12/04/07 FGDC Vegetation Subcommittee Briefing

Federal Geographic Data Committee Vegetation

Subcommittee

Briefing for the FGDC Coordination Group

December 4, 2007

Ralph H. Crawford, Ph.D. Chairperson

12/04/07 FGDC Vegetation Subcommittee Briefing

FGDC Vegetation Subcommittee

U.S. Forest Service (lead agency) * Natural Resources Conservation Service * U.S. Geological Survey-BRD/NBII * U.S. National Park Service * U.S. Bureau of Land Management * U. S. Fish and Wildlife

Service * National Aeronautics and Space Administration * Department of Defense * Environmental Protection Agency * NatureServe * Ecological Society of America (Vegetation Classification Panel)

Overview

12/04/07 FGDC Vegetation Subcommittee Briefing

FGDC National Vegetation Classification Standard

• Purpose and Scope

• Response to Public Review Comments

• Draft Implementation Plan

Overview

12/04/07 FGDC Vegetation Subcommittee Briefing

FGDC National Vegetation Classification Standard • Purpose

– Facilitate data-sharing among Federal agencies and partners

– A cross-walking standard for vegetation data and information (local to global)

– Does not replace classification systems used by individual agencies

Purpose and Scope

12/04/07 FGDC Vegetation Subcommittee Briefing

FGDC National Vegetation Classification Standard • Scope

– Mandatory for all vegetation data gathered using federal funds

– Cross-walking requirement applies to:• Vegetation plot data• Vegetation types (taxonomic units)• Vegetation map units

Purpose and Scope

12/04/07 FGDC Vegetation Subcommittee Briefing

FGDC National Vegetation Classification Standard -

1997• Established a physiognomic/floristic

vegetation hierarchy

• Established a content standard for the physiognomic levels– A list of vegetation types

• Initiated the development of a process standard for the floristic levels– How to define floristic vegetation types

History

12/04/07 FGDC Vegetation Subcommittee Briefing

Revision of the FGDC Vegetation Classification

Standard• Resolve identified problems with the

physiognomic hierarchy

Current Status / Timeline

12/04/07 FGDC Vegetation Subcommittee Briefing

Revision of the FGDC Vegetation Classification

Standard• Resolve identified problems with the

physiognomic hierarchy

• Complete the process standard for classifying alliances and associations

Current Status / Timeline

12/04/07 FGDC Vegetation Subcommittee Briefing

Revision of the FGDC Vegetation Classification

Standard• Resolve identified problems with the

physiognomic hierarchy

• Complete the process standard for classifying alliances and associations

• Establish all levels of the FGDC hierarchy as a “dynamic content standard”

Current Status / Timeline

12/04/07 FGDC Vegetation Subcommittee Briefing

Dynamic Content Standard • Initiates an innovative approach to

streamline the FGDC standards process to revise the list of vegetation types

• The classification content would be maintained by an authorized body with oversight from a national peer review board

• Requires databases for vegetation types, plot data, and peer review tracking– Prototypes have been developed by NatureServe

and the ESA Vegetation Panel

Current Status / Timeline

12/04/07 FGDC Vegetation Subcommittee Briefing

Changes to the FGDC Hierarchy

• Move Natural vs. Cultural vegetation distinction to top of hierarchy

• Reduce and revise physiognomic levels

• Add new mid floristic levels that reflect broad phyto-geographic affinities

Current Status / Timeline

12/04/07 FGDC Vegetation Subcommittee Briefing

Comment Sources

• Canadian National Vegetation Committee (11 specific comments)

• Natural Resources Conservation Service (3)

• Minnesota DNR (1)

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Revisions• Updated

Appendices• Updated Table of

Contents• Addressed listing

of cultivated crops

• Updated Citations

• Reword statements for clarity

• Addressed listing of pastureland

12/04/07 FGDC Vegetation Subcommittee Briefing

Implementation Plan Objectives

• Facilitate & support development of standard vegetation classification

• Maintain & disseminate classification content

• Define & adopt standards for data collection & analysis

Implementation

12/04/07 FGDC Vegetation Subcommittee Briefing

Implementation Plan Objectives

• Maintain scientific credibility through peer review of proposed changes

• Facilitate inter-agency collaboration and inter-agency product consistency

Implementation

12/04/07 FGDC Vegetation Subcommittee Briefing

Core Implementation Activities

1. Maintain & disseminate current & previous versions of dynamic content of the standard

2. Maintain & disseminate supporting data that form the basis for decision on content

3. Preparation & submission of proposals for revising the standard

Implementation

12/04/07 FGDC Vegetation Subcommittee Briefing

Core Implementation Activities

4. Review and evaluate proposals for revisions of classification content

5. Disseminate results of review process & incorporate approved changes of classification standard in a public record

Implementation

12/04/07 FGDC Vegetation Subcommittee Briefing

Other Implementation Features

• Implementation will vary between natural and cultivated vegetation types

• Outreach and training materials will need to be developed

• Must provide for long-term maintenance• Must be compatible with other

international vegetation classification standards

Implementation

12/04/07 FGDC Vegetation Subcommittee Briefing

The End

Questions?