Field Data for the Vegetation Mapping Inventory Project of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Kozar K. 1997-2011. Field Data for the Vegetation Mapping Inventory Project of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
The field methods used for developing the classification and conducting the AA at HAVO followed the methodology outlined by the VIP (TNC and ESRI 1994b) for large sized park units. Field crews were composed of PACN and HAVO ecologists with plant community sampling experience in the Pacific Islands and other landscapes. The sampling goal was to collect between three and five classification plots in every plant association within the HAVO project area. However, some common associations were sampled more often and some rare types were sampled less often. An effort was made to achieve a good spatial distribution of plots across the landscape and to capture the full range of vegetation variation within the park. When a representative stand of vegetation was located, a relevé macroplot was established to record stand characteristics; transitional areas such as ecotones were usually avoided unless they exceeded the project minimum mapping unit (MMU) of 0.5 ha (1.2 ac). Highly disturbed areas were also avoided unless they supported a distinct plant community. Classification plots were generally located in stands exceeding the MMU; however a few plots were sampled in smaller patches if the vegetation was rare and distinctive (such as coastal strand sites). Plots were 400 m2 and circular in shape. The primary dataset used for the vegetation classification of HAVO included 535 classification plots and 55 observation points including legacy plots (1997-2006) and new data collected between 2008 and 2011 by PACN.
- Type
- Assemblage
- Authors
- Kozar, Kelly
- Units
- HAVO , PACN , VMI
- Keywords
- Accuracy Assessment, Classification, Database, Habitat Types, National Vegetation Classification, NVC, NVCS, Plots, USNVCS, Vegetation, Vegetation Inventory, Vegetation Mapping, Vegetation Mapping Inventory
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Vegetation Complex