Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area Vegetation Classification And
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National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Vegetation Classification and Mapping Project Report Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area Natural Resource Report NPS/GRYN/NRR—2015/1070 ON THE COVER Bighorn Canyon, Wyoming, Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area Photograph by: Dan Shryock Vegetation Classification and Mapping Project Report Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area Natural Resource Report NPS/GRYN/NRR—2015/1070 Joe Stevens Colorado Natural Heritage Program Colorado State University Fort Collins, CO 80523 David Jones and Jay Benner Center for Environmental Management of Military Lands Colorado State University Fort Collins, CO 80523 October 2015 U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Fort Collins, Colorado 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. Data in this report were collected and analyzed using methods based on established, peer-reviewed protocols and were analyzed and interpreted within the guidelines of the protocols. 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 Greater Yellowstone Network website (http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/units/gryn/) and the Natural Resource Publications Management website (http://www.nature.nps.gov/publications/nrpm/). To receive this report in a format optimized for screen readers, please email [email protected]. Please cite this publication as: Stevens, J. E., D. S. Jones, and K. J. Benner. 2015. Vegetation classification and mapping project report: Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area. Natural Resource Report NPS/GRYN/NRR— 2015/1070. National Park Service, Fort Collins, Colorado. NPS 617/130287, October 2015 ii Contents Page Figures.................................................................................................................................................... v Tables ................................................................................................................................................... vii List of Abbreviations and Acronyms .................................................................................................... ix Executive Summary .............................................................................................................................. xi Acknowledgments ................................................................................................................................ xv 1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 NPS Vegetation Mapping Inventory Program ................................................................... 1 1.2 Bighorn Canyon NRA Vegetation Mapping Project ......................................................... 1 1.2.1 The United States National Vegetation Classification (USNVC) and National Vegetation Classification Standard (NVCS) .................................................................. 3 1.2.2 Location and Administrative Setting .................................................................... 6 1.2.3 Physiographic Setting ........................................................................................... 6 1.2.4 Climate .................................................................................................................. 8 1.2.5 Geology ................................................................................................................ 9 1.2.6 Soils .................................................................................................................... 11 1.2.7 Hydrology and Water Resources ........................................................................ 11 1.2.8 Flora and Fauna .................................................................................................. 12 2 Vegetation Inventory and Classification ..................................................................................... 17 2.1 Methods ............................................................................................................................ 17 2.1.1 Planning and Scoping ......................................................................................... 17 2.1.2 Sample Design .................................................................................................... 19 2.1.3 Vegetation Data Collection ................................................................................ 22 2.1.4 Vegetation Classification .................................................................................... 25 2.2 Results .............................................................................................................................. 28 2.2.1 Vegetation Data Collection ................................................................................ 28 2.2.2 Vegetation Classification .................................................................................... 28 2.2.3 Photographic Database Results .......................................................................... 34 3 Vegetation Mapping .................................................................................................................... 35 3.1 Methods ............................................................................................................................ 35 3.1.1 Map Specifications ............................................................................................. 35 3.1.2 Imagery Acquisition and Data Management ...................................................... 35 3.1.3 Legacy Data ........................................................................................................ 36 iii Contents (continued) Page 3.1.4 Map Classes and Mapping Model ...................................................................... 38 3.1.5 Imagery Interpretation ........................................................................................ 39 3.1.6 Validation of Map Thematic Accuracy .............................................................. 40 3.1.7 Interpretation Challenges .................................................................................... 40 3.2 Results .............................................................................................................................. 44 3.2.1 Map Classes ........................................................................................................ 44 3.2.2 Summary Statistics ............................................................................................. 45 3.2.3 Map Layer Development .................................................................................... 51 4 Accuracy Assessment .................................................................................................................. 53 4.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 53 4.2 Methods ............................................................................................................................ 53 4.2.1 Sample Design .................................................................................................... 53 4.2.2 Field AA Data Collection ................................................................................... 55 4.2.3 Data Quality Control .......................................................................................... 57 4.2.4 Accuracy Assessment Data Analysis.................................................................. 57 4.2.5 Map Class Aggregation ...................................................................................... 59 4.3 Results .............................................................................................................................. 60 4.3.1 Accuracy Assessment Field Data Collection ...................................................... 60 4.3.2 Accuracy Assessment Data Analysis.................................................................. 60 4.3.3 Map Class Aggregation .....................................................................................