Ecological Integrity Assessment and Vegetation Classification: Sample Geodatabase for Vege

Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge initiated a vegetation mapping project using the Federal Standard National Vegetation Classification System. The dataset, collected under contract with NatureServe and SWCA, includes vegetation samples with information on dominant species, cover height, and percent cover. It is a Shapefile containing sample identifiers and observer notes.

Use Cases

• Develop vegetation classification keys based on dominant species and cover data.
• Map cheat grass distribution and other vegetation types across the refuge.
• Assess ecological integrity using standardized vegetation samples and observer notes.
• Support habitat management planning with geospatial vegetation data.

Strengths

• Data collection was conducted over multiple years, including two subsequent years to the initial assessment.
• Vegetation classification follows the Federal Standard National Vegetation Classification System.
• Samples include specific features like dominant species, cover height, and percent cover.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Description metadata is limited; actual data quality requires manual inspection after download.

Provenance

Source

Department of the Interior

Collection Method

Vegetation samples collected under contract with NatureServe and SWCA.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-04 08:17:25.516102; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge