The USDA Forest Service makes no warranty, expressed or implied, including the warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, nor assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, reliability, completeness or utility of these geospatial data, or for the improper or incorrect use of these geospatial data. These geospatial data and related maps or graphics are not legal documents and are not intended to be used as such. The data and maps may not be used to determine title, ownership, legal descriptions or boundaries, legal jurisdiction, or restrictions that may be in place on either public or private land. Natural hazards may or may not be depicted on the data and maps, and land users should exercise due caution. The data are dynamic and may change over time. The user is responsible to verify the limitations of the geospatial data and to use the data accordingly.

This data set displays the vegetation on Forest Service lands within the Chippewa National Forest, by stand. A stand is the basic management unit for Forest activities. It is recognized as an area where vegetation characteristics are relatively homogeneous and distinct from adjacent stands. Stands are characterized by their existing vegetation (EV) (forest type or vegetation type if non-forested) and other attributes.
 

Landscape Ecosystems - This data set depicts landscape ecosystems on the Chippewa National Forest. It was derived from the land type classification of the Terrestrial Ecological Unit layer. They are land and vegetation systems that occur naturally on the landscape. Landscape Ecosystems are one or more Land types grouped together. Landscape Ecosystem units were specifically developed for assessing and analyzing ecosystems in northern Minnesota for Forest Plan revision on the Chippewa National Forests.

Management Areas - This data set displays Management Area boundaries as identified in the 2004 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Chippewa National Forest. The 2004 Forest Plan defines Management Areas as "A portion of a landscape with similar management objectives and a common management prescription.

Scenic Integrity Objectives - This data set displays Scenic Integrity Objective boundaries as identified in the 2004 Land and Resource Management Plan for the Chippewa National Forest. Within the Scenery Management System, Scenic Integrity is defined as the state of naturalness, or conversely, the state of disturbance created by human activities or alteration. It is a measure of the degree to which a landscape is visually perceived to be "complete". The highest scenic integrity ratings are given to those landscapes with little or no deviation from the "natural" landscape character valued by constituents for its aesthetic appeal. The lowest ratings are given to those landscapes whose natural character is most heavily altered by management activities.

An area encompassing all the National Forest System lands administered by an administrative unit. The area encompasses private lands, other governmental agency lands, and may contain National Forest System lands within the proclaimed boundaries of another administrative unit.