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. Fifty-one map classes were developed to describe the COLM vegetation mapping project area. Of these, 26 are NVC-based vegetation map classes, four are geology map classes, seven are vegetated land use map classes and 14 are non-vegetated land-use map classes. Of the 26 vegetation map classes, 16 represent single NVC plant associations; the other 10 map classes contain multiple plant associations. One map class consists of point data representing seep and spring vegetation. It is contained in a separate coverage from the polygon map classes.

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. Photo interpretation was conducted through an on-screen heads-up digitizing method using ArcMap. The study area was divided into several modules. The individual modules were interpreted using the primary and supplemental imagery, reconnaissance and relevé data, and other ancillary data, including elevation contours and fire history. Each polygon was assigned the appropriate attribute code string (mapping classification types, conifer, hardwood and shrub percent cover, and land use). A total of 6,141 map polygons representing 34 vegetation map classes (including tree and shrub cover), 14 land use map classes and 7 miscellaneous classes were developed for the PINN vegetation mapping project. Of the 6,141 mapped polygons 115 were assigned to both a land use class and a vegetation class. Average polygon size across all map classes is 3 ha (7.3 acres). Natural and semi-natural vegetation classes cover 17,953 ha (44,362 acres), or 98.6% of the project area. Land use polygons including ranch developments, agriculture and Park facilities cover 250 ha (617 acres), or 1.4 % 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. Photo interpretation was conducted through an on-screen heads-up digitizing method using ArcMap. The study area was divided into several modules. The individual modules were interpreted using the primary and supplemental imagery, reconnaissance and relevé data, and other ancillary data, including elevation contours and fire history. Each polygon was assigned the appropriate attribute code string (mapping classification types, conifer, hardwood and shrub percent cover, and land use). A total of 6,141 map polygons representing 34 vegetation map classes (including tree and shrub cover), 14 land use map classes and 7 miscellaneous classes were developed for the PINN vegetation mapping project. Of the 6,141 mapped polygons 115 were assigned to both a land use class and a vegetation class. Average polygon size across all map classes is 3 ha (7.3 acres). Natural and semi-natural vegetation classes cover 17,953 ha (44,362 acres), or 98.6% of the project area. Land use polygons including ranch developments, agriculture and Park facilities cover 250 ha (617 acres), or 1.4 % 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. 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 project team also developed a spatial vegetation map database representing CACH, with three different map-class schemas: base, group, and management map classes. The base map classes represented the finest level of spatial detail. Photointerpreters delineated initial polygons through manual interpretation of 2003/2004 1:12,000-scale true color aerial photography supplemented by occasional computer screen digitizing on a mosaic of digitized aerial photos. These polygons were labeled with base map classes during photointerpretation. Field visits verified interpretation concepts. The vegetation map database includes, 53 base map classes, which consist of associations and park specials classified with the quantitative analysis, additional associations noted during photointerpretation, non-vegetated land cover, such as infrastructure, land use, and geological land cover. The base map classes consist of 4,718 polygons in the project area. A field-based accuracy assessment of the base map classes showed the overall accuracy to be 50.8% The group map classes represent aggregations of the base map classes, approximating the group level of the National Vegetation Classification Standard, Version 2 (Federal Geographic Data Committee 2008). Terrestrial ecological systems, as described by NatureServe (Comer et al. 2003), were used as a first approximation of the group level. The project team identified 16 group map classes in this project. The overall accuracy of the group map classes was determined using the same accuracy assessment data as for the base map classes. The overall accuracy of the group representation of vegetation was 79.9%.

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 project team also developed a spatial vegetation map database representing CACH, with three different map-class schemas: base, group, and management map classes. The base map classes represented the finest level of spatial detail. Photointerpreters delineated initial polygons through manual interpretation of 2003/2004 1:12,000-scale true color aerial photography supplemented by occasional computer screen digitizing on a mosaic of digitized aerial photos. These polygons were labeled with base map classes during photointerpretation. Field visits verified interpretation concepts. The vegetation map database includes, 53 base map classes, which consist of associations and park specials classified with the quantitative analysis, additional associations noted during photointerpretation, non-vegetated land cover, such as infrastructure, land use, and geological land cover. The base map classes consist of 4,718 polygons in the project area. A field-based accuracy assessment of the base map classes showed the overall accuracy to be 50.8% The group map classes represent aggregations of the base map classes, approximating the group level of the National Vegetation Classification Standard, Version 2 (Federal Geographic Data Committee 2008). Terrestrial ecological systems, as described by NatureServe (Comer et al. 2003), were used as a first approximation of the group level. The project team identified 16 group map classes in this project. The overall accuracy of the group map classes was determined using the same accuracy assessment data as for the base map classes. The overall accuracy of the group representation of vegetation was 79.9%.

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 map was designed to facilitate ecologically- based natural resources management at a 1:24,000 scale with 0.5-ha minimum map unit size. Based on a provisional assessment, overall accuracy was 82.5% for Level 1 and 66.8% for Level 2. Level 1 units will likely be sufficient and most appropriate for many natural resource planning and evaluations, while Level 2 units provide added fine-scale information within major ecological groups. To support the map as a management tool, we provide an annotated map legend along with descriptions of each plant association, a corresponding diagnostic key, field forms, and a plant species list. The map was delivered in both printed form and as digital Geographic Information System (GIS) map files. The GIS format allows flexibility to update the map as new information becomes available, or as major vegetation changes, such as fire, disease or other impacts, occur in the park.