James W. Sewall Company and NatureServe assisted by FWS staff20050107NVC Vegetation Classification for Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge1vector digital dataOld Town, MEJames W. Sewall CompanyJames W. Sewall Company used its standard photointerpretation and ortho-mapping workflow and was assisted by NatureServe in crosswalking to NVC vegetation and wetlands mapping on approximately 115,926 acres across New England. Refuges include: Nulhegan NWR (VT), Pondicherry NWR (NH), Eastern Mass NWR (MA), Parker River NWR (MA), Rachel Carson NWR (ME), Sunkhaze Meadows NWR (ME), Moosehorn NWR (ME), Aroostook NWR (ME) and several island refuges in Massachusetts. Aerial photography using color infrared (CIR) film was acquired during the spring and early summer at a scale of 1"=1000' (1:12,000). Sewall's photointerpreter conducted fieldwork in conjunction with NatureServe and FWS staff to identify signature and establish what would be classified. Fieldwork was limited due to budgetary constraints, but all but the island refuges were visited - four by Sewall with NatureServe and/or USFW staff accompanying, and the remainder by NatureServe and USFW staff only, who provided detailed feedback to Sewall in the form of annotated maps and GIS data. For the island refuges, NatureServe and USFW staff provided data and suggested NVC classes. This shapefile contains the interpeted attributes and has been "crosswalked" with NVC codes (up to 3 per polygon).To provide a spatially accurate photointerpreted classification scheme for use in habitat management planning and as a base for further vegetation mapping in the field.Photo Dates2004050120040630As needed based on FWS fieldwork - update methodology to be determined by FWS.-71.924035-67.07110546.98878641.233003NVCVegetative Cover, NVCNew England, Wildlife RefugesNew EnglandISO 19115 Topic CategorybiotaNoneMaineUserCritical HabitatNone knownNone knownMicrosoft Windows XP Version 5.1 (Build 2600) Service Pack 2; ESRI ArcCatalog 9.2.0.1324James W. Sewall CompanyDaniel BossDirector, Mappinig Servicesphysical address136 Center StreetOld TownME04468207-827-4456207-827-3641dan_boss@jws.comThe detailed description produced from photointerpretation is code in the "alpha" field. This data was entered directly from interpreted photos and then was automatically checked by a parsing aml, and components distributed into species, height and crown closure attributes. This routine ensured that codes were valid. These codes were then checked by the original photointerpreter to make sure they were as interpreted. Map Classes and NVC codes were assigned from tables provided by NatureServe. For a significant amount of the acreage, this assignment was done in a manner that allowed any unique combinations of NVC association on an individual polygon, determined by fieldwork or other means, to be captured in this deliverable. In the others, a given map class always has the same set of NVC codes associated with it. A table accompanying this delivery (crosswalking_approach_by_refuge.xls) indicates on a refuge-by-refuge basis whether NVC assignment was polygon-by-polygon or by map class. A summary of the codes for the whole area, and by refuge, is available in a separate spreadsheet - mapclass_x_cegl_common_v2.xls. This spreadsheet can be referred to for assessment of completeness of attribution. The pivot table tab of this spreadsheet provides an easy way to review the NVC codes by map class for each refuge.Photo Interpretation with limited fieldwork. Transfer of polygons from photo to GIS coverage using orthorectification technique to transfer the photo-interpreted lines. Crosswalking with NVC codes followed by detailed checking by NatureServe and Sewall.Covers all lands within the boundaries shown in project boundary coverage provided by FWS - FWS_BND_ALL5.
Revisions made by Sewall 1/7/05 to Pondicherry due to changed boundary file - extended cover types by additional photointerpretation on three photos and assigned map class based what had been assigned in other parts of the same refuge.Based on method used, horizontal position of vegetation polygons should meet national map accuracy standards for the scale of the photos (1:12000), that is +/- 25 feet 90% of the time. Accuracy was verified by overlay on available orthophotos. Many vegetation cover boundaries are subjective - positional accuracy verification was performed on clearly defined type boundaries.N/A200404301. Aerial Photography
Since the geographic area of the proposed properties covered over 400 miles north to south, the optimal time frame to capture Spring photography varied. Sewall flew the area of interest in five mobilizations. With the help of NatureServe and FWS staff, the optimal time for capture of photography for each refuge (in terms of vegetation development) was determined. A FWS contact was designated for each of the six regions. This contact attended a kickoff meeting held on April 28, 2004 at Sewall's office in Old Town, Maine and acted as local liason for the project to coordinate activities specific to the refuge.
2. Setup - Organizing of Materials, Kickoff Meeting, Development of Typing Scheme and Database Schema
Sewall provided Maine and Massachusetts digital orthophotos. USFWS provided orthophotography for Vermont and New Hampshire NWR's as well as NWI wetlands mapping and other relevant ancillary data. Sewall worked with USFWS and NatureServe to devise a single system for all the refuges so that, insofar as possible, each refuge received the level of detail required for habitat management decisions.
The project kickoff meeting held in Old Town reviewed the proposed plan prior to project startup. At the kickoff meeting the plan for the project was demonstrated by Sewall using data from Petit Manan NWR (completed by Sewall in 2002). Detailed plans for the project, including database schema, were discussed.
The types to be distinguished were briefly discussed for some refuges, along with the requirements of the required photointerpretation codes and type descriptions. The photointerpretation codes were designed to contain all necessary detail to permit a later conversion ("crosswalk") to Ecological Systems or Alliances/Associations, and to be used by USF&W in labeling maps.
3. Fieldwork with NatureServe Ecologists
The Sewall photo interpreter reviewed the photography and, with the CIR contact prints in hand, engaged in fieldwork with a NatureServe ecologists (and NWR staff, as desired) on a total of four refuges - Great Meadows, Rachel Carson, Moosehorn, and Nulhegan. This work was designed to identify the Ecological Systems and associated NVCS Alliances/Associations that potentially occur at the refuge and the photo signatures to be delineated. This fieldwork was later supplemented by NatureServe and FWS staff input for Parker River and Rachel Carson (working with color photocopies of the preliminary interpretation).
4. Vegetation and Wetlands Interpretation
Following the fieldwork, the interpreter returned to the Sewall offices in Old Town to apply the typing scheme. This was done using a Bausch and Lomb SIS 95 stereoscope. Types were labeled on acetates taped to the original color infrared film transparencies.
Rough property limits were transferred to the photographs using boundary information supplied by FWS. Interpretation was done to a .75 acre minimum in the non-forest areas, and a 4 acre minimum in forested areas (although going below these minimums to type obvious conditions of significance frequently occurred). Sewall utilized a descriptive scheme for detailed classification in forest stands, including forest understory interpretation.
5. Mapping Procedures
The method of conversion from photo to map utilized digital terrain data and PCI orthorectification software. The best available orthophotos (1:5000 in Vermont and Massachusetts, 1:24000 in the other states) and digital elevation data (USGS NED data in VT, NH, and ME; 1:5000 DEM from the Massachusetts orthophoto project for MA) were employed as a basis for the orthorectification.
Up to six ground control points per typed photo were identified on the orthophotos, located on the aerial photo, and marked on the acetate overlay. Ground control points and cover type lines on the photo overlays were scanned using a MICROTEK color scanner. The resulting image (in TIFF format) was be orthorectified using PCI software, the lines vectorized and combined into vegetation polygon feature classes using ArcGIS software.
Sewall used a computer routine for checking all photo interpreted labels. Any missed or invalid labels were automatically detected and flagged on a check map. The photo interpreter checked and marked this map for any required corrections. Corrections were made and a completed GIS coverage created. After all areas were mapped and all quality control checks were complete, the photointerpreted vegetation polygon layer was created.
The data were compiled in ArcInfo 8.3 coverage format and delivered in this format as well as in shapefile format. Ownership boundary lines were based on the shapefiles provided by USFWS to Sewall at the beginning of the project. The GIS coverages were projected to UTM, NAD83 datum, zone 19, meters, for delivery to USFWS. FGDC-compliant metadata was provided describing the data sources and attribute-coding scheme.
6. Deliverables
- ArcGIS 8.3 vegetation cover types. The GIS coverage and shapefiles (this file) were delivered to USFWS on CD-ROM.
- Aerial Photography - CIR, 1:12,000 - one set of contact prints.
- A complete set of photogrammetric scans was also requested and delivered.12000Aerial Photography Film, Orthophoto and DEM data from USGS and State of MassachusettsNENWRNVCPhoto-interpretation, mapping, project management.200405012004050120040630James W Sewall20041227Northeast National Wildlife Refuge Vegetation Classification0%VectorG-polygon7984asr_veg_111505_polygonPhoto interpreted vegetation cover polygons with detailed forest type descriptions and map classes translatable into National Vegetation Classification alliances and/or ecological systems.James W SewallFIDInternal feature number.ESRISequential unique whole numbers that are automatically generated.ShapeFeature geometry.ESRICoordinates defining the features.AREAArea in Sq. MetersESRIArea in floating point numbers.PERIMETERPerimeter in MetersESRIPerimeter of polygon in floating point.NWRUNITFWS code for unitsUSFWSNone providedUSFWSNWRNAMEFWS code retained from original boundary fileUSFWSNone providedUSFWSACREAGECalculated as AREA (internal variable maintained in square meters) * .0002471054.James W SewallAcreage in floating point numbers.ALPHACode used by photo interpreter to describe land coverJWSCombination of codes listed in spp_list_rev8.xls (separate from this metadata)James W SewallOS1Primary overstory species componentJames W SewallSpecies codes listed in spp_list_rev8.xls (separate from this metadata)James W SewallOS2Secondary overstory species componentJames W SewallSpecies codes listed in spp_list_rev8.xls (separate from this metadata)James W SewallOHGTAverage height of overstory componentsJames W SewallHeight codes listed in spp_list_rev8.xls (separate from this metadata)James W SewallODENAverage density (crown closure) of overstory componentsJames W SewallDensity codes listed in spp_list_rev8.xls (separate from this metadata)James W SewallOS3Tertiary speies in overstory stand componentJames W SewallSpecies codes listed in spp_list_rev8.xls (separate from this metadata)James W SewallUS1Primary understory species componentJames W SewallSpecies codes listed in spp_list_rev8.xls (separate from this metadata)James W SewallUS2Secondary understory species componentJames W SewallSpecies codes listed in spp_list_rev8.xls (separate from this metadata)James W SewallUHGTAverage understory heightJames W SewallHeight codes listed in spp_list_rev8.xls (separate from this metadata)James W SewallUDENAverage understory density (crown closure)James W SewallDensity codes listed in spp_list_rev8.xls (separate from this metadata)James W SewallUS3Tertiary understory species componentJames W SewallCombination of codes listed in spp_list_rev8.xls (separate from this metadata)James W SewallLANDUSENon-forest type codeJames W SewallCombination of codes listed in spp_list_rev8.xls (separate from this metadata)James W SewallULANDUSENon-forest type represented under a forest canopy, if anyJames W Sewallcombination of codes listed in spp_list_rev8.xls (separate from this metadata)James W SewallOSTORYCombination of all components of overstory groupJames W SewallCombination of codes listed in spp_list_rev8.xls (separate from this metadata)James W SewallUSTORYCombination of all components of understory groupJames W SewallSpecies codes listed in spp_list_rev8.xls (separate from this metadata)James W SewallCHKAttribute used in internal quality check at JWSJames W SewallOKChecked in internal JWS process and passesJames W SewallNGDoes not pass JWS quality checkJames W SewallMODIFIERCode to modify a forested stand to indicate wet/floodplain or to distinguish forest land that is in an early successional state from woodland.James W SewallWWetlandJames W SewallFForestlandJames W SewallMAP_CLASSLetter abbreviation for photointerpreted map class which will be used to crosswalk to the NVC codeJames W SewallCodes listed in separate map_class code table nenwr_map_class.xlsNatureServe, summarized by JWSUNIQ_IDUnique polygon ID populated by Sewall at delivery with the originating coverage polygon's unique polygon number - to be used for polygon identifier in field checking/correction.James W SewallSequential unique whole numbers that are automatically generated (copy of first item).MAP_CLAS_FAlternative field-based map classJames W SewallCodes listed in separate map_class code table nenwr_map_class.xlsNatureServe, summarized by JWSMAPCLASS_NFull descriptive name of map classJames W SewallName vales for codes listed in separate map_class code table nenwr_map_class.xlsNatureServe, summarized by JWSCEGL_1First association codeNatureServe crosswalk tablesCombination of codes listed in spp_list_rev8.xls (separate from this metadata)NatureServe, summarized by JWSCEGL_2Second association codeNatureServe crosswalk tablesCombination of codes listed in spp_list_rev8.xls (separate from this metadata)NatureServe, summarized by JWSCEGL_3Third association codeNatureServe crosswalk tablesCombination of codes listed in spp_list_rev8.xls (separate from this metadata)NatureServe, summarized by JWSECOLSYS_COEcological system codeNatureServe crosswalk tables - northern refuges onlyCombination of codes listed in spp_list_rev8.xls (separate from this metadata)NatureServe, summarized by JWSCOMMENTSAny comments from field visitsNatureServeComments for recordDownloadable DataUnknownISO 966010.358CD-ROMISO 9660UnknownUSFWSJennifer Casey, Umbagog NWRLake Umbagog NWRP.O. Box 280ErrolNH03579603-482-341520070625FGDC Content Standards for Digital Geospatial MetadataFGDC-STD-001-1998local timehttp://www.esri.com/metadata/esriprof80.htmlESRI Metadata ProfileJames W. Sewall CompanyDaniel BossDirector, Mapping Services136 Center StreetOld TownMaine04401207-827-4456207-827-3641dan_boss@jws.comUniversal Transverse Mercator190.99960000-690.00000000500000.000000000.00000000coordinate pair0.0001250.000125metersNorth American Datum of 1983Geodetic Reference System 19806378137.000000298.257222