A Vegetation Map from Satellite Imagery for White Sands National Monument
Muldavin E, Pando-Moreno M, Thompson J, Mehlhop P. 1994. A Vegetation Map from Satellite Imagery for White Sands National Monument. New Mexico Natural Heritage Program, University of New Mexico. Albuquerque, NM
An increasing need for vegetation maps has been arising during the last two decades to address growing concerns in matters of the environment. Attention is now focused more on the balance of natural resources and changes through time; thus we need resource maps with ever increasing frequency (Morain, 1972). Vegetation maps developed with the use of satellite images can make an important contribution in the periodic inventory of resources because of their speed in development and repeatability. Most National Parks throughout the country are dealing with the task of periodic monitoring and assessment of condition of their biological resources. However, some of them may require a more frequent evaluation depending on the fragility of their ecosystem or the human impact they are exposed to. White Sands National Monument represents both situations: a very sensitive environment subject to potential impacts from surrounding land use and from heavy public use. For example, it may require a minimum of 30 years for a stable interdune in this area to recover from the tracks made by a single heavy vehicle (Reid, 1979 as cited by Patrick, 1980). The overall objective of this project was to generate a 1:24,000 vegetation map of White Sands National Monument using Landsat TM satellite imagery to meet the needs for natural resources management and planning, as well as for long term monitoring of vegetation change. The map resolution was targeted at major vegetation dominance types, and where possible community types (series and plant association level, respectively of the New Mexico Natural Heritage Program's statewide vegetation classification). In the process of map development, potential permanent monitoring sites were identified, and initially surveyed for vegetation composition and abundance. These sites also served to enhance the New Mexico Natural Heritage Program's (NMNHP) vegetation classification development.
- Type
- Unpublished Report
- Authors
- Muldavin, Esteban; Pando-Moreno, Marisela; Thompson, Jamie; Mehlhop, Patricia
- Date of Issue
- 1994-02
- Publisher
- New Mexico Natural Heritage Program, University of New Mexico
- Units
- WHSA
- Keywords
- Absence (Biodiversity), Abundance (Biodiversity), Distribution (Biodiversity), NPSpecies, Observations, Plant Communities, Plant Studies, Presence (Biodiversity), Satellite Imagery, Taxa Links To Datasets, Taxa Links To References, Vegetation Map, Vouchers