Vegetation classification and distribution mapping report: Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site

Salas, David; Bolen, Corey

Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site (HUTR) covers approximately 65 ha (160 acres) in northeastern Arizona, and lies wholly within the borders of the Navajo Nation. The vegetation found at HUTR consists of approximately 184 species of vascular plants, representing 48 families, in a limited set of communities. This mapping project is part of the National Park Service’s National Inventory and Monitoring (I&M) Program, and has been designed to provide core, or “baseline” information that park managers need to effectively manage and protect park resources. The HUTR vegetation classification and distribution mapping was conducted in accordance with the following protocols and standards, specified by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)/National Park Service (NPS) Vegetation Mapping Program. Nationally-defined standards: • National Vegetation Classification Standard (NVCS) •Spatial Data Transfer Standard • Metadata Standard • Positional Accuracy • Taxonomy Additional program-defined standards: • Classification Accuracy • Minimum Mapping Unit Mapping the vegetation at HUTR was a multi-year program that involved two major tasks: (1) the development of a classification system, and (2) the production of a digital vegetation map. To classify the vegetation, representative plots were located throughout the approximately 65-ha project area and sampled during 2006. These plots were compared to existing National Vegetation Classification (NVC) types and assigned an appropriate map unit. Whenever possible, map units directly corresponded to NVC alliances or associations. We derived 16 vegetation map units from the plant alliances and associations assigned, based on the field data. Eight additional map units represented land-use types, as adopted from the Land Use classification system of Anderson et al. (1976). To produce the digital map, we used 1:12,000-scale true color aerial photographs (acquired on September 14, 2003) in addition to the vegetation information obtained from the 2006 field plots. All map units were developed and directly cross-walked, or matched, to corresponding NVC plant associations and land-use classes. All of the interpreted and remotely-sensed data were converted to Geographic Information System (GIS) databases using ArcGIS© software. Draft maps were printed, reviewed, and revised. The products that we developed following our work at HUTR are described in this report and provided on the accompanying CD. They include • a final report that details the production steps, results, and discussion • a spatial GIS database containing associated layers derived during this project • digital photos from each observation point, along with representative ground photos for some map classes and miscellaneous park views • printable graphics of all spatial database layers • metadata for spatial database layers that is Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC)-compliant • vegetation descriptions of the vegetation communities

Vegetation classification and distribution mapping report: Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site

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