Field data for the Vegetation Mapping Inventory Project of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

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 Vegetation Map of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks was produced over a nine-year period (1999–2007) to describe and map the vegetation of the two southern Sierra Nevada national parks. Over 80,000 individual vegetation polygons were mapped to 166 vegetation classes. Vegetation delineations were based on photo interpretation of 1:15,840 scaled copy color infrared photography acquired during 2000 and 2001. Photo interpretation and automation were performed by Aerial Information Systems under subcontract to Environmental Systems Research Institute, who provided project management and final cartographic products. Development of the National Vegetation Classification Standard compliant mapping classification and accuracy assessment of the final map products, along with all associated field sampling, were performed by NPS ecologists at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. In order to maintain consistency among mapping products developed for the Sierra Nevada Network parks, we leveraged the floristic and mapping classifications developed for Yosemite National Park and Devils Postpile National Monument (Keeler-Wolf et al. 2012). Spatial accuracy of the resulting map products is equivalent to 1:24000 National Map Accuracy Standards. Overall map accuracy is 80% at the association level and 86% at the alliance level (based on 2,409 field assessments). The final version is cross walked to the USFS CALVEG classification to facilitate regional data sharing and synthesis.