Vegetation classification and map: Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument

Muldavin, Esteban; Chauvin, Yvonne; Kennedy, Amanda; Neville, Teri; Neville, Paul; Schultz, Kieth; Reid, Marion

We developed vegetation classification and high-resolution vegetation maps for Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument, New Mexico, for the U.S. Geological Survey-National Park Service National Vegetation Characterization Program. The three units of the monument house outstanding Puebloan and Spanish archaeological sites and are located in central New Mexico in the foothills of the Manzano Mountains and near Chupadera Mesa. This classic New Mexico landscape supports a diverse and productive pinyon-juniper woodlands, intermixed with grasslands, shrublands, riparian areas, and wetlands. Following the National Vegetation Classification Standard (NVCS), we identified 52 plant associations from among 13 vegetation groups. These, in turn, were used to define a suite of vegetation map units. We developed the vegetation map using a combination of automated digital processing (supervised classifications and image segmentation) and direct image interpretation of high-resolution color aerial ortho-photography in combination with satellite imagery (Landsat Thematic Mapper). The map legend is hierarchically structured into two levels: (1) an upper Level 1 of 11 map units corresponds to the Group Level in NVCS and (2) 30 Level 2 map units nested within the upper level units are defined by the plant associations or sets of associations per the NVCS. The vegetation map is at a 1:24,000 scale with a 0.5 ha minimum map unit size and is designed to facilitate ecologically-based natural resource management. Using a census-like approach to evaluate accuracy, we confirmed the composition of 73.8% (298) of the 404 map polygons, which accounted for 88% of the mapped area across all three park units. The remaining 127 polygons not tested were relatively small and isolated. For many natural resource planning and evaluations, Level 1 units will likely be sufficient and most appropriate, while Level 2 units provide additional fine-scale information within major ecological groups. To support the map as a management tool, we provide an annotated map legend, descriptions of each plant association, a corresponding diagnostic key, field forms, and a plant species list. The map was delivered to the Southern Colorado Plateau Network in both hard copy and digital form as part of a geographic information system (GIS), compatible with that used in the park and in the USGS-NPS mapping program. The GIS allows the flexibility to update the map as new information becomes available or as major vegetation changes, such as fire, disease or other impacts, occur in the park.

Vegetation classification and map: Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument

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