Accuracy Assessment FAQ Metadata

Metadata also available as - [Outline] - [Text] - [Adobe Acrobat pdf file]

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. What methods were used to collect the data?
  2. From what previous works were the data drawn?
  3. How were the data generated, processed, and modified?
  4. 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?

What does this data set describe?

1. How should this data set be cited?

   U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, 2630 Fanta Reed Road, La Crosse, Wisconsin 54603, 2000102, Accuracy Assessment Spatial Database for the Voyageurs National Park Vegetation Mapping Project: USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program Voyageurs NP Vegetation Mapping Project, U.S. Geological Survey, Core Science Analytics and Synthesis, Denver, Colorado.

   Online Links:

   • <http://biology.usgs.gov/npsveg/ftp/vegmapping/voya/voyaaa.zip>

   Other_Citation_Details:

   The spatial database was prepared by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center (UMESC) for the USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program. The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and their affiliates (Association for Biodiversity Information (ABI) and Minnesota County Biological Survey (MCBS) of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources) provided vegetation field data collection and classification support.

   This is part of the following larger work.

   U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, 200102, Voyageurs National Park Vegetation Mapping Project, USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program: USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program Voyageurs NP Vegetation Mapping Project, U.S. Geological Survey, Core Science Analytics and Synthesis, Denver, Colorado.

   Online Links:

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

   Other_Citation_Details:

   The Voyageurs National Park Vegetation Mapping Project is part of the USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program, which is managed by the USGS Core Science Analytics and Synthesis. The USGS UMESC provided project coordination and compiled all project data for distribution. The UMESC produced all spatial database sets: vegetation spatial database coverage, observation points, vegetation field plots, accuracy assessment, and various other ancillary spatial coverages. The UMESC also performed the accuracy assessment analysis of the vegetation spatial database coverage, prepared final project documentation discussing methods and results, and provided metadata reports. TNC and their affiliates (ABI and MCBS) provided ecological and vegetation support, vegetation field sampling (plot samples and accuracy assessment), data entry, vegetation analysis, methods documentation, and classification development (including community descriptions) based on the U.S. National Vegetation Classification (USNVC). Voyageurs National Park provided staff to assist in field efforts, boat transportation, and knowledge of the local area.

2. What geographic area does the data set cover?

   West_Bounding_Coordinate: -93.239

   East_Bounding_Coordinate: -92.436

   North_Bounding_Coordinate: 48.619

   South_Bounding_Coordinate: 48.313

   Description_of_Geographic_Extent: Voyageurs National Park and environs

3. What does it look like?

   <http://biology.usgs.gov/npsveg/voya/images/voyaaa.pdf> (PDF)

   Graphic file showing accuracy assessment site locations. Low resolution for web browser - 363 KB file size.

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

   Beginning_Date: Jun-1997

   Ending_Date: Sep-1998

   Currentness_Reference: Range of dates for field data collection

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

   Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: database

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

      Indirect_Spatial_Reference:

      Voyageurs National Park is located in northern Minnesota, with the northern extent of the Park bordering Ontario, Canada. The northwest corner of the Park is 18 miles east of International Falls, Minnesota. The southwest corner of the Park is adjacent the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, Superior National Forest.

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

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

      Grid_Coordinate_System_Name: Universal Transverse Mercator

      Universal_Transverse_Mercator:

      UTM_Zone_Number: 15

      Transverse_Mercator:

      Scale_Factor_at_Central_Meridian: 0.9996

      Longitude_of_Central_Meridian: -93

      Latitude_of_Projection_Origin: 0

      False_Easting: 500000

      False_Northing: 0

      Planar coordinates are encoded using coordinate pair
      Abscissae (x-coordinates) are specified to the nearest 1
      Ordinates (y-coordinates) are specified to the nearest 1
      Planar coordinates are specified in meters

      The horizontal datum used is North American Datum of 1983.
      The ellipsoid used is Geodedic Reference System 80.
      The semi-major axis of the ellipsoid used is 6378137.
      The flattening of the ellipsoid used is 1/298.257.
      

7. How does the data set describe geographic features?

   Entity_and_Attribute_Overview:

   Items within the spatial database LUT in addition to the ArcInfo default items include: 1) VOYA_AA - Accuracy Assessment site number, 2) ASSESS_MAP - Assessment of the vegetation spatial database coverage based on field assessment data (Correct, Justified Correct, Error, Not Assessed), 3) REASON - Justifying reason for the assessment call to the vegetation spatial database coverage (Match, GPS Error, Ecotone, Inclusion, Mismatch, Dropped), 4) MATCH_TYPE - Type of match or mismatch supporting the REASON Item (Direct Match, Mosaic/Complex Match, Mosaic Match, Ecotone Match, Inclusion Match, True Mismatch, Not Applicable), 5) COMMENT - Explanation of the assessment results to the vegetation spatial database coverage, 6) AA_CLASS - Classified Community Name (USNVC Association) assigned to the field assessment data, 7) AA_PROV - Provisional Community Name assigned to the field assignment data, 8) AA_CEGL - Community Element Global Code (Elcode link to USNVC Association) assigned to the field assessment data, 9) MAP_DESC - Map Unit Description Name of the vegetation spatial database coverage polygon containing the field assessment X-Y coordinate, 10) MAP_CEGL - Community Element Global Code from the vegetation spatial database coverage polygon containing the field assessment X-Y coordinate, 12) AA_DATE - Date accuracy assessment site was collected (yyyymmdd), 13) X_UTM83 - Easting UTM, Zone 15 coordinate in NAD83 14) Y_UTM83 - Northing UTM, Zone 15 coordinate in NAD83 15) QUAD_24K - USGS 7.5-minute quadrangle (1:24,000-scale) AA site is located, 16) QUAD_12K - USGS 3.75-minute quadrangle (1:12,000-scale) AA site is located.

   Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation:

   Names, and Community Element Global Codes (AA_CLASS, AA_PROV, AA_CEGL, & MAP_CEGL): Anderson, M., P. Bourgeron, M. T. Bryer, R. Crawford, L. Engelking, D. Faber-Langendoen, M. Gallyoun, K. Goodin, D. H. Grossman, S. Landaal, K. Metzler, K. D. Patterson, M. Pyne, M. Reid, L. Sneddon, and A. S. Weakley. 1998. International classification of ecological communities: terrestrial vegetation of the United States. Volume II: The National Vegetation Classification System: list of types. The Nature Conservancy, Arlington, Virginia, USA.

   Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation:

   Map Unit Description Names, and Map Unit Codes (OBS_DESC & OBS_CODE): Map Units for the Voyageurs National Park Vegetation Mapping Project. March 2000. U.S. Geological Survey Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, La Crosse, Wisconsin.

   Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation:

   USGS 7.5-minute and 3.75-minute quadrangle names (QUAD_24K & QUAD_12K): USGS 7.5-minute and 3.75-minute Quadrangle Boundary Coverage of Voyageurs National Park and Environs. May 2000. Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, La Crosse, Wisconsin. Note: coverage modified from original source specifically for the Voyageurs NP Vegetation Mapping Project.

8. What biological taxa does this data set concern?

   Taxonomy:

   Keywords/Taxon:

   Taxonomic_Keyword_Thesaurus: None

   Taxonomic_Keywords: US National Vegetation Classification

   Taxonomic_Keywords: USNVC

   Taxonomic_Keywords: Vegetation

   Taxonomic_Keywords: Plant Community

   Taxonomic_Keywords: Association

   Taxonomic_System:

   Classification_System/Authority:

   Classification_System_Citation:

   Citation_Information:

   Originator:

   Anderson, M., P. Bourgeron, M. T. Bryer, R. Crawford, L. Engelking, D. Faber-Langendoen, M. Gallyoun, K. Goodin, D. H. Grossman, S. Landaal, K. Metzler, K. D. Patterson, M. Pyne, M. Reid, L. Sneddon, and A. S. Weakley

   Publication_Date: 1998

   Title:

   International classification of ecological communities: terrestrial vegetation of the United States. Volume II. The National Vegetation Classification System: list of types

   Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: publication

   Publication_Information:

   Publication_Place: Arlington, Virginia, USA

   Publisher: The Nature Conservancy

   Other_Citation_Details:

   U.S. National Vegetation Classification listing of physiognomic and floristic levels.

   Online_Linkage: <http://www.natureserve.org/library/vol1.pdf>

   Classification_System_Modifications:

   The Classified Community Name (USNVC Association), Provisional Community Name (Synonym), and Community Element Global Code were used during the thematic AA analysis of the vegetation spatial dabase coverage, and included within the accuracy assessment spatial database.

   Taxonomic_Procedures:

   Plot sizes ranged from 20 x 20 m for forests and woodlands to 10 x 10 m for shrublands, herbaceous, and nonvascular vegetation. Plots were placed subjectively in the most representative part of each stand of vegetation. The vegetation was visually divided into strata, and height and cover abundance of each stratum was estimated. Cover of dominant life forms was also estimated to match methods used by the Minnesota Natural Heritage Program survey methods (e.g. total cover of evergreen trees or shrubs was recorded separately from cover of deciduous trees or shrubs (Norm Aaseng, personal communication, 1996). All the species of each stratum were listed (including mosses and lichens) and percent cover estimated using the Braun-Blanquet cover scale. Additional species within the vegetation unit or polygon that occurred outside of sampled plots (generally within 2 m of the plot border) were listed separately. Species that were not identifiable in the field were collected for later identification. Vegetation plot data were entered into the Minnesota Natural Heritage Program's plot database. Species were assigned standardized codes and names based on the PLANTS database (USDA, NRCS 1999). These data were transferred to the PLOTS database developed by the Nature Conservancy (TNC 1997) for final inclusion in this report. For the vegetation analysis, the data were analyzed using the PC-ORD Multivariate Analysis package (McCune and Mefford 1997). The data were analyzed in a series of runs, partitioning the data into smaller sets based on clusters found in the larger data sets, until sufficient resolution was achieved. Multivariate analysis was done using both Non-metric Multidimensional Scaling or NMS (Clarke 1993) and Cluster Analysis. A Bray-Curtis ordination was used as a starting point for the NMS and Ward's Method was used in the Cluster Analysis. These were then reviewed and assessed for perceived environmental gradients (e.g. moisture gradients, peat depth, soil depth, etc.). Indicator Species Analysis (Dufrene and Legendre 1997) was used to identify indicator species and to assess the reassignment of plots into different cluster analysis groups. These groups were compared with the USNVC (Faber-Langendoen et al. 1996, Grossman et al. 1998), as well as to northwestern Ontario types (Sims et al. 1989 and 1997, Harris et al. 1996). Care was taken not to over-emphasize local variations found at Voyageurs compared to more extensive information compiled at the state or regional level. Nevertheless, several types in the USNVC were revised based on these analyses. Plot summaries were produced for each type.

   Taxonomic_Classification:

   Taxon_Rank_Name: Kingdom

   Taxon_Rank_Value: Plantae

Who produced the data set?

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?

   USGS UMESC, TNC and their affiliates (ABI and MCBS)

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

Why was the data set created?

AA field data were collected and analyzed to provide a thematic accuracy assessment of the vegetation spatial database coverage for the Voyageurs NP Vegetation Mapping Project, USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program.

How was the data set created?

1. What methods were used to collect the data?

   Method 0 of 2

   Type: Field

   Accuracy Assessment Procedures, modified and adapted to unique circumstances with the Voyageurs NP Vegetation Mapping Project. Refer to the

   Reference:

   Method 0 of 2

   Type: Lab

   Used during AA analysis to compare and tabulate the total number of AA sites and map polygons that were in agreement.

   Reference:

   From what previous works were the data drawn?

   VOYA Vegetation Spatial Database Coverage (source 1 of 3)

   U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, 2630 Fanta Reed Road, La Crosse, Wisconsin 54603, 200102, Vegetation Spatial Database Coverage for the Voyageurs National Park Vegetation Mapping Project: USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program Voyageurs NP Vegetation Mapping Project, U.S. Geological Survey, Core Science Analytics and Synthesis, Denver, Colorado.

   Online Links:

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

   Other_Citation_Details:

   The spatial database was prepared by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center (UMESC) for the USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program. The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and their affiliates (Association for Biodiversity Information (ABI) and Minnesota County Biological Survey (MCBS) of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources) provided ecological and vegetation classification support.

   Type_of_Source_Media: digital file

   Source_Contribution: None

   VOYA Quadrangle Boundary Coverage (source 2 of 3)

   U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, 2000, USGS 7.5-minute and 3.75-minute Quadrangle Boundaries of Voyageurs National Park and Environs: U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, La Crosse, Wisconsin.

   Other_Citation_Details:

   7.5-minute and 3.75-minute quadrangle polygon coverage modified from original source for the Voyageurs NP Vegetation Mapping Project. Coverage used to merge quadrangle names into existing spatial database. Projection in Universal Transverse Mercator, Zone 15, and datum in North American Datum of 1983. The coverage is available on the project's CD-ROM.

   Type_of_Source_Media: digital file

   Source_Scale_Denominator: 12000

   Source_Contribution: None

   VOYA AA Observations (source 3 of 3)

   Conservancy, The Nature , 1997, PLOTS Database System: The Nature Conservancy, Arlington, Virginia.

   Type_of_Source_Media: computer program

   Source_Contribution: None

   How were the data generated, processed, and modified?

   Date: 1997 (process 1 of 3)

   SITE SELECTION & FIELD METHODS: The number of sites selected for field assessment depended on how common a map unit was, as outlined in the Program's "Accuracy Assessment Procedures" document (ESRI, NCGI, & TNC 1994). Site locations were stratified as best possible across Voyageurs National Park and environs based on vegetation map data available at the time of field assessment. A total of 1288 sites were selected for assessment. AA field data were collected during the 1997 and 1998 field seasons. During 1997 and early 1998, a digital database of the polygons was not available, thus the AA field team relied on copies of interpreted overlays and aerial photographs to select sites. Data for 552 AA sites were collected using the “overlay” selection method. During 1997, the focus was in the northern one-third of the project area. During early 1998, the focus was in the Rat Root Peatland and western Kabetogama Lake. The AA team chose polygons and then hiked to them to determine the vegetation type. X-Y coordinates were collected with a PLGR and occasionally a Trimble GPS unit, with projection in UTM, Zone 15, and datum in North American Datum of 1927 (NAD27). Canopy structure, dominant species by strata, environmental features, adjacent vegetation types, and rationale for classification were also recorded on data sheets. By the 1998 field season, much of the polygon data had been digitized, enabling the AA teams to have a computer-generated selection of sampling points. Data for 736 AA sites were collected using the “digital” selection method. The majority of the AA sites were selected in the bottom two-thirds of the project area. 3 times the number of sites needed were generated so that 1) point locations falling in close proximity to polygon edges could be eliminated (to reduce location error due to GPS positional error) and 2) remote locations of individual points could be eliminated for logistical matters (staff, time, and cost issues). Hard copy 1:12,000-scale orthophoto quadrangle maps, produced from USGS 3.75-minute digital orthophoto quadrangles (DOQ's), were plotted with vegetation polygons and final selection of AA points overlaying the maps. The orthophoto maps were used to help navigate across terrain and to help confirm proper site location. X-Y coordinates (UTM, Zone 15, NAD83) for each selected AA site were uploaded into PLGR units. Each site was navigated to using PLGR units. Once the site was reached, the vegetation type was determined and additional data (as described with the prior year's data collection) were recorded. All AA data were entered into the PLOTS database (TNC 1997) and reviewed for errors.

   Date: 1999 (process 2 of 3)

   ANALYSIS: 1251 of the 1288 AA sites were used for the AA analysis. Some sites could not be reached, others offered insufficient field data to classify the vegetation accurately, and others had unmanageable or missing X-Y coordinates. A couple sites were dropped because of changes in the landscape since date of photograph (tree clearing, lake drawdown). Most of the 1997 and some of the 1998 field X-Y coordinates were collected in NAD27. These were identified and converted to NAD83. The NAD83 X-Y coordinates, along with selected AA data fields from the PLOTS database, were intersected with the vegetation spatial database coverage, producing an output table to begin a comparison between field classifications and map units of polygons in which the AA X-Y coordinate is located. USNVC associations (using Community Element Global (CEGL) codes) were compared to map unit codes. Mismatches were investigated to discern true errors from false errors. False errors might be a GPS positional error (placing the point into an adjacent polygon on the map than the actual field location), a transition zone offering expressions of more than one vegetation type, or an inclusion area that was less than minimum mapping unit within the map polygon. Assessment results along with explanations were preserved in a digital spreadsheet, and eventually included in the final spatial database. Some map units were grouped together because they represented phases of 1 USNVC association. Likewise, some CEGL codes were grouped together because the map unit represents a USNVC alliance (having 2 or more associations, due to mapping limitations). Once a 1:1 relationship was established between map units and vegetation types, PROC FREQ (SAS 1996) was used to compare and tabulate the total number of AA sites and map polygons that were in agreement. The numbers were transferred into a contingency table, where user's and producer's accuracy percentages were figured for each map unit. Based on the results of this thematic accuracy assessment, the estimated overall accuracy for vegetation map units is 82.4%.

   Date: 2000 (process 3 of 3)

   SPATIAL DATABASE: The AA sites were collected in UTM projection, Zone 15. Some sites were collected with datum in NAD27, others in NAD83. The NAD27 X-Y coordinates (most coordinates collected in 1997 and a few collected in 1998) were converted to UTM, Zone 15, NAD83 using ArcInfo (Version 7.2.1 Patch 2). The look up table (LUT) containing the AA analysis data and results (from the ANALYSIS step) was originally created in Microsoft (R) Excel 97 and then converted to dBASE IV format (dbf). The LUT was imported into ArcView (R) GIS (Version 3.1) as an Event Theme using the UTM, Zone 15, NAD83 X-Y coordinates and then converted to a Shapefile coverage. USGS 7.5-minute and 3.75-minute quadrangle boundary names were merged with the AA site Shapefile coverage using ArcView software. The Shapefile coverage was then converted to an ArcInfo coverage using the Shapearc command in ArcInfo (Version 8.0.2). ArcInfo was used to produce the ArcInfo Export file.

   Person who carried out this activity:
   

   Kevin D. Hop
   U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center
   Project Team Leader - Biologist (Remote Sensing)
   U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest
   Environmental Sciences Center, 575 Lester Avenue
   Onalaska, Wisconsin 54650
   

   (608) 783-7550 ext 46 (voice)
   (608) 783-8058 (FAX)
   kevin_hop@usgs.gov
   

   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?

   The various attributes within the spatial database were reviewed and checked for consistency with their original sources (digital data, data sheets), using a combination of manual and digital means.

2. How accurate are the geographic locations?

   X-Y coordinates of most data locations were collected using a Rockwell Precision Lightweight GPS Receiver (PLGR). A few locations were collected using a Trimble GPS unit. Most points were successfully collected with positional accuracies ranging from +/- 6 to +/- 20 meters.

3. How accurate are the heights or depths?

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

   All 1288 AA sites that were selected for field assessment are included in the spatial point coverage. Each of the 1251 successful database points that were used for the assessment analysis are complete with select information about the field site, along with X-Y coordinates with projection in Universal Transversal Mercator (UTM), Zone 15, with datum in North American Datum of 1983 (NAD83). The remaining AA sites not used for the analysis are included in the database with explanations.

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

   All point features are unique with their own site attribute and X-Y coordinates. There are no duplicate points.

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:

Those using the database should understand the data and determine for themselves the fitness of the data prior to use. For publication and dissemination, citations or credit should be given to the U.S. Geological Survey Core Science Analytics and Synthesis, the National Park Service, and the U.S. Geological Survey Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center. The Nature Conservancy and their affiliates (Association for Biodiversity Information and Minnesota County Biological Survey of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources) should be given credit for ecological support.

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?

   Accuracy Assessment Spatial Database for the Voyageurs National Park Vegetation Mapping Project

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/voya/index.html>

   • Cost to order the data: None

Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:

Last modified: Feb-2001
Last Reviewed: 17-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:

• <http://www.nbii.gov/portal/server.pt/community/fgdc_metadata/255>