Vegetation classification and map Petroglyph National Monument
Muldavin E, Chauvin Y, Arnold L, Neville T, Arbetan P, Neville P. 2012. Vegetation classification and map Petroglyph National Monument. Natural Resource Technical Report. NPS/SCPN/NRTR—2012/627. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado
We developed a vegetation classification and high-resolution vegetation map for Petroglyph National Monument (PETR), New Mexico, as part of the USGS Vegetation Characterization Program, a cooperative effort by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the National Park Service Inventory & Monitoring - Vegetation Mapping Program to classify, describe, and map vegetation communities in more than 280 national park units across the United States. The classification and map of PETR follow the guidelines and requirements of the national program, and are based on data collected from 499 field plots between 2007 and 2011, and from 469 independent survey points that were used to assess the accuracy of the map and completeness of the classification. Overall, we identified 33 plant associations. With the National Vegetation Classification Standard (NVCS) as a foundation, we constructed a vegetation map using a combination of image analysis and photo interpretation of high-resolution (0.6 m) color and color-infrared aerial ortho-photography, and satellite imagery (DigitalGlobe QuickBird). The map legend is hierarchically structured, with an upper Level 1 of nine map units corresponding more or less to the Group Level of the NVCS; and a Level 2 composed of 21 nested map units defined by the plant associations from the vegetation classification. The PETR vegetation map is at a 1:12,000 scale with 0.25 ha minimum map unit size, and was designed to facilitate ecologically- based natural resources management. Based on an independently sampled accuracy assessment, overall accuracy was 86.8% for Level 1 and 86.1% for Level 2. Level 1 units will likely be sufficient and most appropriate for many natural resource plans and evaluations, while Level 2 units provide additional finescale information within major ecological groups.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Muldavin, Estaban; Chauvin, Yvonne; Arnold, Lisa; Neville, Teri; Arbetan, Paul; Neville, Paul
- Date of Issue
- 2012-09
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- Units
- NRSS , PETR , SCPN , VMI
- Keywords
- Vegetation Map