Field Plots FAQ Metadata
Frequently-anticipated questions:
- Title:
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Dinosaur National Monument Vegetation Mapping Project - Field Plot and Observation Points
- Abstract:
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This point file displays the 727 vegetation plots and 217 observation points visited in 2002, 2003 and 2004 as part of the vegetation mapping project. Plots and observation points were located subjectively in representative vegetation throughout the park. 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 National Vegetation Classification (NVC) system 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, hanging gardens). The points were originally GPSed (using recreational GPS units), coordinates noted on the field sheets and then typed into the database. Field photos are associated with each plot.
- How should this data set be cited?
Northern Colorado Plateau Network, Inventory and Monitoring Program, 20080715, Field Plot and Observations Points for Dinosaur National Monument, Colorado and Utah.
Online Links:
- What geographic area does the data set cover?
- West_Bounding_Coordinate: -109.359023
- East_Bounding_Coordinate: -108.336362
- North_Bounding_Coordinate: 40.757459
- South_Bounding_Coordinate: 40.235500
- Description_of_Geographic_Extent: Dinosaur National Monument
- What does it look like?
- Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?
- Beginning_Date: 23-May-2002
- Ending_Date: 26-Apr-2004
- Currentness_Reference: ground condition
- What is the general form of this data set?
- Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: vector digital data
- How does the data set represent geographic features?
- How are geographic features stored in the data set?
This is a Vector 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:
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- UTM_Zone_Number: 12
- Transverse_Mercator:
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- 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 0.000001
Ordinates (y-coordinates) are specified to the nearest 0.000001
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.
- How does the data set describe geographic features?
- DINO_Plots_Obs4metadata
- Feature Class
(Source: National Park Service)
- Shape
- Feature geometry.
(Source: ESRI)
Coordinates defining the features.
- FID
- Internal feature number.
(Source: ESRI)
Sequential unique whole numbers that are automatically generated.
- Plot_Code
- Unique plot code.
(Source: NPS four letter park code plus unique number)
unique ids
- 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.
- rc_VegPoints_LocationInfo
- Relationship Class
(Source: National Park Service)
- Entity_and_Attribute_Overview:
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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 (empty).
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.
- What biological taxa does this data set concern?
- Taxonomy:
-
- Keywords/Taxon:
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- Taxonomic_Keyword_Thesaurus: None
- Taxonomic_Keywords: Standardized National Vegetation Classification System
- Taxonomic_Keywords: vegetation classification
- Taxonomic_Keywords: alliance
- Taxonomic_Keywords: community association
- Taxonomic_Classification:
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- Taxon_Rank_Name: Kingdom
- Taxon_Rank_Value: Plantae
- Who are the originators of the data set? (may include formal authors, digital compilers, and editors)
- Northern Colorado Plateau Network, Inventory and Monitoring Program
- Who also contributed to the data set?
NPS NCPN
- 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
Data were collected in plots and at observation points to characterize the vegetation at Dinosaur 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.
- From what previous works were the data drawn?
- DRG (source 1 of 1)
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USGS, varies, Big Joe Basin, Canyon of Lodore North, Canyon of Lodore South, Cross Mountain Canyon, Dinosaur Quarry, Greystone, Haystack Rock, Hells Canyon, Hoy Mountain, Indian Water Canyon, Island Park, Jack Springs, Jensen Ridge, Jones Hole, Limestone Hill, Lodore School, Lone Mountain, Mellen Hill, Plug Hat Rock, Snake John Reef, Split Mountain, Stuntz Reservoir, Tanks Peak, Twelvemile Mesa, Zenobia Peak.
- Type_of_Source_Media: CD-ROM
- Source_Scale_Denominator: 24,000
- Source_Contribution: Digital Raster Graphics were used for field maps.
- How were the data generated, processed, and modified?
- Date: unknown (process 1 of 4)
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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 4)
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Data was entered into the NCPN Plots (Microsoft Access) database for Dinosaur NM, quality checked, and then shapefiles were created from the data in the database.
- Date: 01-Jun-2008 (process 3 of 4)
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Shapefiles and database data (for both initial plot collection and accuracy assessment) was migrated to a personal file-based geodatabase format.
- Date: unknown (process 4 of 4)
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Metadata imported.
Data sources used in this process:
- G:\GIS\Workspace\Veg_mapping\DINO\shapefiles\DINO_Plots_Obs.shp.xml
- What similar or related data should the user be aware of?
Coles, J., D. Cogan, D. Salas, A. Wight, G. Wakefield, J. Von Loh, and A. Evenden, 20080715, Vegetation Classification and Mapping Project Report, Dinosaur National Monument.
Online Links:
- How well have the observations been checked?
Network staff have ground checked and verified all features to the best of their knowledge. GIS personnel verified all features and attributes.
- How accurate are the geographic locations?
This data was collected using recreational grade GPS receivers (generally Garmins). A 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.
- How accurate are the heights or depths?
Standard GPS Elevation Error
- Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?
This data contains all the observation and plot points visited for the Dinosaur NM Vegetation Mapping Project.
- How consistent are the relationships among the observations, including topology?
There are no duplicate features present (plots where fuels data were collected are intentionally duplicated, as are hanging gardens).
Are there legal restrictions on access or use of the data?
- Access_Constraints: None
- Use_Constraints:
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Acknowledgment of the USGS-RMMC 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.
- 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
- What's the catalog number I need to order this data set?
Downloadable 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
- Dates:
- Last modified: 17-Jul-2008
Last Reviewed: 20-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:
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Generated by mp version 2.9.12 on Thu May 20 08:23:50 2010
Return to USGS Vegetation Characterization Program at Dinosaur National Monument
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