Field data for the Vegetation Mapping Inventory Project of Isle Royale National Park
1997-1998. Field data for the Vegetation Mapping Inventory Project of Isle Royale National Park
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. Plot sampling was limited to an average of 3 plots per type. More samples were allocated to less well understood types and fewer to better understood associations. The plots were to be equitably spread across the park as much as possible, within access constraints described above. A total of 187 plots were sampled as part of this project in 1997. The size of most plots was 20 x 20 m; there were 3 10 x 10 m plots used for cliff communities. Plots were placed subjectively so as to be most representative of the stand of vegetation. The vegetation was visually divided into strata, and height and cover abundance of each strata were estimated. All the species of each stratum were listed (including mosses and lichens) and percent cover estimated using the cover scale provided by TNC (see example in Grossman et al. 1998). Additional species within the vegetation unit or polygon that occurred outside of sampled plots (generally within 2 m of the plot border) were listed separately. Species that were not identifiable in the field were collected for later identification. In addition to floristic information, the following environmental information was recorded on field forms: surficial geology, hydrologic (flooding) regime, soil drainage regime, soil texture, slope, aspect, topographic position, and evidence of disturbance. Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) coordinates of each plot were recorded using a GPS unit, along with other locational information. The vegetation profile in cross-section was usually sketched by hand to represent the location and setting of the plot. A provisional vegetation type was assigned to the plot. All but 6 plots were permanently marked with 2 ft long angle iron stakes; the exceptions were mainly aquatic habitats with water deeper than the height of the installed stake.
- Type
- Assemblage
- Units
- GLKN , ISRO , VMI
- Keywords
- Accuracy Assessment, botanical survey, Classification, Geodatabase, Habitat Types, Imagery, National Vegetation Classification, NVC, NVCS, Plots, Releve, Relevé, Remote Sensing, USNVCS, Vegetation, Vegetation Inventory, Vegetation Map, Vegetation Mapping