Field data for the Vegetation Mapping Inventory Project of Big Thicket National Preserve

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. The final BITH map consists of 51 map classes. Land cover classes include five types: pasture / hay ground agricultural vegetation; non – vegetated / barren land, borrow pit, cut bank; developed, open space; developed, low – high intensity; and water. The 46 vegetation classes represent 102 associations or park specials. Of these, 75 represent natural vegetation associations within the USNVC, and 27 types represent unpublished park specials. Of the 46 vegetation map classes, 26 represent a single USNVC association/park special, 7 map classes contain two USNVC associations/park specials, 4 map classes contain three USNVC associations/park specials, and 9 map classes contain four or more USNVC associations/park specials. Forest and woodland types had an abundance of Pinus taeda, Liquidambar styraciflua, Ilex opaca, Ilex vomitoria, Quercus nigra, and Vitis rotundifolia. Shrubland types were dominated by Pinus taeda, Ilex vomitoria, Triadica sebifera, Liquidambar styraciflua, and/or Callicarpa americana. Herbaceous types had an abundance of Zizaniopsis miliacea, Juncus effusus, Panicum virgatum, and/or Saccharum giganteum. The final BITH vegetation map consists of 7,271 polygons totaling 45,771.8 ha (113,104.6 ac). Mean polygon size is 6.3 ha (15.6 ac). Of the total area, 43,314.4 ha (107,032.2 ac) or 94.6% represent natural or ruderal vegetation. Developed areas such as roads, parking lots, and campgrounds comprise 421.9 ha (1,042.5 ac) or 0.9% of the total. Open water accounts for approximately 2,034.9 ha (5,028.3 ac) or 4.4% of the total mapped area. Within the natural or ruderal vegetation types, forest and woodland types were the most extensive at 43,022.19 ha (106,310.1 ac) or 94.0%, followed by herbaceous vegetation types at 129.7 ha (320.5 ac) or 0.3%, sparse vegetation types at 119.2 ha (294.5 ac) or 0.3%, and shrubland types at 43.4 ha (107.2 ac) or 0.1%.