Cantwell Traditional Use Area Landcover

This is a vegetation map coverage for lower slopes and elevations of the Cantwell ORV Traditional Use Area (TUA), in the 1980 addition area of Denali National Park, Alaska. Vegetation identification, boundaries, and extents are based on manual (visual) interpretation of Ikonos 1 meter resolution true-color satellite imagery and low altitude (<150m) helicopter aerial photography, and vegetation classifications were based on vegetation associations observed during fieldwork that were visible and identifiable at the resolution of the satellite imagery and helicopter photography. We used a minimum single-side dimension of 50 meters for inclusion of vegetation features to keep the map accurate for our needs but relatively intuitive and easy to read. For example, if a swale with dimensions approximately 65 by 25 meters was observed it would be mapped, but a similar feature 35 meters round would not be. Thus wider linear features were included on the map (e.g., ravines and swales), but small "outlying" features (e.g., a small shrub patch in a wetland) were not. This map was prepared to identify vegetation landscape types that ORV use has affected or is likely to affect in future, and their susceptibility to various ORV-related influences. It was also used to analyze areas where ORV use may be likely in future under various management scenarios; for example, identification of a non-impacted area of wetland close to an area of extensive ORV trails. Esri ArcView and ArcInfo/ArcMap were the main software programmes used for this dataset creation. Further information on the mapping and ORV impact inventory can be found in: Liebermann, R. J. and C. A. Roland (2006). ORV use impacts in the Cantwell Traditional Use Area and adjacent areas of Denali National Park to 2005, Final report, September 2006. Report on file at Denali NPP Headquarters. Some information is also avaliable in the 2007 Denali NP Cantwell TUA Environmantal Assesment.