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. ArcGIS software was used as the GIS platform for the onscreen digital mapping. Because the 3D images were viewed directly in the GIS environment, vegetation could be mapped directly into ArcGIS. The polygon vector data were stored using an ArcGIS file geodatabase, which was projected in in Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM), Zone 15, by using the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83). The NPS VIP standard MMU of 0.5 ha was applied to mapping forest and cultural types. For shrub, herbaceous, and sparsely vegetated types, as well as non-vegetation features, a MMU of 0.25 ha was applied. This smaller MMU was applied because these vegetation types were comparatively rare across the park, the degree of vegetation diversity over small areas was higher, and the isolated patches across MISS were more prevalent. For woodlands, a MMU of 0.5 ha was applied to deciduous woodlands and a MMU of 0.25 ha was applied to conifer woodlands due to the individual circumstances surrounding these woodlands. Also, when vegetation types were found unique to their immediate surroundings (e.g., an herbaceous wetland within an upland forest), mapping below the MMU was allowed. All geospatial products for the MISS vegetation mapping project have been projected in UTM, Zone 15, by using the NAD 83.

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 MNRR vegetation map consists of 3,590 polygons totaling 69,011 ac (27,928 ha). Mean polygon size is 12.1 ac (4.90 ha). Of the total area, 37,789 ac (15,293 ha) or 55% represent natural or ruderal vegetation map classes. Agricultural vegetation such as cultivated crops and pasture account for approximately 6,238 ac (2,524 ha) or 9% of the total mapped area. Non-vegetated barren land was rare, only accounting for 45 ac (18 ha) or 0.1%. Developed areas such as open mowed fields, parking lots, buildings, and others account for approximately 1,562 ac (632 ha) or 2%. Open water is the most widespread land cover class, with an area of approximately 23,422 ac (9,479 ha) or 34% of the total mapped area. Within the total area occupied by vegetation map classes, forest and woodland types were the most extensive (17,007 ac (6,882 ha) or 46%), followed by herbaceous types (11,457 ac (4,636 ha) or 31%), sparse types (6,287 ac (2,544 ha) or 16%), and shrubland types (3,038 ac (1,229 ha) or 7%).

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. Encompassing a total area of 113,661 acres (45,997 hectares), BISO is a rugged area carved from sandstone and shale, and filled with river gorges, steep cliffs, and unique sandstone arches. Using the National Vegetation Classification System (NVCS) developed by NatureServe, with additional classes and modifiers developed by CRMS, the vegetation communities for BISO were manually interpreted from 1:16,000 scale stereo color infrared aerial photographs acquired by Air Photographics, Inc. (Martinsburg, WV) in October 2003. Although the legislated area of BISO is 113,661 acres, the total area mapped was 122,368 ac (49,520 ha) and corresponds to the boundary file provided by the park. In addition, a 22,660 ac (9,170 ha) buffer area, extending 400 m outside of the park was mapped using a more general classification system meaning the total area mapped for BISO was 145,028acres (58,793 ha). 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. A number of modifier codes were employed to indicate important aspects of the polygon that could be interpreted from the photograph. The polygons on the overlays were then corrected using photogrammetric procedures and converted to vector format for use in creating a geographic information system (GIS) database for the park.

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. The digital aerial imagery used for the onscreen mapping was obtained on September 24, 2012 (CIR imagery), and on October 12, 2012 (true-color imagery), using a plane-mounted digital camera. Many supplemental imagery and data sets were also used by the mappers to visualize and understand the landscape. These layers increased the mappers’ ability to understand historical landscape change and use, determine wet and dry areas, and better visualize conifers. The supplemental imagery and data sets included digital aerial imagery and field data from the field reconnaissance efforts, and vegetation plot and verification site data.

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. The digital aerial imagery used for the onscreen mapping was obtained on September 24, 2012 (CIR imagery), and on October 12, 2012 (true-color imagery), using a plane-mounted digital camera. Many supplemental imagery and data sets were also used by the mappers to visualize and understand the landscape. These layers increased the mappers’ ability to understand historical landscape change and use, determine wet and dry areas, and better visualize conifers. The supplemental imagery and data sets included digital aerial imagery and field data from the field reconnaissance efforts, and vegetation plot and verification site data.

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 for GARI was developed as a personal geodatabase using Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) ArcGIS software. The geodatabase includes a point feature class for locations of plots and two polygon-feature classes (clipped by the park boundary and unclipped) for vegetation, including non-vegetated land cover. The vegetation map includes 31 map classes. Upland communities comprise about 86% of the park area and are represented by 13 map classes. Two upland map classes each include patches of two associations, all others represent single associations.

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. Based on the plot sampling data and the classification of 43 vegetation associations, the vegetation cover type map was revised to correct errors and create more accurate vegetation polygon boundaries at the USNVC association level. In this iteration, plot data, field observations, classification analyses, aerial photography signatures, and topographic maps were used to revise polygon boundaries and attributes. Thematic accuracy of this preliminary vegetation association map was then assessed. Based on accuracy assessment sampling data, the association map was revised again to correct errors and create the final vegetation association polygon boundaries. In this final revision, accuracy assessment data were used in addition to the resources noted above to revise polygon boundaries and attributes.

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. All of the interpreted and remotely sensed data were converted to Geographic Information System (GIS) databases using ArcMap© software and are included in a comprehensive geodatabase. Draft maps created from the vegetation classification were field-tested and revised before independent ecologists conducted an assessment of the map’s accuracy during 2014.

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 began in earnest in 2007 by re-sampling the 2002 imagery to a 3-meter pixel resolution and then segmenting it using eCognition software. Initial segments were created to delineate obvious landforms (e.g. open water and fields) and physiognomic features (e.g. grasslands versus woodlands). Following segmentation, the lines were exported as ArcInfo shapefiles and converted to ArcInfo coverages. The resulting coverages were run through a series of smoothing routines until no obvious artificial or relict breaks in the lines were visible. Following smoothing, the line-work was manually cleaned to remove extraneous lines, small polygons, and polygons that obviously split a homogenous stand of vegetation.

These data were converted from the originally delivered Microsoft Access PLOTs database from the Vegetation Mapping Inventory Project of Mississippi National River and Recreation Areas. These comma-delimited data tables contain(s) vegetation mapping plot classification and accuracy assessment data, as well as summary information about the data itself. If a table is empty, then it was empty in the original database.