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USGS:Biology arrow icon Biological Informatics Program arrow icon Vegetation Characterization Program arrow icon Colorado National Monument arrow icon Field Plots FAQ Metadata

Field Plots FAQ Metadata

Frequently-anticipated questions:

What does this data set describe?

Title:
Colorado National Monument Vegetation Mapping Project - Field Plot and Observation Points
Abstract:
This point file displays the 525 field plot and observation locations visited in 2003 and 2004 as part of the vegetation mapping project for Colorado National Monument. The data collected were used for the vegetation classification and mapping of the park. Sample plots were located subjectively in representative vegetation throughout the Monument. A map of soils and geology overlain on topography helped field crews maximize the diversity of sites sampled. Field crews decided where and when to use observation points or vegetation plots to sample the vegetation. Vegetation plots were placed in stands judged by field crews to represent legitimate vegetation types that could be classified to the NVC using standard multivariate analysis techniques. Observation points were placed in stands (1) if the vegetation was highly altered and therefore not classifiable, (2) to provide information about the distribution of common vegetation types adequately sampled in vegetation plots, or (3) if the stand represented a unique vegetation type that was too small to hold a 400m2 sample plot (e.g., seeps, Oregon grape shrubland). Fuels data was collected at a subset of the plots visited, and 360 degree movie files were taken of the vegetation. Nine hundred and twenty photographs were also taken of plot and observation locations.
Supplemental_Information:
Established May 24, 1911, and on 20,453.932 acres, Colorado National Monument consists of geologic features including: towering red sandstone monoliths, deep sheer-walled canyons, and a variety of wildlife (bighorn sheep, golden eagles, mule deer, and mountain lions).
  1. How should this data set be cited?

    Von Loh, Jim (e2M), 20070901, Vegetation Mapping Plot and Observation Locations for Colorado National Monument.

    Online Links:

  2. What geographic area does the data set cover?

    West_Bounding_Coordinate: -108.757326
    East_Bounding_Coordinate: -106.455453
    North_Bounding_Coordinate: 65.975512
    South_Bounding_Coordinate: 38.976568
    Description_of_Geographic_Extent: Colorado National Monument

  3. What does it look like?

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

    Beginning_Date: 13-May-2003
    Ending_Date: 10-Oct-2003
    Currentness_Reference: ground condition

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

    Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: vector digital data

  6. How does the data set represent geographic features?

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

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

      • Entity point (524)

    2. What coordinate system is used to represent geographic features?

      Grid_Coordinate_System_Name: Universal Transverse Mercator
      Universal_Transverse_Mercator:
      UTM_Zone_Number: 12
      Transverse_Mercator:
      Scale_Factor_at_Central_Meridian: 0.999600
      Longitude_of_Central_Meridian: -111.000000
      Latitude_of_Projection_Origin: 0.000000
      False_Easting: 500000.000000
      False_Northing: 0.000000

      Planar coordinates are encoded using coordinate pair
      Abscissae (x-coordinates) are specified to the nearest 0.008192
      Ordinates (y-coordinates) are specified to the nearest 0.008192
      Planar coordinates are specified in meters

      The horizontal datum used is North American Datum of 1983.
      The ellipsoid used is Geodetic Reference System 80.
      The semi-major axis of the ellipsoid used is 6378137.000000.
      The flattening of the ellipsoid used is 1/298.257222.

  7. How does the data set describe geographic features?

    COLM_plots_obs_pts
    Feature Class (Source: National Park Service)

    FID
    Internal feature number. (Source: ESRI)

    Sequential unique whole numbers that are automatically generated.

    Shape
    Feature geometry. (Source: ESRI)

    Coordinates defining the features.

    OBJECTID
    Internal feature number. (Source: ESRI)

    Sequential unique whole numbers that are automatically generated.

    PLOT_CODE
    plot point number (Source: NPS four letter park code plus unique number)

    Unique plot code created for each location visited.

    Pnts_Type
    Type of point (Source: NPS)

    A text explaining what kind of point.

    Edit_Date
    Date of edit (Source: NPS)

    Date of any edits or updates to attributes.

    Edit_Notes
    Explaination of edit. (Source: NPS)

    Notes about any edits or updates made to a point.

    Entity_and_Attribute_Overview:
    OBJECT_ID - Object ID - ESRI automatically generated unique ID SHAPE - Geometry - ESRI automatically generated geometry type PLOT_CODE - Text - Unique plot code created for each location visited. Pnts_Type - Long Integer (subtypes)- Type of point 1 - Plot_Point 2 - Observation_Point 3 - AA_Point 4 - Fuels_Point 5 - Misc_Photo_Point Edit_Date - Text - Date of any edits or updates to attributes Edit_Notes - Text - Notes about any edits or updates made to a point.
    Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation: Unknown.

  8. What biological taxa does this data set concern?

    Taxonomy:
    Keywords/Taxon:
    Taxonomic_Keyword_Thesaurus: None
    Taxonomic_Keywords: Standardized National Vegetation Classification System
    Taxonomic_Keywords: vegetation classification
    Taxonomic_Keywords: alliance
    Taxonomic_Keywords: community association
    Taxonomic_Classification:
    Taxon_Rank_Name: Kingdom
    Taxon_Rank_Value: Plantae

Who produced the data set?

  1. Who are the originators of the data set? (may include formal authors, digital compilers, and editors)

    • Von Loh, Jim (e2M)

  2. Who also contributed to the data set?

    NPS NCPN - Sarah Topp, Bruce Condie e2M - Jim Von Loh, Sarah Boyes, Brian Davis, Pete Williams, and Maureen DeCoursey

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

    Northern Colorado Plateau Network, Inventory and Monitoring Program
    c/o Janet Coles
    Vegetation Ecologist
    P.O. Box 848
    Moab, UT 84532

    435-719-2358 (voice)
    janet_coles@nps.gov

Why was the data set created?

Plots were collected to characterize the vegetation at Colorado National Monument. These points show the location of plot and observation points visited. The intended use of all data in the park's GIS library is to support diverse park activities including planning, management, maintenance, research, and interpretation.

How was the data set created?

  1. From what previous works were the data drawn?

    DRG (source 1 of 1)
    USGS, 20031010, Colorado National Monument, Battleship Rock, Island Mesa and Glade Park.

    Type_of_Source_Media: CD-ROM
    Source_Scale_Denominator: 24,000
    Source_Contribution: Digital Raster Graphics were used for field maps.

  2. How were the data generated, processed, and modified?

    Date: unknown (process 1 of 2)
    Field data collection was accomplished with the use of recreational GPS units (generally Garmins). Field crews used their judgment for the placement of plot and observation locations.

    Date: unknown (process 2 of 2)
    Data was entered into the NCPN Plots (MS Access) database, quality assurance checked, and shapefiles were created from the data in the database.

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

    Von Loh, J., K. Landgraf, A. Evenden, T. Owens, S. Blauer, and M. Reid, 20070901, Colorado National Monument Vegetation Classification and Mapping Project Report: National Park Service, Northern Colorado Plateau Network, Moab, UT.

    Online Links:

How reliable are the data; what problems remain in the data set?

  1. How well have the observations been checked?

    Network staff has ground checked and verified all features to the best of their knowledge. GIS personnel verified all features and attributes.

  2. How accurate are the geographic locations?

    This data was collected using recreational grade GPS receivers (generally Garmins). A dop or meters error reading was recorded when applicable. Recreational GPS receivers generally have horizontal errors of 3-15 meters (less than 40 meters). GPS accuracy varies for each plot. Error values were recorded on the plot form.

  3. How accurate are the heights or depths?

    Standard GPS Elevation Error

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

    This data contains all the observation and plot points visited for the Colorado Vegetation Mapping Project.

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

    There are no duplicate features present.

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:
Acknowledgment of the USGS-RMMC, e2M and the National Park Service would be appreciated in products derived from these data. Any person using the information presented here should fully understand the data collection and compilation process before beginning their analysis/use. The burden of determining fitness for use lies with the user.

  1. Who distributes the data set? (Distributor 1 of 1)

    USGS/CSS/Core Science Analytics and Synthesis
    c/o USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program Coordinator
    Denver Federal Center, Building 810, Room 8000, MS 302
    Denver, Colorado 80225

    (303) 202-4220 (voice)
    303-202-4219 (FAX)
    gs-b-npsveg@usgs.gov

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

    Downloadable Data

  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?

Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:
Last modified: 13-Oct-2006
Last Reviewed: 18-May-2010
Metadata author:
USGS/CSS/Core Science Analytics and Synthesis
c/o USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program Coordinator
Denver Federal Center, Building 810, Room 8000, MS 302
Denver, Colorado 80225

(303) 202-4220 (voice)
303-202-4219 (FAX)
gs-b-npsveg@usgs.gov

Metadata standard:
FGDC Biological Data Profile of the Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata (FGDC-STD-001.1-1999)
Metadata extensions used:

Generated by mp version 2.9.12 on Tue May 18 11:27:56 2010
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