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U.S. Department of the Interior Vegetation Classification for South Florida Natural AreasBy Rutchey, K.*,1, T.N. Schall1, R.F. Doren2, A. Atkinson3, M.S. Ross2, D.T. Jones2, M. Madden4, L. Vilchek5, K.A. Bradley6, J.R. Snyder7, J.N. Burch8, T. Pernas9, B. Witcher3, M. Pyne10, R. White10, T.J. Smith III11, J. Sadle8, C.S. Smith12, M.E. Patterson3 and G.D. Gann6 *Corresponding author: Email: Krutchey@sfwmd.gov Tel #: 561 682-6618 1 South Florida Water Management District, 3301 Gun Club Road, West Palm Beach, Florida 33412 2 Florida International University, Southeast Environmental Research Center, University Park, OE-148, Miami, Florida 33199 3 U.S. National Park Service – South Florida & Caribbean Inventory and Monitoring Network, 18001 Old Cutler Road, Suite 419, Palmetto Bay, Florida 33157 4 University of Georgia, Center for Remote Sensing and Mapping Services, Department of Geography, Athens, Georgia 30602 5 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, South Florida Ecological Services Office, 1339 20th Street, Vero Beach, Florida 32960 6 The Institute for Regional Conservation, 22601 S.W. 152nd Avenue, Miami, Florida 33170 7 U.S. Geological Survey, Florida Integrated Science Center, Big Cypress Field Station, 33100 Tamiami Trail, East, Ochopee, Florida 34141 8 U.S. National Park Service, Big Cypress National Preserve, 33100 Tamiami Trail, East, Ochopee, Florida 34141 9 U.S. National Park Service – Exotic Plant Management Team, 18001 Old Cutler Road, Suite 419, Palmetto Bay, Florida 33157 10 NatureServe, 1101 Wilson Boulevard, 15th Floor, Arlington, Virginia 22209 11 U.S. Geological Survey, Florida Integrated Science Center, 600 Fourth Street, South, Saint Petersburg, Florida 33701 12 U.S. National Park Service, Everglades National Park, 40001 State Road 9336, Homestead, Florida 33034 Introduction
A major aspect of the vegetation mapping project was determining a classification system for labeling vegetation categories utilizing a grid method. The grid method was created specifically for use in the CERP RECOVER vegetation monitoring and assessment project (Rutchey and others, in prep.). The CERP RECOVER vegetation mapping project utilizes aerial photography and photointerpretation techniques (with ground truthing) to identify and label vegetation classes. A classification system that had sufficient flexibility and detail to enable the designation of vegetation classes using various remote sensing platforms and identification techniques needed to be developed. The classification system had to be hierarchical, represent distinct ecological communities, individual species, and physical characteristics such as density and height. In addition, it was desirable to have a classification system that allowed exotic species and cattail to be identified using density classes.
Prepared in cooperation with the: South Florida Water Management District, National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Florida International University, University of Georgia, Institute for Regional Conservation, and NatureServe U.S. Department of the Interior
U.S. Geological Survey
U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia 2006 For product and ordering information:
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Any use of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. Although this report is in the public domain, permission must be secured from the individual copyright owners to reproduce any copyrighted material contained within this report. Abbreviations and AcronymsBICY Big Cypress National Preserve BISC Biscayne National Park EVER Everglades National Park IRC The Institute for Regional Conservation NWR National Wildlife Refuge SFWMD South Florida Water Management District WCA Water Conservation Area WMA Wildlife Management Area |
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Last updated: 11 September, 2006 @ 11:02 AM (KP)