2001 Louisiana Coastal Marsh Vegetative Type Transect Point Database

Metadata:

• Identification_Information
• Data_Quality_Information
• Spatial_Data_Organization_Information
• Spatial_Reference_Information
• Entity_and_Attribute_Information
• Distribution_Information
• Metadata_Reference_Information

Identification_Information:

Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator:

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF), Fur and Refuge Division, and the U.S. Geological Survey, Biological Resources Division National Wetlands Research Center (NWRC).

Publication_Date: 200106

Title:

2001 Louisiana Coastal Marsh Vegetative Type Transect Point Database

Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: Database

Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: Lafayette, Louisiana, US

Publisher:

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Fur and Refuge Division, and the U.S. Geological Survey National Wetlands Research Center.

Description:

Abstract:

This data set contains vector point information. The orignal data set was collected through visual field observation by Greg Linscombe of LDWF and Robert H. Chabreck of LSU Agricultural Center. The observations were made while flying over the study areas (Louisiana Coastal Zone) in a Bell 206 Jet Ranger helicopter. Flight was along north/south transects spaced 1.87 miles apart from the Texas state line to the Mississippi state line. Vegetative data was obtained at pre-determined stations spaced at 0.5 miles along each transect. The stations were located using a Trimble Ag 122 Global Positioning system (GPS) and a computer running GPSView by Geowarehouse. This information was recorded manually into field tally sheets and later was entered into a Microsoft Access Database. At this point, this information was brought into a GIS application by converting the file to database format (dbf). A GIS software application was utilized to generate the points along the transect routes. The flight line data was used as a guide to generate the points along the transect routes. The data points produced were used as a guide for the production of marsh type delineation lines. The new data set resulted in a point coverage containing vegetative marsh type attributes along transect flight lines. Coverage is of the coastal region of the State of Louisiana.

Purpose:

To update the Louisiana Coastal Marsh Vegetative Type Map of 1997, 1988, 1978, 1968 and 1949.

Time_Period_of_Content:

Time_Period_Information:

Range_of_Dates/Times:

Beginning_Date: 20010621

Ending_Date: 20010624

Currentness_Reference:

Date of source data (actual date that the data was collected in the field).

Status:

Progress: Complete

Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency: No current plans for updating the data.

Spatial_Domain:

Bounding_Coordinates:

West_Bounding_Coordinate: -93.892

East_Bounding_Coordinate: -88.962

North_Bounding_Coordinate: 30.447

South_Bounding_Coordinate: 28.910

Keywords:

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: None

Theme_Keyword: Coastal

Theme_Keyword: Marsh

Theme_Keyword: Vegetation

Theme_Keyword: Flight lines

Theme_Keyword: Transect

Theme_Keyword: Points

Theme_Keyword: Ecological characterization

Place:

Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: None

Place_Keyword: Coastal Louisiana

Place_Keyword: Louisiana Coastal Zone

Place_Keyword: Louisiana

Temporal:

Temporal_Keyword_Thesaurus: None

Temporal_Keyword: 2001

Access_Constraints:

It is strongly recommended that this data is directly acquired from the distributor described above or from another USGS Biological Resources Division server and not indirectly through other sources which may have changed the data in some way. The distributor makes no claims as to the data's suitability for other purposes.

Use_Constraints:

Acknowledgement of the U.S. Geological Survey, National Wetlands Research Center and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries as a data source would be appreciated in products developed from these data, and such acknowledgment as is standard for citation and legal practices for data source is expected by users of this data. Sharing new data layers developed directly from these data would also be appreciated by U.S. Geological Survey, National Wetlands Research Center staff. Users should be aware that comparison with other data sets for the same area from other time periods may be inaccurate due to inconsistencies resulting from changes in mapping conventions, data collection, and computer processes over time. The distributor shall not be liable for improper or incorrect use of this data, based on the description of appropriate/inappropriate uses described in this metadata document. These data are not legal documents and are not to be used as such.

Point_of_Contact:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Organization_Primary:

Contact_Organization:

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Fur and Refuge Division

Contact_Person: Greg Linscombe

Contact_Position: Biologist

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: Mailing and Physical Address

Address: 2415 Darnall Road

City: New Iberia

State_or_Province: LA

Postal_Code: 70560

Country: USA

Contact_Voice_Telephone: 337 373-0032

Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 337 373-0181

Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: linscombe_rg@wlf.state.la.us

Data_Set_Credit:

The U.S. Geological Survey, National Wetlands Research Center acknowledges the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries for use of raw (vegetative marsh study) data collected by Robert H. Chabreck and Greg Linscombe along flight lines over the coastal zone region.

Native_Data_Set_Environment:

The data set, existing in a Microsoft Access database, was converted to database format (dbf) and brought into a GIS application. The marsh type delineation points (along transect routes) were compiled and produced utilizing the fishnet command in Arc/Info. The transect point data (containing attributes) was used as a guide for marsh type delineation. The new data set consists of a point coverage containing vegetative marsh type attribute data. ESRI's Arc/Info and ArcView software were used in the project. The computer operating system platform was Windows NT.

Cross_Reference:

Citation_Information:

Originator:

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Fur and Refuge Division, and the U.S. Geological Survey, Biological Resources Division National Wetlands Research Center.

Publication_Date: 200106

Title: 2001 Louisiana Coastal Marsh-Vegetative Type Map (Database)

Edition: 2001

Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: Lafayette, LA

Publisher:

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Fur and Refuge Division, and the U.S. Geological Survey National Wetlands Research Center.

Cross_Reference:

Citation_Information:

Originator:

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Fur and Refuge Division, and the U.S. Geological Survey, Biological Resources Division National Wetlands Research Center.

Publication_Date: 19970601

Title: 1997 Louisiana Coastal Marsh Vegetative Type Map (Database)

Edition: 1997

Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: Lafayette, LA

Publisher:

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Fur and Refuge Division, and the U.S. Geological Survey National Wetlands Research Center.

Cross_Reference:

Citation_Information:

Originator:

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Fur and Refuge Division, and US Geological Survey National Wetlands Research Center

Publication_Date: 19880800

Title: 1988 Louisiana Coastal Marsh Vegetative Type Map (Database)

Edition: 1988

Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: Lafayette, LA

Publisher:

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Fur and Refuge Division, and the US Geological Survey National Wetlands Research Center

Cross_Reference:

Citation_Information:

Originator: Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries

Publication_Date: 19780800

Title: Vegetation Type Map of Louisiana Coastal Marshes 1978

Edition: 1978

Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: New Orleans, LA

Publisher: Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries

Cross_Reference:

Citation_Information:

Originator: Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission

Publication_Date: 19680800

Title: Vegetation Type Map of the Louisiana Coastal Marshes 1968

Edition: First

Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: New Orleans, LA

Publisher: Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission

Cross_Reference:

Citation_Information:

Originator: Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries

Publication_Date: 1949

Title:

Map of Louisiana showing the Vegetation Types of Louisiana Coastal Marshes 1949

Edition: First

Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: New Orleans, LA

Publisher: Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries

Data_Quality_Information:

Attribute_Accuracy:

Attribute_Accuracy_Report:

The accuracy is not based on a formal quantitative assessment and was based on the judgement of the data collector in the field. To attain a better estimate of accuracy, a formal re-evaluation of the Louisiana coastal marsh vegetative types would be necessary to see if there are areas where discrepancies exist.

Logical_Consistency_Report: Not applicable

Completeness_Report:

All data was derived in the same general format of collecting data at pre-determined stations while flying along transect routes in a helicopter. GPSView software (Geowarehouse) was used to navigate the helicopter along transect lines within a 100 ft buffer zone. Data was not collected for every point along the transect lines in areas where marsh types remained the same. A potential for human error exists in this data set since all classification was based on the judgement of the data collector.

Positional_Accuracy:

Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy:

Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy_Report: Not applicable

Vertical_Positional_Accuracy:

Vertical_Positional_Accuracy_Report: Not applicable

Lineage:

Source_Information:

Source_Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator: Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries

Publication_Date: 19970601

Title: Louisiana Coastal Marsh Vegetative Type Data Set

Edition: 1997

Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: New Iberia, LA

Publisher: Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries

Type_of_Source_Media: Digital file

Source_Time_Period_of_Content:

Time_Period_Information:

Range_of_Dates/Times:

Beginning_Date: 19970601

Ending_Date: 19971031

Source_Currentness_Reference: Date of data collection

Source_Citation_Abbreviation: LDWF

Source_Contribution: Primary data for the Vegetative Marsh Type Map

Source_Information:

Source_Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator: Robert Henry Chabreck

Publication_Date: 19700501

Title:

Marsh Zones and Vegetative Types in the Louisiana Coastal Marshes

Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: Document

Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Publisher: Louisiana State University

Type_of_Source_Media: Paper

Source_Time_Period_of_Content:

Time_Period_Information:

Single_Date/Time:

Calendar_Date: 19700501

Source_Currentness_Reference: Date of data collection

Source_Citation_Abbreviation: LSU

Source_Contribution: Primary data for determination of flight lines to be flown

Source_Information:

Source_Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator:

Robert H. Chabreck - School of Forestry, Wildlife, and Fisheries, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, R. Greg Linscombe - Fur and Refuge Division, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, New Iberia, LA, Charles E. Sasser - Coastal Ecology Institute, Center for Coastal, Energy, and Environmental Resources, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, Jenneke M. Visser - Coastal Ecology Institute, Center for Coastal, Energy, and Environmental Resources, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA

Publication_Date: 19960601

Title:

Marsh Vegetation-Types of Barataria and Terrebonne Estuaries 1968 - Present(1996)

Edition: Varies

Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: Document

Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: Baton Rouge, LA

Publisher: LSU

Type_of_Source_Media: Paper

Source_Time_Period_of_Content:

Time_Period_Information:

Range_of_Dates/Times:

Beginning_Date: 19680101

Ending_Date: 19960601

Source_Currentness_Reference: Date of data collection

Source_Citation_Abbreviation: LSU/LDWF

Source_Contribution: Reference Material

Process_Step:

Process_Description:

The original data set was collected through visual field observation by Greg Linscombe of LDWF and Robert H. Chabreck of LSU Agricultural Center. The observations were made while flying over the study area (Louisiana Coastal Zone) in a Bell 206 Jet Ranger helicopter. GPSView software (Geowarehouse) and a differental GPS (Trimble Ag 122) were used to navigate the helicopter along the transect lines. Attribute information was recorded manually in a field tally sheet at pre-determined stations along the transects. This information was then entered in a Microsoft Access Database containing all the attribute information. A GIS software application (Arc/Info Fishnet command) was used to generate the points along the transect routes. The flight data was used as a guide for delineating the marsh type lines. The new data set resulted in a point coverage containing vegetative marsh type attributes along transect flight lines. Attributes assigned to the points included: fresh marsh, intermediate marsh, brackish marsh, salt marsh, non-marsh/other, and water. The vegetative type was an indicator of soil and water salinity of an area and was comprised of an association of plant species having similar salt tolerances.

Process_Date: 2001

Spatial_Data_Organization_Information:

Indirect_Spatial_Reference: Louisiana Coastal Zone

Direct_Spatial_Reference_Method: Point

Point_and_Vector_Object_Information:

SDTS_Terms_Description:

SDTS_Point_and_Vector_Object_Type: Label Point

Point_and_Vector_Object_Count: 7353

Spatial_Reference_Information:

Horizontal_Coordinate_System_Definition:

Geographic:

Latitude_Resolution: Unknown

Longitude_Resolution: Unknown

Geographic_Coordinate_Units: Decimal degrees

Geodetic_Model:

Horizontal_Datum_Name: North American Datum of 1983

Ellipsoid_Name: Geodetic Reference System 80

Semi-major_Axis: 6378137

Denominator_of_Flattening_Ratio: 298.257

Entity_and_Attribute_Information:

Overview_Description:

Entity_and_Attribute_Overview:

The data set consists of numerous attributes, including collector information, transect and station locations, date visited, health and status of vegetation, species and habitat information. The following is a list of attributes: Shape (ESRI object type), Trans-sat (transect line and station id), Longdd (longitude in decimal degrees), Latdd (latitude in decimal degrees), Transect (transect id), Station (station id), Month, Day, Year, Observer (name of data collector), Plantvigor (A-Poor,B-Moderate,C-Strong), Marshcond (A-Poor,B-Moderate,C-Strong), Marshcol (A-Green,B-Green/Brown,C-Brown/Green,D-Brown,E-Mudflat,F-Mudflat w/recovery), Marshtype (F-Fresh,I-Intermediate,B-Brackish,S-Saline), Stat_type (1-Natural Marsh,2-Small Open Water,3-Large Open Water,4-Marsh Upland,5-Forest/Shrub Wetland,6-Developed), Stat_other, Wbwidth (Wb-Waterbody), Wblenght, Wbdepth, Percentveg (percentage of vegetation presence), Sps* (species observed), Sps*_name (species name), Sps*_ab (species abundance in percentage). Values for these attributes may not be found in all the points. The * in the attributes Sps*, Sps*_name and Sps*_ab indicate a range in value (* can equal a thru k).

Entity_and _Attribute_Detail_Citation: Project defined

Distribution_Information:

Distributor:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Organization_Primary:

Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey, National Wetlands Research Center

Contact_Person: Steve Hartley

Contact_Position: Senior Geographer/GIS Analyst

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: Mailing and Physical Address

Address: 700 Cajundome Blvd.

City: Lafayette

State_or_Province: LA

Postal_Code: 70506

Country: USA

Contact_Voice_Telephone: 337 266-8543

Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 337 266-8616

Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: steve_hartley@usgs.gov

Hours_of_Service: 8 AM to 4 PM CST Monday thru Friday

Resource_Description: Louisiana Coastal Zone 2001 Vegetative Marsh Type Point data

Distribution_Liability:

Although these data have been processed successfully on a computer system at the U.S. Geological Survey, National Wetlands Research Center, no warranty expressed or implied is made regarding the accuracy or utility of the data on any other system or for general or scientific purposes, nor shall the act of distribution constitute any such warranty. This disclaimer applies both to individual use of the data and aggregate use with other data. It is strongly recommended that these data are directly acquired from a Biological Resources Division server, and not indirectly through other sources which may have changed the data in some way. It is also strongly recommended that careful attention be paid to the contents of the metadata file associated with these data. U.S. Geological Survey, National Wetlands Research Center shall not be held liable for improper or incorrect use of the data described and/or contained herein. So, these data are provided "as is" and without any express or implied warranties, including, without limitation, the implied warranties or merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. Also, use of trade names or commercial products in this metadata is solely for the purpose of providing specific information, and does not imply recommendation or endorsement by the US Government. Any downloading and use of these data signifies a user's agreement to comprehension and compliance of the U.S. Geological Survey, National Wetlands Research Center Standard Disclaimer. Insure all portions of metadata are read and clearly understood before using these data in order to protect both user and U.S. Geological Survey, National Wetlands Research Center interests.

Standard_Order_Process:

Fees: None, if available on-line

Custom_Order_Process: Not available

Metadata_Reference_Information:

Metadata_Date: 20011018

Metadata_Review_Date: 20011019

Metadata_Contact:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Person_Primary:

Contact_Person: Helena Schaefer

Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey, National Wetlands Research Center

Contact_Position: Geographer

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: Mailing and Physical Address

Address: 700 Cajundome Blvd

City: Lafayette

State_or_Province: LA

Postal_Code: 70506

Country: USA

Contact_Voice_Telephone: 337 266-8696

Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 337 266-8616

Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: helena_schaefer@usgs.gov

Hours_of_Service: 8 AM to 4 PM CST Monday thru Friday

Metadata_Access_Constraints: None

Metadata_Use_Constraints:

Acknowledgement of the National Wetlands Research Center as the metadata source would be appreciated. Please cite the original metadata when using portions of the record to create a similar record of slightly altered data, such as reprojection.

Metadata_Standard_Name: Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata

Metadata_Standard_Version: FGDC-STD-001-1998