Vegetation mapping and classification of Homestead National Monument of America: Project report
Kindscher K, Kilroy H, Delisle J, Loring H, Dobbs K, Drake J. 2011. Vegetation mapping and classification of Homestead National Monument of America: Project report. Natural Resource Report. NPS/HTLN/NRR—2011/345. National Park Service, Natural Resource Program Center. Fort Collins, Colorado
Homestead National Monument (HOME) was created at the to celebrate the significance of the Homestead Act of 1862 which granted 160 acres of free land to claimants and was one of the most significant and enduring events in the westward expansion of the United States. The National Monument encompasses 184 acres in Gage County, west of Beatrice, Nebraska. This unique site also hosts the oldest prairie restoration in the National Park system, and the second-oldest tallgrass prairie restoration known. This park unit also has a small remnant of native tallgrass prairie and remnants of bur-oak forest.A three-year program was initiated to complete the task of mapping and classifying the vegetation at HOME. The Kansas Biological Survey in conjunction with NatureServe developed a vegetation classification using the National Vegetation Classification System and produced a digital vegetation map. To classify the vegetation, 17 representative plots located throughout the approximately 1,725 acre project area (parks + environs) were sampled during the summer of 2008. Additional data were obtained from vegetation plots sampled by the Inventory & Monitoring program in 2006. Analysis of the plot data by KBS produced six distinct plant associations and alliances and four land-use classes. Two of the communities, encompassing the upland and lowland restored tallgrass prairie area, were unique to HOME. Descriptions and a field key for all plant communities of HOME are included in this report.Draft maps were printed, field tested, reviewed and revised. Twelve accuracy assessment (AA) data points were collected in 2009 by KBS and used to verify the map’s accuracy.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Kindscher, Kelly; Kilroy, Hayley; Delisle, Jennifer; Loring, Hillary; Dobbs, Kevin; Drake, Jim
- Date of Issue
- 2011-04
- Publisher
- National Park Service, Natural Resource Program Center
- Units
- HOME , NRSS , VMI
- Keywords
- Homestead National Monument of America, HTLN Inventory Plant Communities, Plant Community , Vegetation Map