Spatial Vegetation Data FAQ Metadata
Frequently-anticipated questions:
- Title:
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Pipe Spring National Monument Vegetation Mapping Project - Spatial Vegetation Data
- Abstract:
-
This polygon feature class represents vegetation communities mapped at Pipe Spring National Monument. The polygons were delineated using guidelines set by the USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program (<http://biology.usgs.gov/npsveg/standards.html>). The vegetation map unit lines were drawn onscreen using the digital orthophotos available of the project area (collected May of 2006). The line work was cleaned, polygons created then attributed. As with any digital layer, this layer is a representation of what is actually occurring on the ground; errors are inherent in any interpretation of ground qualities. Due to the "snapshot" nature of the aerial photography, this vegetation layer largely reflects conditions that existed when the imagery was collected.
- Supplemental_Information:
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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\PISP\Vegetation\MU_PDFs\"& [MAP_UNIT_PDF]).
- How should this data set be cited?
Northern Colorado Plateau Network, Inventory and Monitoring Program, 20080915, Pipe Spring National Monument Spatial Vegetation Data: Cover type / Association level of the National Vegetation Classification System: USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program Pipe Spring National Monument, USGS, Core Science Systems, Core Science Analytics and Synthesis, Denver, CO.
Online Links:
- What geographic area does the data set cover?
- West_Bounding_Coordinate: -112.743333
- East_Bounding_Coordinate: -112.736385
- North_Bounding_Coordinate: 36.865624
- South_Bounding_Coordinate: 36.860042
- Description_of_Geographic_Extent: Pipe Spring National Monument and environs
- What does it look like?
- Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?
- Calendar_Date: 07-Jul-2005
- Currentness_Reference: Source photography date
- What is the general form of this data set?
- Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: vector digital data
- How does the data set represent geographic features?
- How are geographic features stored in the data set?
This is a Vector data set.
It contains the following vector data types (SDTS terminology):
- What coordinate system is used to represent geographic features?
- Grid_Coordinate_System_Name: Universal Transverse Mercator
- Universal_Transverse_Mercator:
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- UTM_Zone_Number: 12
- Transverse_Mercator:
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- 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.
- Vertical_Coordinate_System_Definition:
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- Altitude_System_Definition:
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- Altitude_Datum_Name: National Geodetic Vertical Datum 1983
- Altitude_Encoding_Method:
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Explicit elevation coordinate included with horizontal coordinates
- Altitude_Resolution: 0.000100
- Altitude_Distance_Units: Unknown
- 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 PISP.
- Map_Unit_Common_Name
- String
(Source: NPS map unit common name)
The common name of the map unit for PISP.
- 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 ArcMap geometry function
Hectares - Double - Hectares created using ArcMap geometry function
- Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation: Unknown.
- 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
- Applicable_Common_Name: plants
- Who are the originators of the data set? (may include formal authors, digital compilers, and editors)
- Northern Colorado Plateau Network, Inventory and Monitoring Program
- Who also contributed to the data set?
NPS/NCPN
- 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
This polygon layer represents vegetation communities found at the Pipe Spring 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.
- From what previous works were the data drawn?
- DRG (source 1 of 2)
-
USGS, varies, Pipe Spring.
- Type_of_Source_Media: CD-ROM
- Source_Scale_Denominator: 24,000
- Source_Contribution: Digital Raster Graphics were used for field maps.
- Digital orthophotography (true color) of Mohave County, including PISP (source 2 of 2)
-
Arizona State Land Department, Arizona Land Resources Information System, Phoenix, AZ, 20050707, 1:40,000 Digital photography (true color) of Pipe Spring National Monument.
Online Links:
- Type_of_Source_Media: disc
- Source_Scale_Denominator: 40000
- Source_Contribution: These DOQQs photographs were the basis for the mapping process.
- How were the data generated, processed, and modified?
- Date: Unknown (process 1 of 2)
-
Imagery collected (2005) at a scale of approximately 1:40,000.
- Date: 2007 (process 2 of 2)
-
Polygon creation. The mapping for Pipe Spring was created and attributed directly on the DOQQs on screen in ArcMap.
- What similar or related data should the user be aware of?
Coles, J., A. Wight, J. Von Loh, K. Schulz, and A. Evenden, 20080901, Vegetation Classification and Mapping Project Report, Pipe Spring National Monument.
Online Links:
- How well have the observations been checked?
Network staff have ground checked and verified all features to the best of their knowledge. GIS personnel verified all features and attributes.
- How accurate are the geographic locations?
The vegetation spatial data meets National Map Accuracy Standards.
- How accurate are the heights or depths?
Not applicable
- Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?
This data contains all the polygons mapped in Pipe Spring 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.
- 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.
Are there legal restrictions on access or use of the data?
- Access_Constraints: None
- Use_Constraints:
-
Acknowledgment of the National Park Service would be appreciated in products derived from these data. Any person using the information presented here should fully understand the data collection and compilation process before beginning their analysis/use. The burden of determining fitness for use lies with the user.
- 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
- What's the catalog number I need to order this data set?
Downloadable Data
- 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.
- How can I download or order the data?
- Availability in digital form:
- Cost to order the data: None
- Dates:
- Last modified: 14-Aug-2008
Last Reviewed: 04-Jun-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 Fri Jun 04 14:50:07 2010
Return to USGS Vegetation Characterization Program at Pipe Spring National Monument
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U.S. Department of the Interior |
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