USGS - science for a changing world
National Park Service Home Page.

Biology - Biological Informatics Program - Vegetation Characterization Program

Ecosystems About Ecosystems Science Center Locations Peer Review USGS Vegetation Characterization Program Home About USGS Vegetation Characterization Program Progam Contacts National Vegetation Classification Standard (NVCS) Program Documents & Standards Progam Status Program Reviews Tools & Links Products by National Park Service (NPS) unit name by State by Theme Applications of Products & Data Final Product Guidelines Ecosystems Research Cooperative Research Units Fisheries: Aquatic & Endangered Resources Invasive Species Status & Trends Terrestrial, Freshwater, and Marine Environments Wildlife: Terrestrial & Endangered Resources
USGS:Biology arrow icon Biological Informatics Program arrow icon Vegetation Characterization Program arrow icon Hovenweep National Monument arrow icon Spatial Vegetation Data FAQ Metadata

Spatial Vegetation Data FAQ Metadata

Frequently-anticipated questions:

What does this data set describe?

Title:
Hovenweep National Monument Vegetation Mapping Project - Spatial Vegetation Data
Abstract:
This polygon feature class represents vegetation communities mapped at Hovenweep National Monument. The polygons were generated using guidelines set by the USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program (<http://biology.usgs.gov/npsveg/standards.html>). Original vegetation map unit lines were drawn on mylar overlays of the project photography, then scanned to generate the linework. Due to the "snapshot" nature of the aerial photography, this vegetation layer largely reflects conditions that existed when the imagery was collected (August 1996).
Supplemental_Information:
To update the hotlinks to the map unit description PDFs, update the MAP_UNIT_PDF_PATH field in TBL_VEGMAP_INFO with the directory path where the map unit PDFs are stored (e.g., Calculate: MAP_UNIT_PDF_PATH = "C:\GIS\Parks\HOVE\Vegetation\MU_PDFs\" & [MAP_UNIT_PDF]).
  1. How should this data set be cited?

    Northern Colorado Plateau Network, Inventory and Monitoring Program, 20080321, Hovenweep National Monument Spatial Vegetation Data: Cover type / Association level of the National Vegetation Classification System: USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program Hovenweep National Monument, USGS, Core Science Systems, Core Science Analytics and Synthesis, Denver, CO.

    Online Links:

  2. What geographic area does the data set cover?

    West_Bounding_Coordinate: -110.056245
    East_Bounding_Coordinate: -109.955472
    North_Bounding_Coordinate: 37.641069
    South_Bounding_Coordinate: 37.560518
    Description_of_Geographic_Extent: Hovenweep National Monument and environs

  3. What does it look like?

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

    Calendar_Date: 06-Aug-1996
    Currentness_Reference: Source photography date

  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):

      • G-polygon (1250)

    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 0.000100
      Ordinates (y-coordinates) are specified to the nearest 0.000100
      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?

    fcl_Veg_Polys
    Feature Class (Source: National Park Service)

    Shape
    Feature geometry. (Source: ESRI)

    Coordinates defining the features.

    OBJECTID
    Internal feature number. (Source: ESRI)

    Sequential unique whole numbers that are automatically generated.

    SHAPE
    Feature geometry. (Source: ESRI)

    Coordinates defining the features.

    Polygon_ID
    Unique ID per polygon (Source: NPS four letter park code plus unique number)

    Unique ID

    Map_Unit_ID
    map class number (Source: NPS map class number)

    Code delineating the Map Unit for COLM.

    Map_Unit_Common_Name
    String (Source: NPS map unit common name)

    The common name of the map unit for COLM.

    Edit_Date
    Date of edit (Source: NPS)

    Date of any edits or updates to attributes.

    Edit_Notes
    Explantion of edits (Source: NPS)

    Notes about any edits or updates made to a point.

    Acres
    Double (Source: NPS)

    Acres calculated using X-tools.

    Hectares
    Double (Source: NPS)

    Hectares created using X-tools.

    SHAPE_Length
    Length of feature in internal units. (Source: ESRI)

    Positive real numbers that are automatically generated.

    SHAPE_Area
    Area of feature in internal units squared. (Source: ESRI)

    Positive real numbers that are automatically generated.

    rc_VegPolys_VegMapInfo
    Relationship (Source: National Park Service)

    Entity_and_Attribute_Overview:
    The National Vegetation Classification Standard is organized hierarchically to support conservation and resource stewardship applications across multiple scales. The upper levels of the hierarchy are based on the physical form or structure of the vegetation (physiognomy) and have been refined from the international standards developed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The two most detailed levels of the hierarchy are based on the species composition of existing vegetation (floristics) and reflect the phyto-sociological standards that were originally developed by European ecologists. The vegetation classification is continually advanced through the collection and analysis of new field data and will be greatly strengthened during the course of the USGS/NPS mapping efforts. Data file attributes include vegetation height, density, species, alliance, community element, and land cover. Field Name - Type Description: OBJECTID - ObjectID - Sequential unique whole numbers automatically generated. SHAPE - Geometry - Feature geometry, ESRI autogenerated. Polygon_ID- Text - Unique polygon identifier created for relationship purposes. Map_Unit_ID - Text - Code delineating the Map Unit for HOVE. Map_Unit_Common_Name - Text - The common name of the map unit for HOVE. Edit_Date - Date - The date the polygon was last edited. Edit_Notes - Text - Notes detailing any edits made to a polygon. SHAPE_Length - Double - Length of feature in internal units. SHAPE_Area - Double - Area of feature in internal units squared. Acres - Double - Acres calculated using X-tools. Hectares - Double - Hectares created using X-tools.
    Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation: Unknown

Who produced the data set?

  1. Who are the originators of the data set? (may include formal authors, digital compilers, and editors)

    • Northern Colorado Plateau Network, Inventory and Monitoring Program

  2. Who also contributed to the data set?

    NPS, SEUG, NCPN & e2M

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

    Northern Colorado Plateau Network, Inventory and Monitoring Program
    c/o Janet Coles
    Vegetation Ecologist
    P.O. Box 848
    Moab, UT 84532

    435-719-2358 (voice)
    janet_coles@nps.gov

Why was the data set created?

This polygon layer represents vegetation communities found at the Hovenweep National Monument. The intended use of all data in the park's GIS library is to support diverse park activities including planning, management, maintenance, research, and interpretation.

How was the data set created?

  1. From what previous works were the data drawn?

    DRG (source 1 of 2)
    USGS, varies, Ruin Point, Negro Canyon, Arriola, Navajo Canyon.

    Type_of_Source_Media: CD-ROM
    Source_Scale_Denominator: 24,000
    Source_Contribution: Digital Raster Graphics were used for field maps.

    HOVE aerial photos (source 2 of 2)
    USDA Aerial Photo Field Office, Salt Lake City, UT, 19960806, 1:12,000 Aerial photography (true color) of Hovenweep National Monument.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details:
    Aerial photography was taken at a scale of 1:12,000. Original media are in the form of positive transparencies. Photointerpretation was done on scanned and rubbersheeted images of the true color photos.
    Type_of_Source_Media: Contact paper prints of film transparencies
    Source_Scale_Denominator: 12000
    Source_Contribution:
    These aerial photographs were the basis for the mapping process.

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

    Date: unknown (process 1 of 3)
    Imagery collected (1996) at a scale of 1:12,000. These hardcopy photos were scanned, then rubbersheeted for use as the base map.

    Date: 01-Jan-2004 (process 2 of 3)
    Polygon creation. Vegetation map units were drawn onto mylar overlays over 9X9 hardcopy photos. These overlays were then scanned, then the digital images of mylar sheets were brought into ArcGIS. They were converted from images into line feature classes using ArcScan. The line feature classes were cleaned and converted into polygons. The polygons were examined for topology, and were then attributed using map codes written on the mylar sheets.

    Date: 01-Jan-2007 (process 3 of 3)
    Revision and publication. Following the initial vegetation mapping, specialists examined the thematic accuracy of the vegetation layer. Adjustments were made to the data layer according to those assessments.

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

    Von Loh, J., G. Wakefield, A. Wight, M. Reid, and J. Coles, 200803101, Vegetation Classification and Mapping Project Report, Hovenweep National Monument.

    Online Links:

How reliable are the data; what problems remain in the data set?

  1. How well have the observations been checked?

    Network staff has ground checked and verified all features to the best of their knowledge. GIS personnel verified all features and attributes.

  2. How accurate are the geographic locations?

    The vegetation spatial data meets National Map Accuracy Standards.

  3. How accurate are the heights or depths?

    Not applicable

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

    This data contains all the polygons mapped in Hovenweep National Monument. All data in the project area were classified and digitized. This includes alliances/community association classes, density classes, height classes, pattern groups, water, and unvegetated/landuse.

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

    All polygon features are checked for topology using the ArcGIS software. There are no duplicate features present. The tests for logical consistency are performed in ArcGIS. All attribute codes and attributes have been checked for typographical and logical errors.

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: None

  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?

    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?

Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:
Last modified: 22-Feb-2008
Last Reviewed: 31-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 Mon May 31 09:09:52 2010
Return to USGS Vegetation Characterization Program at Hovenweep National Monument
USGS Home :: Geology :: Geography :: Water
Accessibility FOIA Privacy Policies and Notices
Take Pride in America logo USA.gov logo U.S. Department of the Interior | U.S. Geological Survey
URL: biology.usgs.gov/npsveg/hove/metahovespatial.faq.html
Page Contact Information:gs-b-npsveg@usgs.gov
Page Last Modified: Friday, 13-Jan-2012 08:13:30 MST