USGS:Biology Biological Informatics Program Vegetation Characterization Program Glacier National Park Accuracy Assessment Metadata

Accuracy Assessment Metadata

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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. From what previous works were the data drawn?
  2. How were the data generated, processed, and modified?
  3. 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?

Title:

Glacier National Park Accuracy Assessment Observation Plots - Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park Vegetation Mapping Project

Abstract:

The accuracy assessment (AA) for the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park (WGIPP) was performed to estimate the attribute accuracy of the 1999 vegetation data set for Glacier National Park (Glacier). The 1999 mapping project was performed to describe Glacier's vegetation using the National Vegetation Classification (NVC) scheme. The AA was conducted to locate and document potential thematic errors (i.e., the assignment of an incorrect map class), specifically user's accuracy (suitability for a particular application) and producer's accuracy (conformance to production standards). The AA was performed only on map classes representing NVC natural/semi-natural vegetation types. The Glacier vegetation map was determined to have an overall AA of 87.9% (Kappa index of 87.4%). More detailed results are presented in the WGIPP project report, through the series of contingency tables (<http://biology.usgs.gov/npsveg/glac/index.html>). The geographic information system (GIS) data set was developed to show the geographic locations of the vegetation plots which were used during AA project. The data set's attribute table contains background information on each site's id code, location, sampling date, and NVC level 1, 2, and 3 codes and descriptions. The GIS shapefile contains point data features, projected to Universal Transverse Mercator zone 12 mapping coordinates, North American Datum 1983.

1. How should this data set be cited?

   U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences , 2007, Glacier National Park Accuracy Assessment Observation Plots - Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park Vegetation Mapping Project: USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park Vegetation Mapping Project, U.S. Geological Survey, Center for Biological Informatics, Denver, Colorado.

   Online Links:

   • <http://biology.usgs.gov/npsveg/glac/index.html>

   Other_Citation_Details:

   A detailed report on how this data set was created is available to download from the Vegetation Mapping Program's Web site. The report discusses methods and results, and includes plant community descriptions and dichotomous keys, map classification and descriptions, and Accuracy Assessment contingency tables.

2. What geographic area does the data set cover?

   West_Bounding_Coordinate: -114.386180

   East_Bounding_Coordinate: -113.226941

   North_Bounding_Coordinate: 49.003969

   South_Bounding_Coordinate: 48.241390

   Description_of_Geographic_Extent: Glacier National Park and environs

3. What does it look like?

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

   Beginning_Date: 09-Jun-2003

   Ending_Date: 04-Oct-2005

   Currentness_Reference: ground condition

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

   Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: vector digital data

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

      This is a Vector data set. It contains the following vector data types (SDTS terminology):

      • Entity point (918)

   2. What coordinate system is used to represent geographic features?

      Grid_Coordinate_System_Name: Universal Transverse Mercator

      Universal_Transverse_Mercator:

      UTM_Zone_Number: 12

      Transverse_Mercator:

      Scale_Factor_at_Central_Meridian: 0.999600

      Longitude_of_Central_Meridian: -111.000000

      Latitude_of_Projection_Origin: 0.000000

      False_Easting: 500000.000000

      False_Northing: 0.000000

      Planar coordinates are encoded using coordinate pair
      Abscissae (x-coordinates) are specified to the nearest 0.000001
      Ordinates (y-coordinates) are specified to the nearest 0.000001
      Planar coordinates are specified in meters

      The horizontal datum used is North American Datum of 1983.
      The ellipsoid used is Geodetic Reference System 80.
      The semi-major axis of the ellipsoid used is 6378137.000000.
      The flattening of the ellipsoid used is 1/298.257222.
      

7. How does the data set describe geographic features?

   GLAC_AA

   Attribute information for the accuracy assessment plot location data for Glacier National Park. (Source: Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park Vegetation Mapping Project)

   FID

   Internal feature number. These numbers are automatically generated when a shapefile is created. They are used by the software to track individual polygon features stored in shapefiles. Most software program will not display these numbers when the data set's attribute table is displayed. (Source: ESRI)

   Sequential unique whole numbers that are automatically generated.

   Shape

   Feature geometry. (Source: ESRI)

   Coordinates defining the features.

   AA_SITE

   Character string identification codes, used to identify individual sampling site. (Source: Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park Vegetation Mapping Project)

   Random numbers(IDs) defining the features.

   NVC_1CODE

   Character codes representing vegetation types, used to identify the primary field classification call. (Source: Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park Vegetation Mapping Project)

   Formal codeset
   Codeset Name:	NVC Code
   Codeset Source:	National Vegetation Classification Standard

   NVC_1NAME

   Detailed descriptions of the nvc_1code entries. (Source: Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park Vegetation Mapping Project)

   Formal codeset
   Codeset Name:	NVC Code
   Codeset Source:	National Vegetation Classification Standard

   NVC_2CODE

   Character codes representing vegetation types, used to identify the alternate field classification. (Source: Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park Vegetation Mapping Project)

   Formal codeset
   Codeset Name:	NVC Code
   Codeset Source:	National Vegetation Classification Standard

   NVC_2NAME

   Detailed descriptions of the nvc_2code entries. (Source: Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park Vegetation Mapping Project)

   Formal codeset
   Codeset Name:	NVC Code
   Codeset Source:	National Vegetation Classification Standard

   NVC_3CODE

   Character codes representing vegetation types, used to identify field classification calls within the minimum mapping unit area of site. (Source: Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park Vegetation Mapping Project)

   Formal codeset
   Codeset Name:	NVC Code
   Codeset Source:	National Vegetation Classification Standard

   NVC_3NAME

   Detailed descriptions of the nvc_3code entries. (Source: Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park Vegetation Mapping Project)

   Formal codeset
   Codeset Name:	NVC Code
   Codeset Source:	National Vegetation Classification Standard

   PROJECT

   Name of the project the vegetation plots are associated with. (Source: Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park Vegetation Mapping Project)

   Value	Definition
   Waterton-Glacier IPP Veg Map	Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park Vegetation Map

   LOCATION

   Name of the park containing the vegetation plot, written using National Park Service 4-character codes. (Source: National Park Service)

   Value	Definition
   GLAC	Glacier National Park

   X_EASTING

   The east/west (longitude) coordinate of the center of the vegetation plot. (Source: Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park Vegetation Mapping Project)

   Coordinates defining the features.

   Y_NORTHING

   The north/south (latitude) coordinate of the center of the vegetation plot. (Source: Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park Vegetation Mapping Project)

   Coordinates defining the features.

   PLOT_DATE

   The calendar date each plot was sampled, recorded as YYYYMMDD (Y=year, M=month, and D=day). (Source: Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park Vegetation Mapping Project)

   Dates defining the features.

8. 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

1. Who are the originators of the data set? (may include formal authors, digital compilers, and editors)
   • U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, 2630 Fanta Reed Road, La Crosse, Wisconsin 54603

2. Who also contributed to the data set?

   UMESC Resource Mapping and Spatial Analysis Team

3. To whom should users address questions about the data?

   USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program Coordinator
   U.S. Geological Survey, Center for Biological Informatics, MS 302, Room 8000, Building 810, Denver Federal Center
   Denver, Colorado 80225
   United States of America
   

   (303) 202-4220 (voice)
   (303) 202-4219 (FAX)
   gs-b-npsveg@usgs.gov
   

The USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program (VMP) is a cooperative effort by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the National Park Service (NPS) to classify, describe, and map existing vegetation of national park units for the Natural Resource Inventory and Monitoring Program. The goals of the WGIPP vegetation mapping project were to (1) adequately describe and map plant communities of WGIPP and (2) provide the NPS Inventory and Monitoring Program, resource managers, and biological researchers with useful baseline vegetation information.

1. From what previous works were the data drawn?

   WGIPP vegetation classification (source 1 of 6)

   Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park Vegetation Mapping Project, U.S. Geological Survey, Center for Biological Informatics, U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences , National Park Service, Glacier National Park, Parks Canada, Waterton Lakes National Park, NatureServe, and Montana Natural Heritage Program, 2007, Final Vegetation Classification of Waterton-Glacier IPP: U.S. Geological Survey, Denver, Colorado.

   Online Links:

   • <http://biology.usgs.gov/npsveg/glac/index.html>

   Other_Citation_Details:

   Map classification developed specifically for the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park Vegetation Mapping Project. Includes crosswalk to the National Vegetation Classification System floristic and physiognomic levels (names and codes), NatureServe Ecological Systems, and U.S. Geological Survey Land Use and Land Cover Classification System (Level 2). The final report for this mapping project contains a detailed listing of this classification scheme, in Appendix I, Final Vegetation Classification of Waterton-Glacier IPP.

   Type_of_Source_Media: database

   Source_Contribution:

   Map classification defining polygon data (vegetation and general land cover).

   NVCS Physiognomic Classes (FGDC 1997) (source 2 of 6)

   National Spatial Data Infrastru, Federal Geographic Data Committee, Vege, 199706, National Vegetation Classification Standard (1997): Standards Vegetation Classification and Information Standards, Federal Geographic Data Committee, Reston, Virginia.

   Online Links:

   • <http://www.fgdc.gov/participation/working-groups-subcommittees/vsc/index_html>

   Other_Citation_Details:

   Federal Geographic Data Committee. 1997. Vegetation classification standard, FGDC-STD-005.

   Type_of_Source_Media: online document

   Source_Contribution:

   Standard vegetation classification system (physiognomic levels) used for classification structure

   1999 Veg. data for Glacier (source 3 of 6)

   U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences , 2007, 1999 Glacier National Park Vegetation Map - Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park Vegetation Mapping Project: USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park Vegetation Mapping Project, U.S. Geological Survey, Center for Biological Informatics, Denver, Colorado.

   Online Links:

   • <http://biology.usgs.gov/npsveg/glac/>

   Other_Citation_Details:

   A detailed report on how this data set was created is available on the Web. The report contains background information on how the classification scheme was developed, the aerial photographs and how they were interpreted, and the accuracy assessment project.

   Type_of_Source_Media: geospatial database

   Source_Scale_Denominator: 15840

   Source_Contribution: Used during the selection of sites to be surveyed.

   1 NED Data (source 4 of 6)

   U.S. Geological Survey, and Center, EROS Data , Unknown, National Elevation Data (NED) - 1 Arc Second Data: EROS Data Center, Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

   Online Links:

   • <http://gisdata.usgs.net/website/seamless/>

   Other_Citation_Details:

   The National Elevation Dataset (NED) 1 Arc Second is a raster product assembled by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). NED is designed to provide National elevation data in a seamless form with a consistent datum, elevation unit, and projection. Data corrections are made in the NED assembly process to minimize, but not eliminate, artifacts, perform edge matching, and fill sliver areas of missing data. NED has a resolution of one arc-second (approximately 30 meters) for the conterminous United States.

   Type_of_Source_Media: digital database

   Source_Contribution: Provided elevation data for the study area.

   hiking trails (source 5 of 6)

   National Park Service, Glacier National Park, 2007, Hiking Trails in Glacier National Park, Montana (Revised 2007): National Park Service, Glacier National Park, West Glacier, Montana.

   Online Links:

   • <http://nrdata.nps.gov/GLAC/glacdata/trails_rev2007.zip>

   Other_Citation_Details:

   This dataset contains the current trail network within Glacier National Park, Montana. These data represent the 2006 revision to official and mapped hiking trails in Glacier. The dataset is based on the initial USGS 7.5 minute topographic mapping that was published in 1966-1968. However, since 1997 Glacier National Park staff have re-mapped 400+ miles of Glacier's 700+ mile trail network using Global Positioning Systems (GPS). Additionally, some rectification of vectors was accomplished using imagery cited in the source information contained in the data set's metadata.

   Type_of_Source_Media: digital database

   Source_Scale_Denominator: 24000

   Source_Contribution:

   Provided background information on hiking trails in Glacier National Park.

   AA Procedures (source 6 of 6)

   U.S. Geological Survey-National Park Service Vegetation Mapping Program, Environmental Systems Research Institute, National Center for Geographic , University of California, Santa Barbara, and Conservancy, The Nature , 199411, Accuracy Assessment Procedures, NBS/NPS Vegetation Mapping Program: U.S. Geological Survey-National Park Service Vegetation Mapping Program, Denver, Colorado.

   Online Links:

   • <http://biology.usgs.gov/npsveg/aa/index.html>

   Other_Citation_Details:

   The objectives of this report are to provide the theoretical framework for accuracy assessment and to make initial recommendations as well as alternative procedures for accuracy assessment of the NPS/NBS Vegetation Mapping Project. The procedures must be scientifically sound and yet practical to implement. The core recommendation is to utilize a basic procedure that is statistically rigorous and consistent with traditional methodologies. However, it is recognized that operational constraints may preclude a complete implementation. For this reason, some alternatives for implementing the preferred scenario are provided with the expectation that operational testing during the prototype phase of the project will be necessary to define the utility and reliability of the alternative procedures.

   Type_of_Source_Media: digital report

   Source_Contribution: Procedural guidelines for conducting an accuracy assessment.

2. How were the data generated, processed, and modified?

   Date: 2002 (process 1 of 3)

   Sampling efforts associated with the accuracy assessment (AA) were conducted over a three-year period. To prepare for this project it was decided that sampling should occur in phases. Phase 1 focused on areas that were relatively easy to access, in the northeast portion of Glacier National Park (GNP). Areas selected for Phases II and III were based on a cost-surface analysis. The cost-surface analysis modeled accessibility throughout GNP along a continuum of easy to extremely difficult to access areas. Slopes >65% were considered absolute barriers, along with perennial streams and lakes. Target areas included hiking trails, roads, campsites, and cabins. Areas where trails or roads crossed a perennial stream were considered passable. The final cumulative costs were represented using values that ranged from 0 (very easy to access) to 100 (inaccessible). Due to the difficult nature of accessing the higher values, AA vegetation plot site selection targeted areas with cumulative cost values <25. The only time when values >25 were considered, was to access and evaluate rare map classes.

   Data sources used in this process:

   • AA Procedures
   • hiking trails
   • 1 NED Data
   • 1999 Veg. data for Glacier

   Date: 2003 (process 2 of 3)

   Field crews were provided with listings of GPS coordinates of their accuracy assessment (AA) sites along with field maps. The crews navigated to their sampling sites, then established AA observation plots within the minimum mapping unit (MMU) area. A number of physical characteristics were recorded for each site (e.g., location, slope, aspect, elevation) along with land cover information (e.g., dominant and subdominant vegetation, percent cover). Detailed descriptions on how these plots were established and sampled is available in the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park mapping project report, available online.

   Data sources used in this process:

   • WGIPP vegetation classification
   • NVCS Physiognomic Classes (FGDC 1997)

   Date: 2005 (process 3 of 3)

   The field data were then automated, and brought into the software programs ArcView GIS version 3.3 and ArcGIS version 9.x. Information collected in the field was compared to those developed by the photo interpreters (digital data and photo overlays). Results were used to determine; spatial GPS coordinate errors, map automation errors, Unclassified vegetation type on field data sheet errors, incomplete crosswalk between map classes and vegetation type errors, questionable field calls, and inclusion errors (areas missed as they were below the minimum mapping unit). Results of this analysis are available in the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park mapping project report, available online.

3. What similar or related data should the user be aware of?

1. How well have the observations been checked?

   Several accuracy checks were made against the automated data and the original reports or data sheets, during and after data entry.

2. How accurate are the geographic locations?

   The locations of the vegetation plots were recorded using global positioning system (GPS) receivers. If a GPS reading wasn't possible, the location of the vegetation plot was estimated using a topographic map.

3. How accurate are the heights or depths?

4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?

   Data forms were filled out for each vegetation plot sampled. Each set of data sheets had a data record recorded for that site in the GIS data set.

5. How consistent are the relationships among the observations, including topology?

   The center of each accuracy assessment plot was estimated using a global positioning system (GPS) receiver or topographic map. The mapping coordinates were recorded on data sheets, which were later entered into a digital database. The database was converted into a geographic information system (GIS) data set, containing point features.

Are there legal restrictions on access or use of the data?

Access_Constraints: none

Use_Constraints: none

1. Who distributes the data set? (Distributor 1 of 1)

   USGS Biological Resources Division, Center for Biological Informatics
   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
   

2. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set?

   Downloadable Data

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/glac/index.html>

   • Cost to order the data: None

Dates:

Last modified: 18-Jul-2007
Last Reviewed: 31-Jan-2008

Metadata author:

USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program Coordinator
U.S. Geological Survey, Center for Biological Informatics, MS 302,
Room 8000, Building 810, Denver Federal Center
Denver, Colorado 80225
USA

(303) 202-4220 (voice)
(303) 202-4219 (FAX)
gs-b-npsveg@usgs.gov

Metadata standard:

FGDC-STD-001.1-1999 Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata, 1998 Part 1: Biological Data Profile, 1999 (FGDC-STD-001-1998)

Metadata extensions used:

• <http://metadata.nbii.gov/portal/community/Communities/Toolkit/Metadata/FGDC_Metadata/>