Metadata for Generalized Intertidal Vegetation Inventory 1995, Whatcom
County Area, Washington
(iveg95vc.*)
Table of Contents
Identification_Information
Abstract
Purpose
Supplemental Information
Data_Quality_Information
Spatial_Data_Organization_Information
Spatial_Reference_Information
Entity_and_Attribute_Information
Detailed Description
Overview
Distribution_Information
Metadata_Reference_Section
Identification_Information
Citation_Information
Originator: Nearshore Habitat Program, Washington State
Department of Natural Resources, Aquatic Resources Division.
Publication_Date: 19970630
Title: Intertidal Vegetation Inventory 1995, Whatcom
County Area, WA.
Description
Abstract
Dataset consists of a polygon coverage repesenting eight
intertidal vegetation types, classified according to Nearshore
Habitat Program's vegetation mapping procedures. Dataset was
generalized from a more detailed raster dataset. Includes
information on vegetation type, location and areal extent.
Purpose
To provide resource managers, planners and other decision-makers
with information about intertidal vegetation. The data were
collected as part of the Nearshore Habitat Program's mandate to
map the abundance and distribution of nearshore habitats in the
Puget Sound for the Puget Sound Ambient Monitoring Program
(PSAMP).
Supplemental_Information
(1) Washington State is divided into two State Plane zones,
north and south. The data set's coordinate values are reported
in Washington State Plane south.
(2) Imagery was acquired during periods of maximum intertidal
exposure (0 -- mean lower low water or below in most areas), and
times when sun angle would reduce sun glint.
(3) This dataset was generalized from the raster Intertidal
Vegetation Inventory 1995. The purpose of generalization was to
provide a vector-based version of the dataset with a manageable
file size.
(4) For overview of source dataset see metadata for Intertidal
Vegetation Inventory 1995, Whatcom County Area, Washington.
(5) Detailed documentation of methods used to create the
nearshore vegetation data set can be found in Berry & Ritter (1997).
Revisions 1.0.0
References_Cited
Berry, H.D. and R.A. Ritter. 1997. Puget Sound Intertidal Habitat
Inventory 1995: Vegetation and Shoreline Characteristics
Classification Methods. Washington State Department of Natural
Resources, Aquatic Resources Division.
Borstad, G. (1996). The Nearshore Habitat Inventory Project Task
7: Project Summary Memorandum. Unpublished report prepared by
Borstad Associates Ltd. for Washington State Department of
Natural Resources, Aquatic Resources Division, Olympia,
WA-USA.
Time_Period_of_Content
Range_of_Dates/Times
Beginning_Date: 19950712
Ending_Date: 19950813
Currentness_Reference Publication Date
Status
Progress: complete
Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency
The dataset represents environmental features at one instance in
time. Therefore, updates to the environmental features in the
dataset are not planned. New coverages will be created to
reflect environmental conditions at a different time period.
Updates to correct classification errors will be completed as
needed.
Spatial_Domain
Bounding_Coordinates
West_Bounding_Coordinate: -122.79642301
East_Bounding_Coordinate: -122.47676789
North_Bounding_Coordinate: 48.91402362
South_Bounding_Coordinate: 48.63660369
Keywords
Theme
Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: None
Theme_Keyword: habitat, nearshore vegetation, wetland,
multispectral imagery, intertidal, eelgrass, kelp, algae,
salt marsh, spit / berm vegetation
Place
Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: None
Place_Keyword: Whatcom County Area, Washington, USA, Puget
Sound
Stratum
Stratum_Keyword_Thesaurus: None
Stratum_Keyword:
Temporal
Temporal_Keyword_Thesaurus: None
Temporal_Keyword: July 1995, August 1995
Access_Constraints: None
Use_Constraints
(1) Other classification systems and regulatory programs may define
and describe nearshore or intertidal vegetation in a different
manner than that used in this inventory.
(2) This dataset was created for use at 1:24,000 scale or smaller.
(3) This information was developed for regional analysis and
planning, not for site-specific planning purposes.
(4) Features reflect environmental conditions in nearshore
vegetation conditions at a point in time (July 12, 1995 or August
13, 1995).
(5) Do not copy, modify, or distribute the dataset.
(6) While efforts have been made to ensure these data are accurate
and reliable, Washington State Department of Natural Resources
cannot assume liability for any damages, or misrepresentations,
caused by any inaccuracies in the data. Washington State
Department of Natural Resources makes no warranty, expressed or
implied, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a
warranty.
Point_of_Contact
Contact_Information
Contact_Organization_Primary: Nearshore Habitat Program,
Washington State Department of Natural Resources, Aquatic
Resources Division
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: mailing address
Address: PO Box 47027
City: Olympia
State_or_Province: Washington
Postal_Code: 98504-7027
Country: USA
Contact_Voice_Telephone: (360) 902-1100
Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: (360) 902-1786
Data_Set_Credit
Washington State Department of Natural Resources, Aquatic Resources
Division, Nearshore Habitat Program; Puget Sound Ambient Monitoring
Program.
Security_Information
Security_Classification_System: None
Security_Classification: Unclassified
Security_Handling_Description: None
Native_Data_Set_Environment: Solaris 2.5 UNIX, ARC/INFO version 7.1.1
Data_Quality_Information
Attribute_Accuracy
Attribute_Accuracy_Report:
A classification accuracy assessment by vegetation type was
performed. When field reference data were in hard copy form,
marine scientists used plots to evaluate the land cover type
accuracy; digital field sites were overlaid onto the classified
file and evaluated on screen. Overall accuracy was 72.1%. See
Berry & Ritter (1997) for producers accuracy, users accuracy and
other information.
Quantitative_Attribute_Accuracy_Assessment
Attribute_Accuracy_Value:
Attribute_Accuracy_Explanation:
Logical_Consistency_Report:
Polygon topology present. Data set was reviewed and determined to
have a valid range of values.
Completeness_Report
Sites that have a total vegetation cover greater than 25 percent
are mapped as a vegetation type. All nearshore vegetation areas
were mapped into one of eight types.
Positional_Accuracy
Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy
Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy_Report:
Quantitative_Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy_Assessment:
Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy_Value: +/-40 feet for most
areas at original resolution.
Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy_Explanation:
Root mean square error calculated in conjunction with
rectfication transformation.
Vertical_Positional_Accuracy
Vertical_Positional_Accuracy_Report: Not determined.
Lineage:
Source_Information
Source_Citation
Citation_Information
Originator: Washington State Department of Natural
Resources, Aquatic Resources Divison, Nearshore Habitat
Program
Publication_Date: none
Title: Intertidal Vegetation Inventory 1995, Whatcom County
Area, Washington
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: remote-sensing image
Source_Scale_Denominator: 0
Type_of_Source_Media: 8 mm magnetic tape
Source_Time_Period_of_Content
Time_Period_Information
Single_Date/Time
Calendar_Date: 19950712, 19950813
Source_Currentness_Reference: source imagery date
Source_Citation_Abbreviation:
Source_Contribution:
The nearshore vegetation inventory was the primary dataset
used to produce the generalized vector intertidal
vegetation inventory. The following steps were used:
boundary smoothing, vector conversion, elimination of
polygons smaller than approximately 690 square feet, and
buffering of spit/berm vegetation types. See Process Steps
and Berry & Ritter (1997) for more information.
Source_Information
Source_Citation
Citation_Information
Originator: G.A. Borstad and Associates Ltd. under
contract to Washington State Department of Natural
Resources, Aquatic Resources Divison, Nearshore Habitat
Program
Publication_Date: none
Title: 1995 Compact Airborne Spectographic Imager, Nearshore
Airborne Multispectral Imagery, Whatcom County Area
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: remote-sensing image
Source_Scale_Denominator: 0
Type_of_Source_Media: 8 mm magnetic tape
Source_Time_Period_of_Content
Time_Period_Information
Single_Date/Time
Calendar_Date: 199507, 199508
Source_Currentness_Reference: source imagery date
Source_Citation_Abbreviation:
Source_Contribution: Airborne multispectral imagery was used
as the primary data set for the nearshore vegetation
inventory.
Source_Information
Source_Citation
Citation_Information
Originator: Sound Aerial Surveys under contract to
Washington State Department of Natural Resources,
Aquatic Resources Divison, Nearshore Habitat Program
Publication_Date: None
Title: 1995 Nearshore Habitat Low Tide Color Infrared Aerial
Photography
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: remote-sensing image
Source_Scale_Denominator: 11,000
Type_of_Source_Media: color infrared transparency(9" x 9")
Source_Time_Period_of_Content
Time_Period_Information
Single_Date/Time
Calendar_Date: 19950712, 19950813
Source_Currentness_Reference: source photography date
Source_Citation_Abbreviation:
Source_Contribution: Color infrared aerial photography,
acquired simulataneously with the multispectral imagery,
was an ancillary data set in developing the nearshore
vegetation inventory.
Source_Information
Source_Citation
Citation_Information
Originator: Washington State Department of Natural
Resources, Aquatic Resources Divison, Nearshore Habitat
Program
Publication_Date: None
Title: 1995 Nearshore Habitat Program Field Surveys
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: ground based
Source_Scale_Denominator: 13,000 and 11,000
Type_of_Source_Media: annotation on color infrared contact
print; annotation on imagery plots; GPS-located,
differentially-corrected field sites and associated
forms.
Source_Time_Period_of_Content
Time_Period_Information
Single_Date/Time
Calendar_Date: 1995
Source_Currentness_Reference: source information date
Source_Citation_Abbreviation:
Source_Contribution: Aerial photography and imagery (map scale
from 1:11,000-1:13,000) used as base to record field data
(spatial and attribute information). Information was used
to guide nerashore vegetation classification or as a
classification accuracy assessment site.
Process Steps:
Process Description
The Raster dataset was generalized and converted to vector format
in order to: be used with the standard DNR vector-based
cartographic production, to provide information for systems with
limited Raster manipulation capabilities, and to reduce the number
of features and arcs in the coverage to a manageable number for
common computer system configurations. The objective was to
simplify the coverage while maintaining the salient characteristics
of vegetation features at an appropriate scale.
The following steps were applied: (1) Mosaic blocks were joined
into a single grid file for the study area, and then separated by
vegetation type for generalization.
(2) An ArcInfo GRID (ESRI,Redlands, California) focal filter
function was used to smooth feature boundaries. Smoothed grids for
each vegetation type were then recombined according to a
hierarchy, so that in cases where a pixel was assigned multiple
vegetation values, the higher priority vegetation type was
retained. The assignment hierarchy was based on the relative
significance of vegetation types in management and environmental
decision making: eelgrass (highest), kelp, salt marsh, spit berm,
mixed algae, brown algae, green algae (lowest). The recombined
grid was then converted into a polygon coverage.
(3) Features with an area equal to four or fewer pixels
(approximately 690 square feet) were eliminated. The elimination
decreased the total number of features by two-thirds, while
changing the total acreage by less than 5 percent. In determining
the size of features to eliminate, the effect of elimination on
visual appearance turned out to be more important than the effect
on total vegetation acreage because the size distribution of
vegetation features was skewed. As a result, the visual appearance
of the coverage could change markedly without a corresponding
change in acreage. The narrow, linear vegetation features areas
were most affected by area elimination thresholds. They were
evaluated at 1:12,000 scale to decide which elimination threshold
best maintained feature representation.
Note: Detailed documentation of methods used to create the nearshore
vegetation dataset can be found in Berry & Ritter (1997)
Spatial_Data_Organization_Information
Direct_Spatial_Reference_Method: Vector
Point_and_Vector_Object_Information
SDTS_Terms_Description
SDTS_Point_and_Vector_Object_Type: Point
Point_and_Vector_Object_Count: 3133
SDTS_Point_and_Vector_Object_Type: String
Point_and_Vector_Object_Count: 7390
SDTS_Point_and_Vector_Object_Type: GT-polygon composed of
chains'
Point_and_Vector_Object_Count: 3133
Spatial_Reference_Information
Horizontal_Coordinate_System_Definition
Planar
Grid_Coordinate_System
Grid_Coordinate_System_Name: State_Plane_Coordinate_System
Zone_Number: 5626 (U.S. Geological Survey Code)
Planar_Distance_Units: feet
Geodetic Model
Horizontal_Datum_Name: North American Datum of 1927
Ellipsoid_Name: Clarke 1866
Semi-major_Axis: 6,378,206.4
Denominator_of_Flattening: 294.98
Entity_and_Attribute_Information
Detailed_Description
Entity_Type
Entity_Type_Label: Polygon attributes (IVEG95VC.PAT, IVEG95vc.*)
Entity_Type_Definition: Polygon attribute table containing
intertidal vegetation inventory for Whatcom County Area,
classified according to the Nearshore Habitat Program's eight
nearshore vegetation types.
Entity_Type_Definition_Source: Nearshore Habitat Program. Mumford
et al (1992) and Berry & Ritter (1997).
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: AREA
Attribute_Definition: Area of poly/region in square coverage
units
Attribute_Definition_Source: Computed
Attribute_Domain_Values
Enumerated_Domain
Enumerated_Domain_Value: Positive real numbers
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source:
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: PERIMETER
Attribute_Definition: Perimeter of poly/region in coverage
units
Attribute_Definition_Source: Computed
Attribute_Domain_Values
Enumerated_Domain
Enumerated_Domain_Value: Positive real numbers
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source:
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: IVEG95VC#
Attribute_Definition: Internal feature number
Attribute_Definition_Source: Computed
Attribute_Domain_Values
Enumerated_Domain
Enumerated_Domain_Value: Sequential unique positive
integer
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source:
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: IVEG95VC-ID
Attribute_Definition: User-defined
Attribute_Definition_Source: User-defined
Attribute_Domain_Values
Enumerated_Domain
Enumerated_Domain_Value: Integer
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source:
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: GRID-CODE
Attribute_Definition: numeric value representing nearshore
vegetation type classification
Attribute_Definition_Source: Nearshore Habitat Program
multispectral image classification, guided by field data
collection on vegetation type.
Attribute_Domain_Values
Enumerated_Domain
Enumerated_Domain_Value:
1 = brown algae
2 = green algae
3 = mixed algae
4 = red algae
5 = eelgrass
6 = kelp
7 = salt marsh
8 = spit / berm vegetation
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition
Brown Algae - Algae belonging to the taxonomic
group Division Phaeophyta. Some common
representatives in Puget Sound include rockweed
(Fucus spp.) and Sargassum muticum.
Kelp - Large brown algae in the taxonomic group
Order Laminariales. Some common representatives
in Puget Sound include floating kelp
(Nereocystis luetkeana) and understory kelp
(Laminaria spp.). Because of its recognized
ecological function and management importance,
kelp is distinguished from other brown algae
when it makes up greater than 75% of the
vegetated cover.
Eelgrass - The vascular plants Zostera marina, and
Zostera japonica. Eelgrass beds are recognized
as critical habitat in the life cycles of many
fishes, invertebrates and birds.
Green Algae - Algae belonging to taxonomic group
Division Chlorophyta. A common representative in
Puget Sound region is sea lettuce (Ulva spp.).
Red Algae - Algae belonging to taxonomic group
Division Rhodophyta. A common representative in
Puget Sound region is nori (Porphyra spp.).
Areas dominated by red algae and large enough to
map at this resolution rarely occur in the
summer in the intertidal zone of Puget Sound.
Mixed Algae - Areas in which red, green, or brown
algae coexist, but no single type occupies more
than 75% of the vegetated cover.
Salt Marsh - Salt-tolerant, emergent wetland plants
such as pickleweed (Salicornia virginica),
saltgrass (Distichlis spicata), and sedge (Carex
lyngbyei). Freshwater marsh areas were not
included in the inventory.
Spit and Berm Communities - Areas dominantly
covered with plants such as dune grass (Elymus
mollis), gumweed (Grindelia integrifolia), and
yarrow (Achillea millefolium), which generally
occur above the highest tides but still receive
salt influence. The substrate is usually sand or
gravel, and drift logs commonly accumulate.
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Nearshore
Habitat Program, Berry & Ritter (1997)
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: IVEG_CD
Attribute_Definition: User-defined
Attribute_Definition_Source: See information on Attribute
GRID_CODE
Attribute_Domain_Values
Enumerated_Domain
Enumerated_Domain_Value:
bro = brown algae
eel = eelgrass
gre = gree algae
kel = kelp
mix = mixed algae
red = red algae
msh = salt marsh
spb = spit / berm vegetation
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition See information on
Attribute GRID_CODE
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Nearshore
Habitat Program, Berry & Ritter (1997)
Related_Spatial_and_Tabular_Data_Sets
The Intertidal Vegetation Inventory attribute codes can be related
to classification categories using the IVEG_CD table. The following
fields are included:
IVEG_NAME: description of vegetation type
VALUE: numeric code identifying vegetation type classification
GRID-CODE: numeric code field created by ARC/INFO identifying
vegetation type classification (same as VALUE
attribute)
IVEG_CD: three letter code identifying vegetation type
classification.
Overview_Description
Entity_and_Attribute_Overview
This layer delineates nearshore vegetation types in the Whatcom
County Area. Vegetation types are classified according to the
Nearshore Habitat Program's vegetation mapping procedures.
Descriptive attributes include vegetation type (identified by
numeric and alphabetic attributes), and feature measurements
(length, area, perimeter). This dataset was generalized from the
raster Intertidal Vegetation Inventory.
Distribution_Information
Distributor
Contact_Organization_Primary
Contact_Organization: Nearshore Habitat Program, Washington
State Department of Natural Resources,Aquatic Resources
Division
Contact_Address
Address_Type: mailing address
Address: PO Box 47027
City: Olympia
State_or_Province: Washington
Postal_Code: 98504-7027
Country: USA
Contact_Voice_Telephone: (360) 902-1100
Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: (360) 902-1786
Resource_Description:
This dataset is part of the Intertidal Habitat Inventory 1995,
Whatcom County Area,WA on CDROM.
Standard_Order_Process
Digital_Form
Digital_Transfer_Information
Format_Name: ARC/INFO export file (iveg95vc.e00)
and shapefile (iveg95vc.dbf, iveg95vc.shp, iveg95vc.shx)
Format_version_number: ARC/INFO 7.1.1
Format_specifications:
Digital_Transfer_Option
Offline_Option
Offline_Media: CDROM
Recording_Format ISO 9660
Compatibility_Information: ISO 9660 format allows the
CDROM contents to be accessible to any computer on most
operating systems.
Fees: None
Metadata_Reference_Section
Metadata_Date: 19970603
Metadata_Contact:
Metadata_Standard_Name: FGDC Content Standards for Digital Geospatial
Metadata
Metadata_Standard_Version: 19940608
Metadata_Time_Convention: Local Time
Metadata_Security_Information:
Metadata_Security_Classification_System: None
Metadata_Security_Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Metadata_Security_Handling_Description: None
Last modified: 97-06-11