Vegetation Mapping at Olympic National Park

Project ID: J8W07100012

Federal Agency: National Park Service

Partner Institution: Portland State University

Fiscal Year: 2010

Initial Funding: $59,500

Total Funding: $377,275

Project Type: Technical Assistance

Project Disciplines: Biological

National Park: North Coast and Cascades Network Inventory & Monitoring

Principal Investigator: Kagan, Jimmy

Agreement Technical Representative: Copass, Catharine

Abstract: Staff at Portland State University will collaboratively develop a vegetation map of Olympic National Park with the North Coast and Cascades Network. They will use automated image segmentation and classification techniques in combination with traditional vegetation mapping techniques to develop the map. They will work collaboratively with a mapping team that includes staff from the National Park Service (NPS), NatureServe and the Washington Natural Heritage Program. The map will meet NPS mapping standards, mapping to the level of Alliances of the National Vegetation Classification System, at the 1:24,000 scale, with a 0.5 ha minimum mapping unit and a 80% overall and per class accuracy. This up-to-date vegetation map of Olympic National Park can be used to inform the public about natural vegetation and biological diversity represented within the park. The vegetation map can also be used by a wide range of public entities for a variety of applications including managing natural resources, conducting research, identifying sensitive or threatened habitats, and creating educational programs. It will also serve as a baseline document of current vegetation to evaluate change of these valuable public resources over time.