Metadata for Montana Wetland and Riparian Framework Metadata for Montana Wetland and Riparian Framework

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Identification Information:

Citation:

Originator:: Ecological Mapping, Monitoring and Analysis (EMMA) Group - University of Montana
Publication date: 09/28/2023
Title: Montana Wetland and Riparian Framework
Online linkage: https://ftpgeoinfo.msl.mt.gov/Data/Spatial/MSDI/Wetlands/
Online linkage: https://gisservicemt.gov/arcgis/rest/services/MSDI_Framework/WetlandsRiparian/MapServer

Abstract:

The Montana Wetland and Riparian Framework represents the extent, type, and approximate location of wetlands, riparian areas, and deepwater habitats in Montana. These data delineate the areal extent of wetlands and deepwater habitats as defined by Cowardin et al. (2013) and riparian areas as defined by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (2019). These data represent wetland and riparian mapping managed by the University of Montana's Ecological Mapping, Monitoring and Analysis (EMMA) Group. Wetland and riparian areas were manually digitized at a scale of 1:4,500 or 1:5,000 from orthorectified digital color-infrared aerial imagery collected during the summers of 2005, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2021 by the National Agricultural Imagery Program (NAIP). These data are intended for use in publications at a scale of 1:12,000 or smaller. These data do not cover the entire state of Montana. For areas within Montana that do not have updated mapping or modern mapping, please download the NWI Legacy (outdated mapping) data from https://www.fws.gov/program/national-wetlands-inventory/data-download. For more information regarding the different datasets, please refer to the following document https://mtnhp.org/nwi/Wetland_Riparian_Mapping_Status_Info.pdf

Purpose:

To provide current geospatially referenced information on the status, extent, characteristics, and functions of wetlands, riparian areas, and deepwater habitats to promote the understanding and conservation of these resources. These data provide consultants, planners, and resource managers with information on the location and type of wetlands and riparian areas in Montana. These data do not show precise wetland boundaries and should not be compared to boundaries delineated from ground surveys. Wetland polygons are classified in accordance with the Wetlands Classification Standard endorsed by the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC): Federal Geographic Data Committee. 2013. Classification of wetlands and deepwater habitats of the United States. FGDC-STD-004-2013. Second Edition. Wetlands Subcommittee, Federal Geographic Data Committee and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington, DC. Riparian polygons are classified in accordance with the publication U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological Services Division of Budget and Technical Support Branch of Geospatial Mapping and Technical Support. 2019. A System for Mapping Riparian Areas in the Western United States.

Supplemental information:

The Wetland and Riparian Framework layer is one of the 15 Montana Spatial Data Infrastructure Framework layers. The goal of the layer is to have statewide digital wetland and riparian data for Montana. Mapping is completed to the Wetlands Mapping Standard endorsed by the FGDC in 2013 (FGDC-STD-004-2013). As projects are completed, they are submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for inclusion in the National Wetlands Inventory (NWI). Due to a lag time between submittal and availability, this layer may contain data that have been submitted to the NWI but are not yet available for download from the NWI website https://www.fws.gov/program/national-wetlands-inventory/data-download. NWI mapping standards have evolved since the NWI mapping began. Consequently, there may be discrepancies in mapping between quads because NWI mapping standards were different at the time the quads were mapped.

Time period of content:

Calendar date: 09/28/2023
Currentness reference: Publication date

Status:

Progress: In work
Maintenance and update frequency: Semi-annually

Access constraints:

None. Acknowledgement of the University of Montana's Ecological Mapping, Monitoring and Analysis (EMMA) Group is appreciated in products derived from these data.

Use constraints:

Federal, state, and local regulatory agencies with jurisdiction over wetlands may define and describe wetlands in a different manner than that used in this layer. There is no attempt, in either the design or products of this inventory, to define the limits of proprietary jurisdiction of any federal, state, or local government or to establish the geographical scope of the regulatory programs of government agencies. Persons intending to engage in activities involving modifications within or adjacent to wetland areas should seek the advice of appropriate federal, state, or local agencies concerning specified agency regulatory programs and proprietary jurisdictions that may affect such activities. Information in this data layer is not intended to be used as a precise locator of wetland boundaries, for site specific planning or management, or for regulatory purposes. Proper use of wetland and riparian mapping requires knowledge of the inherent limitations of this mapping. It is suggested that users also consult other information to aid in wetland detection, such as U.S. Department of Agriculture soil survey reports and other wetland maps that may have been produced by state and local governments.

Point of contact:

Kay Hajek
Wetland and Riparian Framework Theme Contact
Ecological Mapping, Monitoring and Analysis (EMMA) Group - University of Montana
O'Connor Center for the Rocky Mountain West
600 University Ave
Missoula, MT 59801
Telephone: 406-202-0484
E-Mail: karyn.hajek@mso.umt.edu
Contact instructions: Preferred method of contact is via e-mail.

Data set credit:

The Wetland and Riparian Framework was created by the University of Montana's Ecological Mapping, Monitoring and Analysis (EMMA) Group in cooperation with the Montana Natural Heritage Program (MTNHP).

Data Quality Information:

Attribute accuracy report:

The minimum mapping unit is 0.1 acres for wetland polygons and 0.5 acres for riparian polygons, although polygons smaller in size can be mapped if interpretable and mappable. Linear features such as streams, canals, or ditches are mapped if they are 10 feet (3 meters) or greater in width at a mapping scale of 1:4,500.

Completeness report:

The Wetland and Riparian Framework is either complete, in progress, or scheduled to be mapped for approximately 86% of Montana. This data set represents the extent of wetlands, riparian areas and deepwater habitats that can be determined with the use of remotely sensed data and within the timeframe for which the maps were produced. The accuracy of image interpretation depends on the quality of the imagery, the experience of the image analysts, the amount and quality of the collateral data, and the amount of ground truth verification work conducted. Error is inherent in the interpretation of aerial imagery, thus detailed on-the-ground inspection of any particular site may result in revision of the mapped boundaries or classification. Wetlands or other mapped features may have changed since the date of the imagery and/or field work. Differences may exist in polygon boundaries or classifications between the information depicted on the map and the actual conditions on the ground.

Horizontal Positional Accuracy Report:

The horizontal accuracy minimum requirement is commensurate with the base imagery scale. The base imagery scale for this layer is 1:12,000. The minimum horizontal accuracy requirement is 5 meters.

Lineage:

Source information:

Originator:: Ecological Mapping, Monitoring and Analysis (EMMA) Group - University of Montana
Publication date: 09/21/2021
Title: Montana Wetland and Riparian Framework
Calendar date: 05/27/2022

Process step:

Mapping is completed by individual project area. Mapping project areas are largely determined by the project funder. Once a project area is selected, a shapefile of the project boundary is sent to the NWI’s National Standards and Support Team. A file geodatabase is sent by the NWI containing the empty wetland and riparian feature class. Wetland and riparian mapping is created in this feature class. Image analysts with EMMA use 1-meter resolution color-infrared aerial ortho-rectified imagery to develop photo signatures and interpret wetlands and riparian areas. This imagery serves as the base imagery from which wetland and riparian data are produced. Wetland and riparian mapping data are produced through on-screen digitizing performed at a mapping scale of 1:4,500. Ancillary data layers such as multiple imagery years, topographic maps, digital elevation models, and hydrography data are used to improve mapping accuracy. Wetland polygons are classified according to the FGDC Wetlands Mapping Standard (2009), which is based upon the Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the United States (Cowardin et al. 2013). Riparian polygons are classified according to the USFWS A System for Mapping Riparian Areas in the Western United States (2019). Mapping is completed for U.S. Geological Survey 1:24,000 quadrangles. Once mapping is complete for an individual quadrangle, the image analyst runs several verification checks to fix any errors in polygon attribution. Any topology errors are also fixed to eliminate overlapping polygons. Three rounds of internal quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) procedures are conducted for each mapped quadrangle once the above steps are completed. Up to three EMMA image analysts who did not complete the mapping perform the QA/QC duties for each completed quadrangle. The image analyst who mapped the quadrangle makes any necessary corrections based on comments made during each round of QA/QC. Once final edits are complete, verification checks are completed a second time. Data are incorporated into the WetRip layer. Data are also sent to the NWI for review and approval. Mapping within the wetland and riparian layer is edge-matched with surrounding areas to produce a seamless layer.

Process date: 05/27/2022

Process contact:

Kay Hajek
Ecological Mapping, Monitoring and Analysis (EMMA) Group - University of Montana
O'Connor Center for the Rocky Mountain West
600 University Ave
Missoula, MT 59801
Telephone: 406-202-0484
E-Mail: karyn.hajek@mso.umt.edu
Contact instructions: Preferred method of contact is via e-mail.

Spatial Data Organization Information:

Point and vector object information:

SDTS object type: G-polygon

Spatial Reference Information:

Horizontal coordinate system definition:

Grid coordinate system name: State Plane Coordinate System

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: 600000.000000
False northing: 0.000000

Planar distance units: meters

Geodetic model:

Horizontal datum name: D NAD 1983 2011
Ellipsoid name: Geodetic Reference System 80
Semi-major axis: 6378137.000000
Denominator of flattening ratio: 298.257222

Entity and Attribute Information:

Entity type label: NHP_Layers

Attribute label: OBJECTID

Attribute definition: Internal feature number.
Attribute domain:: Sequential unique whole numbers that are automatically generated.

Attribute label: Shape

Attribute definition: Feature geometry.
Attribute domain: Coordinates defining the features.

Attribute label: Shape_Length

Attribute definition: Length of polygon perimeter in meters.
Attribute domain: Positive real numbers that are automatically generated.

Attribute label: Shape_Area

Attribute definition: Area of feature in square meters.
Attribute domain: Positive real numbers that are automatically generated.

Attribute label: ATTRIBUTE

Attribute definition:: This field contains a series of codes that describe the wetland or riparian type. The FULL_CLASS field contains an explanation of the codes.

Attribute label: FULL_CLASS

Attribute definition:: Full description of wetland or riparian type (SYSTEM/SUBSYSTEM), substrate or vegetation type (CLASS), vegetation description for EM, SS, or FO (SUBCLASS), length of flooding and/or saturation (WATER_REGIME), and SPECIAL_MODIFIER. For example, the FULL_CLASS value for a wetland with an ATTRIBUTE value of PEM1C is Palustrine, Emergent, Persistent, Seasonally Flooded.

Attribute label: SYSTEM

Attribute definition: The wetland or riparian system of the mapped polygon.

Attribute label: SUBSYSTEM

Attribute definition:: The wetland or riparian subsystem of the mapped polygon. Subsystem applies only to Lacustrine, Riverine, and Riparian systems (Palustrine systems have no subsystem).

Attribute label: CLASS

Attribute definition:: The wetland or riparian class of the mapped polygon. Class describes the general appearance of the mapped polygon's habitat in terms of either the dominant life form of the vegetation or the physiography and composition of the substrate.

Attribute label: SUBCLASS

Attribute definition:: General vegetation description for EM, SS, FO classes in Riverine, Lacustrine, and Palustrine systems (there are no SUBCLASS values for the Riparian system).

Attribute label: WATER_REGIME

Attribute definition:: The duration of flooding and/or saturation. Water Regime applies to wetland polygons only. There are no Riparian water regimes.

Attribute label: SPECIAL_MODIFIER

Attribute definition:: Modification of the wetland polygon. Special Modifiers apply to wetland polygons only. There are no Riparian special modifiers.

Attribute label: ACRES

Attribute definition: The area of the polygon in acres.

Attribute label: NWI_CODE

Attribute definition:: A combination of the SYSTEM, SUBSYSTEM and CLASS fields. NWI_CODE values are arranged in a consistent order dependent on the system. For lacustrine, riparian and riverine systems the NWI_CODE is equal to SYSTEM, SUBSYSTEM and CLASS. For palustrine systems NWI_CODE is equal to SYSTEM and CLASS. For palustrine systems where ATTRIBUTE is equal to Pf NWI_CODE is equal to SYSTEM. For example, a wetland with an attribute of PEM1C has a NWI_CODE of PEM.

Attribute label: WETLAND_TYPE

Attribute definition: General description of wetland or riparian classification.

Attribute label: GlobalID

Attribute definition:: Unique identifier automatically generated/maintained for the polygon.

Attribute label: PermanentID

Attribute definition:: Unique identifier manually populated for the polygon based on the original value of GlobalID.

Attribute label: UniqueID

Attribute definition: Unique identifier manually populated for the polygon.

Distribution Information:

Distributor:

Kay Hajek
O'Connor Center for the Rocky Mountain West
600 University Ave
Missoula, MT 59801
Telephone: 406-202-0484
E-Mail: karyn.hajek@mso.umt.edu
Contact instructions: Preferred method of contact is via e-mail.

Resource description: Downloadable Data

Distribution liability:

Users must assume responsibility to determine if these data are suitable for their purposes.

Standard order process:

Digital form:

Metadata Reference Information:

Metadata date: 07/11/2024

Metadata review date: 07/11/2024

Metadata contact:

Kay Hajek
Ecological Mapping, Monitoring and Analysis (EMMA) Group - University of Montana
O'Connor Center for the Rocky Mountain West
600 University Ave
Missoula, MT 59801
Telephone: 406-202-0484
E-Mail: karyn.hajek@mso.umt.edu
Contact instructions: Preferred method of contact is via e-mail.