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. After the field mapping crew finished the initial map unit polygon census, data was entered into a geodatabase. This data was quality checked and the final version was passed to WSAL. Polygons in the initial segmentation that were modified by crews as noted on the hardcopy maps supplied by the field crew were edited directly in the geodatabase. Any new map unit polygons created had a letter added to their original polygon-id field. A crosswalk table was created that linked the initial field key types to the USNVC series of hierarchical classifications and the field comments for each type. These classification attributes were then joined to the initial and final map units in the geodatabase.

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 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 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 enormous size of the BIBE project area warranted the use of a modified or hybrid mapping approach. Early discussions determined the need to have an approach that included a coarse-level automated or machine-logic image processing stage and a fine-level stage that included vegetation signature interpretation and manual polygon delineation. Based on similar mapping work done by CTI in other desert environments, the automated stage would use multiresolution image segmentation routines to capture high contrast landforms and drainage/wash features, greatly reducing the time needed to delineate these by hand. The second phase would build off these segmented polygons to delineate the fine-level plant alliance/association based map units. For BIBE, 72 map units (62 vegetated and 10 land-use/land-cover) were developed. The final list of map classes/units was directly cross-walked or matched to corresponding plant associations and land use classes. BIBE map classes represent a compromise between the detail of the rUSNVC, new types found in the park (not currently in the rUSNVC), the needs of the resource management staff (e.g. detailed mapping of riparian, wetland, and non-native types), and the limitations of the imagery. An effort was made to crosswalk the final list of map classes/units to corresponding plant associations/alliances and land use classes. When a direct rUSNVC link to an association was not feasible, broader alliances or descriptive local map units (park specials) were created. In addition, some of the more widespread associations occurred across multiple map units.

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 enormous size of the BIBE project area warranted the use of a modified or hybrid mapping approach. Early discussions determined the need to have an approach that included a coarse-level automated or machine-logic image processing stage and a fine-level stage that included vegetation signature interpretation and manual polygon delineation. Based on similar mapping work done by CTI in other desert environments, the automated stage would use multiresolution image segmentation routines to capture high contrast landforms and drainage/wash features, greatly reducing the time needed to delineate these by hand. The second phase would build off these segmented polygons to delineate the fine-level plant alliance/association based map units. For BIBE, 72 map units (62 vegetated and 10 land-use/land-cover) were developed. The final list of map classes/units was directly cross-walked or matched to corresponding plant associations and land use classes. BIBE map classes represent a compromise between the detail of the rUSNVC, new types found in the park (not currently in the rUSNVC), the needs of the resource management staff (e.g. detailed mapping of riparian, wetland, and non-native types), and the limitations of the imagery. An effort was made to crosswalk the final list of map classes/units to corresponding plant associations/alliances and land use classes. When a direct rUSNVC link to an association was not feasible, broader alliances or descriptive local map units (park specials) were created. In addition, some of the more widespread associations occurred across multiple map units.

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. Using the National Vegetation Classification System (NVCS) developed by Natureserve, with additional classes and modifiers, overstory vegetation communities for each park were interpreted from stereo color infrared aerial photographs using manual interpretation methods. Using a minimum mapping unit of 0.5 hectares (MMU = 0.5 ha), polygons representing areas of relatively uniform vegetation were delineated and annotated on clear plastic overlays registered to the aerial photographs. Polygons were labeled according to the dominant vegetation community. Where the polygons were not uniform, second and third vegetation classes were added. Further, a number of modifier codes were employed to indicate important aspects of the polygon that could be interpreted from the photograph (for example, burn condition). The polygons on the plastic overlays were then corrected using photogrammetric procedures and converted to vector format for use in creating a geographic information system (GIS) database for each park. In addition, high resolution color orthophotographs were created from the original aerial photographs for use in the GIS. Upon completion of the GIS database (including vegetation, orthophotos and updated roads and hydrology layers), both hardcopy and softcopy maps were produced for delivery. Metadata for each database includes a description of the vegetation classification system used for each park, summary statistics and documentation of the sources, procedures and spatial accuracies of the data. At the time of this writing, an accuracy assessment of the vegetation mapping has not been performed for most of these parks.

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. Using the National Vegetation Classification System (NVCS) developed by Natureserve, with additional classes and modifiers, overstory vegetation communities for each park were interpreted from stereo color infrared aerial photographs using manual interpretation methods. Using a minimum mapping unit of 0.5 hectares (MMU = 0.5 ha), polygons representing areas of relatively uniform vegetation were delineated and annotated on clear plastic overlays registered to the aerial photographs. Polygons were labeled according to the dominant vegetation community. Where the polygons were not uniform, second and third vegetation classes were added. Further, a number of modifier codes were employed to indicate important aspects of the polygon that could be interpreted from the photograph (for example, burn condition). The polygons on the plastic overlays were then corrected using photogrammetric procedures and converted to vector format for use in creating a geographic information system (GIS) database for each park. In addition, high resolution color orthophotographs were created from the original aerial photographs for use in the GIS. Upon completion of the GIS database (including vegetation, orthophotos and updated roads and hydrology layers), both hardcopy and softcopy maps were produced for delivery. Metadata for each database includes a description of the vegetation classification system used for each park, summary statistics and documentation of the sources, procedures and spatial accuracies of the data. At the time of this writing, an accuracy assessment of the vegetation mapping has not been performed for most of these parks.

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 final BITH map consists of 51 map classes. Land cover classes include five types: pasture / hay ground agricultural vegetation; non – vegetated / barren land, borrow pit, cut bank; developed, open space; developed, low – high intensity; and water. The 46 vegetation classes represent 102 associations or park specials. Of these, 75 represent natural vegetation associations within the USNVC, and 27 types represent unpublished park specials. Of the 46 vegetation map classes, 26 represent a single USNVC association/park special, 7 map classes contain two USNVC associations/park specials, 4 map classes contain three USNVC associations/park specials, and 9 map classes contain four or more USNVC associations/park specials. Forest and woodland types had an abundance of Pinus taeda, Liquidambar styraciflua, Ilex opaca, Ilex vomitoria, Quercus nigra, and Vitis rotundifolia. Shrubland types were dominated by Pinus taeda, Ilex vomitoria, Triadica sebifera, Liquidambar styraciflua, and/or Callicarpa americana. Herbaceous types had an abundance of Zizaniopsis miliacea, Juncus effusus, Panicum virgatum, and/or Saccharum giganteum.

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 final BITH map consists of 51 map classes. Land cover classes include five types: pasture / hay ground agricultural vegetation; non – vegetated / barren land, borrow pit, cut bank; developed, open space; developed, low – high intensity; and water. The 46 vegetation classes represent 102 associations or park specials. Of these, 75 represent natural vegetation associations within the USNVC, and 27 types represent unpublished park specials. Of the 46 vegetation map classes, 26 represent a single USNVC association/park special, 7 map classes contain two USNVC associations/park specials, 4 map classes contain three USNVC associations/park specials, and 9 map classes contain four or more USNVC associations/park specials. Forest and woodland types had an abundance of Pinus taeda, Liquidambar styraciflua, Ilex opaca, Ilex vomitoria, Quercus nigra, and Vitis rotundifolia. Shrubland types were dominated by Pinus taeda, Ilex vomitoria, Triadica sebifera, Liquidambar styraciflua, and/or Callicarpa americana. Herbaceous types had an abundance of Zizaniopsis miliacea, Juncus effusus, Panicum virgatum, and/or Saccharum giganteum.

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. Remotely-sensed imagery provides the foundation for mapping vegetation types and other land cover classes. Imagery taken by the GeoEye-1 satellite/sensor was acquired from LandInfo Worldwide Mapping, LLC. The product was delivered as bundled 50 cm panchromatic and 2 meter 4-band multispectral (R, G, B, and NIR) images. The imagery has a positional accuracy of <3 m. Specifications for the GeoEye acquisition included the following: Total area for new collection of 372 square kilometers, 10% or less cloud cover , 0-20 off-nadir angle guarantee, Acquisition dates between late May and late June, 2011 Imagery satisfying the requirements was successfully acquired for the BICA project area on June 15, 2011 and delivered to CSU in July 2011. Each image was delivered as a geo-referenced product mosaicked as a single scene/image. We created a 50 cm resolution pan-sharpened set of multispectral bands to use for interpretation of vegetation. The acquisition provided 4-band imagery during the peak growing season. Additional imagery supplementing interpretation included 30 cm true-color Google Earth/Bing imagery imported to ArcGIS using Arc2Earth™ software and older true-color imagery viewed using the Google Earth online viewer.