USGS:Biology Biological Informatics Program Vegetation Characterization Program Agate Fossil Beds National Monument Spatial Vegetation Data FAQ Metadata

Spatial Vegetation Data FAQ Metadata

Metadata also available as - [Outline] - [Text] - [Adobe Acrobat pdf file]

Frequently-anticipated questions:

• What does this data set describe?
  1. How should this data set be cited?
  2. What geographic area does the data set cover?
  3. What does it look like?
  4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?
  5. What is the general form of this data set?
  6. How does the data set represent geographic features?
  7. How does the data set describe geographic features?
  8. What biological taxa does this data set concern?
• Who produced the data set?
  1. Who are the originators of the data set?
  2. Who also contributed to the data set?
  3. To whom should users address questions about the data?
• Why was the data set created?
• How was the data set created?
  1. What methods were used to collect the data?
  2. From what previous works were the data drawn?
  3. How were the data generated, processed, and modified?
  4. What similar or related data should the user be aware of?
• How reliable are the data; what problems remain in the data set?
  1. How well have the observations been checked?
  2. How accurate are the geographic locations?
  3. How accurate are the heights or depths?
  4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?
  5. How consistent are the relationships among the data, including topology?
• How can someone get a copy of the data set?
  1. Are there legal restrictions on access or use of the data?
  2. Who distributes the data?
  3. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set?
  4. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?
  5. How can I download or order the data?
• Who wrote the metadata?

Title:

Agate Fossil Beds National Monument Spatial Vegetation Data; Cover Type / Association level of the National Vegetation Classification System

Abstract:

The National Park Service (NPS), in conjunction with the Biological Resources Division (BRD) of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), has implemented a program to "develop a uniform hierarchical vegetation methodology" at a national level. The program will also create a geographic information system (GIS) database for the parks under its management. The purpose of the data is to document the state of vegetation within the NPS service area during the 1990's, thereby providing a baseline study for further analysis at the Regional or Service-wide level. The vegetation units of this map were determined through stereoscopic interpretation of aerial photographs supported by field sampling and ecological analysis. The vegetation boundaries were identified on the photographs by means of the photographic signatures and collateral information on slope, hydrology, geography, and vegetation in accordance with the Standardized National Vegetation Classification System (October 1995). The mapped vegetation reflects conditions that existed during the specific year and season that the aerial photographs were taken (July, 1995). There is an inherent margin of error in the use of aerial photography for vegetation delineation and classification.

Supplemental_Information:

Agate Fossil Beds National Monument was created by the National Park Service on June 5, 1965. the park occupies 4.5 square miles of land straddling the Niobrara River in the middle of the Nebraska Panhandle. The park is noted for its history, prehistoric fossils, and scenic quality. Historically, the park was a part of the Agate Springs Ranch, owned by Captain James H. Cook. The park has a collection of ranching and Native American artifacts and memorabilia as a result of its donation from the Ranch. Paleontologically, the park contains a number of Miocene fossil quarries that were excavated through the late 19th century and early 20th century. From a scenic aspect, the park has views of rolling hills, bluffs, and the Niobrara River floodplain. Ranching is also an active part of the landscape. The park is located in the grassy rolling hills of Western Nebraska. The park landscape consists of the east-west trending cap-rocked northern and southern hills, with the treeless Niobrara River floodplain running down the middle of the valley. The city of Harrison is located 23 miles to the north, Mitchell is 34 miles to the south. State Highway 29 runs north-south through the western part of the park.

1. How should this data set be cited?

   U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Remote Sensing and GIS Group, and The , 19980310, Agate Fossil Beds National Monument Spatial Vegetation Data; Cover Type / Association level of the National Vegetation Classification System: USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, USGS,Biological Resources Division, Center for Biological Informatics, Denver CO.

   Online Links:

   • <http://biology.usgs.gov/npsveg/agfo/index.html>

   Other_Citation_Details: Created under contract to the USGS-BRD-CBI

2. 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.

3. What does it look like?

   <http://biology.usgs.gov/npsveg/agfo/images/agfoveg.pdf> (PDF)

   382 Kbyte graphic in map composition layout

4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?

   Calendar_Date: 29-Jul-1995

   Currentness_Reference: Source photography date

5. What is the general form of this data set?

   Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: database

6. How does the data set represent geographic features?
   1. How are geographic features stored in the data set?

      Indirect_Spatial_Reference:

      Agate Fossil Beds is in Sioux County, Nebraska near the headwaters of the headwaters of the Niobrara River. The Monument is located 20 miles south of Harrison, Nebraska.

      This is a Point data set. It contains the following vector data types (SDTS terminology):
      • Point

   2. 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.
      

7. How does the data set describe geographic features?

   Entity_and_Attribute_Overview:

   The system is organized hierarchically to support conservation and resource stewardship applications across multiple scales. The upper levels of the hierarchicy are based on the physical form or structure of the vegetation (physiognomy) and have been refined from the international standards developed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The two most detailed levels of the hierearchy are based on the species composition of the existing vegetation (floristics) and reflect the phyto-sociological standards that were originally developed by European ecologists. The vegetation classification is continually advanced through the collection and analysis of new field data and will be greatly strengthened during the course of the USGS-NPS mapping efforts.

   USGS-NPS VEGETATION MAPPING PROGRAM AGATE FOSSIL BEDS NATIONAL MONUMENT, NEBRASKA FINAL ASSOCIATION/COMMUNITY CLASSIFICATION July 29, 1998 01=Populus deltoides - (Salix amygdaloides) / Salix exigua Woodland 02=Symphoricarpos occidentalis Shrubland 03=Salix exigua Shrubland 04=Stipa comata - Bouteloua gracilis - Carex filifolia Herbaceous Vegetation 05=Calamovilfa longifolia - Andropogon hallii Herbaceous Vegetation 06=Upland Disturbance Herbaceous Vegetation 07=Annual-dominated Floodplain Disturbance Herbaceous Vegetation 08=Pascopyrum smithii Herbaceous Vegetation 09=Juncus balticus Herbaceous Vegetation 10=Typha latifolia Western Herbaceous Vegetation 11=Seeded Grassland Herbaceous Vegetation 12=Stipa comata - Bouteloua gracilis Gravel Herbaceous Vegetation 13=Schizachyrium scoparium - Bouteloua (curtipendula, gracilis) - Carex filifolia Herbaceous Vegetation 14 = Stipa comata - Bouteloua gracilis - Carex filifolia Herbaceous Vegetation/ Schizachyrium scoparium - Bouteloua (curtipendula, gracilis) - Carex filifolia Herbaceous Vegetation Mosaic 98=Water 99=Urban/Built-Up/Maintained/Road/Road Mowed/Cut and Fill HEIGHT 1 = <0.5 meters 2 = 0.5 - 2 meters 3 = 2 - 5 meters 4 = 5 - 15 meters 5 = 15 - 35 meters 6 = 35 - 50 meters 7 = >50 meters 9 = Not Applicable ABSOLUTE CROWN DENSITY 1 = Closed/Continuous > 60 % 2 = Discontinuous 40% - 60% 3 = Dispersed 25% - 40% 4 = Sparse 10% - 25% 5 = Rare 2% - 10% 9 = Not Applicable PATTERN 1 = Evenly Dispersed 2 = Clumped/Bunched 3 = Gradational/Transitional 4 = Alternating 9 = Not Applicable LAND USE 100 = Urban or Built-Up 110 = Residential 111 = Cook Homestead 120 = Commercial 130 = Industrial 140 = Transportation, Communication, and Utilities 141 = Dam 142 = Ditch, Water, Maintained Area, Cut and Fill 150 = Mixed Commercial and Industrial 160 = Mixed Urban 170 =Under Construction 180 = Open Space and Recreation 190 = Vacant within Urban Context 200 = Agriculture 210 = Exotic Tree Planting 300 = Mining (Borrow Pit) 400 = National Park/Monument Facilities 401 = Visitor Center 402 = Visitor Picnic Parking Area and Driveway 403 = Ranger Residence Area 404 = Maintenance Yard 405 = Bone House 406 = Ranger Residence by Bone House 407 = Paved Roads and Associated Disturbance, Cut and Fill Embankments (Highway 29 and River Road) 408 = Daemonelix Trail Parking Area 409 = Niobrara River Fishing Parking Area 500 = Water 600 = Vacant

   Fort Laramie National Historic Site Alliance/Community Association Photo Signature Key - Table Descriptions USGS-NPS VEGETATION MAPPING PROGRAM AGATE FOSSIL BEDS NATIONAL MONUMENT, NEBRASKA FINAL ASSOCIATION/COMMUNITY PHOTO SIGNATURE KEY Table Descriptions The Final Association/Community Photo Signature Key Table is divided into six columns. The column descriptions are as follows:

   Column 1 - ASSOCIATION /COMMUNITY CODE This column contains the code in the database representing the association/community category. Column 2 - ASSOCIATION /COMMUNITY This column contains the title of the association/community category. Column 3 - PHOTO SIGNATURE This column describes the photo signatures that characterize the life form of the association/community in this park. The following subcategories are included: Color: Describes the color tone and contrast variations of the photo signature. Texture: Describes the relative apparent roughness or smoothness of the signature character. Coarse being a very rough or grainy texture, fine being a very smooth texture. A forest of trees tends to have a coarse texture. Grasslands tend to have a fine texture. Crown Size: Describes the relative size of the tree or shrub crown diameter as viewed on the aerial photo. Typically, spreading trees tend to have large crowns while shrubs tend to have smaller crowns. Crown Shape: Describes the relative shape of the tree or shrub crown as viewed on the aerial photo. Density: Describes the general density characteristic of the association/community. Column 4 - HEIGHT This column describes the relative height range of the life form of the association/community. Column 5 - CONTEXT This column describes the general occurrence of the association/community within the park from a geomorphological, physiographic, topographical, or regional perspective. Column 6 - NOTES This column includes other pertinent information that column describes the photo signatures that characterize the life form of the association/community in this park. The following subcategories are included: Color: Describes the color tone and contrast variations of the photo signature. Texture: Describes the relative apparent roughness or smoothness of the signature character. Coarse being a very rough or grainy texture, fine being a very smooth texture. A forest of trees tends to have a coarse texture. Grasslands tend to have a fine texture. Crown Size: Describes the relative size of the tree or shrub crown diameter as viewed on the aerial photo. Typically, spreading trees tend to have large crowns while shrubs tend to have smaller crowns. Crown Shape: Describes the relative shape of the tree or shrub crown as viewed on the aerial photo. Density: Describes the general density characteristic of the association/community. Column 6 - NOTES This column includes other pertinent information that Bouteloua gracilis - Carex filifolia Herbaceous Vegetation COLOR: Dark dull green TEXTURE: Smooth, fine CROWN SIZE: None CROWN SHAPE: None DENSITY: High <.5 Steep upper and middle hillslopes Carex filifolia lessens as reach steeper upper slopes; Calamovilfa longifolia circles as inclusions 05 Calamovilfa longifolia - Andropogon hallii Herbaceous Vegetation COLOR: Deep medium green to dull medium green, blue-green patches TEXTURE: Smooth, fine CROWN SIZE: None CROWN SHAPE: None DENSITY: High ><1 Shallow middle and lower hillslopes and canyon bottoms 06 Upland Disturbance Herbaceous Vegetation COLOR: A) Yellow, with yellow green, yellow brown, and brown; B) Medium yellow green, with some rusty brown and yellow brown; C) Dull brown to very dark green to black; D) Dull brown to rusty brown to light yellow brown; E) Dull blue green TEXTURE: Smooth, fine CROWN SIZE: None CROWN SHAPE: None DENSITY: High ><2 Valley bottoms, stream floodplains/terraces, hill sideslopes 07 Annual-dominated Floodplain Distrubance Herbaceous Vegetation COLOR: Light to neutral medium green TEXTURE: Moderate to smooth, moderate to fine CROWN SIZE: None CROWN SHAPE: None DENSITY: High to moderate ><2 Lower floodplain terrace, dry 08 Pascopyrum smithii Herbaceous Vegetation COLOR: Bright to light medium green TEXTURE: Moderate CROWN SIZE: None CROWN SHAPE: None DENSITY: High ><1 Upper floodplain terrace 09 Juncus balticus Herbaceous Vegetation COLOR: Medium to dark green TEXTURE: Moderate to smooth, fine CROWN SIZE: None CROWN SHAPE: None DENSITY: High ><2 Lower floodplain terrace, wet 10 Typha latifolia Western Herbaceous Vegetation COLOR: Very dark green to black, sometimes white to gray inclusions TEXTURE: Moderate to smooth CROWN SIZE: None CROWN SHAPE: None DENSITY: High to very low ><2 Adjacent to river, saturated wet areas Photos show no vegetation, field shows dense with cattails 11 Seeded Grassland Herbaceous Vegetation COLOR: Medium green TEXTURE: Smooth, fine CROWN SIZE: None CROWN SHAPE: None DENSITY: High to moderate ><2 Lower floodplain terrace Limited to one location 12 Stipa comata - Bouteloua gracilis Gravel Herbaceous Vegetation COLOR: White to light gray TEXTURE: Smooth, fine CROWN SIZE: None CROWN SHAPE: None DENSITY: Low ><1 Gravelly channels Few occurrences, mostly less than mmu 13 Schizachyrium scoparium - Bouteloua curtipendula, gracilis - Carex filifolia Herbaceous Vegetation COLOR: White to gray TEXTURE: Smooth, fine CROWN SIZE: None CROWN SHAPE: None DENSITY: Low ><.5 Ridgetops with very little vegetation 14 Stipa comata - Bouteloua gracilis - Carex filifolia Herbaceous Vegetation / Schizachyrium scoparium - Bouteloua (curtipendula, gracilis) - Carex filifolia Herbaceous Vegetation Mosaic COLOR: White to gray to gray green, with dull medium green inclusions TEXTURE: Smooth, fine CROWN SIZE: None CROWN SHAPE: None DENSITY: Low to moderate ><.5 Ridgetops >

   Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation:

   Grossman, D. Et al. 1994. National Park Service Vegetation Mapping Project, Standardized National Vegetation Classificatrion System 209 pp.

8. What biological taxa does this data set concern?

   Taxonomy:

   Keywords/Taxon:

   Taxonomic_Keyword_Thesaurus: none

   Taxonomic_Keywords: plant communities

   Taxonomic_Classification:

   Taxon_Rank_Name: Kingdom

   Taxon_Rank_Value: Plantae

1. Who are the originators of the data set? (may include formal authors, digital compilers, and editors)
   • U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Remote Sensing and GIS Group, and The Nature Conservancy

2. Who also contributed to the data set?

   USGS, NPS, ESRI, TNC

3. To whom should users address questions about the data?

   USGS Biological Resources Division, Center for Biological Informatics
   c/o USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program Coordinator
   USGS
   Denver, Colorado 80225-0046
   USA
   

   (303) 202-4220 (voice)
   303-202-4229 (FAX)
   gs-b-npsveg@usgs.gov
   

The purpose of this spatial data is to provide the National Park Service the necessary tools to manage the natural resources within this park system. Several parks, representing different regions, environmental conditions, and vegetation types, were chosen by BRD to be part of the prototype phase of the program. The initial goal of the prototype phase is to "develop, test, refine, and finalize the standards and protocols" to be used during the production phase of the project. This includes the development of a standardized vegetation classification system for each park and the establishment of photointerpretation, field, and accuracy assessment procedures. Agate Fossil Beds National Monument was designated as one of the prototype parks. The monument is located in the high Great Plains. It contains prairie, hill, and riverine environments, with vegetation types that include prairie grassland, riverine woodland, and wetlands. The vegetation units were photointerpreted from stereo-paired, natural color photography.

1. What methods were used to collect the data?

   Method 0 of 1

   Type: Field

   Developmental of Programmatic and Technical Team: This project required the combined expertise and oversight of several organizations. Oversight and programmatic considerations are managed by the Center for Biological Informatics of the Biological Resources Division of the U.S. Geological Survey. The National Park Service provided additional guidance. The technical responsibilities for the mapping effort were divided between TNC and AIS. TNC responsibilities and deliverables included the following: Create a vegetation classification system based upon field species level data and consistent with the Standard National Classification System at the Alliance or Community Element level Provide documentation that describes the national classes at the local and global levels, with field keys, and field data in a *.dbf format. Provide technical opinion to AIS as the mapping portion of the project proceeds. Provide field notes and site descriptions AIS responsibilities and deliverables included the following: Digital files of vegetation on Compact (CD); including topology and labeling for height, density, and pattern subclasses; location of field sample sites; and locations of sites used for accuracy assessment in Arc/Info format Any ancillary digital files developed during the mapping process Digital FGDC compliant metadata file for each digital file delivered Annotated field site photographs Original mylar overlays of interpreted photographs Hard copy vegetation map Accuracy assessment Final report describing all procedures used in developing the final map and accuracy assessment Planning and Review Meeting An initial meeting was held with all interested parties to discuss several aspects of the mapping effort. Foremost among these was the mapping extent. Preliminary Data Collection and Review of Existing Information to reduce duplicating previous work and to help in our effort we collected existing vegetation reports and maps from the staff at Agate Fossil Beds National Monument. These materials were referenced during the mapping process and the information contained in them was incorporated where it was deemed useful. Because soils also affect the distribution of vegetation, soil maps and soil descriptions were slso obtained as reference. These were not converted to a digital file. Digital elevation models (DEM) were obtained to create slope and aspect maps that helped in determining vegetation community distribution. Vegetation Sampling The sampling approach used in this mapping effort was typical of small park sampling, where all polygons within the park boundary are sampled. Two levels of field data gathering were conducted in this park; plots and observations. Plots represented the most intensive sampling of the landscape and used TNC's 'Plot Form'. Observations consisted of brief descriptions and were designed to obtain a quick overview of the landscape without spending a large amount of time at each sample site. Observation points used the 'Observation Form' data sheet. Examples of both 'Plot' and 'Observation' forms are included in the companion report by TNC. Initially, plots were used to describe the vegetation of the park. A total of 39 plots were obtained from July 10 through August 15, 1995. These plots were used by TNC to describe the vegetation associations found within the park. These descriptions are in the companion report by TNC. Map Validation A field trip was conducted in August of 1997 to assess the initial mapping effort and to refine map class.

   Reference:

   From what previous works were the data drawn?

   KAM (source 1 of 5)

   Kenny Aerial Mapping Company, Phoenix, AZ, 19950729, Agate Fossil Beds National Monument Natural Color Aerial Photography: Unknown Unknown Publication Place: Phoenix, AZ, Kenney Aerial Mapping for USGS, Denver, CO.

   Online Links:

   • <http://biology.usgs.gov/npsveg/agfo/photos.pdf>

   Other_Citation_Details:

   The aerial photography is CIR 1:12000 scale. The camera calibration report is USGS report Number OSL/2066 dated January 10, 1995.

   Type_of_Source_Media: Natural Color Photography

   Source_Scale_Denominator: 12000

   Source_Contribution: None

   fola orthophoto (source 2 of 5)

   Uknown, 1998, Digital Orthophotograph of Agate Fossil Beds National Monument: Unknown, Unknown.

   Other_Citation_Details: The digital orthophotograph is a 1:2400 scale image.

   Type_of_Source_Media: Electronic Mail System

   Source_Scale_Denominator: 2400

   Source_Contribution: This digital orthophoto provided the project basemap

   agfo field data (source 3 of 5)

   USGSBRD, Center for Biological Informatics, 19971215, Vegetation Sampling and Classification Report: USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, USGS/BRD, Center for Biological Informatics, Denver, CO.

   Online Links:

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

   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: digital

   Source_Contribution:

   This document provides the Field Key, and Vegetation categories used in the mapping process.

   agfo mapping report (source 4 of 5)

   U.S. Geological Survey, and Department of the Interior, 19980501, Agate Fossil Beds National Monument Photo Interpretation and Map Generation Procedures: USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, USGS, Biological Resources Division, Center for Biological Informatics, Denver, CO.

   Online Links:

   • <http://biology.usgs.gov/npsveg/agfo/agfopirpt.pdf>

   Other_Citation_Details:

   Created in large part by Aerial Information Systems, Inc. under contract rom USGS/BRD/CBI.

   Type_of_Source_Media: digital

   Source_Contribution:

   Photo interpretation was done by trained interpreters familiar with the vegetation communities of the Site on overlays registered to the aerial photographs under a stereoscope. Vegetation communities were idendified on the basis of their color, pattern, texture, and location on the landscape and lines were drawn around the communities. The photo interpreters had visited the monument and conferred with the ecologists who performed the vegetation classification and were familiar with the vegetation communities. Not all vegetation associations could be identified on the photography due to size constraints and complexity of the vegetation. Map classes were assigned in these cases and a cross-walk was made to the vegetation classification

   Accuracy Assessment Procedures Documents (source 5 of 5)

   USGS/BRD, Center for Biological Informatics, 199411, Accuracy Assessment Procedures, NBS/NPS Vegetation Mapping Program: USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program agate Fossil Beds National Monument, USGS/BRD, Center for Biological Informatics, Denver, CO.

   Online Links:

   • <http://biology.usgs.gov/npsveg/aa/index.html>

   Other_Citation_Details:

   This report was prepared by Environmental Systems Research Institute; Redlands, CA, National Center for Geographic Information and Analysis, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA and The Nature Conservancy, Arlington, VA under contract from the U.S. Department of Interior National Biological Survey and National Park Service.

   Type_of_Source_Media: electronic document

   Source_Contribution:

   This document established the procedures and protocols for the accuracy assessment at Agate Fossil Beds National Monument.

   How were the data generated, processed, and modified?

   Date: 01-Jun-1998 (process 1 of 2)

   Air Photo Interpretation All map classes were interpreted from existing 1:12,000 scale, color photography taken on July 29, 1995. The photographs were acquired from the U.S. Forest Service (USFS). Photointerpretation used the standard identification features such as tone, texture, color, pattern, topographic position, and shadow. In addition, field sample locations and their vegetation descriptions aided in assigning map class to each polygon. All photographs were examined using a stereoscope. Digital elevation models (DEM's) were processed and converted to slope and aspect coverages. These helped to provide additional perspectives of the landscape. Seven photographs were interpreted for the entire mapping area. Digital scans of these photographs are included as .tif files on the CD included with this report.

   Person who carried out this activity:
   

   Bureau of Reclamations
   Redlands, CA Unknown
   USA
   

   Unknown (voice)
   

   Data sources used in this process:

   • AIS

   Data sources produced in this process:

   • AIS

   Date: Oct-1995 (process 2 of 2)

   In conjunction with the photoverification and field sampling effort, NBS (now USGS, BRD, CBI) personnel performed a locational accuracy test comparing the accuracy of a global positioning system (GPS) versus manual location techniques. The TNC biologist "pin-pricked" all of the sample site locations onto the aerial photos while the NBS staff captured the location using GPS. The "pin-pricked" locations were subsequently input into the GIS database for comparison against the GPS locations for the same site.

   Person who carried out this activity:
   

   USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program Coordinator
   USGS Biological Resources Division, Center for Biological Informatics
   USGS
   Denver, Colorado 80225
   USA
   

   (303) 202-4220 (voice)
   303-202-4229 (FAX)
   gs-b-npsveg@usgs.gov
   

   Data sources used in this process:

   • AGFO CIR Aerial Photography

   Data sources produced in this process:

   • Analysis of Accuracy Assessment Procedures at Agate Fossil Beds National Monument

   What similar or related data should the user be aware of?

1. How well have the observations been checked?

   These data have a combined total accuracy of 80.0%. Individual class accuracies range from 22% to 90% in both errors of commission and omission.

2. How accurate are the geographic locations?

   Unknown. The positional accuracy of the base topographic quadrangles is not known. It is assumed the map meets National Map Accuracy Standards.

3. How accurate are the heights or depths?

   Unknown. The positional accuracy of the base topographic quadrangles is not known. It is assumed the map meets National Map Accuracy Standards.

4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?

   All data that can be photointerpreted is also digitized. This includes alliance/association classes, surface water, and unvegetated/landuse. Also all data that can be photo-interpreted is also digitized. This includes features that fall into the NVCS vegetation classification and the Anderson Level II classification. Minimum mapping unit is obstensibly .5 hectares but some low frequency classes below the MMU are included.

5. How consistent are the relationships among the observations, including topology?

   All polygon features are checked for topology using the ARC/INFO software. Each polygon begins and ends at the same point with the node feature. All nodes are checked for error so that there are no dangling features. There are no duplicate lines or polygons. All nodes will snap together and close polygons based on a specific tolerance. If the node is not within the tolerance, it is adjusted manually. The test for logical consistency are performed in ARC/INFO.

Are there legal restrictions on access or use of the data?

Access_Constraints: None

Use_Constraints:

No warranty, expressed or implied, is made regarding the accuracy or utility of the data on any other system or for general or scientific purposes. Any person using the information presented here should fully understand the data collection and compilation procedures, as described in these metadata, before beginning analysis. The burden for determining fitness for use lies entirely with the user. For purposes of publication or dissemination, citations should be given to the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Park Service.

1. 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
   

2. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set?

   agfo Veg map

3. 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.

4. How can I download or order the data?
   • Availability in digital form:

     Data format:	HTML
     Network links:	<http://biology.usgs.gov/npsveg/agfo/index.html>

   • Cost to order the data: None

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:

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