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?

What does this data set describe?

1. How should this data set be cited?

   U.S. Geological Survey Department of Interior, 19980310, 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.

   Online Links:

   • <http://biology.usgs.gov/npsveg/ftp/vegmapping/fola/fola.zip>

   Other_Citation_Details: Created under contract to the USGS-CSS-CSAS

2. What geographic area does the data set cover?

   West_Bounding_Coordinate: -104.5729

   East_Bounding_Coordinate: -104.5269

   North_Bounding_Coordinate: 42.225

   South_Bounding_Coordinate: 41.18889

   Description_of_Geographic_Extent: Fort Laramie National Historic Site and selected environs.

3. What does it look like?

   <http://biology.usgs.gov/npsveg/fola/images/folavegmap.pdf> (PDF)

   Vegetation distribution of Fort Laramie National Historic Site and environs; low resolution for web browser.

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

   Calendar_Date: 15-Jul-1995

   Currentness_Reference: Source photography date

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

   Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: map

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

      Indirect_Spatial_Reference:

      Fort Laramie National Historic Site is located in Gossen County, Wyoming. The Historic Site is 2 miles south of Fort Laramie, Wyoming.

      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: 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.
      

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 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 inermis 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 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 120=Commercial 130=Industrial 140=Transportation, Communication, and Utilities 141=Canal, Canal Water, Maintained Right-of-Way, Canal Access Road, Adjacent Disturbed and Maintained Area, Levee, Cut and Fill 150=Mixed Commercial and Industrial 160=Mixed Urban 170=Under Construction 180=Open Space and Recreation 181=Oregon Trail Ruts Parking Area (Plot 1) 190=Vacant within Urban Context 200=Agriculture 300=Mining 400=National Park/Monument Facilities 401=Fort Laramie Site Area, Visitor Center, Ruins, Parking Area, Parade Grounds and Associated Facilities 402=Visitor Picnic Area 403=Road/Maintained Right-of-Way 404=Maintenance Area 405=Old North Platte River Bridge Parking Area 500=Water Body 600=Vacant Fort Laramie National Historic Site Alliance/Community Association Photo Signature Key - Table Descriptions The Final Alliance/Community Association Photo Signature Key is divided into six categories. The column descriptions are as follows: Column 1 - ALLIANCE/COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION CODE This column contains the code in the database representing the alliance/community association category. Column 2 - ALLIANCE/COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION This column contains the title of the alliance/community association category. Alliance name is listed above the community association name. Column 3 - PHOTO SIGNATURE This column describes the photo signatures that characterize the life form of the alliance/community association 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 alliance/community association. Column 4 - HEIGHT This column describes the relative height range of the life form of the alliance/community association. Column 5 - CONTEXT This column describes the general occurrence of the alliance/community association within the park from a geomorphological, physiographic, topographical, or regional perspective. Column 6 - NOTES This column includes other pertinent information that may be useful in the photointerpretation of the alliance/community association. It may contain examples of occurrences or character of the vegetation within the park. Final Alliance/Community Association Photo Signature Key ALLIANCE/COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION CODE: 01 ALLIANCE/COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: Populus deltoides / Symphoricarpos occidentalis Woodland PHOTOSIGNATURE: Color-Tall to short crowns of medium to dark green dots, with shorter dark green to medium green dots, in matrix of medium green to brown Texture-Coarse Crown Size-Large Crown Shape-Round Density- Moderate to high HEIGHT (meters): <6 - 50 CONTEXT: Middle and lower floodplain terrace. NOTES: Grass or shrub understory; occurs in rows, large groups, small clumps, or isolated individuals; some sapling or young trees groups also occur ALLIANCE/COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION CODE: 02 ALLIANCE/COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: Pinus ponderosa / Schizachyrium scoparium Wooded Herbaceous Vegetation PHOTOSIGNATURE: Color-Dark green dots in white to gray green matrix Texture- Coarse Crown Size- Large Crown Shape- Large Density- Low HEIGHT (meters): <5-8 meters height CONTEXT: Rocky escarpment of northern hills, canyons of southern hills NOTES: Occurrences in northern hills have sparse understory, those in southern hills have denser, less rocky understory ALLIANCE/COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION CODE: 04 ALLIANCE/COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: Salix exigua Shrubland PHOTOSIGNATURE: Color-Blue green, gray green, to medium green Texture-Moderate Crown Size-Small Crown Shape-Round Density-Moderate to high HEIGHT (meters): <3 CONTEXT: Lower floodplain terrace, seepage area NOTES: Short on sandbars and by river, taller in seepage area ALLIANCE/COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION CODE: 05 ALLIANCE/COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: Stipa comata - Yucca glauca Herbaceous Vegetation PHOTOSIGNATURE: Color- Gray green matrix with medium green to gray green dots Texture- Smooth, fine, with moderate dots Crown Size- Dots are small Crown Shape- Dots are round Density- Moderate to high, dot density varies HEIGHT (meters): <2 CONTEXT: Northern and southern hill areas NOTES: Densities of shrubs vary greatly; shrubs denser in southern hill area ALLIANCE/COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION CODE: 06 ALLIANCE/COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: Typha latifolia Western Herbaceous Vegetation PHOTOSIGNATURE: Color- White, gray, dark green, or black, some slight mottling Texture- Smooth, fine Crown Size- None Crown Shape- None Density- High HEIGHT (meters): <3 CONTEXT: Very wet, standing water, well saturated ground NOTES: Narrow band occurrences at edge of river are below mmu ALLIANCE/COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION CODE: 07 ALLIANCE/COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: Spartina pectinata - Scirpus pungens Herbaceous Vegetation PHOTOSIGNATURE: Color- Deep medium green Texture- Smooth, fine Crown Size- None Crown Shape- None Density- High HEIGHT (meters): <2 CONTEXT: Lower floodplain, margins of river, and sandbars NOTES: Usually very narrow bands; sometimes in understory of trees ALLIANCE/COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION CODE: 08 ALLIANCE/COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: Carex nebrascensis Herbaceous Vegetation PHOTOSIGNATURE: Color- A) Deep medium green; B) Medium to dark green clumps in a matrix of light green to medium green Texture- Smooth, fine Crown Size- None Crown Shape- None Density- High HEIGHT (meters): <1.5 CONTEXT: Lower floodplain terrace NOTES: Primarily located in the seepage area ALLIANCE/COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION CODE: 09 ALLIANCE/COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: Bromus inermis Disturbed Herbaceous vegetation PHOTOSIGNATURE: Color- Very dark green, to dark green with light irridescent white tinge Texture- Smooth, fine Crown Size- None Crown Shape- None Density- High HEIGHT (meters): <1 CONTEXT: Upper floodplain terrace north of Laramie River, middle floodplain terrace NOTES: Sometimes occurs in understory of trees ALLIANCE/COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION CODE: 10 ALLIANCE/COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: Upland Weedy Herbaceous Vegetation PHOTOSIGNATURE: Color-A) Light yellow brown to dark yellow brown to rust; B) Dark to medium green dots Texture- Smooth, fine Crown Size- None Crown Shape- None Density- High HEIGHT (meters): <2 CONTEXT: Upper floodplain terrace, valley bottom NOTES: Dark green dots on upper floodplain are weedy forbs ALLIANCE/COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION CODE: 11 ALLIANCE/COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: Pascopyrum smithii Herbaceous Vegetation PHOTOSIGNATURE: Color- A) Homogeneous medium to dark green, some yellow brown; B) Tan to light green to medium green to brown; C) Dark green with yellow brown mixed; D) Medium to light blue green Texture- Smooth, fine Crown Size- None Crown Shape- None Density- High HEIGHT (meters): <1.5 CONTEXT: Middle to lower floodplain terrace, seepage area, disturbed seeded old field area NOTES: Natural and artificial occurrences; sometimes as understory of trees ALLIANCE/COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION CODE: 12 ALLIANCE/COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: Stipa comata - Bouteloua gracilis / Carex filifolia Herbaceous Vegetation PHOTOSIGNATURE: Color-: A) Gray green to tan green, sometimes with medium green or green dots scattered in varying densities; B) Homogeneous deep medium green to medium green; C) Dark olive green to dull tan green, sometimes with gray green dots; C) Medium light brown with medium green tinging mixing Texture- Smooth, fine Crown Size- None, or dots are small to moderate Crown Shape- None, or dots are small to moderate Density- High HEIGHT (meters): <1 CONTEXT: Northern and southern hills, valley bottom, and upper to middle floodplain terrace NOTES: Primarily in the valley bottom and hill areas and rises of the floodplain area ALLIANCE/COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION CODE: 13 ALLIANCE/COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: Sporobolus cryptandrus Disturbed Herbaceous Vegetation PHOTOSIGNATURE: Color- Medium green to yellow green, tan with green-yellow tinge Texture- Smooth, velvety, fine Crown Size- None Crown Shape- None Density- High HEIGHT (meters): <1 CONTEXT: Upper to middle floodplain terrace NOTES: Disturbed ALLIANCE/COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION CODE: 14 ALLIANCE/COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: Riverine Sand Flats - Bar Sparse Vegetation PHOTOSIGNATURE: Color- White to gray or gray brown Texture- Smooth, fine, dots are moderate Crown Size- None Crown Shape- None Density- None HEIGHT (meters): <.5 CONTEXT: Floodplain sandbars, lower floodplain terrace, dry to moist NOTES: Rare density of vegetation ALLIANCE/COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION CODE: 15 ALLIANCE/COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: Upland Sand and Gravel Sparse Vegetation PHOTOSIGNATURE: Color- A) Light gray to dark gray to brown gray, B) Brown to yellow brown to white, with green dots Texture- Smooth, fine, dots are moderate Crown Size- None Crown Shape- None Density- Low to Moderate HEIGHT (meters): <1 CONTEXT: Middle floodplain terrace, very dry NOTES: Scattered occurrences on middle floodplain ALLIANCE/COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION CODE: 16 ALLIANCE/COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: Bouteloua gracilis - Carex filifolia Herbaceous Vegetation PHOTOSIGNATURE: Color- Very homogeneous light gray Texture- Smooth, fine Crown Size- None Crown Shape- None Density- Very low HEIGHT (meters): <1 CONTEXT: Ridgetops of the northern and southern hills NOTES: Mainly occurs on BLM Plot 5, with a few in BLM Plots 3 and 1 ALLIANCE/COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION CODE: 17 ALLIANCE/COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: Sandstone Rock Outcrop Sparse Vegetation PHOTOSIGNATURE: Color- White, sometimes with widely scattered green dots or gray green to tan tinge Texture- Rough Crown Size- None Crown Shape- None Density- None HEIGHT (meters): NA CONTEXT: Rocky escarpment NOTES: Only occurrence is in BLM Plot 1 in northern hills

   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

Who produced the data set?

1. Who are the originators of the data set? (may include formal authors, digital compilers, and editors)
   • U.S. Geological Survey Department of Interior

2. Who also contributed to the data set?

   USGS, NPS, ESRI, TNC

3. 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
   

Why was the data set created?

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 CSS 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. Fort Laramie National Historic Site 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 upland woodland, prairie grassland, riverine woodland, and wetlands.

How was the data set created?

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 Core Science Analytics and Synthesis of the Core Science Systems 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 BOR as the mapping portion of the project proceeds. Provide field notes and site descriptions BOR 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. Vegetation issues particular to the park were addressed. 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 Fort Laramie National Historic Site. 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 also 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 49 plots were obtained from July through August 1996. 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 July 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, 19950912, Fort Laramie National Historic Site CIR Aerial Photography: Unknown Unknown, Kenney Aerial Mapping for USGS, Phoenix, AZ.

   Online Links:

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

   Other_Citation_Details:

   The aerial photography is CIR 1:6000 scale. The camera calibration report is USGS report Number OSL/2066 dated January 12, 1995

   Type_of_Source_Media: CIR Photography and Natural Color

   Source_Scale_Denominator: 12000

   Source_Contribution: None

   fola orthophoto (source 2 of 5)

   Uknown, 1998, Digital Orthophotograph of Fort Laramie National Historic Site: 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

   fola field data (source 3 of 5)

   USGS/CSS, Core Science Analytics and Synthesis, 19971215, Vegetation Sampling and Classification Report: USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program Fort Laramie National Historic Site, USGS/CSS, Core Science Analytics and Synthesis, Denver, CO.

   Online Links:

   • <http://biology.usgs.gov/npsveg/fola/folarpt.pdf>

   Other_Citation_Details:

   This report was generated by The Nature Conservancy under contract to the USGS/CSS, Core Science Analytics and Synthesis

   Type_of_Source_Media: digital

   Source_Contribution:

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

   Accuracy Assessment Procedures Documents (source 4 of 5)

   USGS/CSS, Core Science Analytics and Synthesis, 199411, Accuracy Assessment Procedures, NBS/NPS Vegetation Mapping Program: USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program Fort Laramie National Historic Site, USGS/CSS, Core Science Analytics and Synthesis, Denver, CO.

   Online Links:

   • <http://biology.usgs.gov/npsveg/standards/NPSVI_Accuracy_Assessment_Guidelines_ver2.pdf>

   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 Fort Laramie National Historic Site.

   fola mapping report (source 5 of 5)

   U.S. Geological Survey, and Department of the Interior, 19980904, Fort Laramie National Historic Site Photo Interpretation and Map Generation Procedures: USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program Fort Laramie National Historic Site, USGS, Core Science Systems, Core Science Analytics and Synthesis, Denver, CO.

   Online Links:

   • <http://biology.usgs.gov/npsveg/fola/folapirpt.pdf>

   Other_Citation_Details:

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

   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

   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 25, 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, CSS, CSAS) 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 Core Science Systems, Core Science Analytics and Synthesis
   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
   

   Data sources used in this process:

   • fola CIR Aerial Photography

   Data sources produced in this process:

   • Analysis of Accuracy Assessment Procedures at Fort Laramie National Historic Site

   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?

   These data have a combined total accuracy of 82.0% (confidence interval 70% - 100%). Individual class accuracies range from 70% to 100% in both errors of commission and omission.

2. How accurate are the geographic locations?

   Unknown. The positional accuracy of the base digital ortho image 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 digital ortho image 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.

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 duplictae 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.

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:

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/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?

   FOLA 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/fola/index.html>

   • Cost to order the data: None

Who wrote the metadata?

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:

• <http://www.nbii.gov/portal/server.pt/community/fgdc_metadata/255>