Isle Royale National Park Vegetation Mapping Project - Spatial Vegetation Data
Vegetation Inventory
Dates
Publication Date
2000-07
Time Period
1994-08-26
Time Period
1996-04-25
Summary
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 [...]
Summary
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 (spring - 1996 and fall - 1994). 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 wisely 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. Isle Royale National Park was initially identified as one of the prototypes within the National Park System for the USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program. Isle Royale National Park was established March 3, 1931 and was also designated as an International Biosphere Reserve in 1980. The park contains approximately 571,790 acres of land and water (893 square miles) of which 133,782 acres is land and the rest is open water of Lake Superior as well as inland lakes and ponds. Isle Royale National Park is an archipelago of islands located in the northwestern region of Lake Superior close to the United States-Canada border. The main island, Isle Royale, consists of a series of ridges and valleys running the length of the island and is surrounded by approximately 200 smaller islands. The primary methods of transportation on the island are hiking and boating.
Preview Image
vegetation distribution of Isle Royale National Park and environs; low resolution for web browser.
