American Geographic Data, Inc., Wilmington, NC 28403 200110 Version 1 map USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program Congaree National Park Denver, CO USGS, Biological Resources Division, Center for Biological Informatics The aerial photography is near CIR 1:12000 scale. The camera calibration report is USGS report Number OSL/2157 dated January 17, 1996 Created under contract to the USGS-BRD-CBI. http://www1.usgs.gov/vip/cong/cong.zip http://viewer.nationalmap.gov/viewer/?p=default&b=base1&q=http%3A%2F%2Fgis1.usgs.gov%2Farcgis%2Frest%2Fservices%2Fnvcp%2FCongaree_NP%2FMapServer&x=-8991016.3954&y=4002023.9904499985&l=13&v= http://gis1.usgs.gov/arcgis/rest/services/nvcp/Congaree_NP/MapServer doi:10.5066/F7RF5S0B The National Park Service (NPS), in conjunction with the Biological Resources Division (BRD) of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), has implemented a program to "develop a uniform hierarchical vegetation methodology" at a national level. The program will also create a geographic information system (GIS) database for the parks under its management. The purpose of the data is to document the state of vegetation within the NPS service area during the 1990's, thereby providing a baseline study for further analysis at the Regional or Service-wide level. The vegetation units of this map were determined through stereoscopic interpretation of aerial photographs supported by field sampling and ecological analysis. The vegetation boundaries were identified on the photographs by means of the photographic signatures and collateral information on slope, hydrology, geography, and vegetation in accordance with the Standardized National Vegetation Classification System (October 1995). The mapped vegetation reflects conditions that existed during the specific year and season that the aerial photographs were taken (April, 1996). There is an inherent margin of error in the use of aerial photography for vegetation delineation and classification. The purpose of this spatial data is to provide the National Park Service the necessary tools to manage the natural resources within this park system. Several parks, representing different regions, environmental conditions, and vegetation types, were chosen by BRD to be part of the prototype phase of the program. The initial goal of the prototype phase is to "develop, test, refine, and finalize the standards and protocols" to be used during the production phase of the project. This includes the development of a standardized vegetation classification system for each park and the establishment of photointerpretation, field, and accuracy assessment procedures. Congaree National Park was designated as one of the prototype parks. Congaree National Park, established in 1976, was designated as one of the prototypes within the National Park System. The park contains approximately 22,200 acres (34 square miles). Congaree National Park is located approximately 15 miles southeast of Columbia, the state capitol of South Carolina. The Congaree River, draining over 8,000 square miles of Piedmont land to the northwest, forms the southern border. On June 30, 1983, Congaree National Park became an International Biosphere Reserve. Congaree is noted for containing one of the last significant stands of old growth bottomland hardwood forest, over 11,000 acres in all. The Park contains over 90 species of trees, 16 of which hold state records for size. Included in this list of records is a national record sweet gum with a basal circumference of nearly 20 feet. 19960427 Date of aerial photo acquisition Complete None Planned Congaree National Park is located approximately 15 miles southeast of Columbia, the state capitol of South Carolina. Old Bluff Highway (old Highway 48) lies just north of the Park boundary. The eastern boundary is located just northwest of the confluence of the Congaree and Wateree Rivers. The Park extends west to where Cedar Creek and Myers Creek join. -80.870577 -80.664561 33.844924 33.755617 None National Park Service U.S. Geological Service The Nature Conservancy Aerial Information Systems Center for Biological Informatics land cover vegetation community association Environmental System Research Institute None Congaree National Park South Carolina USA None Upland Zone Transitional Zone Floodplain Zone Congaree River Bank and Levee Zone Disturbance Areas None Plant Communities National Vegetation Classification System United States Department of the Interior National Biological Survey and National Park Service 19941101 Version 1 Document - Classification System NBS/NPS Vegetation Mapping Program Final Draft Redlands, California ESRI Prepared by the Nature Conservancy The criteria differs primarily in that the height and density variables were not mapped at Congaree. Instead, two additional variables were addressed: pre-hurricane Hugo community types and areas of pine that have been logged since the time of the 1976 aerial photography. United States Department of the Interior National Biological Survey and National Park Service 19941101 Version 1 Classification System NBS/NPS Vegetation Mapping Program Final Draft Redlands, California ESRI Prepared by the Nature Conservancy See "Photo Interpretation Report, BRD/NPS Vegetation and Inventory and Mapping Program, Congaree National Park," October 12, 1998 http://www1.usgs.gov/vip/cong/congpirpt.pdf Vegetation Alliances of the National Vegetation Classification System (October 1995) Kingdom Plantae s: Plants None Any person using the information presented here should fully understand the data collection and compilation procedures, as described in these metadata, before beginning analysis. The burden for determining fitness for use lies entirely with the user. For purposes of publication or dissemination, citations should be given to the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Park Service USGS BRD Center for Biological Informatics USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program Coordinator mailing and physical address

Denver Federal Center, Building 810, MS 302

Denver Colorado 80225 (303) 202-4220 303-202-4219 gs-b-npsveg@usgs.gov http://www1.usgs.gov/vip/cong/congvegmap.pdf Vegetation distribution of Congaree National Park and environs; low resolution for web browser PDF None None None NT-ARC/INFO Code verification involved running each coverage attribute file through a series of ARC/INFO commands that checked for invalid codes. These commands produced listings that aided in identifying abnormal codes. The errors were checked against the vegetation delineation and attribute overlays. Corrections were made to the istings and input into the database. ESRI produced a plot of the converted spatial data and sequence numbers (label I.D.s) for the manuscript. The plot was checked by AIS for cartographic quality of the arcs defining the polygon features and the accuracy of the label I.D. assignments. The plot was overlaid to the manuscript map to verify that the scanned data was not distorted beyond .02 map inches. Other problems were noted on the plots, such as overshoots and undershoots, missing lines, premature convergence of polygon boundary lines that intersected arcs at acute angles, and incorrect sequence number assignments. ESRI produced code verification plots of the community association codes, height and density codes, and land use code attributes. The plots were checked for coding errors that may have occurred during the polygon attribute encoding step. The plots were overlaid on the manuscript map with attached corresponding code attribute overlay created in the manual rectification step. Code changes were noted on the plot. The edited plots were delivered back to ESRI for correction of the attribute files. Processors conducted interactive ARCEDIT sessions to make the necessary corrections to the coverages. For accuracy assessment, a field visit was made to 585 points between October, 1999 and May 2000. Points were located through the use of a PLGR GPS unit and false-color infrared photographs. At each point dominant vegetation types were recorded and a field key was used to determine the plant community / cover type present. Over 85 percent of the points were reached on foot, the remainder were located by boat. When all of the points were visited, two tables were generated comparing the field interpretation of the polygons with that of the photointerpreters. The final accuracy assessment was performed through a statistical analysis of the data using contingency tables and statistical tests. Most of the problems noted were related to map class definition and terminology and did not involve map accuracy per se. Through the use of contingency tables and other statistics, the overall accuracy of the provisional map was calculated as 87 percent. The statistics from only one class, the "Celtis laevigata - Liquidambar styraciflua - Quercus laurifolia / Carpinus caroliniana / Arundinaria gigantea / Carex lupulina Forest-Sweetgum component" failed to meet the NPS 80 percent accuracy standards. Data indicates that this class may be undermapped, being more widespread than was actually mapped. See "Summary Report on the Results of an Accuracy Assessment of the National Park Service's Provisional Vegetation Map of Congaree National Park" at http://www1.usgs.gov/vip/cong/congaarpt.pdf for further details. All polygon features are checked for topology using the ARC/INFO software. Each polygon begins and ends at the same point with the node feature. All nodes are checked for error so that there are no dangling features. There are no duplicate lines or polygons. All nodes will snap together and close polygons based on a specific tolerance. If the node is not within the tolerance, it is adjusted manually. The test for logical consistency are performed in ARC/INFO. All data that can be photointerpreted are also digitized. This includes association/community classes, surface water, and unvegetated/landuse. Unknown. The positional accuracy of the base topographic quadrangles is not known. It is assumed the map meets National Map Accuracy Standards. Unknown. The positional accuracy of the base topographic quadrangles is not known. It is assumed the map meets National Map Accuracy Standards. Field Development of Photointerpretation Mapping Procedures The normal process in vegetation mapping is to conduct an initial field reconnaissance, map the vegetation units through photointerpretation, and then conduct a field verification. The field reconnaissance visit serves two major functions. First, the photointerpreter keys the signature on the aerial photos to the vegetation on the ground at each signature site. Second, the photointerpreter becomes familiar with the flora, vegetation communities and local ecology that occur in the study area. Park and/or TNC field biologists that are familiar with the local vegetation and ecology of the park are present to help the photointerpreter understand these elements and their relationship with the geography of the park. Upon completion of the field reconnaissance, photo interpreters delineate vegetation units on mylar that overlay the 9x9 aerial photos. This effort is conducted in accordance with the TNC vegetation classification and criteria for defining each community or alliance. The initial mapping is then followed by a field verification session, whose purpose is to verify that the vegetation units were mapped correctly. Any PI related questions are also addressed during the visit. The vegetation mapping at Congaree National Park in general followed the normal mapping procedure as described in the above paragraph with two major exceptions: 1) Preliminary delineations for most of the park, including a set of Focused Transect overlays that were labeled with an initial PI signature commenced prior to the field reconnaissance visit. 2) A TNC classification did not exist at the time the initial delineations began. TNC ecologist and AIS photo interpreters worked together to develop an interim signature key which addressed what was known at the time. At that time, no comprehensive study containing plot data was available to create an interim classification. Development of Photointerpretation Mapping Criteria From the onset of the Vegetation Inventory and Mapping Program, a standardized program-wide mapping criteria has been used. The mapping criteria contains a set of documented working decision rules used to facilitate the maintenance of accuracy and consistency of the photointerpretation. This criteria assists the user in understanding the characteristics, definition and context for each vegetation community. The mapping criteria for Congaree National Park was composed of four parts: 1) The standardized program-wide general mapping criteria 2) A park specific mapping criteria 3) A working photo signature key 4) The TNC classification, key and descriptions The following sections detail the mapping criteria used during the photointerpretation of Congaree. General Mapping Criteria The mapping criteria at Congaree are a modified version from previously mapped parks. The criteria differs primarily in that the height and density variables were not mapped at Congaree. Instead, two additional variables were addressed: pre-hurricane Hugo community types and areas of pine that have been logged since the time of the 1976 aerial photography. These two categories will be addressed in the Park Specific Mapping Criteria section of this report. Since forest densities within the Park are nearly always greater than 60%, it served little or no purpose in addressing this element as a separate attribute in the database. In addition it was also determined that height categories are extremely difficult to map in the Park due to variability of the tree emergent layer, and lack of any significant reference points that help in determining canopy heights. Alliance / Community Associations The assignment of alliance and community association to the vegetation is based on criteria formulated by the field effort and classification development. In the case of Congaree National Park, TNC provided AIS with a tentative community classification in April 1998. A final vegetation classification, key, and descriptions of each alliance and community, was provided in October 1998. In addition, TNC provided AIS with detailed plot data showing how the communities were developed in the Park. Aerial Information Systems (AIS), Ed Reyes 19981012 Unknown Version 1 Report Denver, CO USGS, BRD, Center for Biological Informatics Created under contract to the USGS-BRD-CBI. http://www1.usgs.gov/vip/cong/congpirpt.pdf USGS 19960427 remote sensing image Wilmington, NC 28403 American Geographic Data, Inc. The aerial photography is near CIR 1:12000 scale. The camera calibration report is USGS report Number OSL/2157 dated January 17, 1996 12000 Near CIR Aerial Photos: Contact paper prints and film transparencies 19960427 Date of aerial photo acquisition AGD These aerial photographs were the basis for the photointerpretation process See Methodology Description above AGD 19981012 Vector G-polygon 1718 Universal Transverse Mercator 17 0.999600 -81.000000 0.000000 500000.000000 0.000000 coordinate pair 1 1 Meters North American Datum of 1983 Geodedic Reference System 80 6378137.000000 298.257222 congveg Shapefile attribute table American Geographic Data, Inc. FID Internal feature number. ESRI Sequential unique whole numbers that are automatically generated. Shape Feature geometry. ESRI Coordinates defining the features. AREA Area of feature in internal units squared. ESRI Positive real numbers that are automatically generated. PERIMETER Perimeter of feature in internal units. ESRI Positive real numbers that are automatically generated. VEG_ Internal feature number. ESRI. Sequential unique whole numbers that are automatically generated. VEG_ID User-defined feature number. ESRI. Sequential unique whole numbers that are automatically generated. MOD Modules Code Corresponding to DOQQ File Name American Geographic Data, Inc. Numerical modules code. SEQ Sequence Number American Geographic Data, Inc. Sequential identification number overlays were produced for the manuscript maps. PI PhotoInterpretation Signature Type code. American Geographic Data, Inc. Textual photointerpretation signature type code. TNC Mapping Classification Communities and Variants code. American Geographic Data, Inc. Numerical mapping classification communitues and variants code. STAND_DIS Stand Disturbance. American Geographic Data, Inc. Numerical 0 = No disturbance noted and 1 = Disturbance in the canopy. HURSIG Pre-Hurricane Hugo Signature Types. American Geographic Data, Inc. Same as PI signature code. HURTNC Pre-Hurricane Hugo Community Types. American Geographic Data, Inc. Same as TNC code. PINE Pine Loss Areas. American Geographic Data, Inc. Numerical 0 = No Pine Loss and 1 = Pine Loss. LANDUSE Land Use Code. American Geographic Data, Inc. Numerical land use code. DROP Drop. American Geographic Data, Inc. Numerical. The system is organized hierarchically to support conservation and resource stewardship applications across multiple scales. The upper levels of the hierarchicy are based on the physical form or structure of the vegetation (physiognomy) and have been refined from the international standards developed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The two most detailed levels of the hierearchy are based on the species composition of the existing vegetation (floristics) and reflect the phyto-sociological standards that were originally developed by European ecologists. The vegetation classification is continually advanced through the collection and analysis of new field data and will be greatly strengthened during the course of the USGS-NPS mapping efforts. USGS-NPS VEGETATION MAPPING PROGRAM Congaree National Park, South Carolina Final Association/Community Classification October 12, 1998 Defines PhotoInterpretation Signature Type (PI) A. Mixed bottomland hardwoods B. Category lumped with type A C. Water tupelo dominant (at least 75%) D. Bald cypress dominant (at least 75%) E. Mixed bottomland hardwoods with emergent pine F. Swamp tupelo G. Swamp tupelo / mixed hardwoods - riparian associated H. Young plantation pine - even stands (pole or saplings) I. Mature plantation pine - often with a minor hardwood component J. Upland hardwoods and hardwoods in small depressions K. Mixed stands of upland hardwood and pine L. Hurricane damaged areas (open canopy, vines, shrubs, downed trees) M. Stands of even aged sweet gum N. Category lumped with type A O. Land use P. Clear and selectively cut areas Q. Category lumped with type A R. Category lumped with type A S. Category eliminate (use * instead) T. Category lumped with type C U. Riverbank & levee forests associated with the Congaree V. Category lumped with type A W. Category lumped with type C X. Willow - Sand bars & young trees at the edge of the Congaree Y. Predominantly cottonwood near the edge of the Congaree COMMON MIXES A/C Hardwoods mixing with water tupelo C/D Tupelo & bald cypress mix D/A Hardwoods & bald cypress F/A Hardwoods & swamp tupelo Defines Mapping Classification Communities and Variants (TNC) 7211 Fagus grandifolia - Quercus nigra Forest 7726 Liquidambar styraciflua - Quercus (nigra, phellos) - Pinus taeda / Vaccinium elliottii - Myrica cerifera Forest 7727 Acer saccharinum / Leersia lenticularis - Commelina virginica Forest 4740 Celtis laevigata - Fraxinus pennsylvanica - Acer negundo - (Juglans nigra) / Asimina triloba / Carex grayi Forest 24271 Celtis laevigata - liquidambar styraciflua - Quercus laurifolia / Carpinus caroliniana / Arundinaria gigantea / Carex lupulina Forest 24272 Celtis laevigata - liquidambar styraciflua - Quercus laurifolia / Carpinus caroliniana / Arundinaria gigantea / Carex lupulina Forest - Sweet Gum component 7730 Platanus occidentalis - Celtis laevigata - Fraxinus pennsylvanica / Lindera benzoin - Ilex decidua / Carex retroflexa Forest 7731 Populus deltoides / Acer negundo / Boehmeria cylindrica Forest 7732 Liquidambar styraciflua - Quercus nigra - Quercus laurifolia / Arundinaria gigantea / Carex abscondita Forest 7734 Salix nigra - Fraxinus pennsylvanica Forest 7728 Fraxinus pennsylvanica / Leersia lenticularis - Carex lupulina Forest 7394 Planera aquatica Forest 4735 Quercus lyrata - Quercus laurifolia - Taxodium distichum / Saururus cernuus Forest 7403 Quercus phellos / Carex (intumescens, joorii) - Chasmanthium sessiliflorum / Sphagnum lescurii Forest 7719 Taxodium distichum - Fraxinus pennsylvanica - Quercus laurifolia / Acer rubrum / Saururus cernuus Forest 7431 Taxodium distichum - Nyssa aquatica / Fraxinus caroliniana Forest 7432 Taxodium distichum - Nyssa aquatica / Nyssa biflora / Fraxinus caroliniana / Itea virginica Forest 4631 Liquidambar styraciflua - Quercus laurifolia / Magnolia virginiana / Carex folliculata Forest 4427 Nyssa biflora - (Acer rubrum) / Ilex opaca / Leucothoe axillaris / Carex atlantica ssp. capillacea Forest 7737 Quercus michauxii / Carpinus caroliniana - Ilex opaca / Leucothoe racemosa Forest 7738 Pinus palustris - Pinus taeda / Schizachyrium scoparium Woodland 4620 Vitis rotundifolia - Ampelopsis arborea - Campsis radicans Vine-Shrubland 8000 Plantation Pine 8100 Successional Pine - Mixed Hardwood Upland Forest 7000 Water 9000 Landuse Defines Disturbance (STAND_DIS) 0 = No disturbance noted 1 = Disturbance in the canopy Defines Pre-Hurricane Hugo Signature Types (HURSIG) Same as PI signature code Defines Pre-Hurricane Hugo Community Types (HURTNC) Same as TNC code Defines Land Use (LANDUSE) 100=Urban 110=Residential 120=Commercial and Services 121=Park Headquarters 122=Miscellaneous Park Structure 130=Industrial 140=Transportation and Utilities 141=Road 142=Parking 143=Utility Line 150=Mixed Urban or Built Up 160=Other Urban or Built Up 200=Agriculture 210=Active Field 220=Abandoned Field 300=Natural Vegetation 400=Water Defines Pine Loss Areas (PINE) 0 = No Pine Loss 1 = Pine Loss STAND_DIS (Defines Disturbance) TNC (Communities and Variants) PI (Defines Signature Type) HURSIG (Pre-Hurricane Signature Type) HURTNC (Pre-Hurricane Community Type) LANDUSE (Defines Land Use) PINE (Defines Pine Loss Areas) Grossman, D. Et al. 1994. National Park Service Vegetation Mapping Project, Standardized National Vegetation Classificatrion System 209 pp. USGS/CSS/Core Science Analytics and Synthesis USGS-NPS Vegetation Characterization Program Coordinator mailing and physical address

Denver Federal Center, Building 810, MS 302

Denver Colorado 80225 (303) 202-4220 303-202-4219 gs-b-npsveg@usgs.gov Downloadable Data The U.S. Geological Survey and the National Park Service shall not be held liable for improper or incorrect use of the data described and/or contained herein. These data and related graphics (if available) are not legal documents and are not intended to be used as such. The information contained in these data is dynamic and may change over time. The data are not better than the original sources from which they were derived. It is the responsibility of the data user to use the data appropriately and consistent within the limitations of geospatial data in general and these data in particular. Any related graphics (if available) are intended to aid the data user in acquiring relevant data; it is not approriate to use the related graphics as data. The U.S. Geological Survey and the National Park Service gives no warranty, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of these data. It is strongly recommended that these data are directly acquired from an U.S. Geological Survey and National Park Service servers and not indirectly through other sources which may have changed the data in some way. Although these data have been processed successfully on a computer system at the U.S. Geological Survey, no warranty expressed or implied is made regarding the utility of the data on another system or for general or scientific purposes, nor shall the act of distribution constitute any such warranty. This disclaimer applies both to individual use of the data and aggregate use with other data. It is also strongly recommended that careful attention be paid to the contents of the metadata file associated with these data. Mention of trade names or commercial products in this metadata report does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use by the U. S. Department of the Interior, U. S. Geological Survey and National Park Service. HTML http://www.usgs.gov/core_science_systems/csas/vip/parks/cong.html Internet Access none 200110 20100518 USGS/CSS/Core Science Analytics and Synthesis USGS-NPS Vegetation Characterization Program Coordinator mailing and physical address

Denver Federal Center, Building 810, MS 302

Denver Colorado 80225 (303) 202-4220 303-202-4219 gs-b-npsveg@usgs.gov FGDC Biological Data Profile of the Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata FGDC-STD-001.1-1999 http://www.usgs.gov/core_science_systems/csas/metadata/index.html