National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Vegetation Classification and Mapping Niobrara National Scenic River Natural Resource Report NPS/NIOB/NRR—2019/2040 ON THIS PAGE Herd of bison on The Niobrara Preserve (Matt Ley, CEMML) ON THE COVER Niobrara River near Norden Bridge (Tom Baldvins, CNHP) Vegetation Classification and Mapping Niobrara National Scenic River Natural Resource Report NPS/NIOB/NRR—2019/2040 1 2 1 2 2 Tom Baldvins , Matt Ley , Joe Stevens , David Jones , Hannah Pilkington 1Colorado Natural Heritage Program Warner College of Natural Resources Colorado State University Fort Collins, Colorado 2Center for Environmental Management of Military Lands Warner College of Natural Resources Colorado State University Fort Collins, Colorado November 2019 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 Natural Resource Publications Management website. If you have difficulty accessing information in this publication, particularly if using assistive technology, please email [email protected].. Please cite this publication as: Baldvins, T., M. Ley, J. Stevens, D. Jones, and H. Pilkington. 2019. Vegetation classification and mapping project: Niobrara National Scenic River. Natural Resource Report NPS/NIOB/NRR— 2019/2040. National Park Service, Fort Collins, Colorado. NPS 656/165508, November 2019 ii Contents Page Figures ................................................................................................................................................... iv Tables ..................................................................................................................................................... v Appendices ............................................................................................................................................ vi Executive Summary ............................................................................................................................. vii Acknowledgments .................................................................................................................................. x 1.1. NPS Vegetation Mapping Inventory Program ........................................................................ 1 1.2. The United States National Vegetation Classification (USNVC) and National Vegetation Classification Standard (NVCS) .................................................................................. 2 1.3. Niobrara National Scenic River Vegetation Inventory and Mapping Project ......................... 7 1.3.1. Location and Administrative Setting ............................................................................... 7 1.3.2. Physiographic Setting ...................................................................................................... 9 1.3.3. Climate .......................................................................................................................... 11 1.3.4. Geology ......................................................................................................................... 11 1.3.5. Soils ............................................................................................................................... 11 1.3.6. Hydrology and Water Resources ................................................................................... 12 1.3.7. Flora and Fauna ............................................................................................................. 12 2.1. Methods ................................................................................................................................. 15 2.1.1. Legacy Data ................................................................................................................... 15 2.1.2. Sample Design ............................................................................................................... 16 2.1.3. Vegetation Data Collection ........................................................................................... 20 2.1.4. Plot Sampling ................................................................................................................ 20 2.1.5. Vegetation Classification ............................................................................................... 23 2.2. Results ................................................................................................................................... 25 2.2.1. Vegetation Data Collection ........................................................................................... 25 2.2.2. Vegetation Classification ............................................................................................... 27 2.2.3. Photographic Database Results ..................................................................................... 30 i Contents (continued) Page 3.1. Methods ................................................................................................................................. 31 3.1.1. Map Specifications ........................................................................................................ 31 3.1.2. Imagery Acquisition and Data Management ................................................................. 31 3.1.3. Legacy Data ................................................................................................................... 32 3.1.4. Map Classes and Mapping Model ................................................................................. 32 3.1.5. Imagery Interpretation ................................................................................................... 33 3.1.6. Validation of Map Thematic Accuracy ......................................................................... 34 3.1.7. Interpretation Challenges ............................................................................................... 35 3.2. Results ................................................................................................................................... 38 3.2.1. Map Classes ................................................................................................................... 38 3.2.2. Summary Statistics ........................................................................................................ 42 3.2.3. Herbaceous Vegetation .................................................................................................. 46 3.2.4. Shrublands ..................................................................................................................... 47 3.2.5. Woodland and Forest ..................................................................................................... 47 3.2.6. Sparse Vegetation .......................................................................................................... 47 3.2.7. Map Class Layer Development ..................................................................................... 48 4.1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 49 4.2. Methods ................................................................................................................................. 49 4.2.1. Sample Design ............................................................................................................... 49 4.2.2. Field AA Data Collection .............................................................................................. 51 4.2.3. Data Quality Control ..................................................................................................... 54 4.2.4. Accuracy Assessment Data Analysis ............................................................................ 54 4.2.5. Map Class Aggregation