Vegetation mapping and classification of George Washington Carver National Monument
Diamond DD, Elliott LF, Debacker MD, James KM, Pursell DL, Struckhoff A. 2013. Vegetation mapping and classification of George Washington Carver National Monument. Natural Resource Report. NPS/GWCA/NRR—2013/648. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado
George Washington Carver National Monument (GWCA) is situated on the original Moses Carver homestead, where George Washington Carver spent about ten years of his early life. Although the plant communities were almost certainly highly disturbed during that time, Carver was positively influenced by the beauty and variety of his natural surroundings. A vegetation classification and mapping project was initiated in 2010 and completed in 2012. Protocols and products were produced following National Park Service Vegetation Mapping Program guidelines. Classification was based on sixteen quantitative field plots, which were placed across GWCA in a stratified random manner based on qualitative field observation points and viewing of air photos. Mapping was based on photo-interpretation of both leaf-on and leaf-off air photos. Accuracy assessment points obtained during 2012 verified that the map is nearly 100% accurate. Restored tallgrass prairie covers 134 acres (54.1 ha), or 57% of the park. An additional 54 acres (21.7 ha), or 23% of GWCA, is in ruderal woodland and forest. This type includes a central area that shades an interpretive trail along Carver Creek and Williams Branch, two perennial, spring-fed streams between the visitor’s center and a replicated house similar to the one Carver lived in during part of his stay at the homestead. The remainder of the park is in early successional grassland or shrubland (27 acres or 11 ha or 11%) or is developed (22 acres or 8.87 ha or 9%).
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Diamond, David; Elliott, Lee; Debacker, Michael; James, Kevin; Pursell, Dyanna; Struckhoff, Alicia
- Date of Issue
- 2013-04
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- Units
- GWCA , HTLN , NRSS
- Keywords
- George Washington Carver National Monument, Plant Communities, Vegetation Classification, Vegetation Map
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Vegetation Complex