Metadata for Field Data Collection



Metadata for Field Data Collection

Name of Data Collector: Brad Agius

Date(s) of collection: 07/17/2003-8/14/2003 Time(s) of collection: 8am-4pm

Title of Project: Vegetation Classification of Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site

Description of Project: The primary goals of this study were to 1) document all of the alliance level vegetation types at Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site using the National Vegetation Classification System; and 2) map where alliance level vegetation (terrestrial and emergent aquatic) types occur within the site. No submerged aquatic vegetation was surveyed in this study.

Description of data contribution to project: The mapping section of the study was based on the data collected in the field. Analysis for the Vegetation Classification of Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site (Agius 2003) report were based on the vegetation types GPSed in the field.

Type of data collection and equipment/materials used:

GPS: NAD83, UTM, Zone 19 Unit type: Garmin V GPS hand held unit plugged into a CSI MBX-3S differential receiver backpack

Description of data collection methods (e.g. reference a standard method-- note any deviation from standard): Data collection was designed specifically for this project and followed no existing protocol. Surveys were conducted in a systematic fashion, using grids created in GIS software (ESRI ArcView 3.2 ) and were overlaid on the site. Grids were saved in 'shapefile' format. The 50m x 50m (i.e., 0.25 hectare or 0.62 acres) grid was used to survey the entire site. Each of the 28, 50m x 50m, grid cells was assigned a unique ID number that was used for referencing grid cell locations.

During the survey, there were instances when a portion of the site was not covered by the grid, but those sections were systematically surveyed as well, to cover the site in its entirety. Prior to field surveys, black and white maps were printed that included the grid layer with individual grid attribute ID numbers, 1m black and white digital orthophotos (orthophotos), site boundary, scale bar and north arrow. Maps typically included a block of 4 grids per 8.5-inch x 11-inch pages, although other grid dimensions were used when necessary.

The grid shapefile was also uploaded into the GPS unit to aid in navigation. In the field, a piece of tracing paper was placed over the 2 x 2 grid map, and the corners of the grids marked for aligning the tracing paper with the grid map. The surveyor’s name, date, site, and grid numbers were recorded on the tracing paper.

Each grid was surveyed by bushwhacking the perimeter and then making transects (e.g., numerous transverse passes) within the grid until completely covered, with all targeted vegetation types and features (landscaping and slag pile) were mapped. Pinpointing locations in the field was done by referencing features on the ground (e.g., trails, roads, water bodies, trees, structures, fields, etc.) that were visible on the 1m black and white orthophotos; grid lines on the paper map; and the GPS tracks line, current position of GPS cursor, and grid lines on the GPS display screen. Using these references enabled the survey to be conducted with an accuracy of 1m or the margin of error produced by the GPS unit. In the field, the vegetation types and features were sketched onto the tracing paper in the exact location that they occurred in the field.

Location of data collection (if applicable). Specify source of coordinates, and projection/coordinate system used: NAD83, UTM, Zone 19

Source (e.g. topo map, GPS, other): Digital Orthophoto as base map

Description of geographic location: Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site, Saugus, Massachusetts

Species list (if applicable): List of the eight alliance level vegetation types at Saugus Iron Works NHS:

Does data require post-processing? Yes

Specify the procedure: Hand-drawn polygons created on tracing paper in the field were transferred into digital format using 'heads-up' digitizing capabilities of ArcView 3.2 (ESRI 1999). One shapefile was created for each of the eight alliance level vegetation types (Table 1), landscaping, and slag pile with an attribute table containing unique ID #, NVCS code, alliance name, and area m-2 (fields 1-4, respectively) for each polygon. In addition, structures, open water, and development (e.g., pavement, asphalt, stone walkways) were added to the NVCS shapefile and created by 'heads-up' digitizing using photo-interpretation. The structures, open water, and development at the site were digitized around the objects using 0.5m color orthophotos as a base map. One shapefile was used for the entire site so that polygons could be snapped together, with out overlap. The entire “SAIR NVCS”shapefile was clipped to the Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site boundary.

Person/office responsible for the procedure: Brad Agius

Explanations

1) Name of Data Collector: Name

Used in Section 1, as point of contact for dataset if applicable, and in Section 2-Lineage- Process Contact information AND/OR Source Date(s) of collection

2) Date(s) of data collection: Date for which the data correspond to the ground

Used in Section 1, Time Period of Content, OR Section 2, Source Time Period Content

Time(s) of data collection: Time period for which the data correspond to the ground.

Used in Section 1, Time Period of Content, OR Section 2, Source Time Period Content

3) Title of Project: How this dataset will be referenced. Indicate the name of this dataset OR the name of the larger project these data will serve.

Used in Section 1, Title (found under Citation information), OR Section 2, Lineage - Source Citation

4) Description of Project: Describe project listed in #4.

Used in Section 1, Description - Abstract

5) Description of data contribution to project: How does this dataset effect or contribute to the overall project or serve the research?

Used in Section 2, Lineage – Source Description and Source Contribution, AND possibly Process step; AND possibly Section 5, Description of Attributes

6) Type of data collection: Indicate if data are collected using GPS, samples (E.g. specimans, plots), or other. If GPS’ed indicated type of receiver used and name the data dictionary used to collect data. If samples are collected, indicate any specific equipment/materials used to collect samples if applicable.

Used in Section 1, Analytical Tool Description; AND Section 2, Attribute Accuracy; AND Lineage – Methodology, AND Source Description; AND Section 5 Entity and Attribute Information.

7) Description of data collection methods: Provide description of methods used in data

collection. This is a reference to a standard method used in the park or in literature. Note any deviation from standard.

Used in Section 1, Analytical Tool Description; AND Section 2, Attribute Accuracy; AND Lineage – Methodology, and possibly Source Description

8) Location of data collection (if applicable): If location of specimen collection is relevant,

indicate West, East, North, and South bounding coordinates, and source used to locate the position(s). Specify projection/coordinate system used (e.g. UTM; Lat/long; decimal degree, local, etc.). Also provide a written description of location (e.g. intersection of Halls Creek and Colorado River).

Used in Section 1, Spatial Domain, AND Section 3, Indirect Spatial Reference, AND throughout Section 4.

9) Species list (if applicable): Indicate species collected/sampled.

Used in Section 1, Taxonomy; AND possibly Section 5, Entity and Attribute Information.

10) Does data require post-processing: If data will be processed in lab, or by computer, indicate here in order to track the dataset. Specify the procedure and the person/office responsible for the procedure.

Used in Section 2, Lineage – Source Information, AND Process Step Information.

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