Spatial Vegetation Data 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?
  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. 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?

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, 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/ftp/vegmapping/voya/voya.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 ecological and vegetation 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: -93.25

   East_Bounding_Coordinate: -92.437

   North_Bounding_Coordinate: 48.644

   South_Bounding_Coordinate: 48.281

   Description_of_Geographic_Extent: Voyageurs National Park and environs

3. What does it look like?

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

   Graphic file showing vegetation distribution of Voyagerus NP and environs, by ecological subgroups. Low resolution for web browser.

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

   Graphic file showing vegetation distribution of Voyagerus NP and environs, by ecological subgroups. High resolution for presentation.

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

   Calendar_Date: 27-Sep-1995

   Currentness_Reference: ground condition

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 Vector data set. It contains the following vector data types (SDTS terminology):
      • Label 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?

   BSB

   Black Spruce Bog (Source: Map Unit)

   LBC

   Black Spruce/Leatherleaf Semi-treed Bog (Source: Map Unit)

   LB

   Leatherleaf Bog (Source: Map Unit)

   BBX

   Beaver Basin Break-up Mosaic (Source: Map Unit)

   BBSF

   Bog Birch-Willow Shore Fen (Source: Map Unit)

   LSF

   Leatherleaf-Sweet Gale Shore Fen (Source: Map Unit)

   TF

   Tamarack Scrub Poor Fen (Source: Map Unit)

   SPF

   Northern Sedge Poor Fen (Source: Map Unit)

   BJ

   Canada Bluejoint Eastern Meadow (Source: Map Unit)

   SMX

   Wet Meadow/Fen Mosaic/Complex (Source: Map Unit)

   PM

   Eastern Reed Marsh (Source: Map Unit)

   BM

   Freshwater Bulrush Marsh (Source: Map Unit)

   CM

   Midwest Cattail Deep Marsh (Source: Map Unit)

   WRM

   Wild Rice Marsh (Source: Map Unit)

   DMX

   Deep Marsh Mosaic/Complex (Source: Map Unit)

   PW

   Midwest Pondweed Submerged Aquatic Wetland (Source: Map Unit)

   WL

   Northern Water Lily Aquatic Wetland (Source: Map Unit)

   BA

   Black Ash-Mixed Hardwood Swamp (Source: Map Unit)

   WCBA

   White Cedar-Black Ash Swamp (Source: Map Unit)

   BSAS

   Black Spruce/Alder Rich Swamp (Source: Map Unit)

   TA

   Northern Tamarack Rich Swamp (Source: Map Unit)

   WCS

   White Cedar-(Mixed Conifer)/Alder Swamp (rich soil phase) (Source: Map Unit)

   WCT

   White Cedar-(Mixed Conifer)/Alder Swamp (peatland phase) (Source: Map Unit)

   BSL

   Black Spruce/Labrador Tea Poor Swamp (evergreen phase) (Source: Map Unit)

   BST

   Black Spruce/Labrador Tea Poor Swamp (mixed phase) (Source: Map Unit)

   DS

   Dogwood-Pussy Willow Swamp (Source: Map Unit)

   AS

   Speckled Alder Swamp (Source: Map Unit)

   JPW

   Boreal Pine Rocky Woodland (jack pine phase) (Source: Map Unit)

   JPM

   Boreal Pine Rocky Woodland (mixed pine phase) (Source: Map Unit)

   JPL

   Jack Pine/Lichen Rocky Barrens (Source: Map Unit)

   ABW

   Mixed Aspen Rocky Woodland (Source: Map Unit)

   OW

   Northern Pin Oak-Bur Oak-(Jack Pine) Rocky Woodland (deciduous phase) (Source: Map Unit)

   JPOM

   Northern Pin Oak-Bur Oak-(Jack Pine) Rocky Woodland (jack pine-oak phase) (Source: Map Unit)

   MPHW

   Northern Pin Oak-Bur Oak-(Jack Pine) Rocky Woodland (mixed pine-oak phase) (Source: Map Unit)

   UBS

   Boreal Hazelnut-Serviceberry Rocky Shrubland (Source: Map Unit)

   MGF

   Poverty Grass Granite Barrens (Source: Map Unit)

   WCU

   White Cedar-Boreal Conifer Mesic Forest (Source: Map Unit)

   WCA

   White Cedar-Yellow Birch Forest (Source: Map Unit)

   JPAX

   Jack Pine-Aspen Forest Mosaic (Source: Map Unit)

   JPF

   Jack Pine/Balsam Fir Forest (Source: Map Unit)

   WRPA

   White Pine-Red Pine-Quaking Aspen-Birch Forest (Source: Map Unit)

   RP

   Red Pine/Blueberry Dry Forest (Source: Map Unit)

   WP

   White Pine/Mountain Maple Mesic Forest (Source: Map Unit)

   SFA

   Spruce-Fir-Aspen Forest (Source: Map Unit)

   BSF

   Black Spruce/Feathermoss Forest (Source: Map Unit)

   SF

   Spruce-Fir/Mountain Maple Forest (Source: Map Unit)

   AB

   Quaking Aspen-Paper Birch Forest (Source: Map Unit)

   PB

   Paper Birch/Fir Forest (Source: Map Unit)

   AL

   Trembling Aspen-Balsam Poplar Lowland Forest (Source: Map Unit)

   BO

   Northern Bur Oak Mesic Forest (Source: Map Unit)

   EP

   Evergreen Plantation (Source: Map Unit)

   PGCH

   Perennial Grass Crops (hay, pastureland) (Source: Map Unit)

   PGCS

   Perennial Grass Crops with Sparse Shrubs (hay, pastureland) (Source: Map Unit)

   ACP

   Cropland and Pasture (Source: Map Unit)

   ARB

   Other Agricultural Land (Source: Map Unit)

   BLQ

   Strip Mines, Quarries, and Gravel Pits (Source: Map Unit)

   UC

   Commercial and Services (Source: Map Unit)

   UR

   Residential (Source: Map Unit)

   UT

   Transportation, Communications, and Utilities (Source: Map Unit)

   WLK

   Lakes (>16 h) (Source: Map Unit)

   WS

   Streams and Canals (Source: Map Unit)

   SIG

   Small Island with Grass (0.1 - 0.5 h) (Source: Map Unit)

   SIR

   Small Island with Rock (0.1 - 0.5 h) (Source: Map Unit)

   SIS

   Small Island with Shrubs (0.1 - 0.5 h) (Source: Map Unit)

   SIT

   Small Island with Trees (0.1 - 0.5 h) (Source: Map Unit)

   WBP

   Water-Beaver Pond (<10% vegetated) (Source: Map Unit)

   WNP

   Water-Natural Pond (<16 ha, <10% vegetated) (Source: Map Unit)

   1

   Closed Canopy/Continuous (60-100% cover) (Source: Coverage Density)

   2

   Open Canopy/Discontinuous (25-60% cover) (Source: Coverage Density)

   3

   Dispersed-Sparse Canopy (10-25% cover) (Source: Coverage Density)

   A

   Evenly Dispersed (Source: Coverage Pattern)

   B

   Clumped/Bunched (Source: Coverage Pattern)

   C

   Gradational/Transitional (Source: Coverage Pattern)

   D

   Regularly Alternating (Source: Coverage Pattern)

   1

   30-50 meters (98-162 feet) (Source: Height)

   2

   20-30 meters (65-98 feet) (Source: Height)

   3

   12-20 meters (40-65 feet) (Source: Height)

   4

   5-12 meters (16-40 feet) (Source: Height)

   5

   0.5-5 meters (1.5-16 feet) (Source: Height)

   6

   <0.5 meters (<1.5 feet) (Source: Height)

   D

   Deciduous 60-75% dominance of existing tree coverage, evergreen 25-40% (Source: Dominance/Co-dominance)

   E

   Evergreen 60-75% dominance of existing tree coverage, deciduous 25-40% (Source: Dominance/Co-dominance)

   M

   Deciduous/Evergreen 40-60% co-dominance of existing tree coverage (Source: Dominance/Co-dominance)

   Entity_and_Attribute_Overview:

   Items within the spatial database LUT in addition to the ArcInfo default items (e.g. area, perimeter) include: 1) CODE_MOD - Map Unit Code with all applicable physiognomic feature modifiers, 2) MAP_CODE - Map Unit Code, 3) MAP_DESC - Map Unit Description Name, 4) DENS_MOD - Coverage Density Modifier (applies to all vegetation map units), 5) PTRN_MOD - Coverage Pattern Modifier (applies to all vegetation map units), 6) HT_MOD - Height Modifier (applies to woody terrestrial vegetation map units), 7) DOM_MOD - Dominance/Co-dominance Modifier (applies to mixed conifer/deciduous woody terrestrial vegetation map units), 8) ASSN_NAME - Project Global Community Name (USNVC Association), 9) ASSN_CNAME - Project Global Common Community Name (synonym name of USNVC Association), 10) ASSN_CEGL - Community Element Global Code (Elcode link to USNVC Association), 11) ALL_NAME - USNVC Alliance Name, 12) ALL_CNAME - USNVC Common Alliance Name, 13) ALL_KEY - Alliance Key (code representing USNVC Alliance), 14) NVCS_CODE - USNVC Code (to Formation level), 15) CLASS - USNVC Formation Class (Class name & code), 16) SUBCLASS - USNVC Formation Subclass (Subclass name & code), 17) GROUP - USNVC Formation Group (Group name & code), 18) SUBGROUP - USNVC Formation Subgroup (Subgroup name & code), 19) FORMATION - USNVC Formation (Formation name & code), 20) ECO_GROUP - Ecological Group (groups of vegetation types sharing ecological processes), 21) ECO_SUBGRP - Ecological Subgroup (subgroups of vegetation types sharing ecological processes), 22) MNCC - Minnesota Natural Community Classification, 23) NWON_FEC - NW Ontario Forest Ecosystem Classification, 24) NWON_WET - NW Ontario Wetland Ecosystem Classification 25) LUC_II - USGS Land Use and Land Cover Classification System (level 2), 26) COMMENT1 - General description about the map unit, and 27) COMMENT2 - General comment of how the map unit relates to other map units.

   Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation:

   Map Unit Codes and Map Unit Description Names (CODE_MOD, MAP_CODE, & MAP_DESC): 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:

   Physiognomic Modifiers - Coverage Density, Coverage Pattern, Height, and Dominance/Co-dominance (DENS_MOD, PTRN_MOD, HT_MOD, & DOM_MOD): Physiognomic modifiers added to map units (when applicable) to describe structural features. Original source for Coverage Density, Coverage Pattern, and Height is cited to Aerial Information Systems, Inc. 1995. Standard Interpretive Conventions (Viewgraph 3). Redlands, California. Height categories were modified to accomodate park specific needs. Dominance/Co-dominance is project derived.

   Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation:

   Project Global Community Names, Project Global Common Community Names, Community Element Global Codes, Alliance Name, Common Alliance Name, Alliance Key, USNVC Code, USNVC Phyisognomic Formation levels Class, Subclass, Group, Subgroup, and Formation (ASSN_NAME, ASSN_CNAME, ASSN_CEGL, ALL_NAME, ALL_CNAME, ALL_KEY, NVCS_CODE, CLASS, SUBCLASS, GROUP, SUBGROUP, & FORMATION): 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:

   Ecological Groups and Ecological Subgroups (ECO_GROUP & ECO_SUBGRP): Faber-Langendoen, D. (editor). 2000 (in press). International classification of ecological communities: terrestrial vegetation of the Midwestern United States. The Nature Conservancy, Midwest Conservation Science Department, Minneapolis, MN.

   Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation:

   Minnesota Natural Community Classification (MNCC): Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Natural Heritage Program. 1993. Minnesota's Native Vegetation: A Key to Natural Communities (version 1.5).

   Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation:

   NW Ontario Forest Ecosystem Classification (NWON_FEC): Sims, R.A., W.D. Towill, K.A. Baldwin, P. Uhlig and G.M. Wickware. 1997. Field guide to the forest ecosystem classification for northwestern Ontario. Ont. Min. Natur. Resour., Northwest Sci. & Technol. Thunder Bay, Ont. Field Guide FG-03. 176 pp.

   Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation:

   NW Ontario Wetland Ecosystem Classification (NWON_WET): Harris, A.G., S.C. McMurray, P.W.C. Uhlig, J.K. Jeglum, R.F. Foster and G.D. Racey. 1996. Field guide to the wetland ecosystem classification for northwestern Onatrio. Ont. Min. Nat. Resour., Northwest Sci. & Technol. Thunder Bay, Ont. Field Guide FG-01. 74 pp. + Append.

   Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation:

   USGS Land Use and Land Cover Classification (LUC_II): Anderson, J. R., E. Hardy, J. Roach, and R. Witter. 1976. A Land Use and Land Cover Classification System for Use with Remote Sensor Data. Geological Survey Professional paper 964. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington. Note: Crosswalk to level 2 for all map units.

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:

   All physiognomic and floristic levels are represented within the vegetation spatial database coverage.

   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?

The vegetation spatial database coverage was produced for the Voyageurs National Park Vegetation Mapping Project, USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program.

How was the data set created?

1. From what previous works were the data drawn?

   VOYA 1995/1996 CIR Aerial Photographs (source 1 of 4)

   KBM, Inc., 1995/1996, Voyageurs National Park - Fall 1995/1996 Color Infrared Aerial Photography: USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program Voyageurs NP Vegetation Mapping Project, KBM, Inc., 1604 S. Washington St., Grand Forks, North Dakota.

   Other_Citation_Details:

   A total of 782 color infrared aerial photographs (1:15,840-scale) were collected for the Voyageurs NP Vegetation Mapping Project, USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program. The photographs cover the entire Park and extended environs. Digital flight line index coverages of the aerial photographs were produced by the U.S. Geological Survey Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center and are available on the project's CD-ROM.

   Type_of_Source_Media: aerial photographs

   Source_Scale_Denominator: 15840

   Source_Contribution: None

   USGS 3.75-minute DOQ (source 2 of 4)

   U.S. Geological Survey, 1991-1992, 3.75-minute Digital Orthophoto Quadrangles.

   Other_Citation_Details:

   Black & white (gray-scale) orthorectified images derived from aerial photographs taken May 1991 and May 1992. Projection is in Universal Transverse Mercator, Zone 15, and datum in North American Datum of 1983, Geodedic Reference System 80 spheroid.

   Type_of_Source_Media: photographs

   Source_Scale_Denominator: 12000

   Source_Contribution: None

   OBM (source 3 of 4)

   Provincial Mapping Office, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, 1993, Ontario Basic Mapping Series: Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

   Other_Citation_Details:

   Used selected map tiles for portions within the project boundary that were not covered by USGS DOQ base maps. Hard copy (paper) topographic maps are 1:20,000-scale, Universal Transverse Mercator, Zone 15, North American Datum of 1927. Air photo source 1983, map published 1993. Map base by Land and Resource Information Branch.

   Type_of_Source_Media: paper

   Source_Contribution: None

   VOYA Map Units (source 4 of 4)

   U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, 200003, Map Units for the Voyageurs National Park Vegetation Mapping Project: USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program Voyageurs NP Vegetation Mapping Project, U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, La Crosse, Wisconsin.

   Other_Citation_Details:

   Map unit codes and name descriptions developed specifically for the Voyageurs NP Vegetation Mapping Project. Includes crosswalk to U.S. National Vegetation Classification floristic and physiognomic levels (names and codes), Ecological Groups (subgroups), Minnesota Natural Community Classification, NW Ontario Forest Ecosystem Classification and Wetland Ecosystem Classification systems, and U.S. Geological Survey Land Use/Land Cover classification system (level 2). Microsoft (R) Excel 97 Workbook files [voya_mapunit_crosswalk.xls] for full crosswalk, and [voya_mapunit.xls] for condensed crosswalk are available on the project's CD-ROM.

   Type_of_Source_Media: digital file

   Source_Contribution: None

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

   Date: 1995 (process 1 of 3)

   INTRODUCTION & AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY: The vegetation spatial database coverage is of Voyageurs National Park and extended environs, and covers 156,866 hectares (387,674 acres). Voyageurs National Park comprises 88,244 hectares (218,055 acres) of the total coverage area (56%). A total of 782 CIR aerial photographs were collected for the project at a scale of 1:15,840. The aerial photograph mission began late September 1995 with the collection of 111 photos, covering much of the northern one-third of the project area. The photo mission was completed late September and early October 1996 with the collection of an additional 671 aerial photographs. A total of 510 aerial photographs were used for mapping. The spatial database reflects conditions that existed at the time the photos were collected.

   Date: 1996 (process 2 of 3)

   FIELD RECONNAISSANCE & PHOTO INTERPRETATION: Prior to photo interpretation, field reconnaissance was performed throughout the 1996 field season by the photo interpretation team to learn, test, and verify photo signatures to establish a map classification. Efforts were concentrated in the northern one-third of the project area for which a set of photographs had already been acquired. Ecologists intermittently assisted to assure correct field calls and to verify additional vegetation types as they were encountered. By the end of the 1996 field season, mapping protocols were sufficiently stabilized to permit the aerial photo interpretation team to begin delineating polygons across the northern one-third of the project area. During the 1997 field season, field reconnaissance activities continued, focusing on the southern two-thirds of the project area with an emphasis on photo signatures not readily observed the prior year. Throughout this field process, map unit classes were developed, and a fuller understanding of their linkage to vegetation types was strengthened. Photo interpretation was performed using the 1995/1996 CIR film transparencies (1:15,840-scale). The photographs were cut from rolls and covered with clear acetate overlays. The overlays were registered to the photos. Ground features were interpreted and delineated onto the photo overlays using a Bausch and Lomb Zoom 240 stereoscope over a light table. Each photograph was viewed with its matching stereo pairs so images could be seen in 3-dimensions. To minimize edge distortion, interpretation was focused towards the center of each photograph. Texture, height, pattern, life form, and position in the landscape were all used in the decision process of delineating polygons and assigning map unit codes. Appropriate physiognomic modifiers were added in conjunction with the map unit attribute. An ancillary set of October 1988 CIR aerial photographs (1:12,000-scale) was used to assist in the interpretation process. The 1988 photo set effectively captured fall colors in leaf canopies and revealed distinctions not apparent on the 1995/1996 photo set. A total of 509 aerial photographs were interpreted to produce the spatial coverage.

   Date: 1996 (process 3 of 3)

   AUTOMATION & SPATIAL COVERAGE: Bausch and Lomb zoom transfer scopes were used to transfer photo interpreted data to geo-referenced base maps. The transfer process removed much of the aerial photograph's inherent distortion and also tied the interpreted data to real-world coordinates so it could be digitally automated. A total of 51 USGS 3.75-minute DOQ's were used to plot hard copy (film acetate) orthophoto base maps at a scale of 1:12,000. About 92% of the project area was produced with DOQ-based maps, covering the Voyageurs National Park, all the environs area within USA, and portions of the environs area within Canada. For portions of Canada not covered by DOQ's, OBM topographic paper maps at a scale of 1:20,000 were used. The polygons were manually transferred to overlays that were registered to the base maps. Map unit attributes and appropriate physiognomic modifier codes were added to a second overlay that was positioned over the polygon overlay. The overlays were subsequently rechecked for accuracy. Each overlay of transferred data was scanned using a large format sheet fed scanner at a resolution of 400 dots per inch. The resulting Tagged Image File Format images were then converted to a grid using ArcInfo (Version 7.2.1 Patch 2). For data produced with the DOQ base maps, the converted grid was projected to Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM), Zone 15, with datum in North American Datum of 1983 (NAD83). For data produced with the OBM base maps, the converted grid was projected to UTM, Zone 15, with datum in North American Datum of 1927 (NAD27) and later converted to NAD83 once all OBM-based digital coverages were produced and joined. Each individual grid was transformed to a geo-referenced boundary coverage to digitally reference the data to real-world coordinates. In ArcTools, the ArcScan utility was used to trace the referenced polygon data producing an ArcInfo coverage. Each intermediate coverage was edited for errors, assigned attributes to polygons, checked against the hand-transferred overlays for line and attribute errors, and finally joined to produce a seamless spatial database coverage of the vegetation map. The look up table (LUT) was originally produced in spreadsheet format (dBASE IV), and then converted to an ArcInfo table using ArcInfo (Version 8.0.2). The table was merged with the spatial coverage using MAP_CODE as the common attribute item. The merged LUT contains numerous items which provides a set of information for each polygon. For the list of LUT items, refer to the Entity and Attribute Information's Entity and Attribute Overview section within this a metadata report. The finished coverage is single, seamless spatial database of the entire project area. Because 2 procedures were used in the automation process (DOQ-based maps in NAD83, and OBM-based maps in NAD27 later converted to NAD83), the vegetation database was also preserved as 2 separate coverages.

   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
   

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?

   Based on results of a thematic accuracy assessment, the estimated overall accuracy for the vegetation map units is 82.4%.

2. How accurate are the geographic locations?

   The portion of the spatial database that was produced using the USGS 1:12,000-scale orthophoto base maps (hard copy maps plotted from 3.75-minute DOQ's) has a positional accuracy meeting U.S. National Map Accuracy Standards. The portion of the spatial database that was produced using the OBM 1:20,000-scale topographic maps (10 meter contour interval) has a positional accuracy of 1 meter for well-defined features. With most features within the project area not being well-defined (e.g. large forested and wetland areas), positional accuracy is uncertain.

3. How accurate are the heights or depths?

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

   All data within the bounding coordinates are complete with polygons representing ground features at the time of aerial photographs. Each polygon is represented with a single label in the form of a code that represents the map unit and appropriate physiognomic descriptors. A .5 hectare (1.2 acre) minimum mapping unit was applied to all map units, except for the small island categories which are mapped to .1 hectares (.25 acres).

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

   All polygon features were checked for topology and existence of label points using ArcInfo. Each polygon begins and ends at the same point with the node feature. All nodes were checked for error so that there are no dangling features. There are no duplicate lines or polygons. All nodes were snapped together and polygons closed based on a specified tolerance. The tests for logical consistency were performed in ArcInfo.

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?

   Vegetation Spatial Database Coverage 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>