This data collection is associated with the project: “Status and Trends of Deciduous Communities in the Bighorn Mountains”. It contains the project study area, model evaluation data, model input data, and model output data in the form of probability of occurrence rasters for deciduous and coniferous species, as well as a synthesis map. The aim of the study is to assess the current trends of deciduous communities in the Bighorn National Forest in north-central Wyoming. The data here represents phase I of the project, completed in FY2017. The USGS created a synthesis map of coniferous and deciduous communities in the Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming using a species distribution modeling approach developed in the Wyoming Landscape Conservation Initiative (WLCI) (Assal et al. 2015). The modeling framework utilized a number of topographic covariates and temporal remote sensing data from the early, mid and late growing season to capitalize on phenological differences in vegetation types. We used the program RandomForest in the R statistical program to generate probability of occurrence models for deciduous and coniferous vegetation. The binary maps were combined into a synthesis map using the procedure from Assal et al. 2015. In Phase II of this project (to be completed in FY2018 and 2019), the USGS will conduct a preliminary assessment on the baseline condition of riparian deciduous communities. This will be a proof-of-concept study where the USGS will apply a framework used in prior research in upland aspen and sagebrush communities to detect trends in riparian vegetation condition from the mid-1980s to present. Literature Cited Assal et al. 2015: https://doi.org/10.1080/2150704X.2015.1072289

This is the study area associated with the project: “Status and Trends of Deciduous Communities in the Bighorn Mountains”. The aim of the study is to assess the current trends of deciduous communities in the Bighorn National Forest in north-central Wyoming. The data here represents phase I of the project, completed in FY2017. The USGS created a synthesis map of coniferous and deciduous communities in the Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming using a species distribution modeling approach developed in the Wyoming Landscape Conservation Initiative (WLCI) (Assal et al. 2015). The modeling framework utilized a number of topographic covariates and temporal remote sensing data from the early, mid and late growing season to capitalize on phenological differences in vegetation types. We used the program RandomForest in the R statistical program to generate probability of occurrence models for deciduous and coniferous vegetation. The binary maps were combined into a synthesis map using the procedure from Assal et al. 2015. In Phase II of this project (to be completed in FY2018 and 2019), the USGS will conduct a preliminary assessment on the baseline condition of riparian deciduous communities. This will be a proof-of-concept study where the USGS will apply a framework used in prior research in upland aspen and sagebrush communities to detect trends in riparian vegetation condition from the mid-1980s to present. Literature Cited Assal et al. 2015: https://doi.org/10.1080/2150704X.2015.1072289

This is the study area associated with the project: “Status and Trends of Deciduous Communities in the Bighorn Mountains”. The aim of the study is to assess the current trends of deciduous communities in the Bighorn National Forest in north-central Wyoming. The data here represents phase I of the project, completed in FY2017. The USGS created a synthesis map of coniferous and deciduous communities in the Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming using a species distribution modeling approach developed in the Wyoming Landscape Conservation Initiative (WLCI) (Assal et al. 2015). The modeling framework utilized a number of topographic covariates and temporal remote sensing data from the early, mid and late growing season to capitalize on phenological differences in vegetation types. We used the program RandomForest in the R statistical program to generate probability of occurrence models for deciduous and coniferous vegetation. The binary maps were combined into a synthesis map using the procedure from Assal et al. 2015. In Phase II of this project (to be completed in FY2018 and 2019), the USGS will conduct a preliminary assessment on the baseline condition of riparian deciduous communities. This will be a proof-of-concept study where the USGS will apply a framework used in prior research in upland aspen and sagebrush communities to detect trends in riparian vegetation condition from the mid-1980s to present. Literature Cited Assal et al. 2015: https://doi.org/10.1080/2150704X.2015.1072289

This is the evaluation data associated with the project: “Status and Trends of Deciduous Communities in the Bighorn Mountains”. The aim of the study is to assess the current trends of deciduous communities in the Bighorn National Forest in north-central Wyoming. The data here represents phase I of the project, completed in FY2017. The USGS created a synthesis map of coniferous and deciduous communities in the Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming using a species distribution modeling approach developed in the Wyoming Landscape Conservation Initiative (WLCI) (Assal et al. 2015). The modeling framework utilized a number of topographic covariates and temporal remote sensing data from the early, mid and late growing season to capitalize on phenological differences in vegetation types. We used the program RandomForest in the R statistical program to generate probability of occurrence models for deciduous and coniferous vegetation. The binary maps were combined into a synthesis map using the procedure from Assal et al. 2015. In Phase II of this project (to be completed in FY2018 and 2019), the USGS will conduct a preliminary assessment on the baseline condition of riparian deciduous communities. This will be a proof-of-concept study where the USGS will apply a framework used in prior research in upland aspen and sagebrush communities to detect trends in riparian vegetation condition from the mid-1980s to present. Literature Cited Assal et al. 2015: https://doi.org/10.1080/2150704X.2015.1072289

This is the probability of occurrence model output for deciduous vegetation cover associated with the project: “Status and Trends of Deciduous Communities in the Bighorn Mountains”. The aim of the study is to assess the current trends of deciduous communities in the Bighorn National Forest in north-central Wyoming. The data here represents phase I of the project, completed in FY2017. The USGS created a synthesis map of coniferous and deciduous communities in the Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming using a species distribution modeling approach developed in the Wyoming Landscape Conservation Initiative (WLCI) (Assal et al. 2015). The modeling framework utilized a number of topographic covariates and temporal remote sensing data from the early, mid and late growing season to capitalize on phenological differences in vegetation types. We used the program RandomForest in the R statistical program to generate probability of occurrence models for deciduous and coniferous vegetation. The binary maps were combined into a synthesis map using the procedure from Assal et al. 2015. In Phase II of this project (to be completed in FY2018 and 2019), the USGS will conduct a preliminary assessment on the baseline condition of riparian deciduous communities. This will be a proof-of-concept study where the USGS will apply a framework used in prior research in upland aspen and sagebrush communities to detect trends in riparian vegetation condition from the mid-1980s to present. Literature Cited Assal et al. 2015 - https://doi.org/10.1080/2150704X.2015.1072289

This is the probability of occurrence model output for deciduous vegetation cover associated with the project: “Status and Trends of Deciduous Communities in the Bighorn Mountains”. The aim of the study is to assess the current trends of deciduous communities in the Bighorn National Forest in north-central Wyoming. The data here represents phase I of the project, completed in FY2017. The USGS created a synthesis map of coniferous and deciduous communities in the Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming using a species distribution modeling approach developed in the Wyoming Landscape Conservation Initiative (WLCI) (Assal et al. 2015). The modeling framework utilized a number of topographic covariates and temporal remote sensing data from the early, mid and late growing season to capitalize on phenological differences in vegetation types. We used the program RandomForest in the R statistical program to generate probability of occurrence models for deciduous and coniferous vegetation. The binary maps were combined into a synthesis map using the procedure from Assal et al. 2015. In Phase II of this project (to be completed in FY2018 and 2019), the USGS will conduct a preliminary assessment on the baseline condition of riparian deciduous communities. This will be a proof-of-concept study where the USGS will apply a framework used in prior research in upland aspen and sagebrush communities to detect trends in riparian vegetation condition from the mid-1980s to present. Literature Cited Assal et al. 2015 - https://doi.org/10.1080/2150704X.2015.1072289

This is the input data associated with the project: “Status and Trends of Deciduous Communities in the Bighorn Mountains”. The aim of the study is to assess the current trends of deciduous communities in the Bighorn National Forest in north-central Wyoming. The data here represents phase I of the project, completed in FY2017. The USGS created a synthesis map of coniferous and deciduous communities in the Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming using a species distribution modeling approach developed in the Wyoming Landscape Conservation Initiative (WLCI) (Assal et al. 2015). The modeling framework utilized a number of topographic covariates and temporal remote sensing data from the early, mid and late growing season to capitalize on phenological differences in vegetation types. We used the program RandomForest in the R statistical program to generate probability of occurrence models for deciduous and coniferous vegetation. The binary maps were combined into a synthesis map using the procedure from Assal et al. 2015. In Phase II of this project (to be completed in FY2018 and 2019), the USGS will conduct a preliminary assessment on the baseline condition of riparian deciduous communities. This will be a proof-of-concept study where the USGS will apply a framework used in prior research in upland aspen and sagebrush communities to detect trends in riparian vegetation condition from the mid-1980s to present. Literature Cited Assal et al. 2015: https://doi.org/10.1080/2150704X.2015.1072289

This is the input data associated with the project: “Status and Trends of Deciduous Communities in the Bighorn Mountains”. The aim of the study is to assess the current trends of deciduous communities in the Bighorn National Forest in north-central Wyoming. The data here represents phase I of the project, completed in FY2017. The USGS created a synthesis map of coniferous and deciduous communities in the Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming using a species distribution modeling approach developed in the Wyoming Landscape Conservation Initiative (WLCI) (Assal et al. 2015). The modeling framework utilized a number of topographic covariates and temporal remote sensing data from the early, mid and late growing season to capitalize on phenological differences in vegetation types. We used the program RandomForest in the R statistical program to generate probability of occurrence models for deciduous and coniferous vegetation. The binary maps were combined into a synthesis map using the procedure from Assal et al. 2015. In Phase II of this project (to be completed in FY2018 and 2019), the USGS will conduct a preliminary assessment on the baseline condition of riparian deciduous communities. This will be a proof-of-concept study where the USGS will apply a framework used in prior research in upland aspen and sagebrush communities to detect trends in riparian vegetation condition from the mid-1980s to present. Literature Cited Assal et al. 2015: https://doi.org/10.1080/2150704X.2015.1072289

This is the probability of occurrence model output for coniferous vegetation cover associated with the project: “Status and Trends of Deciduous Communities in the Bighorn Mountains”. The aim of the study is to assess the current trends of deciduous communities in the Bighorn National Forest in north-central Wyoming. The data here represents phase I of the project, completed in FY2017. The USGS created a synthesis map of coniferous and deciduous communities in the Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming using a species distribution modeling approach developed in the Wyoming Landscape Conservation Initiative (WLCI) (Assal et al. 2015). The modeling framework utilized a number of topographic covariates and temporal remote sensing data from the early, mid and late growing season to capitalize on phenological differences in vegetation types. We used the program RandomForest in the R statistical program to generate probability of occurrence models for deciduous and coniferous vegetation. The binary maps were combined into a synthesis map using the procedure from Assal et al. 2015. In Phase II of this project (to be completed in FY2018 and 2019), the USGS will conduct a preliminary assessment on the baseline condition of riparian deciduous communities. This will be a proof-of-concept study where the USGS will apply a framework used in prior research in upland aspen and sagebrush communities to detect trends in riparian vegetation condition from the mid-1980s to present. Literature Cited Assal et al. 2015 - https://doi.org/10.1080/2150704X.2015.1072289

This Microsoft Excel file contains sample data from recent years for a long term program to monitor specific upland vegetation species in Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area. Please read worksheet ‘Data Description & Notes’. Complete documentation for sampling and data collection is found in the NPS Greater Yellowstone Network’s Upland Vegetation Monitoring Protocol and Procedures - see worksheet 'References'. These sample data are designed primarily for landscape-scale statistical inference about the overall status and trends of target species. Please see related annual reports. These data are from a protocol for monitoring indicators of ecological condition within upland plant communities of Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area (Bighorn Canyon). Upland vegetation and soils at Bighorn Canyon were identified as a vital sign in the Greater Yellowstone Network‘s (GRYN) monitoring plan (Jean et al. 2005) and as an important indicator of ecological response to climate change in the National Park Service‘s (NPS) climate change response strategy for high elevation parks (Bingham et al. 2010). The upland plant community types of interest for monitoring in this protocol are sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata), juniper (Juniperus spp.), and juniper-mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus ledifolius). Sagebrush and woodland communities are among the most dominant and common vegetation types in Bighorn Canyon, occurring over 60% of the land area inside the park (Knight et al. 1987). These vegetation communities provide important habitat for wildlife and are used by the Pryor Mountain wild horse herd (Komp et al. 2012). The quality and abundance of key plant species and soil cover in these communities are considered indicators of overall rangeland health and the focus of our monitoring objectives which are to determine the status (current condition) and trends (change in condition over time) in composition and abundance of key plant species and soil cover attributes. The selected monitoring metrics include ocular estimation of canopy and ground cover by Daubenmire (1959) cover class and stem counts of juniper and mountain mahogany trees <10 cm tall. The sample design for this protocol uses temporary quadrats that are randomly assigned each year. The quadrats are distributed within each sample frame by the Generalized Random-Tessellation Stratified (GRTS) algorithm. The number of sample quadrats (50, 75, 100) assigned per sample frame depends on the size of the sample frame. There are a total of 925 sample quadrats across the 15 permanent sample frames. Seven of the sample frames are visited annually while the other eight are visited on a 3 year rotation. Approximately 500 sample quadrats are visited annually. Field methods for this protocol are designed to be readily learned by individuals with some field experience identifying plants but do not depend on advanced expertise in plant taxonomy. A week of field training includes calibration exercises for ocular cover estimation and plant identification for each target species. Observed and measured data values are entered directly into a database on a field computer. At the end of the field season, the database and all physical project materials are quality-control checked and then filed with the project records archived in the GRYN office. Status results are summarized and reported after each year of data collection; analysis will primarily focus on estimating the proportion of sampling plots within each Daubenmire cover class. Differences in plant cover (%) measured during two different years (a step-change) will be assessed with a proportion test (Sheskin 2007) The significance of linear trends in plant cover will be tested using a Proportional Odds Model, following the methods of Irvine and Rodhouse (2010).