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.

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. Overstory vegetation was mapped using color infrared aerial photographs of 1:12,000 and 1:16,000 scale in film transparency format recorded with a standard photogrammetric mapping camera (f = 15 cm) in late October and early-November by the U. S. Forest Service and Air Photographics (Martinsville, WV). The fall photos were acquired when the leaves were still on the trees (leaf-on) and displayed a color diversity that allowed the vegetation communities/species to be identified. Photo Dates: 10/31/2001 Photo Scale: 1:12,000 Area(ac): 13698

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. Overstory vegetation was mapped using color infrared aerial photographs of 1:12,000 and 1:16,000 scale in film transparency format recorded with a standard photogrammetric mapping camera (f = 15 cm) in late October and early-November by the U. S. Forest Service and Air Photographics (Martinsville, WV). The fall photos were acquired when the leaves were still on the trees (leaf-on) and displayed a color diversity that allowed the vegetation communities/species to be identified. Photo Dates: 10/31/2001 Photo Scale: 1:12,000 Area(ac): 13698

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. 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. A digital vegetation map was produced as a personal geodatabase using Environmental Systems Research Institute ArcGIS software. The base layer for vegetation mapping was a digital orthophoto mosaic of the park developed by North Carolina State University from color infra-red aerial photography flown for this project in April 2003. The geodatabase includes separate point feature classes for plots, transects, and observations, and polygon feature classes (clipped and unclipped by the park boundary) for vegetation and non-vegetated map classes. The vegetation map consists of 47 map classes, including 15 upland forest and woodland vegetation types, one lichen and sparse vegetation type, 15 riparian vegetation types, two headwater wetland vegetation types, three aquatic feature types, eight cultural and disturbed types, and three transportation feature 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. A digital vegetation map was produced as a personal geodatabase using Environmental Systems Research Institute ArcGIS software. The base layer for vegetation mapping was a digital orthophoto mosaic of the park developed by North Carolina State University from color infra-red aerial photography flown for this project in April 2003. The geodatabase includes separate point feature classes for plots, transects, and observations, and polygon feature classes (clipped and unclipped by the park boundary) for vegetation and non-vegetated map classes. The vegetation map consists of 47 map classes, including 15 upland forest and woodland vegetation types, one lichen and sparse vegetation type, 15 riparian vegetation types, two headwater wetland vegetation types, three aquatic feature types, eight cultural and disturbed types, and three transportation feature 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. GRBA’s spatial database and map layer was produced from high-resolution 2007 Digital Map, Inc. imagery provided to CTI by the NPS. By comparing the signatures on the imagery to field and ground data, 64 map units (48 vegetated, four barren geology and snow, and 12 land-use / land-cover) were developed and the vegetation map units were directly cross-walked or matched to their corresponding rUSNVC plant associations. The interpreted and remotely sensed data were converted to Geographic Information System (GIS) spatial geodatabases and maps were printed, field tested, reviewed, and revised.