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. Just over 698 acres, including 214 acres in the authorized boundary of HOME and an additional 484 acres in the environs, were mapped using ten map classes (Figure 5). This included four land cover classes and six vegetation classes. Of all the map units, the most frequent was Fraxinus pennsylvanica / Ulmus spp. / Celtis occidentalis Forest with 21 polygons. Fraxinus pennsylvanica / Ulmus spp. / Celtis occidentalis Forest was also the most abundant map unit in terms of area other than cropfields in the environs, covering 219 acres (89 hectares) or about 13% of the project area. All of the frequencies for each map unit (i.e., number of polygons) along with acreage per map unit are listed in Table 3. Normally the standard minimum mapping unit for NPS vegetation mapping projects is defined as 0.5 hectare. However this is a nominal unit and due to the small size of HOME and the resolution of the imagery it was reduced to allow for more detail in the mapping. Therefore, 13 of the total 60 polygons were under 0.5 hectare. The average area of polygons for this project was 28.8 acres (11.6 hectares).

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. In order to accommodate the complex vegetation patterns often found in National Park units and generally maintain a minimum mapping unit of 0.5 ha, a three-tiered scheme was developed for attributing vegetation polygons. Where appropriate, secondary and tertiary vegetation classes are added to describe mixed-plant communities within the polygon. Secondary and tertiary classes were especially useful for describing ecotones, and for polygons with a patchwork of communities below the minimum mapping unit size. Final products included seamless park-wide GIS databases in ArcGIS geodatabase and ArcView shapefile formats of detailed overstory vegetation communities, along with vegetation statistics, hardcopy maps and orthophoto images plotted at large scale corresponding to the park 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 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.

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. Mapping was conducted using a combination of aerial photointerpretation and field delineation using a Trimble ProXR GPS with a TSCe datalogger/display unit. This device, running TerraSync software, was extremely useful during the multiple visits because it allowed us to view and verify existing data while collecting new information. Since Weir Farm is a relatively small site, walking the perimeter of each vegetation type with a GPS unit delineated most mapping polygons. Other polygons, such as the Northeastern Buttonbush Shrub Swamp and the mountain laurel variants of several of the upland forests, were determined by the photointerpretation of the 2001 DEP black and white aerial photos (1:12,000). Lines were drawn. on acetate overlays on the photos and then screen-digitized in ArcView 3x. This combination of field-collected lines and interpreted polygons was converted into the final map.

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. Ultimately, we developed a geodatabase containing four feature classes: vegetation points (containing vegetation sample points and AA sites), vegetation and land use polygons (showing locations of vegetation types and general land features), 1:12,000-scale CIR aerial photograph centers, and project boundary extent. Included in the geodatabase are several tables providing a suite of supporting information, from classification crosswalks to detailed sampling data. All geospatial products are projected in the Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM), Zone 16, using the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD83).

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. Following the vegetation plot data analysis, the preliminary vegetation map was edited and refined to produce a revised preliminary vegetation map prior to thematic accuracy assessment (AA). Using ArcMap 9.2 (ESRI 1999-2006), polygon boundaries were revised on-screen using the newly acquired aerial orthophotography (digital photomosaic) based on the classification plot data, field observations, classification analyses, aerial photography signatures, and topographic maps. Each polygon was assigned the USNVC Community Element Global (CEGL) code of a preliminary vegetation association based on the information sources listed above. Second, third, and fourth CEGL code choices were entered in cases of uncertainty, or for polygons representing mosaics of two or more vegetation types.

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. Following the vegetation plot data analysis, the preliminary vegetation map was edited and refined to produce a revised preliminary vegetation map prior to thematic accuracy assessment (AA). Using ArcMap 9.2 (ESRI 1999-2006), polygon boundaries were revised on-screen using the newly acquired aerial orthophotography (digital photomosaic) based on the classification plot data, field observations, classification analyses, aerial photography signatures, and topographic maps. Each polygon was assigned the USNVC Community Element Global (CEGL) code of a preliminary vegetation association based on the information sources listed above. Second, third, and fourth CEGL code choices were entered in cases of uncertainty, or for polygons representing mosaics of two or more vegetation types.

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. Forty-two polygons were mapped within the project boundary: 27 at the main unit and 15 at the Adamsville proposed expansion area. In total, 15 distinct types were identified across the study area. Seven of these types are Anderson Land Use Classes or variations thereof; the others are natural vegetation classes following the NVCS. Map classes were described at the alliance or association level; where known, alliance descriptions also include recognized associations. Due to the small area involved in this project, and to its relatively simple floristic attributes, there is a one-to-one correspondence between the map classes presented here and the community types described. A total of 35 species were recorded during the sampling efforts. Alliances and associations marked with (P) are proposed, not yet accepted into the NVC. In addition, summarized local descriptions, with example satellite image/signatures and representative photos for each alliance or association, follow this section.

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. Several imagery sources were used to derive the vegetation map, primarily Light Imaging and Detection Radar (LiDAR) and aerial imagery from the National Agriculture Imagery Program. The eCognition software package and Berkley Imaging Segmentation was used to create the initial image segments and polygon map. The mean values of variable inputs were summarized for each of the training data polygons and were used to generate a predictive non-parametric model using RandomForest in the statistical program R. The model was then applied to all polygons. The resulting draft map was reviewed by experts familiar with the vegetation types of the area. The final map includes 24 classes, representing 3 land cover types and 21 alliance-based map classes. A field-based, blind random sample accuracy assessment of the map was carried out in mid-August 2011 and December 2011. A total of 175 accuracy assessment points were collected. Based on the assessment, the total map accuracy was 88.9%, exceeding the program standard of 80%.