VMap_Base

This dataset was produced for use at project levels of analysis and planning (in some cases additional work would be needed for site specific or project level work.)

Consistent, continuous, contemporary and accurate vegetation data are essential for effective ecosystem assessment and land management planning. The Northern Region Existing Vegetation Mapping Program (VMap) addresses this information need by providing a database of existing vegetation and associated map products that are constructed with an analytical methodology based on the Existing Vegetation Classification and Mapping Technical Guide to support the Region 1 Multi-level Classification, Mapping, Inventory, and Analysis System, R1-CMIA. 
A VMap database has been published for every Forest in the USDA Forest Service Northern Region, and updated in a cyclical manner since 2003. In 2018, an updated VMap database was produced for the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest (B-D). The VMap database consists of four primary spatially explicit attributes that include descriptions of 1) lifeform, 2) tree canopy cover class, 3) tree size class, and 4) tree dominance type. These attributes can be mapped and used to support mid and base-level analysis and planning. VMap uses the Region 1 Existing Vegetation Classification System in its map unit design. This system defines the logic for grouping entities by similarities in their floristic characteristics. VMap products are derived using remote sensing technology, and are based on a combination of airborne imagery and a nationally available digital topographic and climatic data. 
With a foundation of contemporary aerial imagery, a clear view of the project area is essential. The B-D mapping area of interest was obscured by forest fire smoke in 2015 and in 2017. For these reasons, continuous high resolution NAIP was not available for the full extent of the B-D update area, and NAIP imagery from 2013 was acquired instead. Furthermore, to obtain contemporary and full coverage imagery of the mapping area, Sentinel 2 satellite data was sourced between July 18, 2016 and August 8, 2017 to capture existing vegetation patterns during peak greenness conditions. The imagery was delivered with 10 meter pixel resolution, and thirteen spectral bands of radiometric resolution, including red, green, blue, and infrared components. However, even with a custom collection of image data, cloud cover was still present. 
The Sentinel 2 data was used in combination with the biophysical characterization (PHEAT) in a segmentation procedure to create a vector-based layer of polygons that represent a delineation of stand boundaries across the study area. This set of polygons, or stands, are the elements attributed by the VMap process and issued in the final database. 
In the field, reference information was collected and used to make spatial predictions of the vegetation attributes contained in the database. Predicted raster surfaces of the attributes were summarized to the delineated polygons.
As draft map products were created by the labeling algorithms, they were reviewed and appropriate changes were made in the database. Upon a satisfactory conclusion, the final products were used to populate the VMap database. 
After draft products were inspected and adjusted, an accuracy assessment was conducted to provide a quantitative validation of the database. Estimates of overall map accuracy and confidence measures of individual map classes can be inferred from the error matrix derived from the comparison of known reference sites to mapped data, for each attribute. The stated accuracy assessment results are applicable to the entire B-D, and ranged from 63-93%, depending on the attribute in question.
For a complete project report including citations and full accuracy assessment data please copy and paste the following link into a web browser. 
https://usfs.box.com/s/ee0u2x0ivhq39sz3q2f6pbixlo78ktdi
to view the complete project report on our public facing website please copy and paste this link into a web browser. 
https://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/r1/landmanagement/gis/?cid=stelprdb5331054&width=full

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The USDA Forest Service manages resource information and derived data as a service to USDA Forest Service users of digital geographic data. The USDA Forest Service is in no way condoning or endorsing the application of these data for any given purpose. It is the sole responsibility of the user to determine whether or not the data are suitable for the intended purpose. It is also the obligation of the user to apply those data in an appropriate and conscientious manner. The USDA Forest Service provides no warranty, nor accepts any liability occurring from any incorrect, incomplete, or misleading data, or from any incorrect, incomplete, or misleading use of these data.