USGS:Biology Biological Informatics Program Vegetation Characterization Program Isle Royale National Park Boundary FAQ Metadata

Boundary FAQ 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?
• 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: Isle Royale National Park Boundary Dataset

Abstract:

Isle Royale National Park boundary. Derived from a dataset containing 342 National Park System unit boundaries. Under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service (NPS), these park units are located throughout the United States (U.S.) and its territories. Almost all the parks are located north of the equator in the western hemisphere; although a couple parks are south of the equator or in the eastern hemisphere. The dataset was compiled (and edited) from a variety sources: park-based GIS databases; U.S. Geological Survey 7.5' 1:24,000 quadrangles; NPS Park Land Status Maps; legal descriptions; etc.). The boundaries are in Latitude-Longitude (Clarke 1866-NAD27) decimal degrees. The ID_ field contains the unique 4 character park code identifying each park. The NAME1_ field contains the full park name. The NAME2_ field contains information about the source, scale, and date of the boundary. The boundaries are generally the designated boundary. Inholdings may or may not be shown depending on the park. This dataset was originally created in Environmental System's Research Institute's (ESRI) ATLAS*GIS software and is currently maintained in this software. This version of the dataset was created using ESRI's ArcTools 8.0.2 Import to ShapeFile from .AGF file command, ShapeFile to Coverage command, and then Export to Interchange File. To obtain the most accurate, current boundary, users should contact the specific park.

1. How should this data set be cited?

   USGS, Center for Biological Informatics, 20030714, Isle Royale National Park Boundary Dataset.

   Online Links:

   • <http://biology.usgs.gov/npsveg/isro/index.html#geospatial_veg_info>

2. What geographic area does the data set cover?

   West_Bounding_Coordinate: -89.125

   East_Bounding_Coordinate: -88.4

   North_Bounding_Coordinate: 48.2

   South_Bounding_Coordinate: 47.8

   Description_of_Geographic_Extent: Isle Royale National Park, Michigan

3. What does it look like?

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

   Calendar_Date: 03-May-2001

   Currentness_Reference: publication date of original dataset

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.

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

      Horizontal positions are specified in geographic coordinates, that is, latitude and longitude. Latitudes are given to the nearest .000001. Longitudes are given to the nearest .000001. Latitude and longitude values are specified in Decimal degrees.

      The horizontal datum used is D North American 1983.
      The ellipsoid used is GRS 1980.
      The semi-major axis of the ellipsoid used is 6378137.
      The flattening of the ellipsoid used is 1/297.257.
      

7. How does the data set describe geographic features?

1. Who are the originators of the data set? (may include formal authors, digital compilers, and editors)
   • USGS, Center for Biological Informatics

2. Who also contributed to the data set?

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
   USA
   

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

These digital park unit boundary should not be used for any legal boundary disputes. It is intended solely for use only in identifying the general location ofIsle Royale National Park. This dataset was compiled to assist the USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program in determining the proximity of vegetation features to Isle Royale National Park.

1. From what previous works were the data drawn?

   NPSBoundaries downloaded February 7, 2002. (source 1 of 1)

   National Park Service, Water Resources Division, 20010503, National Park System Boundary Dataset.

   Type_of_Source_Media: electronic file

   Source_Contribution:

   Source of ISRO boundary - This dataset contained 342 National Park System unit boundaries. Under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service (NPS), these park units are located throughout the United States (U.S.) and its territories. Almost all the parks are located north of the equator in the western hemisphere; although a couple parks are south of the equator or in the eastern hemisphere. The dataset was compiled (and edited) from a variety sources: park-based GIS databases; U.S. Geological Survey 7.5' 1:24,000 quadrangles; NPS Park Land Status Maps; legal descriptions; etc.). The boundaries are in Latitude-Longitude (Clarke 1866-NAD27) decimal degrees. The ID_ field contains the unique 4 character park code identifying each park. The NAME1_ field contains the full park name. The NAME2_ field contains information about the source, scale, and date of the boundary. The boundaries are generally the designated boundary. Inholdings may or may not be shown depending on the park. This dataset was originally created in Environmental System's Research Institute's (ESRI) ATLAS*GIS software and is currently maintained in this software. This version of the dataset was created using ESRI's ArcTools 8.0.2 Import to ShapeFile from .AGF file command, ShapeFile to Coverage command, and then Export to Interchange File. To obtain the most accurate, current boundary, users should contact the specific park. These digital park unit boundaries should not be used for any legal boundary disputes. They are intended solely for use only in identifying the general locations of national park units throughout the U.S. This dataset was compiled to assist the NPS Water Resources Division in determining the proximity of certain hydrographic features to national park units and whether national park units are contained in other management units.

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

   Date: 07-Feb-2002 (process 1 of 1)

   The ISRO boundary was extracted using the query, "ID_ = ISRO'". This park boundary was then projected into GCS_North_American_1983 with Datum: D_North_American_1983. Then projected into utm to match the ISRO vegetation dataset.

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

   National Park Service, Water Resources Division, 20010503, National Park System Boundary Dataset.

1. How well have the observations been checked?

   Attribute accuracy was tested by manual comparison of the source with hard copy printouts. Attributes were further verified by visual inspection.

2. How accurate are the geographic locations?

   Horizontal accuracy varies depending on the source of each boundary included in the National Park System Boundary Dataset. The source of the Isle Royale National Park Boundary was: "RMRO Land Div. 1:6,000 1973 Land Status Map".

3. How accurate are the heights or depths?

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

   Dataset contains boundaries for only 1 of 375 park units. Park boundaries are generally the legislative boundary only. No attempt has been made to include or exclude inholdings within the designated boundary.

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

   Tests for logical consistency are performed by digitizing software (ArcGIS). Each park unit is comprised of one or more polygons.

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

Access_Constraints: None

Use_Constraints:

This digital national park unit boundary should not be used for any legal boundary disputes. To obtain the most accurate, current boundary, users should contact the specific park. The National Park Service shall not be held liable for improper or incorrect use of the park boundary data described and/or contained herein. These data 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 no better than the original sources from which they were derived. In fact, the data are likely less accurate than the original sources as no attempt has been made to thoroughly error check the data. 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. The National Park Service and the US Geological Survey 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 NPS server 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 USGS, 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.

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

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

   (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?

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/isro/index.html#geospatial_veg_info>

   • Cost to order the data:

     Organizations/individuals may need to provide suitable media to reporduce the data.

Dates:

Last modified: 14-Jul-2003
Last Reviewed: 06-Nov-2007

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/>