(Region 2), Everglades National Park
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Natural Resource Stewardship and Science The Everglades National Park and Big Cypress National Preserve Vegetation Mapping Project Interim Report–Southeast Saline Everglades (Region 2), Everglades National Park Natural Resource Report NPS/SFCN/NRR—2017/1494 ON THE COVER Photograph of southern Taylor Slough, Everglades National Park, taken by Pablo L. Ruiz on 19 June 2015. The Everglades National Park and Big Cypress National Preserve Vegetation Mapping Project Interim Report–Southeast Saline Everglades (Region 2), Everglades National Park Natural Resource Report NPS/SFCN/NRR—2017/1494 Pablo L. Ruiz,1 Helena C. Giannini,1 Michelle C. Prats,1 Craig P. Perry,1 Michael A. Foguer,1 Alejandro Arteaga Garcia,2 Robert B. Shamblin,1 Kevin R. T. Whelan,1 Mary-Joe Hernandez2 1South Florida Caribbean Network Inventory and Monitoring Program 18001 Old Cutler Road, Suite 419 Palmetto Bay, Florida 33157 2Florida International University 11200 SW 8th Street Miami, Florida 33199 August 2017 U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Fort Collins, Colorado i The National Park Service, Natural Resource Stewardship and Science office in Fort Collins, Colorado, publishes a range of reports that address natural resource topics. These reports are of interest and applicability to a broad audience in the National Park Service and others in natural resource management, including scientists, conservation and environmental constituencies, and the public. The Natural Resource Report Series is used to disseminate comprehensive information and analysis about natural resources and related topics concerning lands managed by the National Park Service. The series supports the advancement of science, informed decision-making, and the achievement of the National Park Service mission. The series also provides a forum for presenting more lengthy results that may not be accepted by publications with page limitations. All manuscripts in the series receive the appropriate level of peer review to ensure that the information is scientifically credible, technically accurate, appropriately written for the intended audience, and designed and published in a professional manner. This document was peer reviewed by three subject-matter experts who were not directly involved in the collection, analysis, or reporting of the data. Views, statements, findings, conclusions, recommendations, and data in this report do not necessarily reflect views and policies of the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use by the U.S. Government. This report is available in digital format from the South Florida Caribbean Network website, and the Natural Resource Publications Management website. To receive this report in a format that is optimized to be accessible using screen readers for the visually or cognitively impaired, please email [email protected]. Please cite this publication as: Ruiz, P. L., H. C. Giannini, M. C. Prats, C. P. Perry, M. A. Foguer, A. Arteaga Garcia, R. B. Shamblin, K. R. T. Whelan, and M. Hernandez. 2017. The Everglades National Park and Big Cypress National Preserve Vegetation Mapping Project: Interim report–Southeast Saline Everglades (Region 2), Everglades National Park. Natural Resource Report NPS/SFCN/NRR—2017/1494. National Park Service, Fort Collins, Colorado. NPS 160/139646, 176/139646, August 2017 ii Contents Page Figures................................................................................................................................................... vi Tables ................................................................................................................................................... vii Appendices ............................................................................................................................................. x Acronyms and Abbreviations................................................................................................................ xi Contributors ......................................................................................................................................... xii Summary .............................................................................................................................................xiii Acknowledgments ................................................................................................................................ xv Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 1 Everglades National Park & Big Cypress National Preserve Vegetation Mapping Project ............................................................................................................................................. 1 Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan ................................................................................. 3 The National Park Service Vegetation Mapping Inventory Program ............................................. 3 Everglades National Park and Big Cypress National Preserve ...................................................... 4 Everglades National Park .......................................................................................................... 4 Big Cypress National Preserve .................................................................................................. 4 Methods .................................................................................................................................................. 6 Study Area ...................................................................................................................................... 6 Imagery ........................................................................................................................................... 9 Photo-interpretation ...................................................................................................................... 10 Photogrammetric Workstation ................................................................................................. 11 Vegetation Map ....................................................................................................................... 13 Vegetation Data Collection .......................................................................................................... 13 Vegetation Classification System ................................................................................................. 16 Quality Assurance and Accuracy Assessment ............................................................................. 17 Aerial Photo Interpretation Key .............................................................................................. 18 Photo-interpreter Assessment .................................................................................................. 18 QA/QC of Mapped Products ................................................................................................... 18 Accuracy Assessment .............................................................................................................. 18 Results .................................................................................................................................................. 21 iii Contents Page Vegetation..................................................................................................................................... 21 Fire and Windstorm ...................................................................................................................... 29 Accuracy Assessment ................................................................................................................... 30 Discussion ............................................................................................................................................ 33 Vegetation..................................................................................................................................... 33 Marl Prairie .............................................................................................................................. 33 Freshwater Marsh and Cypress Scrub ..................................................................................... 33 Red Mangrove-Sawgrass Marsh .............................................................................................. 36 Red Mangrove-Open Marsh, the “White Zone” ...................................................................... 37 Red Mangrove-Gulf Coast Spikerush Marsh .......................................................................... 38 Gulf Coast Spikerush Marsh ................................................................................................... 39 Transitional Shrubland ............................................................................................................ 40 Buttonwood-Red Mangrove Shrubland ................................................................................... 42 Mangrove Forest, Coastal Hammock, and Salt Marsh ............................................................ 44 Accuracy Assessment ................................................................................................................... 49 Conclusion ..........................................................................................................................................