Field Plots 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   U.S. Bureau of Reclamation's Remotes Sensing and GIS Group, Denver, Colorado, Unpublished Material, Zion National Park Vegetation Mapping Project Vegetation Plots.

   Online Links:

   • <http://biology.usgs.gov/npsveg/ftp/vegmapping/zion/zionplot.zip>

2. What geographic area does the data set cover?

   West_Bounding_Coordinate: -113.227522

   East_Bounding_Coordinate: -112.866609

   North_Bounding_Coordinate: 37.511325

   South_Bounding_Coordinate: 37.137009

   Description_of_Geographic_Extent: Zion National Park and environs

3. What does it look like?

   <http://biology.usgs.gov/npsveg/zion/images/zionplots.pdf> (PDF)

   Graphic file showing vegetation filed plot locations. Low resolution for web browser - 356 KB file size.

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

   Calendar_Date: Unknown

   Currentness_Reference: ground condition

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

   Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: vector digital data

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

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

      • Entity point (346)

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

      Grid_Coordinate_System_Name: Universal Transverse Mercator

      Universal_Transverse_Mercator:

      UTM_Zone_Number: 12

      Transverse_Mercator:

      Scale_Factor_at_Central_Meridian: 0.9996

      Longitude_of_Central_Meridian: -111

      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 0.000064
      Ordinates (y-coordinates) are specified to the nearest 0.000064
      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.
      The flattening of the ellipsoid used is 1/298.257.
      

7. How does the data set describe geographic features?

   Entity_and_Attribute_Overview:

   Attributes were either generated by ArcInfo or assigned by the USBR Remote Sensing GIS Group.

   Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation:

   Zion National Park Vegetation Mapping Project Final Report (DOI - USGS/USBR).

   zion_plots

   Zion National Park Vegetation Mapping Project: Vegetation Plot Coverage Point Attribute Table (Source: Dan Cogan USBR Remote Sensing and GIS Group)

   %_BEDROCK

   Percent cover of exposed bedrock. (Source: NatureServe Plot Form - Field Crews)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	100
   Units:	Percentage (i.e. 25.000 = 25%)

   %_LITTER

   Percent cover of litter and duff. (Source: NatureServe Plot Form - Field Crews)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	100
   Units:	Percentage (i.e. 25.000 = 25%)

   %_LROCKS

   Percent cover of large rocks (cobbles, boulders > 10 cm). (Source: NatureServe Plot Form - Field Crews)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	100
   Units:	Percentage (i.e. 25.000 = 25%)

   %_OTHER

   Percent cover of any other unvegetated surface. (Source: NatureServe Plot Form - Field Crews)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	100
   Units:	Percentage (i.e. 25.000 = 25%)

   %_SAND

   Percent cover of sand (0.1-2 mm). (Source: NatureServe Plot Form - Field Crews)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	100
   Units:	Percentage (i.e. 25.000 = 25%)

   %_SOIL

   Percent cover of bare soil. (Source: NatureServe Plot Form - Field Crews)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	100
   Units:	Percentage (i.e. 25.000 = 25%)

   %_SROCKS

   Percent cover of small rocks (gravel, 0.2-10 cm). (Source: NatureServe Plot Form - Field Crews)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	100
   Units:	Percentage (i.e. 25.000 = 25%)

   %_WATER

   Percent cover of standing water. (Source: NatureServe Plot Form - Field Crews)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	100
   Units:	Percentage (i.e. 25.000 = 25%)

   %_WOOD

   Percent cover of dead and down wood. (Source: NatureServe Plot Form - Field Crews)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	100
   Units:	Percentage (i.e. 25.000 = 25%)

   ANIMAL_USE

   General comments on any evidence of use of the plot/polygon by non-domestic animals (i.e., tracks, scat, gopher or prairie dog mounds, etc.). (Source: Field Crews)

   Textual description of animal use.

   ASPECT

   Average aspect of the sample plot. (Source: Field Crews)

   Value	Definition
   N	North
   NE	North East
   E	East
   SE	Southeast
   S	South
   SW	Southwest
   W	West
   NW	Northwest
   Flat (n/a)	No aspect
   Variable	No consistent slope

   CLASS_NAME

   NVC classified plant association name as determined by the NatureServe Regional Ecologists. (Source: NatureServe)

   Textual class name.

   COMMENTS

   General comments about the sample plot. (Source: Field Crews)

   Textual of other general description.

   CORRECT_X

   Corrected (Final) UTM X Value. (Source: Field Crews - GPS Units and USBR Remote Sensing and GIS Group)

   Numerical of X universal transverse mercator location description.

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	100
   Units:	Meters

   CORRECT_Y

   Corrected (Final) UTM Y Value. (Source: Field Crews - GPS Units and USBR Remote Sensing and GIS Group)

   Numerical of Y universal transverse mercator location description.

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	100
   Units:	Meters

   COWARDIN

   The USFWS system which best describes the hydrology and landform or the accuracy assessment point. "Upland" is used if the system is not a wetland. (Source: Cowardian et al. 1979. Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the United States. US Fish and Wildlife Service National Wetlands Inventory.)

   Textual cowadrin classification description.

   DATE

   Date that the Sample Plot was completed in the field. (Source: Field Crews)

   Numerical of the date the plot was observed.

   DIRECTIONS

   Precise directions to the site using a landmark readily locatable on a 7.5 minute topo map as the starting point. Distances are presented as closely as possible to 0.1 mile with compass directions. Additional directions to the plot within the site may be provided. (Source: Field Crews and NatureServe)

   Textual direction description of locations.

   DISTURB

   General comments about any visible disturbance. (Source: Field Crews)

   Textual description of other disturbance.

   DRAINAGE

   General description of the soil drainage at the plot. Classes were defined in terms of (1) actual moisture content (in excess of field moisture capacity) and (2) the extent of the period during which excess water is present in the plant-root zone. It is recognized that permeability, level of groundwater, and seepage are factors affecting moisture status. Soil drainage classes were sometimes based on the presence or absence of mottling. Topographic position and vegetation as well as soil morphology were also used for assessing soil moisture status. (Source: Field Crews and NatureServe)

   Value	Definition
   Rapidly Drained	The soil moisture content seldom exceeds field capacity in any horizon except immediately after water addition. Soils are free from any evidence of gleying throughout the profile. Rapidly drained soils are commonly coarse textured or soils on steep slopes.
   Well Drained	The soil moisture content does not normally exceed field capacity in any horizon (except possibly the C) for a significant part of the year. Soils are usually free from mottling in the upper 3 feet, but may be mottled below this depth. B horizons, if present, are reddish, brownish, or yellowish.
   Moderately Well Drained	- The soil moisture in excess of field capacity remains for a small but significant period of the year. Soils are commonly mottled (chroma < 2) in the lower B and C horizons or below a depth of 2 feet. The Ae horizon, if present, may be faintly mottled in fine-textured soils and in medium-textured soils that have a slowly permeable layer below the solum. In grassland soils the B and C horizons may be only faintly mottled and the A horizon may be relatively thick and dark.
   Somewhat Poorly Drained	The soil moisture in excess of field capacity remains in subsurface horizons for moderately long periods during the year. Soils are commonly mottled in the B and C horizons; the Ae horizon, if present, may be mottled. The matrix generally has a lower chroma than in the well-drained soil on similar parent material.
   Poorly Drained	The soil moisture in excess of field capacity remains in all horizons for a large part of the year. The soils are usually very strongly gleyed. Except in high-chroma parent materials the B, if present, and upper C horizons usually have matrix colors of low chroma. Faint mottling may occur throughout.
   Very Poorly Drained	Free water remains at or within 12 inches of the surface most of the year. The soils are usually very strongly gleyed. Subsurface horizons usually are of low chroma and yellowish to bluish hues. Mottling may be present but at the depth in the profile. Very poorly drained soils usually have a mucky or peaty surface horizon.

   ELCODE

   NVC Code to Classified Plant Association. (Source: NatureServe)

   Textual and numerical code.

   ELEV_UNITS

   Elevation Units used to record the elevation of the Accuracy Assessment Point. (Source: Field Crews and NatureServe)

   Value	Definition
   1	Meters
   2	Feet

   ELEVATION

   Elevation of the Sample Plots. (Source: Field Crews - GPS Units)

   Textual of elevation description.

   ENVIRO

   General environmental comments about the sample plots. (Source: Field Crews and NatureServe)

   Textual of environment description.

   FID

   Internal feature number. (Source: ESRI)

   Sequential unique whole numbers that are automatically generated.

   FRAME

   Frame number of the photos taked for each sample plot. (Source: Field Crews)

   Whole number of the plots photo frame.

   GEOLOGY

   Surficial geology noting the geologic substrate influencing the plant community (bedrock or surficial materials). (Source: Field Crews, USGS and NatureServe)

   Textual description of the geology surface.

   GPS_FILE

   GPS way point (WP) numbers and/or known datum projection information. (Source: Field Crews)

   Values may represent one or more of the following: 1. +/- xx indicates GPS error in meters, 2. x.x may indicate GPS error in meters, 3. xxx may indicate downloadable GPS file names.

   GPS_TECH

   The name of the GPS receiver used, other methods used to record location, +/-GPS error readings, and/or general comments about the GPS Techniques used. (Source: Field Crews)

   PLGR = "Personal Lightweight GPS Receiver" made by Rockwell CO for the U.S. Military.

   H_COVER

   Percent cover of the Herbaceous stratum for each sample plot. (Source: Field Crews and NatureServe)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	100
   Units:	Midpoint of the Cover Scale = Percentage (i.e. 80 = 80%).

   H_HGT

   Average height of the Herbaceous stratum for each sample plot. (Source: Field Crews and NatureServe)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	100
   Units:	Range in meters (i.e. 0.5 - 1 m)

   HYDRO

   The hydrologic regime of the plot using general descriptions. (Source: NatureServe - adapted from Cowardin et al. 1979)

   Value	Definition
   SEMIPERMANENTLY FLOODED	Surface water persists throughout growing season in most years except during periods of drought. Land surface is normally saturated when water level drops below soil surface. Includes Cowardin's Intermittently Exposed and Semipermanently Flooded modifiers.
   SEASONALLY FLOODED	Surface water is present for extended periods during the growing season, but is absent by the end of the growing season in most years. The water table after flooding ceases is very variable, extending from saturated to a water table well below the ground surface. Includes Cowardin's Seasonal, Seasonal-Saturated, and Seasonal-Well Drained modifiers.
   SATURATED	Surface water is seldom present, but substrate is saturated to surface for extended periods during the growing season. Equivalent to Cowardin's Saturated modifier.
   TEMPORARILY FLOODED	Surface water present for brief periods during growing season, but water table usually lies well below soil surface. Often characterizes flood-plain wetlands. Equivalent to Cowardin's Temporary modifier.
   INTERMITTENTLY FLOODED	Substrate is usually exposed, but surface water can be present for variable periods without detectable seasonal periodicity. Inundation is not predictable to a given season and is dependent upon highly localized rain storms. This modifier was developed for use in the arid West for water regimes of Playa lakes, intermittent streams, and dry washes but can be used in other parts of the U.S. where appropriate. This modifier can be applied to both wetland and non-wetland situations. Equivalent to Cowardin's Intermittently Flooded modifier.
   PERMANENTLY FLOODED	Water covers the land surface at all times of the year in all years. Equivalent to Cowardin's “permanently flooded.”
   UNKNOWN	The water regime of the area is not known. The unit is simply described as a non-tidal wetland.

   LANDFORM

   The landform that describes the site where the plot was taken. (Source: Field Crews and NatureServe)

   Textual of landform description.

   LANDSCAPE

   General comments about the landscape surrounding the sample plot. (Source: Field Crews)

   Textual of landscape description.

   LEAF_TYPE

   The leaf type of the dominant stratum. The dominant stratum is the uppermost stratum that contains at least 10% cover. (Source: Field Crews and NatureServe)

   Textual of leaf type description.

   LOCATION

   The location of the sample plot. (Source: Field Crews and NatureServe)

   Value	Definition
   ZION	Zion National Park
   Environs	Lands surrounding Zion National Park

   N_COVER

   Percent cover of the Non-vascular stratum for each sample plot. (Source: Field Crews and NatureServe)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	100
   Units:	Midpoint of the Cover Scale = Percentage (i.e. 80 = 80%)

   N_HGT

   Average height of the Non-vascular stratum for each sample plot. (Source: Field Crews and NatureServe)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	100
   Units:	Range in meters (i.e. 0.5 - 1 m)

   OPT1

   Optional Field 1. This was used at ZION to record the fire fuel model number for some of the sample plots. (Source: Field Crews)

   Textual classification comments.

   OPTIONAL

   Optional Field Description. (Source: Field Crews and NatureServe)

   Textual classification comments.

   OTHER

   Description of "%_Other" (Source: Field Crews and NatureServe)

   Textual misc. comments.

   OTHER1

   Other Measure 1 (Number of trees with certain DBH) (Source: Field Crews)

   Numerical measure of trees in DBH.

   OTHER2

   Other Measure 2 (Misc. Measurements) (Source: Field Crews)

   Numerical misc. measure.

   PERMANENT

   Check off that the plot has been permanently marked Yes/No. (Source: Field Crews and NatureServe)

   Textual of yes/no for permanent plots.

   PHENOLOGY

   The leaf phenology of the dominant stratum. The dominant stratum is the uppermost stratum that contains at least 10% cover. (Source: Field Crews and NatureServe)

   Textual of leaf phenology type description.

   PHYSIO

   The physiognomic class of the dominant stratum (i.e. Woodland, Shrubland, etc.). The dominant stratum is the uppermost stratum that contains at least 10% cover. (Source: Field Crews and NatureServe)

   Textual of physiology class type description.

   PLOT_CODE

   Code indicating the specific plot within the vegetation polygon. For the 1999 field season the codes were RH-Zion XXX and for the 2000 field season, the codes were ZION.XXX. (Source: Field Crews and NatureServe)

   User-defined feature number.

   PLOT_SHAPE

   The shape of the sample plot. (Source: Field Crews)

   Textual defining the shape of the plot.

   PROV_NAME

   The provisional name of the vegetation plot assigned by the field crews using either the preliminary list of plant associations or the names of the dominant species. (Source: Field Crews)

   Textual defining the provisional name (common name) of the association.

   QUAD

   Appropriate name/scale from survey map used; use 7.5-minute quadrangle if possible. (Source: Field Crews)

   Textual quadrangle map name.

   QUAD_CODE

   Code to the USGS 7.5. Minute Topographic Map (Source: USGS)

   Numerical and textual quadrangle code for location of plots on topographic map.

   REPRESENT

   Comments on the plot’s ability to represent the stand or polygon as one component and the ability of this sample to represent the range of variability of the association in the entire mapping area. (Source: Field Crews)

   Textual of representiveness description.

   ROLL

   Roll number of the photos taked for each sample plot. (Source: Field Crews)

   Textual and numerical of roll number (whole numbers).

   S1_COVER

   Percent cover of the Tall Shrub stratum for each sample plot. (Source: Field Crews and NatureServe)

   Numerical of S1 cover (whole numbers).

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	100
   Units:	Midpoint of the Cover Scale = Percentage (i.e. 80 = 80%)

   S1_HGT

   Average height of the Tall Shrub stratum for each sample plot. (Source: Field Crews and NatureServe)

   Textual and numerical of S1 height (whole & decimal numbers).

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	100
   Units:	Range in meters (i.e. 0.5 - 1 m)

   S2_COVER

   Percent cover of the Short Shrub stratum for each sample plot. (Source: Field Crews and NatureServe)

   Numerical of S2 cover (whole numbers).

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	100
   Units:	Midpoint of the Cover Scale = Percentage (i.e. 80 = 80%)

   S2_HGT

   Average height of the Short Shrub stratum for each sample plot. (Source: Field Crews and NatureServe)

   Textual and numerical of S2 height (whole & decimal numbers).

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	100
   Units:	Range in meters (i.e. 0.5 - 1 m)

   S3_COVER

   Percent cover of the Dwarf-shrub stratum for each sample plot. (Source: Field Crews and NatureServe)

   Numerical of S3 cover (whole numbers).

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	100
   Units:	Midpoint of the Cover Scale = Percentage (i.e. 80 = 80%)

   S3_HGT

   Average height of the Dwarf-shrub stratum for each sample plot. (Source: Field Crews and NatureServe)

   Textual and numerical of S3 height (whole & decimal numbers).

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	100
   Units:	Range in meters (i.e. 0.5 - 1 m)

   Shape

   Feature geometry. (Source: ESRI)

   Coordinates defining the features.

   SLOPE

   General description of the average slope of the sample plot. (Source: Field Crews and NatureServe)

   Textual of slope type description.

   SPECIES

   The number of plant species recorded for each sample plot. (Source: Field Crews)

   Numerical count of plant species at each accuracy assessment point.

   SUB_LOC

   The sub-location of the sample plot within Zion National Park. (Source: Field Crews)

   Textual description of the sub-location.

   SURVEYORS

   The last names and/or initials of the field crews. (Source: Field Crews)

   Textual surveyors last names and/or initials.

   T1_COVER

   Percent cover of the Emergent Tree stratum for each sample plot. (Source: Field Crews and NatureServe)

   Numerical of T1 cover (whole numbers).

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	100
   Units:	Midpoint of the Cover Scale = Percentage (i.e. 80 = 80%)

   T1_HGT

   Average height of the Emergent Tree stratum for each sample plot. (Source: Field Crews and NatureServe)

   Textual and numerical of T1 height (whole & decimal numbers).

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	100
   Units:	Range in meters (i.e. 0.5 - 1 m)

   T2_COVER

   Percent cover of the Tree Canopy stratum for each sample plot. (Source: Field Crews and NatureServe)

   Numerical of T2 cover (whole numbers).

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	100
   Units:	Midpoint of the Cover Scale = Percentage (i.e. 80 = 80%)

   T2_HGT

   Average height of the Tree Canopy stratum for each sample plot. (Source: Field Crews and NatureServe)

   Textual and numerical of T2 height (whole & decimal numbers).

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	100
   Units:	Range in meters (i.e. 0.5 - 1 m)

   T3_COVER

   Percent cover of the Tree Sub-canopy stratum for each sample plot. (Source: Field Crews and NatureServe)

   Numerical of T3 cover (whole numbers).

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	100
   Units:	Midpoint of the Cover Scale = Percentage (i.e. 80 = 80%)

   T3_HGT

   Average height of the Tree Sub-canopy stratum for each sample plot. (Source: Field Crews and NatureServe)

   Textual and numerical of T3 height (whole & decimal numbers).

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	100
   Units:	Range in meters (i.e. 0.5 - 1 m)

   TEXTURE

   Average soil texture for the sample plot. (Source: Field Crews and NatureServe)

   Textual of texture description.

   TOPO_POS

   Topographic position of each accuracy assessment point. (Source: Field Crews)

   Textual of topology position type description.

   UTM_ZONE

   Universal Transverse Mercator Zone (Source: GPS - Field Crews)

   Value	Definition
   12	UTM Zone 12

   V_COVER

   Percent cover of the Vine/liana stratum for each sample plot. (Source: Field Crews and NatureServe)

   Textual and numerical of V cover (whole numbers).

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	100
   Units:	Midpoint of the Cover Scale = Percentage (i.e. 80 = 80%)

   V_HGT

   Average height of the Vine/liana stratum for each sample plot. (Source: Field Crews and NatureServe)

   Textual and numerical of V height (whole & decimal numbers).

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	100
   Units:	Range in meters (i.e. 0.5 - 1 m)

   XDIMENSION

   Plot width, the X dimension of the sample plot. (Source: Field Crews and NatureServe)

   Textual and numerical of X dimension (whole numbers).

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	100
   Units:	Meters

   YDIMENSION

   Plot length, the Y dimension of the sample plot. (Source: Field Crews and NatureServe)

   Textual and numerical of Y dimension (whole numbers).

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	100
   Units:	Meters

8. 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

Who produced the data set?

1. Who are the originators of the data set? (may include formal authors, digital compilers, and editors)
   • U.S. Bureau of Reclamation's Remotes Sensing and GIS Group, Denver, Colorado

2. Who also contributed to the data set?

   USBR, Denver, CO: Daniel Cogan, Janet Coles, Doug Crawford, Trudy Meyer, Jean Pennel, ZION: Jeff Bradybaugh, Elena Robish; NatureServe, Boulder, CO: Marion Reid, Keith Schulz.

3. To whom should users address questions about the data?
   U.S. Bureau of Reclamation's (USBR) Remote Sensing and GIS Group
   c/o Dan Cogan
   Physical Scientist
   USBR, Code D-8260, POB 25007
   Denver, Colorado 80225
   USA
   

   (303) 445-2291 (voice)
   (303) 445-6337 (FAX)
   dcogan@do.usbr.gov
   

   Hours_of_Service: 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM MST

   Contact_Instructions: Call for contract person(s)

Why was the data set created?

Plots were collected to characterize the vegetation at Zion National Park. This GIS layer was created from the GPS coordinates recorded at the center of each plot to map their distribution and location in the Park.

How was the data set created?

1. From what previous works were the data drawn?

   Vegetation Sample Plots (source 1 of 1)

   U.S. Bureau of Reclamation's Remotes Sensing and GIS Group, Denver, Colorado, Unpublished Material, Zion National Park Vegetation Mapping Project Vegetation Plots.

   Type_of_Source_Media: CD-ROM

   Source_Contribution: Unknown

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

   Date: Unknown (process 1 of 1)

   Plots were subjectively places by qualified ecologists to characterize the plant communities. Portions of the methodology were derived from the USGS/NPS Vegetation Mapping Program's Field Methods for Vegetation Mapping standard. Vegetation data in each sample plot was recorded by qualified ecologists using a standard NVC plot data collection form. Data was manually transferred to a MS Access database. Point coverage was created by importing the database into ArcView as an event theme.

   Person who carried out this activity:
   

   Dan Cogan
   Bureau of Reclamation
   Physical Scientist
   P.O. Box 25007 Bldg. 56 Denver Federal Center M.S. D-8260
   Denver, Colorado 80225
   U.S.A
   

   (303) 445-2291 (voice)
   (303) 445-6337 (FAX)
   dcogan@do.usbr.gov
   

   Hours_of_Service: 8 am - 5 pm

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?

   N/A

2. How accurate are the geographic locations?

   GPS accuracy varies for each plot. Error values were recorded on the plot form.

3. How accurate are the heights or depths?

   Standard GPS Elevation Error.

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

   All plots collected at Zion National Park for this project are included in this coverage.

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

   None

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:

Acknowledgment of the USBR Remote Sensing and GIS Group 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.

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?

   NPS Vegetation Mapping Program: Vegetation Map of Zion National Park

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/zion/index.html>

   • Cost to order the data: None

Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:

Last modified: 24-Feb-2004
Last Reviewed: 21-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>