Sampling efforts were stratified within pre-determined mapping areas that represented modified Bailey's (1994) ecoregions. Training sites were selected opportunistically while traversing all navigable roads in a mapping zone and identifying areas where the appropriate size (1-hectare minimum area) and composition (stand homogeneity) requirements were met. The data collected at each site involved ocular estimates of biotic and abiotic landcover components, including percent cover of dominant species by life form (i.e. trees, shrubs, grasses, forbs) and physical data such as elevation, slope, aspect, and landform. Each sample location was assigned an appropriate landcover label based on the Ecological System concept developed by NatureServe (2004) for natural and semi-natural terrestrial vegetation. The scientific naming convention used for plant species identification was the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) On-Line Plants Database, current as of April 2005.
Additional tables were also made to provide descriptive information about some fields mainly Landform and Ecological Systems entries, Physiognomic Classes and Hydrologic Classes. A Plant list for all species found at any training site was also compiled.
More information about Landfire data is described in the landfire.html document.
Principle Investigators: Doug Ramsey, John Lowry
Field Botanists: Jessica Kirby, Marie Ducharme, Lisa Langs, Gerald Manis, Pat Terletzky, Eric Sant, Chris McGinty, Nate Packer, Ryan Hill, Greg Simmonds, David Mann
Site Identification = Unique ID for Training Site: 2-letter state code, 6-digit date (MMDDYY), 2-letter examiner initials, 2-digit number for site (For Example: UT071100GM07).
State = 2-letter code for location of site as recorded in the field.
Map Zone = 4-letter code for mapping zone updated to match UT GAP abbreviations (For Example: NWMT = Northern Wasatch Mountains).
Mega Map Zone = 3-digit code for mega mapping zone representing a composite of one or map zones as recorded in the field (For Example: UT-2)
Plot Size = Approximate size of training site, expressed as: "X x Y," where X and Y represent number of (30m) pixels.
Datum = Datum of UTM projection as recorded in the field.
UTM Zone = Number of UTM Zone as recorded in the field.
Easting = UTM easting coordinate (6 digits) as recorded in the field.
Northing = UTM northing coordinate (7 digits) as recorded in the field.
Photos = Number of photographs taken at the site.
Confidence = Level of confidence and source of information when collecting training data.
Location = Additional information to describe location of training site.
Ecological System = Name of Ecological System (National Vegetation Classification System) as defined by NatureServe. List of systems and descriptions provided in table (tbl_nlcd_list_ut).
NVCS Alliance = Alliance classification as defined in TNC’s Terrestrial Vegetation Classification System. List of entries provided in table (tbl_alliance_list_ut).
Landform = Type of landform. List of entries and descriptive data provided in table (tbl_landform_list_ut).
Physiognomic Class = Physiognomic class as defined in TNC's Terrestrial Vegetation Classification System. List of entries and descriptions provided in table (tbl_physio_list).
Hydrologic Class = Hydrologic class as defined in TNC's Terrestrial Vegetation Classification System. List of entries and descriptions provided in table (tbl_hydro_list).
Elevation = Elevation of the site represented in meters.
Slope = Slope of the site represented in degrees.
Aspect = Dominant aspect of the slope. Entry is restricted to an 8-class aspect list and N/A for slopes less than 3 degrees (For Example: SW, NE, S, etc.).
Site Notes = Additional comments about vegetation, disturbance, or other explanatory features at the training site.
Plant Cover. Tree = Acronym for tree species. (For Example: JUOS=Juniperus osteosperma).
height = Estimated height of tree (in meters).
DBH = Diameter at Breast Height (in inches).
Cover = Percent canopy cover for each dominant species.
Shrub = Acronym for shrub species. (For Example: CHVI8=Chrusothamnus viscidiflorus).
height = Estimated height of shrub (in meter).
Cover = Percent canopy cover for each dominant species.
Forb = Acronym for forb species. (For Example: PEPU7=Petradoria pumila)
height = Estimated height of forb (in meters).
Cover = Percent canopy cover for each dominant species.
Grass = Acronym for grass species. (For example: BRTE=Bromus tectorum).
height = Estimated height of grass (in meters).
Cover = Percent canopy cover for each dominant species.
The following includes a list of data field and its definition as seen on the Utah Site Cover Data Sub-form (For Example: frm_cover_data) in the MicroSoft Access Database:
% Trees = Percent canopy cover for all tree species at site (Calculated field).
% Shrubs = Percent canopy cover for all shrub species at site (Calculated field).
% Forbs = Percent canopy cover for all forb species at site (Calculated field).
% Grasses = Percent canopy cover for all grass species at site (Calculated field).
% Total Plant Cover = Summation of total percent canopy cover of all vegetation (Calculated field).
% Bare Ground = Percentage of bare soil.
% Litter = Percentage of litter on the ground's surface.
% Cryptobiotic Crust = Percentage of cryptobiotic crust.
% Rock Outcrop = Percentage of exposed intact bedrock (hard or soft).
% Surface Rock = Percentage of surface rock fragments (gravel through boulder size).
% Water = Percentage of water.
% Total Land Cover = Summation of total percent cover of all land cover components (total vegetation + bare ground + litter + cryptobiotic crust + rock outcrop + surface rock + water) (Calculated field). Total coverage should not exceed 100%.
Rock Outcrop Albedo = A 3-digit code representing the color and value of exposed bedrock, where: G=gray, R=red, or B=brown and a number from 01 (darker rock) to 10 (lighter rock).
Ground Albedo = A 3-digit code representing the color and value of the ground, where: G=gray, R=red, or B=brown and a number from 01 (darker soils) to 10 (lighter soils).
Understory Plant Cover = Supplemental information regarding trees, shrubs, forbs, and grasses that were present in the understory.
The following includes a list of data field and its definition as seen on the Landform Data Form (For Example: frm_landformdata) in the MicroSoft Access Database:
Landform = descriptive term chosen from NRCS land form list (consistent with GAP "homogenous" plot).
Slope Range = normal limits of slopes (degrees) consistent with landform term.
Definition = simple description based on terms found in the dictionary of geologic terms.
Landscape Setting = three categories for coarse landscape description. Values include erosional, depositional, or mixed.
TNC Name = cross-walk for TNC/ABI reference.
Best Fit Model = crosswalk to best theoritical matches with 10 class landform model.
The following includes a list of data field and its definition as seen on the Plant Species Data Form (For Example: frm_plantdata) in the MicroSoft Access Database:
Plant Species = Acronym of plant species. Code from http:\\plants.usda.gov. Accessed March 2005.
Scientific Name = Scientific Name (Genus and Species).
Common Name = Common Name of plant species.
Family = Family of plant species.
The attribute values for the Ecological System were derived from: NatureServe. 2004. Landcover Descriptions for the Southwest Regional GAP Analysis Project.
The attribute values for tree, shrub, forb, and grass species were derived from: the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) On-Line Plants Database [<http://plants.usda.gov/>] current as of April 2005.