The files linked to this reference are the geospatial data created as part of the completion of the baseline vegetation inventory project for the NPS park unit. Current format is ArcGIS file geodatabase but older formats may exist as shapefiles. Mapping vegetation of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail (APPA, also referred to as the “AT corridor” for the Appalachian Trail corridor) involved the following six primary steps: (1) preliminary map classification with a vegetation primer for each APPA project area, (2) field reconnaissance for each APPA project area, (3) map classification by each APPA project area, (4) aerial image interpretation and mapping by each APPA project area, (5) compilation of a final classification and map layer covering the entire AT corridor following accuracy assessment (AA), and (6) database development of the map layer. Although these steps proceeded sequentially, they overlap to some degree. Steps 1–4 proceeded sequentially by APPA project area starting in the Southern Blue Ridge (SBR) project area in 2010, moving north to the Central Appalachian (CAP) project area in 2011, then to the Lower New England (LNE) project area in 2012, and ending in the Northern Appalachian (NAP) project area in 2013. (See Figures 6–9 in the “Introduction and Project Overview” section of this report for detailed locations of the four APPA project areas.) Steps 5 and 6 compiled all APPA project areas into a contiguous map classification and map layer. Summary reports generated from the vegetation map layer of the map classes representing USNVC natural (including ruderal) vegetation types apply to 28,242 polygons (92.9% of polygons) and cover 106,413.0 ha (95.9%) of the map extent for APPA. The map layer indicates APPA to be 92.4% forest and woodland (102,480.8 ha), 1.7% shrubland (1866.3 ha), and 1.8% herbaceous cover (2,065.9 ha). Map classes representing park-special vegetation (undefined in the USNVC) apply to 58 polygons (0.2% of polygons) and cover 404.3 ha (0.4%) of the map extent. Map classes representing USNVC cultural types apply to 1,777 polygons (5.8% of polygons) and cover 2,516.3 ha (2.3%) of the map extent. Map classes representing nonvegetated water (non-USNVC) apply to 332 polygons (1.1% of polygons) and cover 1,586.2 ha (1.4%) of the map extent.

These data were converted from the originally delivered Microsoft Access PLOTs database from the Vegetation Mapping Inventory Project of Appalachian National Scenic Trail. These comma-delimited data tables contain(s) vegetation mapping plot classification and accuracy assessment data, as well as summary information about the data itself. If a table is empty, then it was empty in the original database.

These data were converted from the originally delivered Microsoft Access PLOTs database from the Vegetation Mapping Inventory Project of Appalachian National Scenic Trail. These comma-delimited data tables contain(s) vegetation mapping plot classification and accuracy assessment data, as well as summary information about the data itself. If a table is empty, then it was empty in the original database.

This reference contains the imagery data used in the completion of the baseline vegetation inventory project for the NPS park unit. Orthophotos, raw imagery, and scanned aerial photos are common files held here. Imagery can also be downloaded at: https://earthexplorer.usgs.gov The rectified, full-resolution orthoimages used to map vegetation for the Appalachian National Scenic Trail are now available through the USGS Earth Explorer imagery portal. They are housed under the "Data Set" tab, "Aerial Imagery" data, "High Resolution Orthoimagery" checkbox. If you have a specific site in mind you can search a geographic area, otherwise you may search for them in the "Dataset Name" field under the "Additional Criteria" tab using "appalachian_trail_appa" Digital 4-band—true-color and color-infrared—aerial imagery was acquired in the months of October during 3 years (2009–11) for the APPA vegetation mapping project using a plane-mounted digital camera. This set of imagery became the primary source for image interpretation and mapping. The aerial imagery was collected at a pixel resolution of 30.48 centimeters (centimeter measurement calculated from a standard 12-inch measurement). The goal of fall-dated imagery, particularly with the color infrared bands, was to capture peak leaf-phenology change of hardwood trees; thus, aiding mappers in viewing distinctions among various hardwood-forest types. With the AT corridor being nearly 3,525 kilometers in length, the aerial imagery mission was flown in segments over 3 years to capture peak-leaf phenology, after leaf color change but prior to leaf fall. Priority was given to peak-leaf phenology in the higher elevations to ensure that all forest species were in leaf-on status for viewing on computers to successfully complete fieldwork and mapping.

This reference contains the imagery data used in the completion of the baseline vegetation inventory project for the NPS park unit. Orthophotos, raw imagery, and scanned aerial photos are common files held here. Imagery can also be downloaded at: https://earthexplorer.usgs.gov The rectified, full-resolution orthoimages used to map vegetation for the Appalachian National Scenic Trail are now available through the USGS Earth Explorer imagery portal. They are housed under the "Data Set" tab, "Aerial Imagery" data, "High Resolution Orthoimagery" checkbox. If you have a specific site in mind you can search a geographic area, otherwise you may search for them in the "Dataset Name" field under the "Additional Criteria" tab using "appalachian_trail_appa" Digital 4-band—true-color and color-infrared—aerial imagery was acquired in the months of October during 3 years (2009–11) for the APPA vegetation mapping project using a plane-mounted digital camera. This set of imagery became the primary source for image interpretation and mapping. The aerial imagery was collected at a pixel resolution of 30.48 centimeters (centimeter measurement calculated from a standard 12-inch measurement). The goal of fall-dated imagery, particularly with the color infrared bands, was to capture peak leaf-phenology change of hardwood trees; thus, aiding mappers in viewing distinctions among various hardwood-forest types. With the AT corridor being nearly 3,525 kilometers in length, the aerial imagery mission was flown in segments over 3 years to capture peak-leaf phenology, after leaf color change but prior to leaf fall. Priority was given to peak-leaf phenology in the higher elevations to ensure that all forest species were in leaf-on status for viewing on computers to successfully complete fieldwork and mapping.

The files linked to this reference are the geospatial data created as part of the completion of the baseline vegetation inventory project for the NPS park unit. Current format is ArcGIS file geodatabase but older formats may exist as shapefiles. Vegetation and land use were interpreted to as detailed a level possible from high-resolution, 9” x 9” stereo pairs of 1:12,000-scale true color aerial photography. Polygons representing vegetation or land use map classes were delineated directly on-screen through heads-up digitizing using ArcGIS editing tools and transferred to a spatial database. The project used the program standard minimum mapping unit of 0.5 ha with few exceptions. Fifty-four map classes represented by 31,497 polygons were developed for CANY. A total of 30,329 polygons represent 41 natural or semi-natural vegetation map classes covering 94.8% of the mapping project area. One map class was documented as point locations only. Twelve additional land use/land cover and geologic map classes describe 1,168 polygons (3.7% of polygons and 5.2% of the area). Average polygon size across all map classes is 9.9 ha (24.4 acres). Lands within CANY make up 135,204 ha (334,096 acres) or 79.2% of the total project area. Blackbrush Shrubland had the highest number of polygons (3600) polygons covering 9.4% of the mapping area. The Potholed and Jointed Sandstone Woodland Complex is the most common map class, delineated on 30,495 ha (75,354 acres) or 17.9% of the project area.

The files linked to this reference are the geospatial data created as part of the completion of the baseline vegetation inventory project for the NPS park unit. Current format is ArcGIS file geodatabase but older formats may exist as shapefiles. Vegetation and land use were interpreted to as detailed a level possible from high-resolution, 9” x 9” stereo pairs of 1:12,000-scale true color aerial photography. Polygons representing vegetation or land use map classes were delineated directly on-screen through heads-up digitizing using ArcGIS editing tools and transferred to a spatial database. The project used the program standard minimum mapping unit of 0.5 ha with few exceptions. Fifty-four map classes represented by 31,497 polygons were developed for CANY. A total of 30,329 polygons represent 41 natural or semi-natural vegetation map classes covering 94.8% of the mapping project area. One map class was documented as point locations only. Twelve additional land use/land cover and geologic map classes describe 1,168 polygons (3.7% of polygons and 5.2% of the area). Average polygon size across all map classes is 9.9 ha (24.4 acres). Lands within CANY make up 135,204 ha (334,096 acres) or 79.2% of the total project area. Blackbrush Shrubland had the highest number of polygons (3600) polygons covering 9.4% of the mapping area. The Potholed and Jointed Sandstone Woodland Complex is the most common map class, delineated on 30,495 ha (75,354 acres) or 17.9% of the project area.

The files linked to this reference are the geospatial data created as part of the completion of the baseline vegetation inventory project for the NPS park unit. Current format is ArcGIS file geodatabase but older formats may exist as shapefiles. The mapping component of the BRCA project used a combination of methods to interpret and delineate vegetation and land use polygons. The USGS applied an electronic segmentation method (e-Cognition software) to create preliminary linework on features with high-contrast photo-signatures. Using the preliminary linework as a baseline starting point, the primary photointerpreter drew polygons directly on screen through heads-up digitizing using ArcGIS editing tools. Additionally, trained photointerpreters assisting the primary photointerpreter drew polygons on Mylar overlays covering 1m resolution, 1:12,000-scale, 9 x 9-inch true-color aerial photographs. This process enabled the photointerpreters to view the landscape in stereo in order to identify finer details. The linework drawn on Mylar overlays was then transferred into digital media by heads-up digitizing using ArcGIS software. The park and environs were interpreted and mapped to the same level of detail.

The files linked to this reference are the geospatial data created as part of the completion of the baseline vegetation inventory project for the NPS park unit. Current format is ArcGIS file geodatabase but older formats may exist as shapefiles. The mapping component of the BRCA project used a combination of methods to interpret and delineate vegetation and land use polygons. The USGS applied an electronic segmentation method (e-Cognition software) to create preliminary linework on features with high-contrast photo-signatures. Using the preliminary linework as a baseline starting point, the primary photointerpreter drew polygons directly on screen through heads-up digitizing using ArcGIS editing tools. Additionally, trained photointerpreters assisting the primary photointerpreter drew polygons on Mylar overlays covering 1m resolution, 1:12,000-scale, 9 x 9-inch true-color aerial photographs. This process enabled the photointerpreters to view the landscape in stereo in order to identify finer details. The linework drawn on Mylar overlays was then transferred into digital media by heads-up digitizing using ArcGIS software. The park and environs were interpreted and mapped to the same level of detail.

The files linked to this reference are the geospatial data created as part of the completion of the baseline vegetation inventory project for the NPS park unit. Current format is ArcGIS file geodatabase but older formats may exist as shapefiles. Based on the plot sampling data and the classification of 43 vegetation associations, the vegetation cover type map was revised to correct errors and create more accurate vegetation polygon boundaries at the USNVC association level. In this iteration, plot data, field observations, classification analyses, aerial photography signatures, and topographic maps were used to revise polygon boundaries and attributes. Thematic accuracy of this preliminary vegetation association map was then assessed. Based on accuracy assessment sampling data, the association map was revised again to correct errors and create the final vegetation association polygon boundaries. In this final revision, accuracy assessment data were used in addition to the resources noted above to revise polygon boundaries and attributes.