Metadata for Helena Vegetation Cover Types Metadata for Helena Vegetation Cover Types

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Identification Information:

Citation:

Originator: Tom Butts
Originator: Ed Madej
Publication date: 06/01/2000
Title: Helena Vegetation Cover Types
Other citation details:: The former name of the data set on the NRIS web site was "habitat"
Online linkage: https://ftpgeoinfo.msl.mt.gov/Data/Spatial/NonMSDI/Shapefiles/Helena_Habitat_2000.zip

Abstract:

A map of the Helena, Montana, vicinity was produced using a mosaic of 1990 black and white aerial photographs. ESRI ArcInfo and ArcView GIS were used to delineate vegetation cover types in the Helena, Montna, area for use by people interested in the preservation of open space and wildlife habitat. A total of 520 cover type polygons were delineated and labeled, used 24 different cover types. Potential wildlife and open space values of each type were discussed in a separate report.

Purpose:

The objective of the study was to produce maps of wildlife habitat and open space in the Helena area. As the value of wildlife habitat differs depending upon the wildlife of interest, and the definition of open space is, at best, rather tentative, a decision was made early in the project to map identifiable "cover types" in the study area. From these types, wildlife habitat and open space values were inferred.

Supplemental information:

Black and white aerial photographs of the Helena area taken in 1990 were obtained from the Lewis and Clark Conservation District. The scale of the photographs was four inches per mile. Each photograph was scanned into a computer database (ArcInfo), corrected for distortion, and matched with neighboring photos to create a mosaic of 22 photos covering the study area. In addition, Xerox copies of the photographs were made for field use.

After creating the entire coverage, the database was converted to ArcView 2.1 for further analysis. Each photograph was brought up on the computer screen, and cover types were delineated by outlining a polygon (parcel) defining the outer boundary of that type. If necessary, an area on the photo could be enlarged in order to better identify the cover type. An attempt was made to delineate all cover type polygons five acres or larger. Once all polygons were delineated, the resulting theme was converted into a Geographic Information System (GIS) coverage (using Arc/Info). Next, each polygon cover type was labeled. Identification of the type was made using characteristics such as texture, location, slope and aspect, tone, etc. When necessary, the area of interest could be zoomed in on for a closer look, to find clues for identification. Broad types were field checked for accuracy.

A list of 29 cover types was developed that represented all types probably found in the study area. The differences between some of these types, such as between Developed-suburban, Developed-sub-division, and Sub-division/grassland, are subjective. The extent of development of these form a continuum, from completely developed to very little development. An effort was made to be consistent, but there may be areas of overlap where one polygon was identified as Developed-suburban, may in fact, be less developed than another polygon identified as Developed-subdivision.

Time period of content:

Beginning date: 1990
Ending date: 2000
Currentness reference: Ground Condition

Status:

Progress: Complete
Maintenance and update frequency: As needed

Access constraints: None

Use constraints:

The Montana State Library provides this product/service for informational purposes only. The Library did not produce it for, nor is it suitable for legal, engineering, or surveying purposes. Consumers of this information should review or consult the primary data and information sources to ascertain the viability of the information for their purposes. The Library provides these data in good faith but does not represent or warrant its accuracy, adequacy, or completeness. In no event shall the Library be liable for any incorrect results or analysis; any direct, indirect, special, or consequential damages to any party; or any lost profits arising out of or in connection with the use or the inability to use the data or the services provided. The Library makes these data and services available as a convenience to the public, and for no other purpose. The Library reserves the right to change or revise published data and/or services at any time.

Point of contact:

Thomas W. Butts
Continental Divide Wildlife Consulting
P.O. Box 671
Helena, MT 59624
Telephone: 406-443-4735
E-Mail: tbutts@mt.net

Data Quality Information:

Attribute accuracy report:

The vegetation cover types were delineated from scanned aerial photos and field checked for accuracy. Polygon boundaries were delineated 'by hand.' Accuracy of cover type classification is approximately 95%. Polygon boundaries reflect those on the aerial photographs. No accuracy tests were performed.

Horizontal Positional Accuracy Report:

Horizontal positional accuracy is unknown. There is some unquantified drift in positional accuracy when rectifying and patching multiple aerial photographs into a mosaic. Error was also introduced in delineating polygons.

Lineage:

Source information:

Originator: Tom Butts
Originator: Ed Madej
Publication date: 06/01/2000
Title:: Wildlife Habitat and Open Space in the Helena Area: Final Report
Edition: 1.0
Source scale denominator: 15840
Type of source media: black and white aerial photos
Source contribution:: Black and white aeiral photographs were obtained from the Lewis and Clark County Conservation District.
Beginning date: 1990
Ending date: 2000

Process step:

1. Black and white aerial photos (scale 4"=1 mile) were obtained from the Lewis and Clar County Conservation District.
2. These photos were scanned
3. The photos were rectified and a mosaic of the photos covering the project area was constructed.
4. Polygons were digitized 'heads up' on a computer screen.
5. Maps were field checked for accuracy.
6. Polygons were redrawn and/or re-identified to reflect results of field check.

Though every effort has been made to accurately reflect vegetation cover type on the ground, there may be errors. Data should be used for reference only.

Process contact:

Thomas W. Butts
Continental Divide Wildlife Consulting
P.O. Box 671
Helena, MT 59624
Telephone: 406-443-4735
E-Mail: tbutts@mt.net

Spatial Data Organization Information:

Point and vector object information:

SDTS object type: G-polygon

SDTS object count: 488

Spatial Reference Information:

Horizontal coordinate system definition:

Grid coordinate system name: State Plane Coordinate System 1983

SPCS zone identifier: 2500

Lambert conformal conic:

Standard parallel: 45.000000
Standard parallel: 49.000000
Longitude of central meridian: -109.500000
Latitude of projection origin: 44.250000
False easting: 600000.00000
False northing: 0.00000

Planar distance units: meters

Geodetic model:

Horizontal datum name: North American Datum of 1983
Ellipsoid name: Geodetic Reference System 80
Semi-major axis: 6378137.000000
Denominator of flattening ratio: 298.26

Entity and Attribute Information:

Attribute label: FID

Attribute definition: Shapefile sequence number

Attribute label: Shape

Attribute definition: Feature geometry

Attribute label: Area

Attribute definition: area of the polygon in square meters

Attribute label: Perimeter

Attribute definition: perimeter of the polygon in meters

Attribute label: HELHAB10_

Attribute definition: Sequence number from original coverage version of the data

Attribute label: HELHAB10_I

Attribute definition: ID number from original coverage version of the data

Attribute label: HABITAT_CO

Attribute definition: Habitat Code

Attribute label: COVER_TYPE

Attribute definition:: Cover Type

Should correspond with the habitat code, but there are at least two polygons where the HABITAT_CO and COVERTYPE disagree with the majority of other polygons.

Attribute label: ACRES

Attribute definition: Area of the polygon in acres

Distribution Information:

Distributor:

Montana State Library
PO Box 201800
Helena, MT 59620-1800
Telephone: 406-444-5354
Telephone: 406-444-5354
TDD/TTY telephone: Montana Relay 711
Fax: 406-444-0266
E-Mail: geoinfo@mt.gov
E-Mail: geoinfo@mt.gov

Resource description: Downloadable Data

Distribution liability:

Standard order process:

Digital form:

Standard order process:

Non-digital form:: A copy of the complete report can be obtained by contacting Tom Butts, CDWC, P.O. Box 671, Helena, MT 59624
Fees: $10 for the report, including shipping and handling.

Metadata Reference Information:

Metadata date: 01/14/2014

Metadata review date: 04/17/2013

Metadata review date: 09/29/2004

Metadata review date: 05/12/2000

Metadata contact:

Thomas W. Butts
Continental Divide Wildlife Consulting
P.O. Box 671
Helena, MT 59624
Telephone: 406-443-4735
E-Mail: tbutts@mt.net