Geospatial data for the Vegetation Mapping Inventory Project of Morristown National Historical Park

The files linked to this reference are the geospatial data created as part of the completion of the baseline vegetation inventory project for the NPS park unit. Current format is ArcGIS file geodatabase but older formats may exist as shapefiles.

The vegetation classification and mapping processes were conducted essentially in tandem. Mappers and ecologists conferred to review the list of potential associations, as well as the appropriate scale for mapping. Photos were viewed in stereo and preliminary polygon boundaries were delineated with a .30-mm rapidograph pen on polypropylene sleeves placed over the aerial photos. Preliminary polygons were classified and labeled with their appropriate USNVC association using the aerial photograph interpretation key and USNVC descriptions, and by conferring with NatureServe ecologists. The initial line work was also used to determine a sampling scheme for plot and observation data collection, and the USNVC association list resulting from the field work was used to aid polygon classification.

Once delineations were groundtruthed and rectified, USNVC association-level polygon line work was transferred to GIS shapefiles via onscreen digitizing in ArcView v.3.2a (ESRI 1992–2000). USNVC association and Anderson Level II (modified) land use names and codes were added to the attribute table of the vegetation shapefile. A separate wetland map for the park was created from the vegetation map polygons belonging to the Saturated Cold-deciduous Forest and Saturated Temperate Perennial Forb Vegetation formations.