

Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: None

Place_Keyword: Nebraska

Place_Keyword: NE

Place_Keyword: Agate Fossil Beds National Monument

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

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.

Point_of_Contact:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Person_Primary:

Contact_Person: USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program Coordinator

Contact_Organization:

USGS Biological Resources Division, Center for Biological Informatics

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: Physical Address

Address: U.S. Geological Survey, Biological Resources Division

Address: Center for Biological Informatics

Address: Building 810, Room 8000

City: Denver

State_or_Province: Colorado

Postal_Code: 80225-0046

Country: USA

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: Mailing Address

Address: U.S. Geological Survey, Biological Resources Division

Address: Center for Biological Informatics

Address: PO BOX 25046, DFC, MS302

City: Denver

State_or_Province: Colorado

Postal_Code: 80225-0046

Country: USA

Contact_Voice_Telephone: (303) 202-4220

Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: (303) 202-4219 (org)

Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: (303) 202-4229

Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: gs-b-npsveg@usgs.gov

Browse_Graphic:

Browse_Graphic_File_Name: <http://biology.usgs.gov/npsveg/agfo/images/agfoplots.pdf>

Browse_Graphic_File_Description:

Locations of vegetation plot samples; low resolution for web browsing.

Browse_Graphic_File_Type: PDF

Data_Set_Credit: BRD-USGS, U.S. BOR, TNC

Native_Data_Set_Environment: DB4

Data_Quality_Information:

Attribute_Accuracy:

Attribute_Accuracy_Report:

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).

Logical_Consistency_Report:

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.

Completeness_Report:

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).

Positional_Accuracy:

Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy:

Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy_Report:

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.

Vertical_Positional_Accuracy:

Vertical_Positional_Accuracy_Report: Not applicable

Lineage:

Methodology:

Methodology_Type: Field

Methodology_Identifier:

Methodology_Keyword_Thesaurus: None

Methodology_Keyword: releve

Methodology_Keyword: plot

Methodology_Keyword: sampling

Methodology_Description: Field sampling using releve plots

Source_Information:

Source_Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator:

National Biological Survey (Now USGS/Biological Resources Division)

Originator: and National Park Service

Publication_Date: 199411

Title:

Standardized National Vegetation Classification System; protocol document for the USGS-NPS Vegetation mapping Program (unpublished report)

Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: document

Edition: Final Draft

Series_Information:

Series_Name: USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program

Issue_Identification: Protocol documents

Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: Denver, CO

Publisher: USGS/BRD, Center for Biological Informatics

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

Online_Linkage: <http://biology.usgs.gov/npsveg/classification/index.html>

Type_of_Source_Media: Online

Source_Time_Period_of_Content:

Time_Period_Information:

Range_of_Dates/Times:

Beginning_Date: 199411

Ending_Date: 2010

Source_Currentness_Reference: Publication Date and indefinitely

Source_Citation_Abbreviation: SNVCS protocol document

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

Source_Information:

Source_Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator: USGSBRD, Center for Biological Informatics

Publication_Date: 19980223

Title:

Classification of the Vegetation of Agate Fossil Beds National Monument

Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: report

Series_Information:

Series_Name: USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program

Issue_Identification: Agate Fossil Beds National Monument

Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: Denver, CO

Publisher: USGS/BRD, Center for Biological Informatics

Other_Citation_Details:

This report was generated by The Nature Conservancy under contract to the USGS/BRD, Center for Biological Informatics

Online_Linkage: <http://biology.usgs.gov/npsveg/agfo/agforpt.pdf>

Type_of_Source_Media: Online

Source_Time_Period_of_Content:

Time_Period_Information:

Range_of_Dates/Times:

Beginning_Date: 19950710

Ending_Date: 19950815

Source_Currentness_Reference: Ground Condition, summer 1995

Source_Citation_Abbreviation: AGFO sample and classification

Source_Contribution: Report summarizing plot data collection effort

Source_Information:

Source_Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator:

United States Dept. of the Interior, National Biological Survey (no USGS Biological Resources Division) and the National Park Service

Publication_Date: 199412

Title: Field Methods for Vegetation Mapping

Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: document

Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: Denver, CO

Publisher:

USGS/Biological Resources Division, Center for Biological Informatics

Other_Citation_Details:

This report was generated by The Nature Conservancy under contract to the USGS/BRD, CBI

Online_Linkage: <http://biology.usgs.gov/npsveg/fieldmethods/index.html>

Type_of_Source_Media: Online

Source_Time_Period_of_Content:

Time_Period_Information:

Range_of_Dates/Times:

Beginning_Date: 199412

Ending_Date: 2010

Source_Currentness_Reference: Publication Date and indefinitely

Source_Citation_Abbreviation: field methods protocol document

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

Process_Step:

Process_Description:

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.

Source_Used_Citation_Abbreviation: SNVCS protocol document

Source_Used_Citation_Abbreviation: Field Methods for Vegetation Mapping

Process_Date: 199508

Source_Produced_Citation_Abbreviation: AGFO sample and classification

Source_Produced_Citation_Abbreviation: AGFO Vegetation Descriptions

Process_Contact:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Person_Primary:

Contact_Person: Jim Drake

Contact_Organization: The Nature Conservancy

Contact_Position: Regional Chief Ecologist, The Nature Conservancy

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: Physical Address

Address: 1313 5th Street SE

Address: Suite 314

City: Minneapolis

State_or_Province: MN

Postal_Code: 55414

Country: USA

Contact_Voice_Telephone: (612)331-0729

Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: jdrake@tnc.org

Spatial_Data_Organization_Information:

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.

Direct_Spatial_Reference_Method: Point

Point_and_Vector_Object_Information:

SDTS_Terms_Description:

SDTS_Point_and_Vector_Object_Type: Point

Spatial_Reference_Information:

Horizontal_Coordinate_System_Definition:

Planar:

Grid_Coordinate_System:

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_Coordinate_Information:

Planar_Coordinate_Encoding_Method: coordinate pair

Coordinate_Representation:

Abscissa_Resolution: 1

Ordinate_Resolution: 1

Planar_Distance_Units: Meters

Geodetic_Model:

Horizontal_Datum_Name: North American Datum of 1983

Ellipsoid_Name: Geodedic Reference System 80

Semi-major_Axis: 6378137

Denominator_of_Flattening_Ratio: 298.257

Entity_and_Attribute_Information:

Overview_Description:

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>.

Distribution_Information:

Distributor:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Person_Primary:

Contact_Person: USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program Coordinator

Contact_Organization:

U.S. Geological Survey, Center for Biological
Informatics

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: mailing and physical address

Address:

U.S. Geological Survey, Center for Biological
Informatics, MS 302, Room 8000, Building 810,
Denver Federal Center

City: Denver

State_or_Province: Colorado

Postal_Code: 80225

Contact_Voice_Telephone: (303) 202-4220

Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 303-202-4229

Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 303-202-4219 (org)

Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: gs-b-npsveg@usgs.gov

Resource_Description: AGFO Physical Descriptive Data nad Species Listing Data

Distribution_Liability:

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.

Standard_Order_Process:

Digital_Form:

Digital_Transfer_Information:

Format_Name: HTML

Digital_Transfer_Option:

Online_Option:

Computer_Contact_Information:

Network_Address:

Network_Resource_Name: <http://biology.usgs.gov/npsveg/agfo/fielddata.html>

Fees: None

Metadata_Reference_Information:

Metadata_Date: 20011022

Metadata_Review_Date: 20080506

Metadata_Contact:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Organization_Primary:

Contact_Organization: USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program Coordinator

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: mailing and physical address

Address:

U.S. Geological Survey, Center for Biological Informatics, MS 302,
Room 8000, Building 810, Denver Federal Center

City: Denver

State_or_Province: Colorado

Postal_Code: 80225

Country: USA

Contact_Voice_Telephone: (303) 202-4220

Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: (303) 202-4219

Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: gs-b-npsveg@usgs.gov

Metadata_Standard_Name:

FGDC-STD-001.1-1999 Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata, 1998 Part 1: Biological Data Profile, 1999

Metadata_Standard_Version: FGDC-STD-001-1998

Metadata_Extensions:

Online_Linkage:

<http://metadata.nbii.gov/portal/community/Communities/Toolkit/Metadata/FGDC_Metadata/>

Profile_Name: Biological Data Profile FGDC-STD-001.1-1999