Accuracy Assessment FAQ Metadata
Frequently-anticipated questions:
- Title: Fort Laramie National Historic Site Vegetation Mapping Project - Accuracy Assessment Points
- Abstract:
-
The accuracy assessment field work was performed in August and September,
1998 to verify the accuracy of the vegetation communities spatial data
developed by the USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program for Fort Laramie
National Historic Site. The data points were randomly distributed
stratified according to vegetation association over the project area
according to protocols developed by the Program. Points were located by
GPS navigation and the community information was collected at the point,
without knowledge of the attributes of the vegetation spatial data. The
data points were compared to the attributes of the polygon in which
they were contained. Attributes of the polygons or accuracy assessment
points that did not match were changed during later analysis due to
errors in the AA methodology or map attribution errors. A contingency
table was completed from the final dataset.
- How should this data set be cited?
U.S. Geological Survey, and Department of the Interior, 199905, Fort Laramie National Historic Site Accuracy Assessment: USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program Fort Laramie National Historic Site, USGS Core Science Systems, Core Science Analytics and Synthesis, Denver, CO.
Online Links:
This is part of the following larger work.
US Dept of Interior, Service, National Biological , and and National Park Service, 199411, Field Assessment Procedures: USGS/CSS/Core Science Analytics and Synthesis, Denver, CO.
Online Links:
- Other_Citation_Details:
-
Report prepared under contract by the the USGS Core Science
Analytics and Synthesis in cooperation with Environmental Systems
Research Institute, 380 New York Street, Redlands, CA.
- What geographic area does the data set cover?
- West_Bounding_Coordinate: -104.5769
- East_Bounding_Coordinate: -104.5269
- North_Bounding_Coordinate: 42.225
- South_Bounding_Coordinate: 41.18889
- Description_of_Geographic_Extent: Fort Laramie National Historic Site, Wyoming, USA
- What does it look like?
- <http://biology.usgs.gov/npsveg/fola/images/folaaa.pdf> (PDF)
-
418 Kbyte file showing vegetation associations and location of accuracy
assessment points
- Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?
- Calendar_Date: Aug-1998
- Currentness_Reference: Ground Condition
- What is the general form of this data set?
- Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: database and report
- How does the data set represent geographic features?
- How are geographic features stored in the data set?
- Indirect_Spatial_Reference:
-
The ecology field sites were digitized to indicate the area for which a TNC
ecologist conducted an ecological field sampling.
This is a Point 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:
-
- UTM_Zone_Number: 13
- Transverse_Mercator:
-
- Longitude_of_Central_Meridian: -105
- Latitude_of_Projection_Origin: 0
- False_Easting: 50000
- 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.
- 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 hierarchey 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 NBS/NPS mapping efforts.
National Park Service/Core Science Systems Vegetation
Inventory and Mapping Program for Fort Laramie National Historic Site,
Wyoming, Final Community Association Classification, September 4, 1998.
Alliance/Community
01=Populus Deltoides Temporarily Flooded Woodland Alliance Populus deltoides / Symphoricarpos occidentalis Woodland
02=Pinus Ponderosa Wooded Medium-Tall Herbaceous Alliance Pinus ponderosa - Schizachyrium scoparium Wooded Herbaceous Vegetation
03=Not Used
04=Salix Exigua Temporarily Flooded Shrubland Alliance Salix exigua Shrubland
05=Stipa Comata Bunch Herbaceous Alliance Stipa comata - Yucca glauca Herbaceous Vegetation
06=Typha (Angustifolia, Latifolia) - (Scirpus spp.) Semipermanently Flooded Herbaceous Alliance Typha latifolia Western Herbaceous Vegetation
07=Spartina Pectinata Temporarily Flooded Herbaceous Alliance Spartina pectinata - Scirpus pungens Herbaceous Vegetation
08=Carex Nebrascensis Seasonally Flooded Herbaceous Alliance Carex nebrascencis Herbaceous Vegetation
09=Alliance Undefined Bromus enermis Disturbed Herbaceous Vegetation
10=Alliance Undefined Upland Weedy Herbaceous Vegetation
11=Pascopyrum Smithii Herbaceous Alliance Pascopyrum smithii Herbaceous Vegetation
12=Stipa Comata - Bouteloua Gracilis Herbaceous Alliance Stipa comata - Bouteloua gracilis - Carex filifolia Herbaceous Vegetation
13=Alliance Undefined Sporobolus cryptandrus Disturbed Herbaceous Vegetation
14=Sand Flats Temporarily Flooded Sparse Vegetation Riverine Sand Flats - Bar Sparse Vegetation
15=Alliance Undefined Upland Sand and Gravel Sparse Vegetation
16=Bouteloua Gracilis Herbaceous Alliance Bouteloua gracilis - Carex filifolia Herbaceous Vegetation
17=Rock Outcrop / Butte Sparse Vegetation Sandstone Rock Outcrop Sparse Vegetation
98 =Water Body
99=Urban/Built-Up/Maintained Lawn/Canal/Road/Mowed Road ROW/Cut and Fill.
- Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation:
-
Grossman, D. Et al. 1994. National Park Service
Vegetation Mapping Project, Standardized National
Vegetation Classificatrion System 209 pp.
- 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 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?
- 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
To verify the accuracy of the mapped vegetation communities at Fort
Laramie National Historic Site.
- What methods were used to collect the data?
- Method 0 of 2
-
Type: Field
Data points were located by use of a PLGR GPS receiver by Wyoming
Natural Heritage Program and Fort Laramie National Historic Site
personnel. Vegetation communities were identified on the basis of
a dichotomous field key and plants species present.
- Method 0 of 2
-
Type: Lab
Accuracy assessment points were compiled into an ARCINFO point
coverage and intersected with the vegetation community coverage.
The resulting INFO file was exported into a text file, imported
into a spreadsheet, and the attributes from the accuracy assessment
and the spatial data were compared. If the attributes did not
compare, an analysis of the mismatch was made and either the
AA attribute or the map attribute was changed based on identification
of the community on the aerial photo.
- From what previous works were the data drawn?
- Accuracy Assessment Procedures Document (source 1 of 2)
-
Division, USGS-Core Science Systems , U.S. National Park, and Depatment of the Interior, 199411, Accuracy Assessment Procedures, NBS/NPS Vegetation Mapping Program: USGS, Core Science Systems, Core Science Analytics and Synthesis, Denver, CO.
- Other_Citation_Details:
-
Prepared by: Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc. Redlands, CA
and National Center of Geographic Information and Analysis, University
of California, Santa Barbara, CA and The Nature Conservancy, Arlington,
VA under contract rom U.S. Department of the Interior Core Science
Systems and National Park Service.
- Type_of_Source_Media: electronic document
- Source_Contribution:
-
This document established the procedures and protocols
for the accuracy assessment at Fort Laramie National Historic Site.
- Spatial data of vegetation communities for Fort Laramie National Historic Site. (source 2 of 2)
-
U.S. Geological Survey, and Department of the Interior, 199809, Fort Laramie National Historic Site Spatial Vegetation Data: Cover type / Association level of the National Vegetation Classification System: USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program Fort Laramie National Historic Site, USGS, Core Science Systems, Core Science Analytics and Synthesis, Denver, CO.
- Other_Citation_Details:
-
Created in large part by Environmental Systems
Research Institute, Inc. Redlands, CA under
contract rom USGS/CSS/CSAS.
- Type_of_Source_Media: Disc
- Source_Contribution:
-
The vegetation spatial data were tested for
accuracy with the AA data.
- How were the data generated, processed, and modified?
- Date: Jun-1997 (process 1 of 1)
-
The accuracy assessment field work was performed in June 1997 to verify
the accuracy of the vegetation communities spatial data developed by
the USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program for Fort Laramie National
Historic Site. the data points were randomly distributed stratified according
to vegetation association over the project area according to protocols
developed by the Program. Points were located by GPS navigation and the
community information was collected at the point, without knowledge of
the attributes of the vegetation spatial data.
Data sources used in this process:
- Spatial data of vegetation communities for Fort Lararmie National Historic Site.
- Accuracy Assessment Procedure Document
- What similar or related data should the user be aware of?
- How well have the observations been checked?
The attributes for the accuracy assessment were recorded in the field
in August, 1997. Vegetation associations were identified based on the
field key and plant identification. If additional communities were
found within a 50 meter radius of the plot center, they were recorded
as well. During the analysis, it was concluded that some attributes
were in error and changed to match the mapped attributes. This was done
by examination of the aerial photographs under stereoscopic view. The
attributes were in error due to 1) spatial error in the GPS derived
coordinates (4-8 meters), 2) change of vegetation community due
to temporal changes, or mis-identification of the community on the ground.
- How accurate are the geographic locations?
The points were located using a military-style GPS receiver (PLGR),
which has a published accuracy of 4-8 meters.
- How accurate are the heights or depths?
Not applicable
- Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?
All points were collected and analyzed.
- How consistent are the relationships among the observations, including topology?
All attributes are codes that correspond to vegetation communities and
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 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.
- 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?
FOLA Accuracy Assessment
- 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: 22-Oct-2001
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 09:07:05 2010
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