Field data for the Vegetation Mapping Inventory Project of John Muir National Historic Site

This reference is an assemblage of field data collected as part the baseline vegetation inventory for the park unit. Typical files here are vegetation plot data, accuracy assessment data, field photos, PDF showing locations of vegetation plots and accuracy assessment data, and other data for this type. All of the data used for vegetation classification and field checking assigned types were collected using the California Native Plant Society (CNPS) rapid assessment protocol. These plots were performed throughout the duration of the project primarily to determine plant community types and secondarily to act as an accuracy assessment as the polygons were created in GIS. The aerial photograph interpretation was used primarily to delineate boundaries of vegetation stands, and not to distinguish vegetation types on a fine scale. Broad analysis, such as woodland versus forest delineation, was done early on in the project when choosing locations for the first series of rapid assessment plots. Other plots were chosen to capture variables such as aspect, slope and other environmental differences that might be present within a vegetation stand. Vegetation communities were delineated for the Mt. Wanda sub-unit of the John Muir National Historic Site in the summer of 2004. A total of 13 alliances and 18 associations were identified in the study area. These 13 alliances represent 7 formation types and 4 classes: forest, woodland, shrubland and herbaceous vegetation. The locations of the rapid assessment plots. The plot locations encompass every vegetation type and include every aspect and elevation of Mt. Wanda. Included in the report are an alliance level map and a class level map using the black and white aerial photograph of 2000.