Standardized vegetation cover data from mature forests on federal lands of Washington, Oregon, and California
Metadata:
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Identification_Information:
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Citation:
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Citation_Information:
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Originator: Hochhalter, Patricia A.
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Originator: Simpson, Michael
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Publication_Date: 2024
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Title:
Standardized vegetation cover data from mature forests on federal lands of Washington, Oregon, and California- Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: tabular digital data
- Publication_Information:
- Publication_Place: Fort Collins, CO
- Publisher: Forest Service Research Data Archive
- Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2024-0035
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Description:
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Abstract:
- This data publication contains tabular data of overstory and understory vegetation composition collected from the mid-1950s to early 2000s in relatively undisturbed, mostly mature stands across forested federal lands of Oregon, Washington, and California. Most plots are on National Forest System lands, with some on Bureau of Land Management or Tribal land. Plots were distributed to represent the diversity of vegetation types across each National Forest or other management unit. These Ecology plots are not, and were never intended to be, permanent plots. Data include vegetation cover data such as lifeform, scientific name, and species cover for 38,560 plots. The longitude, latitude, and Regional ID number are also provided for each plot, with a supplemental file relating Regional IDs to land management units.
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Purpose:
- These data were used to create typologies of potential vegetation ("Plant Associations") or ecological types (plant communities) that would allow forest managers to infer site conditions (topographic, climatic, edaphic, etc.) from the existing overstory and understory composition. Plant Association or Ecological Type (Plant Community) Guides were developed for groups of National Forests and adjacent lands across Forest Service Regions 5 and 6. Supplemental information includes a list of citations of these Plant Association and Ecological Type Guides, most of which were developed based on these plot data.
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Time_Period_of_Content:
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Time_Period_Information:
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Range_of_Dates/Times:
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Beginning_Date: 1950
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Ending_Date: 2010
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Currentness_Reference:
- Ground condition
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Status:
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Progress: Complete
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Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency: None planned
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Spatial_Domain:
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Description_of_Geographic_Extent:
- Data were collected on federal, primarily National Forest System, lands within the states of Oregon, Washington, and California.
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Bounding_Coordinates:
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West_Bounding_Coordinate: -126.98134
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East_Bounding_Coordinate: -113.59471
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North_Bounding_Coordinate: 49.78120
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South_Bounding_Coordinate: 35.13476
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Bounding_Altitudes:
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Altitude_Minimum: 2
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Altitude_Maximum: 3600
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Altitude_Distance_Units: meters
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Keywords:
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Theme:
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Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: ISO 19115 Topic Category
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Theme_Keyword: biota
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Theme_Keyword: environment
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Theme:
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Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: National Research & Development Taxonomy
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Theme_Keyword: Ecology, Ecosystems, & Environment
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Theme_Keyword: Inventory, Monitoring, & Analysis
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Theme_Keyword: Resource inventory
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Theme:
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Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: None
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Theme_Keyword: vegetation
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Theme_Keyword: plot data
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Theme_Keyword: understory
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Theme_Keyword: mature forest
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Place:
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Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: None
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Place_Keyword: Washington
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Place_Keyword: Oregon
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Place_Keyword: California
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Place_Keyword: national forest
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Place_Keyword: Pacific Northwest
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Place_Keyword: Pacific Southwest
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Taxonomy:
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Keywords/Taxon:
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Taxonomic_Keyword_Thesaurus:
- None
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Taxonomic_Keywords: multiple species
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Taxonomic_Keywords: plants
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Taxonomic_System:
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Classification_System/Authority:
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Classification_System_Citation:
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Citation_Information:
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Originator: USDA, National Resources Conservation Service
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Publication_Date: 2023
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Title:
The PLANTS Database- Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: on-line database
- Publication_Information:
- Publication_Place: Greensboro, NC, USA
- Publisher: National Plant Data Team
- Online_Linkage: https://plants.usda.gov
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Taxonomic_Procedures:
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Access_Constraints: None
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Use_Constraints:
- These data were collected using funding from the U.S. Government and can be used without additional permissions or fees. If you use these data in a publication, presentation, or other research product please use the following citation:
Hochhalter, Patricia A.; Simpson, Michael. 2024. Standardized vegetation cover data from mature forests on federal lands of Washington, Oregon, and California. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2024-0035
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Point_of_Contact:
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Contact_Information:
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Contact_Organization_Primary:
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Contact_Organization: USDA Forest Service, National Forest System, Pacific Northwest Region
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Contact_Person: Tom DeMeo
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Contact_Position: Regional Ecologist
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Contact_Address:
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Address_Type: mailing and physical
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Address: 1220 SW 3rd Ave.
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City: Portland
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State_or_Province: OR
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Postal_Code: 97204
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Country: USA
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Contact_Voice_Telephone: 503-808-2963
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Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address:
Thomas.DeMeo@usda.gov
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Contact Instructions: This contact information was current as of original publication date. For current information see Contact Us page on: https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS.
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Data_Set_Credit:
- These data were funded by the USDA Forest Service, National Forest System, Regions 5 and 6 (Pacific Southwest and Pacific Northwest Regions).
Author Information:
Patricia A. Hochhalter
USDA Forest Service, National Forest System, Pacific Northwest Region
https://orcid.org/0009-0007-4819-6873
Michael Simpson
USDA Forest Service, National Forest System, Pacific Northwest Region (retired)
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4054-0955
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Cross_Reference:
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Citation_Information:
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Originator: Simpson, Michael
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Originator: Kertis, Jane
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Originator: Acker, Steven A.
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Originator: Hochhalter, Patricia
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Originator: Bell, David M.
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Originator: Gregory, Matthew J.
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Originator: Nathanson, Amy
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Originator: DeMeo, Tom
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Publication_Date: Unknown
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Title:
Potential natural vegetation classification and mapping for Washington, Oregon, and California using gradient nearest neighbor imputation- Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: document
- Series_Information:
- Series_Name: General Technical Report
- Publication_Information:
- Publication_Place: Portland, OR
- Publisher: U.S. Department of Agriculture, USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station
- Other_Citation_Details:
- [In review]
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Data_Quality_Information:
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Attribute_Accuracy:
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Attribute_Accuracy_Report:
- Most of these data were collected prior to widespread availability of precise Global Positioning System (GPS) (pin pricks on an aerial photos, ‘dots’ on maps, eventually digitized), so locations may not be close enough to accurately re-locate the plot on the ground. Accordingly, environmental attributes extracted from rasters using the point locations may be inaccurate. This is a subset of a much larger, broader database that was not included in its entirety because location accuracy was deemed too low for the remaining, unused plots.
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Logical_Consistency_Report:
- Data were collated from separate Ecology Areas' vegetation databases into one combined database. All species codes were checked, to ensure consistency throughout the entire dataset, using the USDA PLANTS codes (2014 - 2018). Only plants identified to species are included in this database; subspecies were grouped into species and records only identified to genus were removed from this data publication.
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Completeness_Report:
- This data publication contains only vegetation cover data and coordinates for each of the plots with the best-known location data. Data from plots without, or with known inaccurate GPS locations, were excluded.
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Lineage:
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Methodology:
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Methodology_Type: Field
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Methodology_Description:
- The Ecology plots were not gridded or randomized but placed with as little pre-conceived bias as possible within relatively undisturbed, mature stands. Within each approximately 1/10 to 1/5-acre plot, some variable, some fixed-radius (depending on what area the data were collected in), the goal was to have vegetation composition, elevation, aspect, slope, as well as position on the slope, be consistent. Ecotones or other variations in the landscape were avoided if possible. Plot locations were selected to avoid disturbance, and tended toward fully stocked, mature to older stands. All vascular plant species (trees, shrubs, herbs, and grasses), as well as cover, were surveyed and documented over the entire plot, with percent cover estimated visually. Each Ecology Area (set of management units) devised its own protocols, and precise methods of data collection may vary across the study area. Cover may have been estimated for both overstory and understory, resulting in values greater than 100% for a single species per plot. For detailed plot data collection information, see the Methods Section in each individual Plant Association Guide (\Supplements\Citations_for_PlantAssociation_Guides.pdf, which includes complete citation information) related to the land management units of interest.
For more information, see Simpson et al. (in review).
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Methodology_Citation:
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Citation_Information:
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Originator: Simpson, Michael
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Originator: Kertis, Jane
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Originator: Acker, Steven A.
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Originator: Hochhalter, Patricia
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Originator: Bell, David M.
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Originator: Gregory, Matthew J.
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Originator: Nathanson, Amy
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Originator: DeMeo, Tom
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Publication_Date: Unknown
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Title:
Potential natural vegetation classification and mapping for Washington, Oregon, and California using gradient nearest neighbor imputation- Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: document
- Series_Information:
- Series_Name: General Technical Report
- Publication_Information:
- Publication_Place: Portland, OR
- Publisher: U.S. Department of Agriculture, USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station
- Other_Citation_Details:
- [In review]
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Process_Step:
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Process_Description:
- Data were input at the time of entry into individual databases for the formulation of the area Plant Association or Ecological Community Guides in the 1970s (maybe as far back as 1950) through the 1990s. A list of the Guides is included as a supplemental file to this data publication. The standardized data presented here were compiled from multiple individual databases, which may have used slightly different data collection protocols. Species names were standardized and checked for synonyms using the USDA Plants database (dates of last access 2014 - 2018). Only plots that were assessed to have suitably accurate GPS locations were included in these data. Each plot was assigned a unique Regional ID (Region, National Forest or other management unit, and plot number).
USDA, National Resources Conservation Service. 2023. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC USA. https://plants.usda.gov
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Process_Date: Unknown
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Spatial_Reference_Information:
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Horizontal_Coordinate_System_Definition:
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Geographic:
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Latitude_Resolution: 0.00000001
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Longitude_Resolution: 0.00000001
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Geographic_Coordinate_Units: Decimal Degrees
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Geodetic_Model:
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Horizontal_Datum_Name: World Geodetic System of 1984
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Ellipsoid_Name: World Geodetic System of 1984
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Semi-major_Axis: 6378137.0000
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Denominator_of_Flattening_Ratio: 298.25722210
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Entity_and_Attribute_Information:
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Overview_Description:
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Entity_and_Attribute_Overview:
- Below you will find a list and description of the files included in this data publication.
VARIABLE DESCRIPTION FILE (1)
1. _variable_descriptions.csv: Comma-separated values (CSV) file containing a list and description of variables found in all data and supplemental files. (A description of these variables is also provided in the metadata below.)
Columns include:
Filename = Name and path of file
Variable = Name of variable
Units = Units (if applicable)
Precision = Precision (if applicable)
Description = Description of variable
DATA FILES (3)
Data are provided in two formats: Microsoft Access Database (ACCDB) file and comma-separated values (CSV) files.
1. \Data\ACCDB\R5R6_VegCoverPlotData.accdb: ACCDB file containing two tables: PlotCoordinates, which contains location data for each plot; and VegCover, which contains vegetation cover data.
2. \Data\CSV\PlotCoordinates.csv: CSV file containing location data for each plot.
3. \Data\CSV\VegCover.csv: CSV file containing vegetation cover data.
Variables for PlotCoordinates data include:
REGIONALID = Regional ID number (8 digits in length and first three digits indicate location [Forest, BLM District, etc.] - for complete list see \Supplements\Prefixes_for_LandMgmtUnits.csv)
LAT = Latitude in WGS 1984 GCS (decimal degrees). Data collected prior to GPS; coordinates are best estimates exported from a GIS but may be off by tens of meters.
LON = Longitude in WGS 1984 GCS (decimal degrees). Data collected prior to GPS; coordinates are best estimates exported from a GIS but may be off by tens of meters.
Variables for VegCover data include:
REGIONALID = Regional ID number (8 digits in length and first three digits indicate location [Forest, BLM District, etc.] - for complete list see \Supplements\Prefixes_for_LandMgmtUnits.csv)
LFCODE = Lifeform: F = Forb, G = Graminoid, S = Shrub, T = Tree
SPPCODE = USDA NRCS PLANTS Database code (2014 - 2018) (identified to species)
SCIENTIFIC_NAME = USDA Plants Scientific Name tied to SPPCODE (2014 - 2018) (identified to species) (The PLANTS Database 2023)
COVER = Cover by species (typically recorded to the nearest 1%, or 0.5% for trace amounts; accurate to nearest 5%). Cover values may exceed 100% if the same species was present in both understory and overstory layers.
SUPPLEMENTAL FILES (2)
1. \Supplements\Citations_for_PlantAssociation_Guides.pdf: Portable Document Format (PDF) file containing citations for all of the Plant Association Guides, most of which use the data in this publication.
2. \Supplements\Prefixes_for_LandMgmtUnits.csv: CSV file containing three-digit numbers unique to location in Regional ID and the name of the related land management unit.
Variables for Prefixes_for_LandMgmtUnits include:
PREFIX = Three-digit number unique to location in Regional ID
UNIT_NAME = Name of National Forest, Bureau of Land Management district, or other ownership
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Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation:
- Simpson, Michael; Kertis, Jane; Acker, Steven A.; Hochhalter, Patricia; Bell, David M.; Gregory, Matthew J.; Nathanson, Amy; DeMeo, Tom. [In review]. Potential natural vegetation classification and mapping for Washington, Oregon, and California using gradient nearest neighbor imputation. General Technical Report. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station.
USDA, National Resources Conservation Service. 2023. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC USA. https://plants.usda.gov
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Distribution_Information:
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Distributor:
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Contact_Information:
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Contact_Organization_Primary:
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Contact_Organization: USDA Forest Service, Research and Development
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Contact_Position: Research Data Archivist
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Contact_Address:
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Address_Type: mailing and physical
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Address: 240 West Prospect Road
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City: Fort Collins
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State_or_Province: CO
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Postal_Code: 80526
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Country: USA
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Contact_Voice_Telephone: see Contact Instructions
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Contact Instructions: This contact information was current as of May 2024. For current information see Contact Us page on: https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS.
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Resource_Description: RDS-2024-0035
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Distribution_Liability:
- Metadata documents have been reviewed for accuracy and completeness. Unless otherwise stated, all data and related materials are considered to satisfy the quality standards relative to the purpose for which the data were collected. However, neither the author, the Archive, nor any part of the federal government can assure the reliability or suitability of these data for a particular purpose. The act of distribution shall not constitute any such warranty, and no responsibility is assumed for a user's application of these data or related materials.
The metadata, data, or related materials may be updated without notification. If a user believes errors are present in the metadata, data or related materials, please use the information in (1) Identification Information: Point of Contact, (2) Metadata Reference: Metadata Contact, or (3) Distribution Information: Distributor to notify the author or the Archive of the issues.
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Standard_Order_Process:
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Digital_Form:
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Digital_Transfer_Information:
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Format_Name: ACCDB
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Format_Version_Number: see Format Specification
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Format_Specification:
- Microsoft Access Database file
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Digital_Transfer_Option:
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Online_Option:
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Computer_Contact_Information:
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Network_Address:
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Network_Resource_Name:
https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2024-0035
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Digital_Form:
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Digital_Transfer_Information:
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Format_Name: CSV
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Format_Version_Number: see Format Specification
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Format_Specification:
- Comma-separated values file
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Digital_Transfer_Option:
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Online_Option:
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Computer_Contact_Information:
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Network_Address:
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Network_Resource_Name:
https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2024-0035
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Digital_Form:
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Digital_Transfer_Information:
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Format_Name: PDF
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Format_Version_Number: see Format Specification
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Format_Specification:
- Portable Document Format file
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Digital_Transfer_Option:
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Online_Option:
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Computer_Contact_Information:
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Network_Address:
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Network_Resource_Name:
https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2024-0035
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Fees: None
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Metadata_Reference_Information:
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Metadata_Date: 20240503
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Metadata_Contact:
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Contact_Information:
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Contact_Organization_Primary:
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Contact_Organization: USDA Forest Service, National Forest System, Pacific Northwest Region
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Contact_Person: Tom DeMeo
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Contact_Position: Regional Ecologist
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Contact_Address:
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Address_Type: mailing and physical
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Address: 1220 SW 3rd Ave.
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City: Portland
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State_or_Province: OR
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Postal_Code: 97204
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Country: USA
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Contact_Voice_Telephone: 503-808-2963
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Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address:
Thomas.DeMeo@usda.gov
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Contact Instructions: This contact information was current as of original publication date. For current information see Contact Us page on: https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS.
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Metadata_Standard_Name: FGDC Biological Data Profile of the Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata
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Metadata_Standard_Version: FGDC-STD-001.1-1999
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