U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Remote Sensing and GIS Group, and The Nature Conservancy 19980310 Map USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program Mount Rushmore National Memorial Denver CO USGS, Biological Resources Division, Center for Biological Informatics Created under contract to the USGS-BRD-CBI http://www1.usgs.gov/vip/moru/moru.zip doi:10.5066/F74F1NPJ 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 at Mount Rushmore was mapped using 1:16,000 scale U.S. Forest Service Color Aerial Photography acquired August 28, 1993. The mapping classification used two separate classification systems. All natural vegetation used the National Vegetation Classification System (NVCS) as a base. The vegetation classifcation was created after extensive on site sampling and numerical analysis. The vegetation map units were derived from the vegatation classification. Other non-natural or cultural mapping units used the Anderson Level II classification system. The mapped area includes a buffer around the Memorial boundary. This mapping effort originates from a long-term vegetation monitoring program that is part of a larger Inventory and Monitoring (I&M) program started by the National Park Service (NPS). I&M goals are, among others, to map the vegetation of all national parks and memorials and provide a baseline inventory of vegetation. The I&M program currently works in close cooperation with the Biological Resources Division (BRD) of the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The USGS/BRD continues overall management and oversight of all ongoing mapping efforts in close cooperation with the NPS. The purposes of the mapping effort are varied and include the following: Provides support for NPS Resources Management. Promotes vegetation-related research for both NPS and USGS/BRD. Provides support for NPS Planning and Compliance. Adds to the information base for NPS Interpretation. Assists in NPS Operations. 19950912 Source photography date Complete not applicable Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Black Hills, South Dakota, USA -103.484945 -103.420938 43.901478 43.858612 none National Park Service U.S. Geological Service The Nature Conservancy Aerial Information Systems Center for Biological Informatics land cover vegetation alliance association land use Environmental System Research Institute None Mount Rushmore National Memorial Black Hills South Dakota USA None Plant Communities Kingdom Plantae plants None No warranty, expressed or implied, is made regarding the accuracy or utility of the data on any other system or for general or scientific purposes. Any person using the information presented here should fully understand the data collection and compilation procedures, as described in the metadata, before beginning analysis. The burden for determining fitness for use lies entirely with the user. 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/moru/moruvegmap.pdf Graphic in map composition layout PDF USGS, NPS, U.S. BOR, TNC UNIX-ARC/INFO These data have a combined total accuracy of 69.6% (confidence interval 62.7 - 75.4%). Individual class accuracies range from 50.0 % to 100% in both errors of commission and omission. 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 specified tolerance. If the node is not with the tolerance it is adjusted manually. The tests for logical consistency are performed in ARC/INFO using certain commands. All data that can be photo-interpreted is also digitized. This includes features that fall into the NVCS vegetation classification and the Anderson Level II classification. Minimum mapping unit is obstensibly .5 hectares but some low frequency classes below the MMU are included. The horizontal positional accuracy is tested by visual comparison of digital data to the source materials and verifying the location of the data on-screen relative to other data layers in the same geographic area. The base used for this mapping effort is a scanned and registered paper orthophotograph. Visual examination of these data shows them to comply (usually exceed) with national map accuracy standards for 1:24,000 scale products. See Analysis of Accuracy Assessment Procedures. There is no accuracy assessment for vertical position. Field Ground truthing GPS field plots Developmental of Programmatic and Technical Team: This project required the combined expertise and oversight of several organizations. Oversight and programmatic considerations are managed by the Center for Biological Informatics of the Biological Resources Division of the U.S. Geological Survey. The National Park Service provided additional guidance. The technical responsibilities for the mapping effort were divided between TNC and BOR. TNC responsibilities and deliverables included the following: Create a vegetation classification system based upon field species level data and consistent with the Standard National Classification System at the Alliance or Community Element level Provide documentation that describes the national classes at the local and global levels, with field keys, and field data in a *.dbf format. Provide technical opinion to BOR as the mapping portion of the project proceeds. Provide field notes and site descriptions BOR responsibilities and deliverables included the following: Digital files of vegetation on Compact (CD); including topology and labeling for height, density, and pattern subclasses; location of field sample sites; and locations of sites used for accuracy assessment in Arc/Info format Any ancillary digital files developed during the mapping process Digital FGDC compliant metadata file for each digital file delivered Annotated field site photographs Original mylar overlays of interpreted photographs Hard copy vegetation map Accuracy assessment Final report describing all procedures used in developing the final map and accuracy assessment Planning and Review Meeting An initial meeting was held with all interested parties to discuss several aspects of the mapping effort. Foremost among these was the mapping extent. Vegetation issues particular to the park were addressed. Mount Rushmore National Memorial was responsible for obtaining permission from adjacent land owners for property access for sampling purposes. Most of the private lands were under some form of grazing or farming. Consequently, sampling on these lands was not necessary. The remainder of the lands within the mapping area are U.S. Forest Service Lands so permission was not necessary. Preliminary Data Collection and Review of Existing Information To reduce duplicating previous work and to help in our effort we collected existing vegetation reports and maps from the staff at Mount Rushmore National Memorialt. These materials were referenced during the mapping process and the information contained in them was incorporated where it was deemed useful. Because soils also affect the distribution of vegetation, soil maps and soil descriptions were also obtained as reference. These were not converted to a digital file. Digital elevation models (DEM) were obtained to create slope and aspect maps that helped in determining vegetation community distribution. Vegetation Sampling The sampling approach used in this mapping effort was typical of small park sampling, where all polygons within the park boundary are sampled. Two levels of field data gathering were conducted in this park; plots and observations. Plots represented the most intensive sampling of the landscape and used TNC's 'Plot Form'. Observations consisted of brief descriptions and were designed to obtain a quick overview of the landscape without spending a large amount of time at each sample site. Observation points used the 'Observation Form' data sheet. Examples of both 'Plot' and 'Observation' forms are included in the companion report by TNC. Initially, plots were used to describe the vegetation of the park. A total of 19 plots were obtained from July 22 through July 30, 1996. These plots were used by TNC to describe the vegetation associations found within the park. These descriptions are in the companion report by TNC. Map Validation A field trip was conducted in June of 1997 to assess the initial mapping effort and to refine map class. Kenny Aerial Mapping Company, Phoenix, AZ 19930823 image Denver, CO USGS Center for Biological Informatics Aerial photography was taken at a scale of 1:24,000. Original media are in the form of positive transparencies. Photointerpretation was done on contact prints of the true color photos. http://www1.usgs.gov/vip/moru/moruphotos.pdf 12000 Contact paper prints of film transparencies 19930823 Imagery date moru Aerial Photos These aerial photographs were the basis for the photointerpretation process Unknown Unknown Remote-Sensing Image Unknown Unknown The digital orthophotograph is a 1:2400 scale image. Cartridge Tape Unknown Imagery date moru orthophoto This digital orthophoto provided the project basemap USGS,BRD,Center for Biological Informatics 19960405 report Denver, CO USGS, BRD, Center for Biological Informatics This report was generated by the Nature Conservancy under contract to the USGS, BRD, CBI. http://www1.usgs.gov/vip/moru/morurpt.pdf Online 199510 Ground Condition MORU sample and classification Report summarizing plot data collection effort USGS/BRD, Center for Biological Informatics 199411 document USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program Mount Rushmore National Memorial Denver, CO USGS/BRD, Center for Biological Informatics This report was prepared by Environmental Systems Research Institute; Redlands, CA, National Center for Geographic Information and Analysis, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA and The Nature Conservancy, Arlington, VA under contract from the U.S. Department of Interior National Biological Survey and National Park Service. http://www1.usgs.gov/vip/standards/NPSVI_Accuracy_Assessment_Guidelines_ver2.pdf electronic document 199411 publication date Accuracy Assessment Procedures Documents This document established the procedures and protocols for the accuracy assessment at Mount Rushmore National Memorial. U.S. Geological Survey Department of the Interior 19980510 report USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program Mount Rushmore National Memorial Denver, CO USGS, Biological Resources Division, Center for Biological Informatics Created in large part by Aerial Information Systems, Inc. under contract rom USGS/BRD/CBI. http://www1.usgs.gov/vip/moru/morupirpt.pdf digital 19980510 Report date moru mapping report Photo interpretation was done by trained interpreters familiar with the vegetation communities of the Memorial on overlays registered to the aerial photographs under a stereoscope. Vegetation communities were idendified on the basis of their color, pattern, texture, and location on the landscape and lines were drawn around the communities. The photo interpreters had visited the monument and conferred with the ecologists who performed the vegetation classification and were familiar with the vegetation communities. Not all vegetation associations could be identified on the photography due to size constraints and complexity of the vegetation. Map classes were assigned in these cases and a cross-walk was made to the vegetation classification. Air Photo Interpretation All map classes were interpreted from existing 1:16,000 scale, color photography flown on July 29, 1993. The photographs were acquired from the U.S. Forest Service (USFS). Photointerpretation used the standard identification features such as tone, texture, color, pattern, topographic position, and shadow. In addition, field sample locations and their vegetation descriptions aided in assigning map class to each polygon. All photographs were examined using a stereoscope. Digital elevation models (DEM's) were processed and converted to slope and aspect coverages. These helped to provide additional perspectives of the landscape. Seven photographs were interpreted for the entire mapping area. Digital scans of these photographs are included as .tif files on the CD included with this report. 19930729 Bureau of Reclamations Physical Address Redlands CA Unknown USA Unknown In conjunction with the photoverification and field sampling effort, NBS (now USGS, BRD, CBI) personnel performed a locational accuracy test comparing the accuracy of a global positioning system (GPS) versus manual location techniques. The TNC biologist "pin-pricked" all of the sample site locations onto the aerial photos while the NBS staff captured the location using GPS. The "pin-pricked" locations were subsequently input into the GIS database for comparison against the GPS locations for the same site. MORU CIR Aerial Photography 199510 Analysis of Accuracy Assessment Procedures at Mount Rushmore National Memorial Mount Rushmore National Memorial is in Pennington County and is part of the south eastern Black Hills. The memorial shares its southwest boundary with the Norbeck Wilderness Preserve. All other boundaries are shared with the Black HIlls National Forest. Vector G-polygon 342 Universal Transverse Mercator 13 0.999600 -105.000000 0.000000 500000.000000 0.000000 Coordinate Pair 1 1 Meters North American Datum of 1983 Geodetic Reference System 80 6378137.000000 298.257222 moruveg Shapefile attribute table BOR 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. MAP_UNIT Map Class Code BOR Textual map code. ANDERSON_C Anderson Code BOR Refers to the map classification using the Anderson Level II Classification. HEIGHT Height numerical BOR Structural descriptions of each vegetation class described under the NVCS. DENSITY Density numerical BOR Structural descriptions of each vegetation class described under the NVCS. PATTERN Pattern numerical BOR Structural descriptions of each vegetation class described under the NVCS. HECTARES Hectares BOR Numeric figure representing the area covered by each polygon. The database contains two separate classification systems. The two systems represent vegetation map units and land cover map units. The vegetation map units are usually combinations of vegetation associations described in the TNC companion report. The vegetation map units have also been categorized into 5 general vegetation classes. The land use map units use the Anderson Level II classification system. The vegetation attributes contain character codes and descriptors. The land use contain numeric codes. The descriptors are available in two look-up tables provided with this data set. These are map.lut and anderson.lut. Modifiers also exist representing percent of vegetation cover and tree height. These modifiers are available in the look-up table structure.lut. Contact David Salas at the Bureau of Reclamation Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Group D-8260 for more information about the classification system. National Park Service/Biological Resources Division Vegetation Inventory and Mapping Program for Mount Rushmore National Memorial, South Dakota, Final Community Association Classification, May 1, 1998. Alliance/Community HB=Bur Oak / Ironwood Forest PJ=Ponderosa Pine / Common Juniper Complex P1=Ponderosa Pine Complex 1 P2=Ponderosa Pine Complex II. HEIGHT 2 = 0.5 - 1 meters 3 = 1 - 5 meters 4 = 5 - 15 meters 5 = 15 - 30 meters 6 = > 30 meters DENSITY 1 = Closed/Continuous < 60% 2 = Discontinuous 40% - 60% 3 = Dispersed 25% - 40% 4 = Sparse 10% - 25% PATTERN 1,'Evenly Dispersed' 2,'Clumped/Bunched' 3,'Gradational/Transitional' 4,'Alternating' ANDERSON CODE 11 = Residental 12 = Commercial and Services 14 = Transportation, Communications and Utilities 21 = Cropland and Pasture 53 = Reservoirs 62 = Nonforested Wetland 75 = Strip Mines, Quarries, and Gravel Pits VEGETATION CODE PB = Ponderosa Pine / Bur Oak Woodland PL = Ponderosa Pine / Little Bluestem Woodland PJ = Ponderosa Pine / Common Juniper Woodland PR = Ponderosa Pine / Rough Leafed Rice Grass Woodland PW = Ponderosa Pine / Bearberry Woodland SS = Stream side Shrubland HB = Bur Oak / Ironwood Forest PH = Paper Birch / Beaked Hazel Forest WM = Wooly Sedge / Blue Joint Herbaceous Vegetation (Wet Meadow) Grossman, D. Et al. 1994. National Park Service/ National Biological Service Vegetation Mapping Project, Standardized National Vegetation Classification 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. MORU Veg map 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/moru.html Internet Access none 20011022 20100603 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