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Biology - Biological Informatics Program - Vegetation Characterization Program

Field Plots Data Metadata

Metadata:


Identification_Information:
Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: U.S. Geological Survey Department of Interior
Publication_Date: 19980310
Title:
Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Field Plots Data Base for Vegetation Mapping
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: Database
Series_Information:
Series_Name: USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program
Issue_Identification: Mount Rushmore National Memorial
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: Denver, CO
Publisher:
USGS, Biological Resource Division, Center for Biological Informatics
Other_Citation_Details:
Created by U.S. Bureau of Reclamation under contract to the USGS-BRD-CBI.
Online_Linkage: <http://biology.usgs.gov/npsveg/moru/index.html>
Description:
Abstract:
Vegetation field plots at Mount Rushmore 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: 199706
Ending_Date: 199708
Currentness_Reference: Ground Condition
Status:
Progress: Complete
Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency: not applicable
Spatial_Domain:
Bounding_Coordinates:
West_Bounding_Coordinate: -103.5
East_Bounding_Coordinate: -103.4
North_Bounding_Coordinate: 43.9
South_Bounding_Coordinate: 43.8
Description_of_Geographic_Extent:
Mount Rushmore National Memorial and about 2 mile environs around Memorial Boundaries - Black Hills, South Dakota, USA.
Keywords:
Theme:
Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: None
Theme_Keyword: National Park Service
Theme_Keyword: U.S. Geological Survey
Theme_Keyword: The Nature Conservancy
Theme_Keyword: U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
Theme_Keyword: Center for Biological Informatics
Theme_Keyword: land cover
Theme_Keyword: vegetation
Theme_Keyword: association
Place:
Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: None
Place_Keyword: Mount Rushmore National Memorial
Place_Keyword: Black Hills
Place_Keyword: South Dakota
Place_Keyword: USA
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_Keywords: Plant Communities
Taxonomic_Classification:
Taxon_Rank_Name: Kingdom
Taxon_Rank_Value: Plantae
Applicable_Common_Name: plants
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_Person: USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program Coordinator
Contact_Organization:
USGS Biological Resources Division, Center for Biological
Informatics
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: Physical Address
Address: USGS
Address: Biological Resources Division, CBI
Address: Building 810, Room 8000
City: Denver
State_or_Province: Colorado
Postal_Code: 80225-0046
Country: USA
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: Mailing Address
Address: USGS
Address: Biological Resources Division, CBI
Address: PO BOX 25046, DFC, MS302
City: Denver
State_or_Province: Colorado
Postal_Code: 80225-0046
Country: USA
Contact_Voice_Telephone: (303) 202-4220
Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 303-202-4229
Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 303-202-4219 (org)
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: gs-b-npsveg@usgs.gov
Browse_Graphic:
Browse_Graphic_File_Name: <http://biology.usgs.gov/npsveg/moru/images/moruplots.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:
Physical description - Descriptive plot data were collected for 19 sites whose vegetation represents a full spectrum of association types present within Mount Rushmore National Memorial and its immediate surroundings. Attributes collected for each site include: a unique plot identification code, park name, quad name, UTM coordinates, UTM projection, plot survey date, surveyor's name, 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 - Descriptive plot data were collected for 19 sites whose vegetation represents a full spectrum of alliance types present within Mount Rushmore National Memorial and its immediate surroundings. This database which is the second of two databases containing plot field data, delineates species. Individual species described at each of 19 plots is listed, one line per species, with the following information: Plot Identification 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 (first 2 letters of genus+first 2 letters of spp.), and Plant Strata (T, S, H, v.s, and no entry).
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 described under 2.1.1: attribute accuracy report. NOTE1: The significance of numbers appended to some of the Plant Codes is not known. NOTE2: entries under Plant Strata were not clearly defined on the original field forms. It is assumed that T=tree, S=shrub, and H=herbaceous. It is also assumed that numbers represent canopy levels (starting with 1 as tallest), v.s. = very short. Plant strata entries in this database are not always consistent with these assumed labeling conventions.
Completeness_Report:
Descriptive entries for each of the 19 plots are complete for each of the applicable attributes listed in the database.
Positional_Accuracy:
Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy:
Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy_Report:
X,Y UTM coordinates representing each of the 19 plots were collected by P-code PLGR (Precise Lightweight GPS Receiver) receivers, with an accuracy ranging from +/- 10 m. to +/- 30 m. based on 60 second averaging at each point.
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: report
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://biology.usgs.gov/npsveg/classification/index.html>
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 Mount Rushmore National Monument
Source_Information:
Source_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: USGSBRD, Center for Biological Informatics
Publication_Date: 19960405
Title:
Classification of the Vegetation of Mount Rushmore National Monument
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: report
Series_Information:
Series_Name: USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program
Issue_Identification: Mount Rushmore 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/moru/morurpt.pdf>
Type_of_Source_Media: Online
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Single_Date/Time:
Calendar_Date: 199510
Source_Currentness_Reference: Ground Condition, 1995
Source_Citation_Abbreviation: MORU sample and classification
Source_Contribution: Report summarizing plot data collection effort
Source_Information:
Source_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Kenny Aerial Mapping Company, Phoenix, AZ
Publication_Date: 19930823
Title:
Aerial photography (CIR and true color) of Mount Rushmore National Memorial
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: photos
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: Denver, CO
Publisher: USGS Center for Biological Informatics
Other_Citation_Details:
Aerial photography was taken at a scale of 1:24,000. Original media are in the form of positive transparencies. Photointerpretation was done on contact prints of the true color photos.
Online_Linkage: <http://biology.usgs.gov/npsveg/moru/photos.pdf>
Source_Scale_Denominator: 12000
Type_of_Source_Media: Contact paper prints of film transparencies
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Single_Date/Time:
Calendar_Date: 19930823
Source_Currentness_Reference: Imagery date
Source_Citation_Abbreviation: moru Aerial Photos
Source_Contribution:
These aerial photographs were the basis for the photointerpretation process
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/fieldmethods/index.html>
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 19 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 by information obtained during a reconnaissance visit to the park in April of 1995, and by examining tone and textural patterns on the MORU AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHS. Site physical parameters, species types, and vegetation strata were described at each site. The PLOT DATA database contains tabulations of site physical factors, listed under the ATTRIBUTE ACCURACY REPORT for each of the 19 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 TNC MORU SAMPLING AND CLASSIFICATION REPORT. Species - The second contains listings of individual species found in each plot, along with cover estimates and height (strata) delineations. The SPECIES LISTING database contains line entries for each species including the Plot Code, a unique numerical species code, full species name, Species Cover, Plant Code, and Plant Strata delineation. See 2.1.1 (Accuracy Assessment Report) for explanations of these attributes. 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 TNC MORU SAMPLING AND CLASSIFICATION REPORT.
Source_Used_Citation_Abbreviation: MORU Aerial Photos
Source_Used_Citation_Abbreviation: SNVCS protocol document
Source_Used_Citation_Abbreviation: Field Methods for Vegetation Mapping
Process_Date: 19960405
Source_Produced_Citation_Abbreviation: MORU sample and classification
Source_Produced_Citation_Abbreviation: MORU Veg Descriptions
Process_Contact:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Organization_Primary:
Contact_Organization: The Nature Conservancy
Contact_Person: Dennis Grossman
Contact_Position: Chief Ecologist, The Nature Conservancy
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: Physical Address
Address: 1815 Lynn Street
City: Arlington
State_or_Province: VA
Postal_Code: 22209
Country: USA
Contact_Voice_Telephone: (703) 841-5305
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: dgrossman@tnc.org

Spatial_Data_Organization_Information:
Indirect_Spatial_Reference:
Mount Rushmore National Memorial is in Pennington County and is part of the south eastern Black Hills. The memorial shares its southwest boundary with the Norbeck Wilderness Preserve. All other boundaries are shared with the Black Hills National Forest.
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: Geodetic Reference System 80
Semi-major_Axis: 6378137
Denominator_of_Flattening_Ratio: 297.257

Entity_and_Attribute_Information:
Overview_Description:
Entity_and_Attribute_Overview:
Each of 19 vegetation mapping plot sites has 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 - (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 Interior, National Biological Survey (Now the USGS Biological Resources Division) and National Park Service. Prepared By: The Nature Conservancy, and Environmental Systems Research Institute. <http://biology.usgs.gov/npsveg/fieldmethods/index.html>.


Distribution_Information:
Distributor:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Organization_Primary:
Contact_Organization: USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program Coordinator
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: mailing and physical address
Address:
U.S. Geological Survey, Center for Biological Informatics, MS 302, Room 8000, Building 810, Denver Federal Center
City: Denver
State_or_Province: Colorado
Postal_Code: 80225
Country: USA
Contact_Voice_Telephone: (303) 202-4220
Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: (303) 202-4219
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: gs-b-npsveg@usgs.gov
Resource_Description:
MORU Plots data; Physical Descriptive Data and 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/moru/index.html>
Fees: none

Metadata_Reference_Information:
Metadata_Date: 20011022
Metadata_Review_Date: 200808507
Metadata_Contact:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Organization_Primary:
Contact_Organization: USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program Coordinator
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: mailing and physical address
Address:
U.S. Geological Survey, Center for Biological Informatics, MS 302,
Room 8000, Building 810, Denver Federal Center
City: Denver
State_or_Province: Colorado
Postal_Code: 80225
Country: USA
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-STD-001.1-1999 Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata, 1998 Part 1: Biological Data Profile, 1999
Metadata_Standard_Version: FGDC-STD-001-1998
Metadata_Extensions:
Online_Linkage:
<http://metadata.nbii.gov/portal/community/Communities/Toolkit/Metadata/FGDC_Metadata/>
Profile_Name: Biological Data Profile FGDC-STD-001.1-1999

Generated by mp version 2.7.24 on Wed May 07 09:38:36 2008



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