Spatial Vegetation Data FAQ Metadata
Frequently-anticipated questions:
- Title:
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Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument Vegetation Mapping Project - Spatial Vegetation Data
- Abstract:
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The vegetation units on this map were determined through the 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 signature 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. There is a margin of error inherent in the use of aerial photographs. Therefore, a detailed ground and historical analysis of a single site may result in a revision of the vegetation alliance boundaries established through photographic interpretation.
- How should this data set be cited?
U.S. Geological Survey, and Department of the Interior, 200212, COVERAGE flfo -- Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument Spatial Vegetation Data: Cover type / Association Level of the National Vegetation Classification System: USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, USGS NMD, Rocky Mtn. Mapping Center, Denver, CO.
Online Links:
- What geographic area does the data set cover?
- West_Bounding_Coordinate: -105.311924
- East_Bounding_Coordinate: -105.245686
- North_Bounding_Coordinate: 38.941072
- South_Bounding_Coordinate: 38.884129
- Description_of_Geographic_Extent: Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument
- What does it look like?
- <http://biology.usgs.gov/npsveg/flfo/images/flfovegmap.pdf> (PDF)
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Graphic in map composition layout
- Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?
- Beginning_Date: 1995
- Ending_Date: 1997
- Currentness_Reference: Source photography date
- 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):
- Complete chain (1826)
- Label point (656)
- GT-polygon composed of chains (655)
- Point (4)
- 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:
-
- Scale_Factor_at_Central_Meridian: 0.999600
- Longitude_of_Central_Meridian: -105.000000
- 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 0.000003
Ordinates (y-coordinates) are specified to the nearest 0.000003
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?
- flfo.pat
- Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument Vegetation Mapping Project: Vegetation Coverage Arc Attribute Table
(Source: USGS)
- FID
- Internal feature number.
(Source: ESRI)
Sequential unique whole numbers that are automatically generated.
- Shape
- Feature geometry.
(Source: ESRI)
Coordinates defining the features.
- AREA
- Area of feature in internal units squared.
(Source: ESRI)
Positive real numbers that are automatically generated.
- PERIMETER
- Perimeter of feature in internal units.
(Source: ESRI)
Positive real numbers that are automatically generated.
- FLFO#
- Internal feature number.
(Source: ESRI)
Sequential unique whole numbers that are automatically generated.
- FLFO-ID
- User-defined feature number.
(Source: ESRI)
Sequential unique whole numbers.
- FLFO_
- User-defined feature number.
(Source: ESRI)
Sequential unique whole numbers.
- FLFO_ID
- User-defined feature number.
(Source: ESRI)
Sequential unique whole numbers.
- MAP_CODE
- A numeric representation of a map unit code
(Source: USGS)
Unique whole numbers.
- MAP_UNIT_CODE
- A 2 to 6 alpha character representation of a map unit name.
(Source: USGS)
Textual - acronyms for map unit names.
- MAP_UNIT_NAME
- Represents either a vegetation type(s) or a land use/land cover feature.
(Source: USGS)
Textual - names of the vegetation type.
- COVERAGE_DENSITY
- It describes the coverage (a percent range) of the vegetation type that the map unit is representing within the polygon.
(Source: USGS)
Whole numbers in the percentage.
- COVERAGE_PATTERN
- It describes the pattern or distribution of the vegetation type that the map unit is representing within the polygon.
(Source: USGS)
Textual.
- HEIGHT
- It describes the average height of the woody terrestrial vegetation type that the map unit is representing within the polygon.
(Source: USGS)
| Value | Definition |
|---|
| None | This attribute was not applicable for this vegetation or land-cover type.
|
| 0-2 meters | Height of the tallest stratum is estimated to be greater than 0 but less than 2 meters.
|
| 2-5 meters | Height of the tallest stratum is estimated to be greater than 2 but less than 5 meters.
|
| 5-10 meters | Height of the tallest stratum is estimated to be greater than 5 but less than 10 meters.
|
Text and Whole numbers.
- DOMINANCE
- It describes the degree of mixes between evergreen and deciduous trees (and shrubs for some woodland types) within a polygon.
(Source: USGS)
Textual.
- Entity_and_Attribute_Overview:
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The National Vegetation Classification Standard is organized hierarchically to support conservation and resource stewardship applications across multiple scales. The upper levels of the hierarchy 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 hierarchy are based on the species composition of 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. Data file attributes include vegetation associations/land cover types, density, pattern, height, and dominance.
Associations/Land Cover types are defined by the MAP_CODE (Numeric), MAP_UNIT_CODE (UPPER CASE Alpha), and MAP_UNIT_NAME (UPPER and Lower Case Alpha) fields. The following list provides valid values for these three fields.
1 = ROAD = Roads
2 = VISITOR = Visitor Center
3 = SDF = Colorado Blue Spruce - Douglas-fir Forest
4 = SDAF = Colorado Blue Spruce - Douglas-fir - Quaking Aspen Forest
5 = BPW = Bristlecone Pine / Arizona Fescue Woodland
7 = PPW = Ponderosa Pine Woodland
9 = PPSBW = Ponderosa Pine / Smooth Brome Semi-natural Woodland
10 = BAPW = Balsam Poplar Woodland
11 = AF = Quaking Aspen Forest
14 = TAS = Thinleaf Alder Shrubland
15 = SSS = Silver Sagewort Dwarf-shrubland
16 = MMS = Mountain Mahogany / Mountain Muhly Shrubland
17 = SCS = Shrubby Cinquefoil Shrubland
18 = WROS = Waxflower Rock Outcrop Shrubland
19 = SHWS = Shortfruit Willow Shrubland
20 = SBWS = Sandbar Willow Temporarily Flooded Shrubland
21 = MWS = Mountain Willow Shrubland
22 = CTHV = Canada Thistle Herbaceous Vegetation
23 = DHV = Duckweed Permanently Flooded Herbaceous Vegetation
24 = THV = Toadflax Herbaceous Vegetation
25 = SBHV = Smooth Brome Semi-natural Herbaceous Vegetation
26 = SRHV = Aquatic Sedge - Beaked Sedge - Baltic Rush Herbaceous Vegetation
27 = POHV = Parry Oatgrass Herbaceous Vegetation
28 = AFMMHV = Arizona Fescue - Mountain Muhly Herbaceous Vegetation
29 = FBHV = Foxtail Barley Herbaceous Vegetation
30 = AFSMHV = Arizona Fescue - Slimstem Muhly Herbaceous Vegetation
31 = LBY = Little Bluestem Herbaceous Vegetation / Yucca Dwarf-shrubland
COVERAGE DENSITY (all vegetation map units)
1 - Closed Canopy/Continuous (60-100% coverage)
2 - Open Canopy/Discontinuous (25-60% coverage)
3 - Dispersed-Sparse Canopy (10-25% coverage)
COVERAGE PATTERN (all vegetation map units)
A - Evenly Dispersed
B - Clumped/Bunched
C - Gradational/Transitional
D - Regularly Alternating
HEIGHT (forest, woodland, shrubland, & dwarf-shrubland map units)
1 - 30-50 meters (98-162 feet)*
2 - 20-30 meters (65-98 feet)
3 - 12-20 meters (40-65 feet)
4 - 5-12 meters (16-40 feet)
5 - 0.5-5 meters (1.5-16 feet)
6 - <0.5 meters (<1.5 feet)
DOMINANCE/Co-dominance (forest & woodland map units, evergreen-deciduous mix)
D - Deciduous dominant 60-75%, evergreen 25-40%
E - Evergreen dominant 60-75%, deciduous 25-40%
M - Deciduous/Evergreen co-dominant, each 40-60%
- Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation:
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Grossman, D. Et al. 1994. National Park Service/ National Biological Service Vegetation Mapping Project, Standardized National Vegetation Classification System 209 pp.
- 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?
The original collection work for this data set was by the High-Resolution Land Characterization team at Rocky Mountain Mapping Center.
- To whom should users address questions about the data?
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
Provide National Parks with the necessary tools to effectively manage their natural resources.
- From what previous works were the data drawn?
- FLFO Summer 1995 CIR Aerial Photographs. (source 1 of 9)
-
Sky Tech Aero Inc., North Little Rock, AR, 19950827, True color aerial photography of Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument: Salt Lake City, UT, U.S. Forest Service.
- Other_Citation_Details:
-
Aerial photography was taken at a scale of 1:26,500.
Original media are in the form of positive transparencies. Photointerpretation was done on contact prints of the true color photos.
- Type_of_Source_Media: Contact paper prints of film transparencies
- Source_Scale_Denominator: 26500
- Source_Contribution:
-
These aerial photographs were the basis for the photointerpretation process in the Western portion of the Monument.
- FLFO Fall 1996 Color Aerial Photographs. (source 2 of 9)
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Sky Tech Aero Inc., North Little Rock, AR, 19960905, True color aerial photography of Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument: Salt Lake City, UT, U.S. Forest Service.
- Other_Citation_Details:
-
Aerial photography was taken at a scale of 1:23,700. Original media are in the form of positive transparencies. Photointerpretation was done on contact prints of the true color photos.
- Type_of_Source_Media: Contact paper prints of film transparencies.
- Source_Scale_Denominator: 23700
- Source_Contribution:
-
These aerial photographs were the basis for the photointerpretation process in the Central portion of the Monument.
- FLFO Fall 1997 Color Aerial Photographs. (source 3 of 9)
-
Sky Tech Aero Inc., North Little Rock, AR, 19970928, True color aerial photography of Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument: Salt Lake City, UT, U.S. Forest Service.
- Other_Citation_Details:
-
Aerial photography was taken at a scale of 1:22,000. Original media are in the form of positive transparencies. Photointerpretation was done on contact prints of the true color photos.
- Type_of_Source_Media: Contact paper prints of film transparencies
- Source_Scale_Denominator: 22000
- Source_Contribution:
-
These aerial photographs were the basis for the photointerpretation process in the Eastern portion of the Monument.
- FLFO ARC/INFO polygon coverage. (source 4 of 9)
-
Service, National Park , 19990910, Boundary for Florissant Fossil Beds (FLFO) National Monument, derived from GPSed BLM survey markers (in UTM NAD83).: National Park Service, Montrose, CO.
Online Links:
- Other_Citation_Details:
-
The dataset is an ARC/INFO polygon coverage of the boundary of Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, which was on-screen digitized using GPS positions of BLM survey markers as a background snap coverage.
- Type_of_Source_Media: Polygon vector data
- Source_Contribution:
-
This ARC/INFO polygon coverage was used provide the monument extent for this and other project coverages.
- FLFO CIR Aerial Photographs. (source 5 of 9)
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Intrasearch, Englewood, CO, 19830809, Color Infra-red (CIR) aerial photography of Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument: U.S. Geological Survey, Denver, CO.
- Other_Citation_Details:
-
Aerial photography was taken at a scale of 1:24,000. Original media are in the form of positive transparencies.
- Type_of_Source_Media: Contact paper prints of film transparencies
- Source_Scale_Denominator: 24000
- Source_Contribution: Ancillary aerial photography used as collateral information.
- FLFO Black & white Aerial Photographs. (source 6 of 9)
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Rocky Mountain Aerial Surveys, Inc., Englewood, CO, 19971018, Black-And-White aerial photography of Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument: U.S. Geological Survey, Denver, CO.
- Other_Citation_Details:
-
Aerial photography was taken at a scale of 1:12,000. Original media are in the form of positive transparencies.
- Type_of_Source_Media: Contact paper prints of film transparencies
- Source_Scale_Denominator: 12000
- Source_Contribution: Ancillary aerial photography used as collateral information.
- FLFO Noxious Weeds Polygonal vector data. (source 7 of 9)
-
Service, National Park , 1998-1999, Noxious Weeds: National Park Service, Florissant, CO.
- Other_Citation_Details:
-
Polygonal vector data representing seven different noxious weeds was supplied by the NPS. The data was collected in the field during 1998 and 1999 by Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument staff who walked the weed perimeters with a GPS receiver.
- Type_of_Source_Media: Polygonal vector data
- Source_Contribution: Information incorporated into Vegetation coverage
- DEM - Lake George & Divide, CO. (source 8 of 9)
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U.S. Geological Survey, 2001, Digital Elevation Models - Lake George, CO & Divide, CO: Denver, U.S. Geological Survey.
- Type_of_Source_Media: digital data
- Source_Scale_Denominator: 24000
- Source_Contribution: Used during project imagery orthorectification process.
- DOQQ - Lake George SE & NE and Divide SE, CO. (source 9 of 9)
-
U.S. Geological Survey, 1994, Digital Orthophoto Quarter-Quadrangles - Lake George SE & NE, Co and Divide SE, CO: U.S. Geological Survey, Menlo Park, CA.
- Type_of_Source_Media: digital data
- Source_Scale_Denominator: 12000
- Source_Contribution: Used during project imagery orthorectification process.
- How were the data generated, processed, and modified?
- Date: 2001 (process 1 of 6)
-
Source imagery that covers the project area and the ½-mile "environs" around the park were scanned in color at 720 dpi.
- Date: 2001 (process 2 of 6)
-
Scanned imagery files were orthorectified using the Image Geometric Correction - Camera tool in ERDAS Imagine software, employing data from the DEM, DOQ, and the camera calibrations. Six orthoimages were produced from the following photographs: USDA-F 612120) 495-11, 495-13, 1095-31, 1095-33, 2095-37, and 2095-39. Using the park boundary as a reference, the ½-mile environs limit was delineated and used to subset each orthoimage to include just the area needed for mapping. The orthoimages were further combined into two mosaics, the east half and the west half, using PCI software. 2001
- Date: 2001 (process 3 of 6)
-
USGS cartographers delineated general vegetation polygons, using ERDAS Imagine software and the orthoimages, based only on stereo photo interpretation. Paper plots were produced showing the resulting vector data overlaid on the mosaicked orthoimagery. These were used for the initial fieldwork.
- Date: 2001 (process 4 of 6)
-
The cartographers accompanied the ecologist from e2M on reconnaissance field trips to get first-hand knowledge in the types of vegetation that exist at Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument. Field notes were hand-annotated on the paper plots of the orthoimages for future reference. The initial field trips resulted in a working list of vegetation associations. The ecologist further refined this list and updates were supplied to the cartographers.
- Date: 2001 (process 5 of 6)
-
USGS cartographers remapped the vegetation polygons as raster data, using ERDAS Imagine software and the orthoimages, based on stereo photo interpretation and image analysis. Vegetation communities were identified on the basis of their color, pattern, texture, location on the landscape, and other environmental conditions. Information on noxious weeds that was provided by NPS personnel was incorporated into the data set.
- Date: 2002 (process 6 of 6)
-
The raster data set was converted to Arc Coverage format using the Raster to Vector tool in ERDAS Imagine. A weed tolerance of 1.0 was employed to smooth the vectors. Data set was checked to insure proper conversion. Data set was cleaned up to eliminate slivers and extremely small areas. 2002
- What similar or related data should the user be aware of?
U.S. Geological Survey, and Department of the Interior, 200212, COVERAGE flfo -- Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument Spatial Vegetation Data: Cover type / Association Level of the National Vegetation Classification System: USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, U.S. Geological Survey, Denver, CO.
- How well have the observations been checked?
The data set underwent vigorous attribute verification procedures to insure attribute accuracy and consistency throughout the project area. Check plots were used to compare attribution and spatial extent with the photography.
- How accurate are the geographic locations?
Not Applicable
- How accurate are the heights or depths?
Not Applicable
- Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?
All data in the project area were photointerpreted and digitized. This includes alliances/community association classes, density classes, height classes, pattern groups, water, and unvegetated/landuse.
- 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 specified tolerance. If the node is not within the tolerance it is adjusted manually. The tests for logical consistency are performed in ARC/INFO. All attribute codes and attributes have been checked for typographical and logical errors.
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/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: 18-Dec-2002
Last Reviewed: 21-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 Fri May 21 08:30:03 2010
Return to USGS Vegetation Characterization Program at Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument
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