Identification_Information: Citation: Citation_Information: Originator: U.S. Geological Survey Department of the Interior Publication_Date: 199808 Title: Field Plot Points for Agate Fossil Beds National Monument Vegetation Mapping Project Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: Database Series_Information: Series_Name: USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program Issue_Identification: Agate Fossil Beds National Monument Publication_Information: Publication_Place: Denver, CO Publisher: USGS, Biological Resources Division, Center for Biological Informatics Other_Citation_Details: Created in large part by Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc., Redlands, CA under contract from USGS/BRD/CBI. Online_Linkage: http://biology.usgs.gov/npsveg/ftp/vegmapping/agfo/agfoplot.zip Description: Abstract: Vegetation field plots at Agate Fossil Beds NM were visited, described, and documented in a digital database. The database consists of 2 parts - (1) Physical Descriptive Data, and (2) Species Listings. Purpose: Provide National Parks with the necessary tools to effectively manage their natural resources. Plot data is collected and analyzed to develop a classification (using the Standardized National Vegetation Classification System) and description of vegetation types in preparation for photointerpretation and mapping of the monument's vegetation types. Time_Period_of_Content: Time_Period_Information: Range_of_Dates/Times: Beginning_Date: 19950710 Ending_Date: 19950815 Currentness_Reference: Ground Condition Status: Progress: Complete Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency: none planned Spatial_Domain: Bounding_Coordinates: West_Bounding_Coordinate: -103.8 East_Bounding_Coordinate: -103.7 North_Bounding_Coordinate: 42.44167 South_Bounding_Coordinate: 42.40833 Description_of_Geographic_Extent: Agate Fossil Beds National Moument, Nebraska and a 400 meter buffer. Keywords: Theme: Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: None Theme_Keyword: National Park Service Theme_Keyword: U.S. Geological Survey Theme_Keyword: The Nature Conservancy Theme_Keyword: Aerial Information Systems Theme_Keyword: Center for Biological Informatics Theme_Keyword: land cover Theme_Keyword: vegetation Theme_Keyword: association Theme_Keyword: Environmental System Research Institute Place: Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: None Place_Keyword: Nebraska Place_Keyword: NE Place_Keyword: Agate Fossil Beds National Monument Taxonomy: Keywords/Taxon: Taxonomic_Keyword_Thesaurus: None Taxonomic_Keywords: vegetation classification Taxonomic_Keywords: Standardized National Vegetation Classification System Taxonomic_Keywords: alliance Taxonomic_Keywords: community association Taxonomic_Classification: Taxon_Rank_Name: Kingdom Taxon_Rank_Value: Plantae 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. Point_of_Contact: Contact_Information: Contact_Organization_Primary: Contact_Organization: USGS BRD Center for Biological Informatics Contact_Person: USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program Coordinator Contact_Address: Address_Type: mailing and physical address Address: Denver Federal Center, Building 810, Room 8000, MS 302 City: Denver State_or_Province: Colorado Postal_Code: 80225 Contact_Voice_Telephone: (303) 202-4220 Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 303-202-4219 Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: gs-b-npsveg@usgs.gov Browse_Graphic: Browse_Graphic_File_Name: http://biology.usgs.gov/npsveg/agfo/images/agfoplots.pdf Browse_Graphic_File_Description: Locations of vegetation plot samples; low resolution for web browsing. Browse_Graphic_File_Type: PDF Data_Set_Credit: BRD-USGS, U.S. BOR, TNC Native_Data_Set_Environment: DB4 Data_Quality_Information: Attribute_Accuracy: Attribute_Accuracy_Report: The descriptive plot data were collected for 39 sites whose vegetation represents a full spectrum of alliance types present within Agate Fossil Beds National Monument and its immediate surroundings. Physical description - Attributes collected for each site include: a plot number, a unique plot identification code, community name, field name, state, park name, quad name, map projection, datum, GPS file name, raw UTM coordinates, differentially corrected UTM coordinates, plot survey date, name(s) of surveyors, length, width, photo type, elevation, slope, aspect, topographic position, landform, surface geology, Cowardin System category, hydrology, surface material description, soil texture, soil drainage, leaf phenology, leaf type, and physiognomy. Species - Individual species described at each of 39 plots is listed, one line per species, with the following information: Plot Identification Code, Numeric Species Code, Species Name, Species Cover (0=trace, 1=< 1%, 2=1-5%, 3=5-25%, 4=25-50%, 5=50-75%, 6=75-100%), Plantcode, and Strata Code (T1=emergent, T2=canopy, T3=sub-canopy, S1=tall shrub, S2=short shrub, H=herbaceous, N=non-vascular, V=vinae/liana, E=epiphyte). Logical_Consistency_Report: Physical description - Entries for each of the listed attributes are in the form of consistent groupings of either textual or numerical descriptors. Species - Entries for each of the listed attributes are in the form of consistent groupings of either textual or numerical descriptors, as defined above under "Attribute Accuracy Report". NOTE1: The significance of numbers appended to some of the Plant Codes is not known. Completeness_Report: Physical description - Comprehensive descriptions exist for each of the 39 plots, but some do not contain entries under headings which are not applicable, and some plots do not have locational coordinates. Species - One species is entered per line, by plot code, with multiple species listed for each plot, one per row. Plot codes and species names are complete for each row, but some species codes, cover and strata information is missing (because it was not present on the original field forms). Positional_Accuracy: Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy: Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy_Report: X,Y UTM coordinates representing each of the 39 plots were collected via GPS under selective availability with post processing for differential correction. The differentially correted GPS coordinates have accuracies in the X and Y direction of +/- 2 to 5 meters. Vertical_Positional_Accuracy: Vertical_Positional_Accuracy_Report: Not applicable Lineage: Methodology: Methodology_Type: Field Methodology_Identifier: Methodology_Keyword_Thesaurus: None Methodology_Keyword: releve Methodology_Keyword: plot Methodology_Keyword: sampling Methodology_Description: Field sampling using releve plots Source_Information: Source_Citation: Citation_Information: Originator: National Biological Survey (Now USGS/Biological Resources Division) Originator: and National Park Service Publication_Date: 199411 Title: Standardized National Vegetation Classification System; protocol document for the USGS-NPS Vegetation mapping Program (unpublished report) Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: document Edition: Final Draft Series_Information: Series_Name: USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program Issue_Identification: Protocol documents Publication_Information: Publication_Place: Denver, CO Publisher: USGS/BRD, Center for Biological Informatics Other_Citation_Details: Report prepared under contract by The Nature Conservancy, 1815 N. Lynn Street, Arlington, Virginia 22209 and Environmental Systems Research Institute, 380 New York Street, Redlands, California 92373 Online_Linkage: http://www.fgdc.gov/standards/projects/FGDC-standards-projects/vegetation/NVCS_V2_FINAL_2008-02.pdf/ Type_of_Source_Media: Online Source_Time_Period_of_Content: Time_Period_Information: Range_of_Dates/Times: Beginning_Date: 199411 Ending_Date: 2010 Source_Currentness_Reference: Publication Date and indefinitely Source_Citation_Abbreviation: SNVCS protocol document Source_Contribution: This document describes and defines the vegetation classification system which is to be used for describing and mapping the vegetation at Agate Fossil Beds National Monument Source_Information: Source_Citation: Citation_Information: Originator: USGSBRD, Center for Biological Informatics Publication_Date: 19980223 Title: Classification of the Vegetation of Agate Fossil Beds National Monument Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: report Series_Information: Series_Name: USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program Issue_Identification: Agate Fossil Beds National Monument Publication_Information: Publication_Place: Denver, CO Publisher: USGS/BRD, Center for Biological Informatics Other_Citation_Details: This report was generated by The Nature Conservancy under contract to the USGS/BRD, Center for Biological Informatics Online_Linkage: http://biology.usgs.gov/npsveg/agfo/agforpt.pdf Type_of_Source_Media: Online Source_Time_Period_of_Content: Time_Period_Information: Range_of_Dates/Times: Beginning_Date: 19950710 Ending_Date: 19950815 Source_Currentness_Reference: Ground Condition, summer 1995 Source_Citation_Abbreviation: AGFO sample and classification Source_Contribution: Report summarizing plot data collection effort Source_Information: Source_Citation: Citation_Information: Originator: United States Dept. of the Interior, National Biological Survey (no USGS Biological Resources Division) and the National Park Service Publication_Date: 199412 Title: Field Methods for Vegetation Mapping Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: document Publication_Information: Publication_Place: Denver, CO Publisher: USGS/Biological Resources Division, Center for Biological Informatics Other_Citation_Details: This report was generated by The Nature Conservancy under contract to the USGS/BRD, CBI Online_Linkage: http://biology.usgs.gov/npsveg/standards/fieldmethodsrpt.pdf Type_of_Source_Media: Online Source_Time_Period_of_Content: Time_Period_Information: Range_of_Dates/Times: Beginning_Date: 199412 Ending_Date: 2010 Source_Currentness_Reference: Publication Date and indefinitely Source_Citation_Abbreviation: field methods protocol document Source_Contribution: This document defines the methods and protocols for field data collection to be used as part of the USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program Process_Step: Process_Description: The following describes the tasks performed by The Nature Conservancy to produce descriptive data for 39 vegetation sampling plots in two separate database files. Physical description - The first of the two contains general descriptive information at each of the plots. Plot sites were selected subjectively because of the heterogeneity of the vegetation and the small number of samples per type. Since aerial photos were not available at the time of plot selection, visual reconnaissance was conducted at the summit of the monument to examine vegetation patterns for the purpose of plot placement. Site physical parameters, species types, and vegetation strata were then described at each site. The PLOT DATA database contains tabulations of site physical factors, listed under the ATTRIBUTE ACCURACY REPORT for each of the 39 plots. Plot data were manually recorded on field forms on-site, and subsequently keyed into the database files described herein. Information in the plot database was then used to develop the classification system and plant identification keys contained in the AGATE FOSSIL BEDS SAMPLING AND CLASSIFICATION REPORT. Species - The second of the two contains listings of individual species found in each plot, along with height and cover estimates, and strata delineations. The SPECIES LISTING database contains line entries for each species including the Plot Code, Numeric species code, full scientific species name, cover estimate, a unique alphnumeric species identifier (plant code), and Plant Strata delineation. Plot sites were selected subjectively because of the heterogeneity of the vegetation and the small number of samples per type. Since aerial photos were not available at the time of plot selection, visual reconnaissance was conducted at the summit of the bluff to examine vegetation patterns for determining plot placement. Plot data were manually recorded on field forms on-site, and subsequently keyed into the database files described herein. Information in the plot database was then used to develop the classification system and plant identification keys contained in the AGATE FOSSIL BEDS SAMPLING AND CLASSIFICATION REPORT. Source_Used_Citation_Abbreviation: SNVCS protocol document Source_Used_Citation_Abbreviation: Field Methods for Vegetation Mapping Process_Date: 199508 Source_Produced_Citation_Abbreviation: AGFO sample and classification Source_Produced_Citation_Abbreviation: AGFO Vegetation Descriptions Process_Contact: Contact_Information: Contact_Person_Primary: Contact_Person: Jim Drake Contact_Organization: The Nature Conservancy Contact_Position: Regional Chief Ecologist, The Nature Conservancy Contact_Address: Address_Type: Physical Address Address: 1313 5th Street SE Address: Suite 314 City: Minneapolis State_or_Province: MN Postal_Code: 55414 Country: USA Contact_Voice_Telephone: (612)331-0729 Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: jdrake@tnc.org Spatial_Data_Organization_Information: Indirect_Spatial_Reference: Agate Fossil Beds National Monument is in Sioux County, Nebraska near the headwaters of the Niobrara River. The mound is located 20 miles south of Harrison, Nebrasaka. Direct_Spatial_Reference_Method: Point Point_and_Vector_Object_Information: SDTS_Terms_Description: SDTS_Point_and_Vector_Object_Type: Point Spatial_Reference_Information: Horizontal_Coordinate_System_Definition: Planar: Grid_Coordinate_System: 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: 500000 False_Northing: 0 Scale_Factor_at_Central_Meridian: .9996 Planar_Coordinate_Information: Planar_Coordinate_Encoding_Method: coordinate pair Coordinate_Representation: Abscissa_Resolution: 1 Ordinate_Resolution: 1 Planar_Distance_Units: Meters Geodetic_Model: Horizontal_Datum_Name: North American Datum of 1983 Ellipsoid_Name: Geodedic Reference System 80 Semi-major_Axis: 6378137 Denominator_of_Flattening_Ratio: 298.257 Entity_and_Attribute_Information: Overview_Description: Entity_and_Attribute_Overview: Each of 39 vegetation mapping plot sites contains the attributes of species found. Physical description - General plot information is described by identification codes, locational information (including state, park name, and USGS 7 1/2' topographic quad name). Physical factors tabulated in the database include UTM_X, UTM_Y, UTM Zone, map projection, survey date, name of surveyors, plot lenght and width, type of photos used, plot elevation, slope aspect, topographic position, landform type, surface geology, Cowardin system descriptor, hydrology, rock size, surface material type, soil texture and drainage, leaf phenology, leaf type, and physiognomy. Species - Species - (sp_code is a project specific code for each species found, species is the scientific name for that species, spcover is the species present and the percent cover for each species, plant code is the first two letters of the genus and first two letters of the species. If the code are not unique a number is added to make the code unique). This includes strata cover which is an average percent cover of that particular species, 1 = 0-10%, 2 = 10-25%, 3 = 25-60% and 4 = 60-100%, pstrata is the type of vegetation, T1 = emergent, T2 = canopy, T3 = sub-canopy, S1 = tall shrub, S2 = short shrub, H = herbaceous, N = non-vascular, V = vine/liana, and E = epiphyte). Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation: Field Methods for Vegetation mapping, December 1994. Prepared for: the United States Department of the Interior, National Biological Survey (now the USGS Biological Resources Division) and the National Park Service. Prepared by: The Nature Conservancy, and Environmental Systems Research Institute. http://biology.usgs.gov/npsveg/standards/fieldmethodsrpt.pdf. Distribution_Information: Distributor: Contact_Information: Contact_Organization_Primary: Contact_Organization: USGS BRD Center for Biological Informatics Contact_Person: USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program Coordinator Contact_Address: Address_Type: mailing and physical address Address: Denver Federal Center, Building 810, Room 8000, MS 302 City: Denver State_or_Province: Colorado Postal_Code: 80225 Contact_Voice_Telephone: (303) 202-4220 Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 303-202-4219 Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: gs-b-npsveg@usgs.gov Resource_Description: AGFO Physical Descriptive Data nad Species Listing Data Distribution_Liability: 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. Standard_Order_Process: Digital_Form: Digital_Transfer_Information: Format_Name: HTML Digital_Transfer_Option: Online_Option: Computer_Contact_Information: Network_Address: Network_Resource_Name: http://biology.usgs.gov/npsveg/agfo/index.html Access_Instructions: Internet Access Fees: None Metadata_Reference_Information: Metadata_Date: 20011022 Metadata_Review_Date: 20100511 Metadata_Contact: Contact_Information: Contact_Organization_Primary: Contact_Organization: USGS BRD Center for Biological Informatics Contact_Person: USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program Coordinator Contact_Address: Address_Type: mailing and physical address Address: Denver Federal Center, Building 810, Room 8000, MS 302 City: Denver State_or_Province: Colorado Postal_Code: 80225 Contact_Voice_Telephone: (303) 202-4220 Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 303-202-4219 Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: gs-b-npsveg@usgs.gov Metadata_Standard_Name: FGDC Biological Data Profile of the Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata Metadata_Standard_Version: FGDC-STD-001.1-1999 Metadata_Extensions: Online_Linkage: http://www.nbii.gov/portal/server.pt/community/fgdc_metadata/255