Southern
Rockies GAP Vegetation Metadata
GEODATASET NAME: SR_GAPVEGA83
IDENTIFICATION INFORMATION
Description:
Southern Rockies Pilot Study Area GAP Vegetation.
Abstract:
Derived from the 1:100,000 block dataset of the Colorado Gap Analysis
Project, habitat/vegetation maps. Using Landsat imagery with a 100 hectare
minimum mapping unit (40 hectares for riparian areas), 52 habitat types
delineated.
Data Type:
Coverage, polygon
Data Originator:
Habitat Resources Section
Colorado Division of Wildlife
6060 N. Broadway
Denver, CO 80216
(303)291-7345
hqwris@lamar.colostate.edu
Data Processor:
Ed Evanson
Lockheed Martin Environmental Services
1050 E. Flamingo Road, Suite E120
Las Vegas, NV 89119
(702)897-3208
eevanson@lmepo.com
Data Provider:
Dan Heggem
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency NERL
P.O. Box 93478
Las Vegas, NV 89193-3478
(702)798-2278
heggem.daniel@epa.gov
Keywords:
Southern Rockies, Pilot Study Area, GAP, habitat, vegetation
Version:
N/A
Status:
Interim
Revision Number:
0
Series Name:
Online Link (URL):
Time Period of Content:
Use Constraints:
Limitations/Warnings/Comments: The land cover layer has been developed at
a relatively coarse scale (1:100,000) for the entire state and is not
suitable for larger scale (i.e. 1:24,000) studies. For example, a
deliberate lower limit of 100 ha was used to define any upland map unit.
The present coverage is the first release and has not been field validated
or tested. Formal statistical evaluation of polygon attribution is not
presently funded (July 1995). This dataset was produced with an intended
application at the state or ecoregion level; geographic features from
several hundred thousand to millions of hectares in size. The data provide
a course-filter approach to analyses, meaning that not every occurrence of
animal habitat is mapped; only large, generalized distributions are mapped,
based on the USGS 1:100000 mapping scale in both detail and precision.
Therefore, this dataset can be used appropriately for coarse-scale
(> 1:100000 scale) applications, or to provide context for finer-level maps
or applications.
Purpose:
Southern Rockies data browser
Date of metadata entry/update:
02/20/2001
No Publication Information Available
No File Security Information Available
DATA QUALITY INFORMATION
Cloud Cover:
Not applicable
Software:
Arc/Info 7.2
Operating System:
Unix
Path Name:
/gis7/wemap/reg8/co/gap
Logical Consistency Report:
Not presently available
Completeness Report:
Not presently available
Horizontal Positional Accuracy:
Not presently available
Vertical Positional Accuracy:
Not presently available
Attribute Accuracy:
Not presently available
Procedures:
Colorado Gap Vegetation 1:100k block coverages were merged together
and clipped to the Southern Rockies boundary using Arcview's
geoproccing wizard. The resulting Arcview Shapefile was converted to
an Arc/Info coverage and projected to region 8 Albers projection.
Reviews Applied to Data
Lockheed Martin Environmental Services internal review
Related Spatial Data Files:
All geodatasets with sr_ or soro_ prefix.
Other References Cited:
Notes:
Update Frequency:
As needed
SPATIAL REFERENCE INFORMATION
Description of DOUBLE precision coverage SR_GAPVEGA83
FEATURE CLASSES
Number of Attribute Spatial
Feature Class Subclass Features data (bytes) Index? Topology?
------------- -------- --------- ------------ ------- ---------
ARCS 17221
POLYGONS 6246 232 Yes
NODES 11070
SECONDARY FEATURES
Tics 4
Arc Segments 374635
Polygon Labels 6245
TOLERANCES
Fuzzy = 0.000 V Dangle = 0.000 V
COVERAGE BOUNDARY
Xmin = 143240.443 Xmax = 442457.355
Ymin = 684593.752 Ymax = 1047245.238
STATUS
The coverage has not been Edited since the last BUILD or CLEAN.
COORDINATE SYSTEM DESCRIPTION
Projection ALBERS
Datum NAD83
Units METERS Spheroid GRS1980
Parameters:
1st standard parallel 34 0 0.000
2nd standard parallel 46 0 0.000
central meridian -110 0 0.00
latitude of projection's origin 31 0 0.000
false easting (meters) 0.00000
false northing (meters) 0.00000
ENTITY AND ATTRIBUTE INFORMATION
Annotation Name:
ATTRIBUTE LISTING FOR: SR_GAPVEGA83.PAT
COLUMN ITEM NAME WIDTH OUTPUT TYPE N.DEC ALTERNATE NAME INDEXED?
1 AREA 8 18 F 5 -
9 PERIMETER 8 18 F 5 -
17 SR_GAPVEGA83# 4 5 B - -
21 SR_GAPVEGA83-ID 4 5 B - -
25 CO_GAPVEGA 8 11 F 0 -
33 CO_GAPVEGAA 8 11 F 0 -
41 WRAY_VEG_ 8 11 F 0 -
49 WRAY_VEG_I 8 11 F 0 -
57 PRIMARY 8 11 F 0 -
65 PRIM_PERCE 8 11 F 0 -
73 PRIM_CROWN 8 11 F 0 -
81 SECONDARY 8 11 F 0 -
89 SEC_PERCEN 8 11 F 0 -
97 OTHER 8 11 F 0 -
105 WETLANDS1 8 11 F 0 -
113 WETLANDS2 8 11 F 0 -
121 DISTURBANC 8 11 F 0 -
129 SOURCE 8 11 F 0 -
137 COMMENTS 15 15 C - -
152 SCS_RSITE 23 23 C - -
175 LULC 11 11 C - -
186 SITE_VISIT 8 11 F 0 -
194 NERCVEG 15 15 C - -
209 SCENE 8 11 F 0 -
217 FIRST2 8 11 F 0 -
225 LAST3 8 11 F 0 -
METADATA REFERENCE SECTION
FGDC Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata
FGDC Standards Version 6/98 / metadata.aml ver. 1.3 5/21/99
SUPPLEMENTAL METADATA (where available)
Abstract:
Habitat/vegetation map of Colorado. 52 habitat types photointerpreted from
Landsat imagery with a 100 hectare minimum mapping unit, 40 hectares for
riparian areas.
Purpose:
Developed for the Colorado Gap Analysis Project to map habitat types across
Colorado and to help model animal distributions. May also be used for various
research, planning, and management issues at the appropriate scale.
The primary purpose of this layer is to map the extent and distribution of
the existing land cover types of Colorado. It will provide one variable (land
cover), used in the Colorado Gap Analysis Project to identify vegetation
types not currently protected for conservation and to model vertebrate
species distributions.
Bounding_Coordinates:
West_Bounding_Coordinate: -109.27901791
East_Bounding_Coordinate: -101.86851063
North_Bounding_Coordinate: 41.02926514
South_Bounding_Coordinate: 36.91383358
Keywords:
Theme_Keyword: Land Cover Map of Colorado
Theme_Keyword: habitat
Theme_Keyword: vegetation
Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: Habitat
Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: Surface Vegetation
Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: Glaciers
Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: Wetlands
Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: Land Use
Appropriate uses include:
1. statewide biodiversity planning;
2. regional and large area resource planning;
3. coarse-filter evaluation of potential impacts or benefits of
major projects/initiatives on biodiversity, such as utility or
transportation corridors, wilderness proposals, open space or
recreational proposals;
4. environmental impact assessment for large projects such as
military activities;
5. education at all levels for both students and citizens.
Inappropriate uses of this data include:
1. Generating specific measurements from the data finer than the
nearest thousand hectares;
2. Establishing exact boundaries for regulation or acquisition;
3. Establishing definite presence or absence of any element;
4. Determining abundance, health, or condition of any element;
5. Establishing a measure of accuracy of any other data by com-
parison with this dataset;
6. Combining this data with any other data finer than 1:100000
scale for analysis;
7. Use of this data to map small areas (less than thousands of
hectares) typically requiring mapping resolution at 1:24000
scale and using aerial photographs or ground surveys.
8. Altering the data in any way and redistributing it as a GAP
product.
Data_Set_Credit: This dataset resulted from group efforts of state, federal
and local governments, universities, non-governmental organizations, and
private individuals throughout both development and review phases. Principal
investigation responsibilities were shared at times between the Colorado
Division of Wildlife (CDOW; Denver, Colorado), the National Ecological
Research Center (NERC/USFWS; Ft. Collins, Colorado), and the University of
Wyoming (Laramie, Wyoming) for dataset development. Ecological modeling was
carried out by the Colorado Division of Wildlife, with logistical support
through the Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory at Colorado State University
(NREL/CSU; Ft. Collins, Colorado), with support funding from the Colorado
Division of Wildlife, the National Gap Analysis office (USFWS/USGS; Boise,
Idaho) and Great Outdoors Colorado (Denver, Colorado). Support throughout the
review phase, in addition to the above mentioned associates, included the
USDA - Forest Service, USDI - Bureau of Land Management, USDI - Fish and
Wildlife Service, USDA - Soil Conservation Resource Service, Colorado Bird
Atlas Project, the Colorado Natural Heritage Program, The Nature Conservancy,
and the Colorado Bird Observatory. A large amount of credit for the land
cover/vegetation map developed for the Colorado Gap Analysis Project goes
to the National Ecological Research Center (NERC/USFWS; now Mid-Continent
Ecological Science Center) for photo-interpretive work in Eastern Colorado,
and the Botany Department, University of Wyoming for interpretive work for
the Western two-thirds of Colorado.
Native_Data_Set_Environment:
SunOS, 5.5, sun4u UNIX
ARC/INFO version 7.0.4
Attribute_Accuracy_Report:
Identification and corrections of attribution during site visits
by GAP cooperators provided the most accurate method for accessing
land cover. Other polygons were attributed by extensive
cross-referencing of ancillary data. Formal accuracy assessment
has not been performed due to funding limitations.
Validation:
Mapping by the methods described above generates a number of different kinds
of error (Goodchild 1994). Resources were not available for formal map
validation--a task that probably would require as much effort as the original
mapping (Stoms et al. 1994). Site visits to many of the polygons by Tom
Thompson resulted in the most accurate attributing possible. Additional field
review of polygons was provided by seasonal field work by Steve Boyle and
Stella Todd, temporary Research Associates of the University of Wyoming Botany
Department. Cover types were either determined or corrected on existing source
maps wherever possible when site visits occurred. Formal statistical
evaluation of the map is not currently funded.
Logical_Consistency_Report:
Polygon and chain-node topology present.
All coveg_01 land cover data were found to be topologically correct
using ARC/INFO Rev. 6.1.1. All polygons are closed, and no label errors
are present. No arc undershoots or overshoots are present and adjacent
polygons do not have identical attributes.
Completeness_Report:
100 hectare minimum mapping unit. Mapping covers entire state of Colorado.
The map is complete for the State of Colorado. Only the PRIMARY field
is complete for the map, however, there are approximately 50 polygons
near the border with New Mexico whose fields were not filled in because
they are very small and not enough information was available for
appropriate attribution. The NERCVEG field is complete for those polygons
in the coverages provided by NERC but this field was not filled on the
Colorado Gap coverages. Other fields were filled as data was available.
It should be noted that an attribute of "0" does not necessarily mean
there is no data although "nodata" codes were not used.
Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy_Report:
Unknown. TM Satellite imagery used as a base for the map has been
geographically rectified and in all cases error is less than 60
meters (2 full resolution pixels). Digitized polygon boundaries
are by necessity subjective and no rigorous accuracy assessment
has been made.
OVERVIEW
The land cover layer for Colorado was constructed from Landsat TM imagery
using the manual polygon digitizing technique developed for California Gap
Analysis and described by Davis et al. (1990) and Scott et al. (1993).
The Landsat TM imagery was obtained from the Colorado Division of Wildlife.
These scenes had already been georeferenced, but approximately 10 control
points were checked and georeferenced on both USGS 1:24,000 quad sheets and
the imagery by Colorado Gap. In all cases, the scenes were used as received,
and not re-georeferenced. All image processing was performed using the Map
and Image Processing System (MIPS) (MicroImages, Inc., Lincoln, Nebraska).
The scenes were resampled from full resolution (30 meter) to degraded (100
meter) pixels and contrast stretched. TM bands 3, 4 and 5 were then exported
to ARC/INFO in ERDAS format. Landsat TM data processed by Colorado Gap are
more fully described in Appendix A. A detailed is available upon request for
cost of duplication. Polygons were digitized on the computer screen by using
a mouse to draw lines over the 3 band false color TM image. These polygons
delineate relatively homogeneous spectral regions on the imagery. Polygons
were subsequently edited and assigned attributes within the ARCEDIT
environment by incorporating photointerpretation techniques, maps available
from federal, state and local agencies, and field reconnaissance.
Land cover mapping for the eastern part of the state was performed by the
NERC (NERC's name has since been changed to the Mid-continental Ecological
Science Center - MESC) and sent to Colorado Gap as 4 1:250,000 map coverages.
These maps were edgematched with the Gap coverage by Tom Thompson and
mapjoined after modifying the PAT to match that of the GAP coverages. The
NERC classification codes were cross referenced to the GAP codes. For the
NERC coverages only PRIMARY and NERCVEG attributes have been filled, though
the other fields have been provided should future updates occur.
Process_Description:
Image Processing
The following is a brief description of the methods used for image
processing the scenes used by the Colorado Gap Analysis project. A complete,
detailed document of the TM image processing procedures (Thurston 1993) is
available upon request from the Botany Department at the University of
Wyoming. A separate description of the methods used by NERC is provided in
Appendix E of the Data Dictionary chapter (Chapter IV).
Thirteen Landsat TM scenes were used by Colorado Gap. Additionally, four
1:250000 coverages were provided by the National Ecological Research Center,
to create the Colorado land cover map . The TM scenes were obtained from the
Colorado Division of Wildlife. The Landsat TM imagery was georeferenced by
Don Schrupp, Amy Cade, and Kristi Buffington of the Colorado Division of
Wildlife using Earth Resources Data Analysis (ERDAS) image processing
geo-rectification routines. The scenes were then checked by Tom Thompson and
Rob Thurston at the University of Wyoming, using approximately 10 control
points located on both the image and on USGS 1:24,000 quad sheets. Images
were resampled using the Map and Image Processing System (MIPS) to produce
contrast enhanced imagery at a degraded resolution of 100m x 100m.
Three bands (TM channels 3, 4 and 5) of these data were used for vegetation
mapping in the Gap Analysis. These bands measure reflectance in the red and
near-infrared regions of the electromagnetic spectrum and have proven useful
for classification of vegetation because they capture important features in
the reflectance spectra of green leaves.
The three TM bands were exported from MIPS as ERDAS, .BIL, or .LAN composites.
These files contain three bands of data interleaved by line and preceded by
header information (128 bytes). ERDAS format image files are compatible with
the Arc/Info GIS software being used for mapping by Colorado Gap. False color
images can be displayed in Arc/Info by assigning red, green and blue to the
three bands in any order. A false-color infrared photograph can be emulated
on screen by assigning red to TM band 4, green to TM band 5 and blue to TM
band 3. The images were displayed in geographic space according to the
coordinates assigned during the MIPS georeferencing and stored in the image
file header.
Process_Description:
National Ecological Research Center
Four 1:250000 coverages for the eastern part of the state (Sterling, Limon,
Lamar and La Junta) were provided to Colorado Gap by the National Ecological
Research Center (NERC), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. NERC obtained the TM
satellite scenes from the Colorado Division of Wildlife and had them processed
to film based image maps at Barringer Laboratories in Golden, Colorado. With
extensive field reconnaissance and use of ancillary data, NERC digitized and
attributed those polygons found in this part of the map using standard image
processing techniques. Vegetation/land cover polygon attribute information
were captured to a 1:250000 scale mylar overlay on the film-based image maps
for eastern Colorado. A more complete description of their methods,
references, and classification system can be found in the Data Dictionary
chapter of this manual. NERC's coverages were edgematched and mapjoined to
the Colorado Gap coverages in Arc/Info and a crosswalk between the two
classification systems is provided in the chapter - Crosswalks to Other
Systems. Polygons on the Colorado Gap side of the state map often contain
more information than just the PRIMARY field, resulting in several polygons
on the area of the map produced by Colorado Gap that appear to end at the
border of the two coverages. Edgematching was performed between the two
coverages where the arcs were obviously delineating the same type. Where
there was no continuation of arcs on the NERC coverages the polygons ended
at the border. Space was provided in the coverage's .PAT to fill in additional
information about polygons in this area, should it become available.
Process_Description:
Digitizing (Colorado Gap Methods)
For each TM scene two coverages were created in ARCEDIT. One was the empty
coverage to which arcs delineating land cover polygons were added. The second,
was an arbitrary grid used as a background coverage during digitizing to
allow digitizers to keep track of completed work. Since coverages adjacent to
a particular image may overlap with that image, "neat" lines were drawn in the
new vegetation coverage to enclose the area of the scene that did not overlap
with previously digitized areas. This prevented digitizers from drawing
polygons on the same area twice. Land cover polygons were digitized manually
on-screen over the processed Landsat imagery. Student digitizers at the
University of Wyoming and Tom Thompson of the Department of Botany, performed
the initial digitizing. Digitizers were given several guidelines for polygon
drawing, to help insure that the map units were consistent from satellite
scene to satellite scene and that they followed mapping standards agreed upon
by Gap Analysis. Land cover polygons were drawn at an approximate scale of
1:100,000. This was accomplished by drawing the polygons over imagery with
zooming such that a single pixel (100m x 100m) occupies an area on the screen
of approximately 1mm x 1mm. This zoom factor assured that the map was drawn
at the size of a 1:100,000 scale map. Some areas required zooming in or out
further depending on the spectral homogeneity or heterogeneity of the area
being interpreted. For areas with broad ecotones where boundaries between
types were not well defined, the ability to view larger areas allowed better
placement of artificial boundaries. Areas with very distinct land cover units,
such as when irrigated agriculture contrasts with sagebrush allow tighter
zooms to improve accuracy of more well-defined line placement. Polygons were
drawn with a minimum mapping unit (MMU) of 100ha for land cover and 40ha for
wetlands. This corresponds to 100 pixels for land cover and 40 for wetlands.
Digitizers were instructed to do rough pixel counts if in doubt about the size
of a potential polygon unit and to include the area as an inclusion in another
polygon if it was smaller than the MMU. Not every area the size of the MMU was
drawn as a separate polygon. Similar land cover types often showed spectral
differences and were not separated. Initial editing included checking the
coverages to visually assess the accuracy of the line work. Lines along
distinct land cover boundaries should be accurate and polygons should
represent areas of distinct land cover types or mixtures. Polygons sometimes
"run-on" in the sense that different land cover types are connected by narrow
corridors which have not been closed. These types of errors were noted and
digitizers revised the polygon coverage where necessary. Student digitizers
performed the initial cleaning and editing. This procedure included the
removal of dangling arcs and of polygons smaller than the wetland MMU.
Dangles were removed using the CLEAN command in ARC, and by hand in ARCEDIT
when dangle length was larger than the tolerance used by the CLEAN command.
Polygons smaller than the wetland MMU (40ha) were removed using the ELIMINATE
command in ARC. Land cover polygons smaller than the 100ha dryland MMU were
removed during or after labeling using logical expressions to select and
eliminate polygons that included dryland types and were smaller than the MMU.
Completed coverages were checked by Thompson and further editing was performed
before and during the polygon labeling process. Tom Thompson performed all the
digitizing, editing and labeling on scenes, tm3334, tm3633 and, tm3234. The
Colorado Gap scenes were digitized into areas also being digitized by NERC.
When the NERC coverages were received, the Colorado Gap scenes were CLIPPED to
the NERC boundaries. Riparian areas appear as spectrally distinct linear
regions on the satellite image. These areas were mapped as separate polygons
when they were larger than the wetland MMU and when they were wider than 2
pixels. Smaller or narrower riparian areas were included in surrounding
polygons. It is important not to allow riparian polygons to "bleed" into
larger
Process_Description:
Labeling
Labels were added to each coverage and a unique user-id was assigned to each
polygon. User-ids were assigned such that each polygon in the state has a
unique id. This was accomplished by initially reserving approximately 2000
id numbers for each coverage. Subsequent updates have modified this convention
somewhat. Adding land cover information to the attribute fields for each
polygon is the most labor intensive step in the land cover mapping procedure,
requiring the integration of all available data resources, field
reconnaissance and photointerpretation of the imagery. Gap analysis vertebrate
habitat modeling requires only the completion of the primary land cover field
for each polygon. Consequently, this field is complete for all polygons in the
Colorado land cover layer, except for approximately 50 polygons found on the
border with New Mexico whose size was too small to make educated
determinations of their cover type. Other fields, however, provide important
information about the composition of the polygons and efforts were made to
complete these fields when information was available. The primary method used
for labeling polygons was the use of the Soil Conservation Service's series of
Land Use and Natural Plant Communities maps (1:126,720). Additionally, the
USGS Land Use/Land Cover digital map layer for Colorado (1:250000) and
photointerpretation of the image from the computer screen were utilized for
labeling. Completion of the land cover map for the entire state of Colorado
within a limited time period and with limited resources required the
integration of existing data provided by federal, state and private agencies
and organizations, data described in the literature, conversations with
workers familiar with particular areas and field reconnaissance. These data
all serve to provide "training sites" which serve as models for
photointerpretation of the imagery in areas where reliable data did not exist
or where field checking was difficult. For each polygon, attributes were
entered using data entry forms in ARCEDIT.
Process_Description:
Edge Matching
Preliminary edge-matching to surrounding coverages was performed by extending
digitized line work from adjacent coverages into the new coverage. This
allowed digitizers to "grow" the new land cover polygons from the old and
facilitated more rigorous edge-matching of adjacent coverages later. Coverages
created for individual satellite scenes were joined using Arc/Info and edges
were adjusted manually to produce the seamless land cover map for the state.
The Colorado Gap coverage has also been edgematched to the coverages produced
by Utah and Wyoming. The Wyoming coverages were developed and attributed using
similar methods. Utah used machine classification methods to produce their
maps resulting in various interpretations at several locations along the
border between the two states. The coverages from NERC were provided with
only the PRIMARY cover type identified. Adjacent polygons in the Colorado Gap
coverages may have the same PRIMARY cover type but different SECONDARY or
OTHER attributes thus resulting in a greater number of delineated polygons on
the Colorado Gap coverages. This has resulted in several polygons along the
Colorado Gap border with the NERC coverages that end on the border line and
do not continue onto the NERC coverages.
Process_Description:
NERC Mapping Procedures
Contact: Thomas Owens (9/23/91)
Landsat TM scenes were obtained by the Colorado Division of Wildlife
(Contact: Don Schrupp) and processed into color prints by Barringer
Laboratories in Golden, Colorado (Contact: Sandra Perry).
The TM data were acquired between 1984 and 1990 with Landsat satellites 4 and
5. Bands 1,4, and 7 were used. Band 1 is sensitive in the blue portion of the
electromagnetic spectrum, band 4 is sensitive to the near visible infrared,
and band 7 is sensitive to mid infrared radiation. Barringer produced
annotated 1:250,000 blow-up photos coinciding with 1:250,000 topographic
quads, and warped with 25-30 control points. The images were visually scanned
for areas to visit for field checking. Field checking involved taking detailed
notes and ground photos of all new signatures and vegetation types, visiting
areas where new questions may have arisen, and briefly confirming areas that
have similar signatures. Field notes were reviewed and compared with the image
to ensure all major signatures were identifiable. Interpretation was done
manually using conventional PI methods. The interpreter used the visual clues
of color, texture, pattern, size and context to classify vegetation. Extensive
field checking was done to ensure the interpretation was as accurate as
possible. Clear acetate was overlaid on the image and line work was produced
using a 3x0 size drafting pen (draws a line .25 mm wide). Interpretation was
done using a magnifying glass. Delineations were made for the most obvious
features first, then the less obvious ones. Once the obvious areas were
delineated, a wetland density modifier was added. This was done by overlaying
the delineated acetate onto the 1:250,000 scale wetland map and counting or
estimating the number of wetlands per square mile using a grid produced for
that purpose.
MAPPING UNIT ATTRIBUTE CODE: 11001
MAPPING UNIT NAME: Urban or Built-up land.
DOMINANT SPECIES: Not applicable
DESCRIPTION This category is comprised of areas of intensive
use with much of the land covered by structures. Included in
this category are cities, towns, villages, strip developments
along highways, transportation, power, and communications facilities,
and areas such as those occupied by mills, shopping centers,
industrial and commercial complexes, and institutions that may,
in some instances, be isolated from urban areas (Anderson, et al.
1976).
DISTRIBUTION: Throughout the state of Colorado.
ELEVATION RANGE:
DIAGNOSTIC SPECIES: Not applicable
MAPPING UNIT ATTRIBUTE CODE: 21001
MAPPING UNIT NAME: Dry land crops type.
DOMINANT SPECIES: (see DIAGNOSTIC SPECIES)
DESCRIPTION This type includes non irrigated cropland, dryland
improved pastures, fallow lands, rural development, ranch and farm
facilities and shelter belts.
DISTRIBUTION: Throughout the state of Colorado.
ELEVATION RANGE:
DIAGNOSTIC SPECIES: Small grains, wheat, barley, rye, any
non-irrigated crop.
MAPPING UNIT ATTRIBUTE CODE: 21002
MAPPING UNIT NAME: Irrigated crop type.
DOMINANT SPECIES: (see DIAGNOSTIC SPECIES)
DESCRIPTION Any irrigated agricultural area. Includes most row
crops, irrigated pastureland and hay fields and associated farm or
ranch facilities.
DISTRIBUTION: Throughout the state of Colorado.
ELEVATION RANGE:
DIAGNOSTIC SPECIES: Row crops, corn, beans, irrigated hayfields
and pastures.
MAPPING UNIT ATTRIBUTE CODE: 21003
MAPPING UNIT NAME: Orchard, Horticultural type.
DOMINANT SPECIES: Not applicable
DESCRIPTION Orchards, groves, and vineyards produce the various
fruit and nut crops. Nurseries and horticultural areas, which include
floricultural and seed-and-sod areas and some greenhouses, are used
perennially for these purposes. Tree nurseries which provide seedlings
for plantation forestry also are included here (Anderson, et al.
1976).
DISTRIBUTION: Throughout the state of Colorado.
ELEVATION RANGE:
DIAGNOSTIC SPECIES: Various fruits, nuts, sod, tree nurseries etc.
MAPPING UNIT ATTRIBUTE CODE: 21004
MAPPING UNIT NAME: Confined livestock feeding type.
DOMINANT SPECIES: Not applicable
DESCRIPTION Confined feeding operations are large, specialized
livestock production enterprises, chiefly beef cattle feedlots,
dairy operations with confined feeding, and large poultry farms, but
also including hog feedlots (Anderson, et al 1976).
DISTRIBUTION: Throughout the state of Colorado.
ELEVATION RANGE:
DIAGNOSTIC SPECIES: Not applicable
MAPPING UNIT ATTRIBUTE CODE: 31010
MAPPING UNIT NAME: Tallgrass prairie type.
DOMINANT SPECIES: Big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), little
bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans)
DESCRIPTION (see NOTES)
DISTRIBUTION: Eastern Colorado
ELEVATION RANGE:
DIAGNOSTIC SPECIES: Andropogon gerardii, Schizachyrium scoparium,
Sorghastrum nutans
MAPPING UNIT ATTRIBUTE CODE: 31013
MAPPING UNIT NAME: Sand dune grassland complex type.
DOMINANT SPECIES: Prairie sandreed (Calamovilfa longifolia), Sand
bluestem (Andropogon hallii), Common Reed (Phragmites australis),
Blowoutgrass (Redfieldia flexuosa), Lemon scurfpea (Psoralea
lanceolata).
DESCRIPTION This type includes active and stabilized grass
dominated sand dune communities. Distinct from shrub sand dune
complex type in being dominated by grass species, although shrub
species are likely to be present also.
DISTRIBUTION: Northeastern Colorado
ELEVATION RANGE:
DIAGNOSTIC SPECIES: Prairie sandreed (Calamovilfa longifolia), Sand
bluestem (Andropogon hallii), Common Reed (Phragmites australis),
Blowoutgrass (Redfieldia flexuosa), Lemon scurfpea (Psoralea
lanceolata).
MAPPING UNIT ATTRIBUTE CODE: 31020
MAPPING UNIT NAME: Mid grass prairie type.
DOMINANT SPECIES: Sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula),
Galleta (Hilaria jamesii), Foxtail barley (Hordeum jubatum), Western
wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii), Bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria
spicata), Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), New Mexico
feathergrass (Stipa neomexicana), Green needlegrass (Stipa viridula).
DESCRIPTION (see NOTES)
DISTRIBUTION: Eastern Colorado
ELEVATION RANGE:
DIAGNOSTIC SPECIES: Sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula), Galleta
(Hilaria jamesii), Foxtail barley (Hordeum jubatum), Western wheatgrass
(Pascopyrum smithii), Bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata),
Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), New Mexico feathergrass
(Stipa neomexicana), Green needlegrass (Stipa viridula), Needle and
thread (Stipa comata).
MAPPING UNIT ATTRIBUTE CODE: 31030
MAPPING UNIT NAME: Short grass prairie type.
DOMINANT SPECIES: Buffalograss (Buchloe dactyloides), blue grama
(Bouteloua gracilis)
DESCRIPTION This graminoid type is dominated by short grass prairie
species and buffalograss is considered as an indicator. Buffalograss
must be present for a grassland to be mapped as this type. This type
usually consists of a shortgrass understory of buffalograss and blue
grama and an overstory of western wheatgrass, needle and thread grass,
or other mixed grass species.
DISTRIBUTION: Eastern Colorado
ELEVATION RANGE:
DIAGNOSTIC SPECIES: Buchloe dactyloides, Bouteloua gracilis
MAPPING UNIT ATTRIBUTE CODE: 31040
MAPPING UNIT NAME: Foothills and mountain grassland type.
DOMINANT SPECIES: Festuca spp., Muhlenbergia spp.
DESCRIPTION (see NOTES)
DISTRIBUTION: Throughout the state of Colorado.
ELEVATION RANGE:
DIAGNOSTIC SPECIES: Festuca arizonica, Festuca thurberi, Festuca
idahoensis, Muhlenbergia montana, Muhlenbergia filiculmis, Danthonia
parryi, Pseudoroegneria spicata, Stipa comata
MAPPING UNIT ATTRIBUTE CODE: 32001
MAPPING UNIT NAME: Mesic upland shrub type.
DOMINANT SPECIES: Varied (see DIAGNOSTIC SPECIES)
DESCRIPTION This is a 'catch all' type which includes a variety of
shrub communities that grow in relatively mesic sites. Most often,
Rocky Mountain maple, serviceberry, and/or chokecherry are dominant or
co-dominant, but other shrub species may be present. Mountain mahogany
can not be dominant. Mesic shrubs must comprise more than 25% of the
total vegetative cover.
DISTRIBUTION: Throughout the state of Colorado.
ELEVATION RANGE: 1560-3760m (5100-12325')
DIAGNOSTIC SPECIES: Acer glabrum, Amelanchier sp., Symphoricarpos sp.,
Prunus sp.
MAPPING UNIT ATTRIBUTE CODE: 32002
MAPPING UNIT NAME: Xeric upland shrub type.
DOMINANT SPECIES: Mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus sp.)
DESCRIPTION A shrub community with vegetative cover dominated by
species of mountain mahogany. Mountain mahogany must comprise more
than 25% of the total vegetative cover.
DISTRIBUTION: Throughout the state of Colorado.
ELEVATION RANGE: 1740-2855m (5700-9360')
DIAGNOSTIC SPECIES: Cercocarpus montanus, Cercocarpus ledifolius
MAPPING UNIT ATTRIBUTE CODE: 32003
MAPPING UNIT NAME: Deciduous oak type.
DOMINANT SPECIES: Gambel oak (Quercus gambelii)
DESCRIPTION Scrub oak community where Gambel oak comprises more than
25% of the total vegetative cover and is the dominant shrub.
DISTRIBUTION: This species does not occur on the east slope of the
Front Range north of the Denver area. However, the range of this
species extends into Wyoming on the west slope.
ELEVATION RANGE: 1830-2940m (6000-9630')
DIAGNOSTIC SPECIES: Quercus gambelii
MAPPING UNIT ATTRIBUTE CODE: 32005
MAPPING UNIT NAME: Bitterbrush shrub type.
DOMINANT SPECIES: Bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata)
DESCRIPTION Areas where Bitterbrush is the dominant or co dominant
shrub and comprises more than 25% of the total vegetative cover. Often
Artemisia tridentata is co dominant, but if there is a significant
proportion of Bitterbrush, the community is classified as Bitterbrush
shrub type because of the importance of this type for wildlife.
DISTRIBUTION: Found scattered throughout Colorado, but more likely to
assume canopy cover dominance in western Colorado.
ELEVATION RANGE: 1830-2745m (6000-9000')
DIAGNOSTIC SPECIES: Purshia tridentata
MAPPING UNIT ATTRIBUTE CODE: 32006
MAPPING UNIT NAME: Mountain big sagebrush type.
DOMINANT SPECIES: Mountain big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata ssp.,
vaseyana)
DESCRIPTION This type is dominated by mountain big sagebrush, which
must be 25% or greater of the total vegetative cover. Often this type
occurs with mixed grasses. Sometimes occurs as patches of dense
sagebrush with patches of mixed grasses. In this case, sagebrush
patches must be more than 50% of the land area.
DISTRIBUTION: (see NOTES)
ELEVATION RANGE: 1525-2900m (5000-9500')
DIAGNOSTIC SPECIES: Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana
MAPPING UNIT ATTRIBUTE CODE: 32007
MAPPING UNIT NAME: Wyoming big sagebrush type.
DOMINANT SPECIES: Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata ssp.,
wyomingensis)
DESCRIPTION This type is dominated by Wyoming big sagebrush,
comprising more than 25% of the total vegetative cover. This type is
variable and includes areas of dense homogenous Wyoming big sagebrush,
to sparsely vegetated, arid areas where Wyoming big sagebrush is the
dominant shrub. Often, patches of Wyoming big sagebrush are found with
patches of mixed grasses. In these cases, the area is classified as
Wyoming big sagebrush if the sagebrush patches occupy more than 50% of
the total ground cover.
DISTRIBUTION:
ELEVATION RANGE: 1030-3410m (3300-11200')
DIAGNOSTIC SPECIES: Artemisia tridentata ssp., wyomingensis
MAPPING UNIT ATTRIBUTE CODE: 32009
MAPPING UNIT NAME: Big sagebrush type.
DOMINANT SPECIES: Big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata ssp.,
tridentata)
DESCRIPTION Shrubland with basin big sagebrush dominating the shrub
cover and comprising more than 25% of the total vegetative cover.
Often occurs mixed with grasses. When found in riparian areas, primary
vegetation is classified as shrub riparian and secondary type as big
sagebrush shrubland.
DISTRIBUTION: (see NOTES)
ELEVATION RANGE: 1200-2150m (4000-7000')
DIAGNOSTIC SPECIES: Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata
MAPPING UNIT ATTRIBUTE CODE: 32010
MAPPING UNIT NAME: Desert shrub type.
DOMINANT SPECIES: Four wing saltbush (Atriplex canescens), Shadscale
(Atriplex confertifolia)
DESCRIPTION This type is a mixture of shrubs occurring in dry, salty
habitats. Shrub cover is often dominated by shadscale, but can be a
mixture of shrub species.
DISTRIBUTION: Throughout the state of Colorado.
ELEVATION RANGE: 1220-2440m (4000-8000')
DIAGNOSTIC SPECIES: Atriplex canescens, Atriplex confertifolia,
Coleogyne ramosissima
MAPPING UNIT ATTRIBUTE CODE: 32011
MAPPING UNIT NAME: Saltbush fans and flats type.
DOMINANT SPECIES: Saltbush (Atriplex sp.)
DESCRIPTION Areas where Gardner's saltbush comprises more than 25% of
the total vegetative cover. These are usually relatively pure saltbush
stands, often sparsely vegetated with bare soil constituting most of
the land surface. Can be mixed with some grasses or shrubs if these
comprise less than 50% of the total cover.
DISTRIBUTION: Found in western Colorado.
ELEVATION RANGE: 1400-1830m (4500-6000')
DIAGNOSTIC SPECIES: Atriplex nuttallii, Atriplex corrugata, Atriplex
cuneata
MAPPING UNIT ATTRIBUTE CODE: 32012
MAPPING UNIT NAME: Greasewood fans and flats type.
DOMINANT SPECIES: Greasewood (Sarcobatus vermiculatus)
DESCRIPTION Areas where greasewood comprises more than 75% of the
total shrub cover and more than 25% of the total vegetative cover.
Often found mixed with grasses. Greasewood is frequently found in
riparian areas and classified as shrub riparian, with greasewood
classified as secondary vegetation type within the polygon.
DISTRIBUTION: (see NOTES)
ELEVATION RANGE: 1400-2600m (4500-8500')
DIAGNOSTIC SPECIES: Sarcobatus vermiculatus
MAPPING UNIT ATTRIBUTE CODE: 32013
MAPPING UNIT NAME: Sand dune shrub complex type.
DOMINANT SPECIES: Sand sagebrush (Artemisia filifolia), Rabbitbrush
(Chrysothamnus sp.), Spiny hopsage (Grayia spinosa)
DESCRIPTION This type includes active and stabilized shrub dominated
sand dune communities. On active dunes most of the land surface is
comprised of bare, shifting sands though some dune stabilizing species
such as Indian ricegrass, Psoralea spp., and rabbitbrush may be present,
especially around the margins. Stabilized dunes are vegetated and may
include a combination of the above as well as Artemisia species.
DISTRIBUTION: Northeastern Colorado, Comanche National Grassland, San
Luis Valley
ELEVATION RANGE: 1070-1700m (3500-5500')
DIAGNOSTIC SPECIES: Artemisia filifolia, Chrysothamnus sp., Psoralea
spp., Oryzopsis hymenoides, bare sand
MAPPING UNIT ATTRIBUTE CODE: 32030
MAPPING UNIT NAME: Disturbed shrub type.
DOMINANT SPECIES: Rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus sp.), Mormon tea
(Ephedra sp.), horsebrush (Tetradymia sp.)
DESCRIPTION Areas where erosion, burning, excessive livestock grazing
or other natural or man made disturbance have resulted in a community
dominated by shrubs with little value to livestock or wildlife.
DISTRIBUTION: (see NOTES)
ELEVATION RANGE:
DIAGNOSTIC SPECIES: Chrysothamnus sp., Ephedra sp., Tetradymia sp.
MAPPING UNIT ATTRIBUTE CODE: 41001
MAPPING UNIT NAME: Aspen type.
DOMINANT SPECIES: Rocky Mountain aspen (Populus tremuloides)
DESCRIPTION Forest in which aspen dominates the canopy. Includes
pure aspen forest and mixed conifer aspen forest where aspens make up
over 50% of the total canopy. Total canopy coverage of trees must be
greater than 25%.
DISTRIBUTION: Throughout the state of Colorado.
ELEVATION RANGE: 1830-3050m (6000-10000')
DIAGNOSTIC SPECIES: Populus tremuloides
MAPPING UNIT ATTRIBUTE CODE: 42001
MAPPING UNIT NAME: Spruce - fir type.
DOMINANT SPECIES: Engelmann Spruce (Picea engelmannii) and Subalpine
fir (Abies lasiocarpa).
DESCRIPTION Spruce fir forest not significantly affected by logging.
Engelmann spruce and/or subalpine fir must be dominant or co-dominant
in the canopy. This type will also include spruce fir krummholz
communities. Total canopy coverage by all tree species must be greater
than 25%.
DISTRIBUTION: Abies lasiocarpa and Picea engelmannii are found in the
subalpine zone throughout the state of Colorado. The subspecies A.l.
arizonica begins to replace the subspecies A.l. lasiocarpa in the
southern part of the state. Abies is absent from the relatively dry
subalpine zone of Pike's Peak.
ELEVATION RANGE: 2590-3659m (8500 - 12000')
DIAGNOSTIC SPECIES: Picea engelmannii, Abies lasiocarpa
MAPPING UNIT ATTRIBUTE CODE: 42002
MAPPING UNIT NAME: Spruce - fir clearcut type.
DOMINANT SPECIES: Engelmann Spruce (Picea engelmannii) and
Subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa).
DESCRIPTION Clearcuts or areas significantly altered by logging
operations within the Engelmann spruce - subalpine fir forest type.
These areas are a mosaic of logged areas and intact forest but logged
areas must occupy more than 40% of the total area. Ground cover can
range from bare, disturbed soil, trough meadow, to early successional
stages but does not become forest until total canopy closure reaches
26%.
DISTRIBUTION: See spruce fir type.
ELEVATION RANGE: See spruce fir type.
DIAGNOSTIC SPECIES: Picea engelmannii, Abies lasiocarpa
MAPPING UNIT ATTRIBUTE CODE: 42003
MAPPING UNIT NAME: Douglas fir type.
DOMINANT SPECIES: Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii)
DESCRIPTION Forests dominated by Douglas fir. This type includes both
intact Douglas fir forests and those affected by logging (when
contiguous logged areas are smaller than 100 ha.).
DISTRIBUTION: Throughout the state of Colorado.
ELEVATION RANGE: 1650-2800m (5400-9000') (Peet, 1988)
DIAGNOSTIC SPECIES: Pseudotsuga menziesii
MAPPING UNIT ATTRIBUTE CODE: 42004
MAPPING UNIT NAME: Lodgepole pine type.
DOMINANT SPECIES: Lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta)
DESCRIPTION Forest which is dominated by lodgepole pine and not
significantly affected by logging. Engelmann spruce and subalpine fir
may be mixed with the canopy trees or important in the understory, but
not as dominants.
DISTRIBUTION: Lodgepole pine is absent from the Pike's Peak area and
reaches it's southern limit of distribution in southern Colorado. The
species is also absent form the west slope of the Rockies in southern
Colorado.
ELEVATION RANGE: 1830-3354m (6000-11000') especially above 2440m
DIAGNOSTIC SPECIES: Pinus contorta
MAPPING UNIT ATTRIBUTE CODE: 42007
MAPPING UNIT NAME: Lodgepole pine clearcut type.
DOMINANT SPECIES: Lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta)
DESCRIPTION Areas of lodgepole pine that are significantly affected
by logging. This type consists of clearcut areas within the lodgepole
pine type, with logged areas covering more than 40% of the total ground
area. The vegetation on the logged areas may vary, but is not
classified as forest until the regrowing trees dominate the vegetation
within the clearcuts. The current vegetation in the clearcut may be
identified as the secondary vegetation type.
DISTRIBUTION: See lodgepole pine type.
ELEVATION RANGE: See lodgepole pine type.
DIAGNOSTIC SPECIES: Pinus contorta
MAPPING UNIT ATTRIBUTE CODE: 42009
MAPPING UNIT NAME: Limber pine type.
DOMINANT SPECIES: Limber pine (Pinus flexilis)
DESCRIPTION Areas dominated by limber pine. This type includes
closed canopy forest dominated by limber pine to more open limber pine
woodland where limber pine consists of more than 25% of the total
vegetative cover. Often co-occurs with juniper woodland and with shrubs
or grasses in the understory.
DISTRIBUTION: Throughout the state of Colorado.
ELEVATION RANGE: 1524-3354m (5000-11000')
DIAGNOSTIC SPECIES: Pinus flexilis
MAPPING UNIT ATTRIBUTE CODE: 42010
MAPPING UNIT NAME: Ponderosa pine type.
DOMINANT SPECIES: Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa)
DESCRIPTION Ponderosa pine dominated forest or woodland that is not
significantly affected by logging. Canopy closure may vary from 26-100%.
DISTRIBUTION: Found throughout the state of Colorado. East of the
continental divide from the Colorado - Wyoming border northward, the
low elevation habitat of ponderosa pine occurs only along the far
eastern fringe of the Rocky Mountain region (Black Hills, Bighorn
Mountains, Laramie Range and rocky outcrops in between).
ELEVATION RANGE: 1524-2744m (5000-9000')
DIAGNOSTIC SPECIES: Pinus ponderosa
MAPPING UNIT ATTRIBUTE CODE: 42011
MAPPING UNIT NAME: Blue Spruce type.
DOMINANT SPECIES: Blue spruce (Picea pungens)
DESCRIPTION Forested areas dominated by blue spruce. Due to the
riparian nature of this species, the mixed composition typical of
riparian areas, and the size of the minimum mapping unit, this type
may not often be represented as a primary vegetation type. Distinguish
from forested riparian type when blue spruce is over 26% of the total
canopy cover.
DISTRIBUTION: Found along streams and rivers and in other wet to
mesic habitats throughout Colorado.
ELEVATION RANGE: 2134-3550m (7000-9500')
DIAGNOSTIC SPECIES: Picea pungens
MAPPING UNIT ATTRIBUTE CODE: 42012
MAPPING UNIT NAME: White fir type.
DOMINANT SPECIES: White fir (Abies concolor)
DESCRIPTION Forested areas where white fir is more than 25% of the
total canopy cover. White fir habitat and community types are
described by the Forest Service only from forests of south central
Colorado. This species is typically found in mixed stands and/or
riparian areas and therefore may not often occur as a primary
vegetation type.
DISTRIBUTION: This species reaches it's northern limit on the east
slope of the Front Range by Denver. This type is more common in the
forests in New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah.
ELEVATION RANGE: 2290-3050m (7500-10000')
DIAGNOSTIC SPECIES: Abies concolor
MAPPING UNIT ATTRIBUTE CODE: 42015
MAPPING UNIT NAME: Juniper woodland type.
DOMINANT SPECIES: Juniper (Juniperus monosperma, Juniperus
osteosperma, Juniperus scopulorum)
DESCRIPTION Woodland dominated by species of Juniper. Junipers must
comprise more than 25% of the total vegetative cover. Often occurs with
mountain mahogany, sagebrush and limber pine.
DISTRIBUTION: Foothills and rocky outcrops throughout Colorado.
ELEVATION RANGE: 1525-2130m (5000-7000')
DIAGNOSTIC SPECIES: Juniperus monosperma, Juniperus osteosperma,
Juniperus scopulorum
MAPPING UNIT ATTRIBUTE CODE: 42016
MAPPING UNIT NAME: Pinyon - Juniper type.
DOMINANT SPECIES: Pinyon pine (Pinus edulis) and Juniper (Juniperus
monosperma, Juniperus osteosperma, Juniperus scopulorum)
DESCRIPTION Forested areas dominated by a mixture of pinyon pine and
one or more species of juniper. Lower elevation sites where pinyon pine
is absent or rare should be classified as juniper woodland. This type
rarely forms closed canopy forests and is more typically found in a
woodland situation.
DISTRIBUTION: Both Juniperus monosperma and Pinus edulis are absent
from the east slope of the Front Range of north central Colorado (from
about the latitude of Denver north). However, this type continues to
the Wyoming border on the west slope.
ELEVATION RANGE: 1220-2750m (4000-9000')
DIAGNOSTIC SPECIES: Pinus edulis, Juniperus monosperma, Juniperus
osteosperma, Juniperus scopulorum
MAPPING UNIT ATTRIBUTE CODE: 42017
MAPPING UNIT NAME: Rocky Mountain bristlecone pine type.
DOMINANT SPECIES: Rocky Mountain bristlecone pine (Pinus aristata)
DESCRIPTION Forested areas dominated by Rocky Mountain bristlecone
pine. This type rarely forms closed canopy forests.
DISTRIBUTION: It is found primarily on the east slope of the
continental divide, but does not occur as far north as Rocky Mountain
National Park.
ELEVATION RANGE: 2130-3960m (7000-13000')
DIAGNOSTIC SPECIES: Pinus aristata
MAPPING UNIT ATTRIBUTE CODE: 42018
MAPPING UNIT NAME: Mixed conifer type.
DOMINANT SPECIES: (see DESCRIPTION)
DESCRIPTION Includes areas that are dominated by conifers, but can
not be assigned to one of the conifer cover types because of the
mixture of conifer types present. Includes several common conifer
mixtures including White Fir-Douglas Fir, Lodgepole Pine-Douglas Fir,
Spruce-Fir-Douglas Fir, Blue Spruce-Douglas Fir, and Limber
Pine-Douglas Fir. Combinations of Ponderosa Pine and Douglas Fir are
generally typed as Ponderosa Pine, if Ponderosa Pine seemed more
common, and as Douglas Fir if Douglas Fir seemed more common. Areas
where Bristlecone Pine or Limber Pine occurred with other conifer
species fell into this category as well. Areas found on the SCS Natural
Plant Community maps that were mapped as Mixed Conifer fell into this
category as well, but the conifer types are not known.
DISTRIBUTION: Mixed Conifer stands found in the Front Range, and in
Southern Colorado.
ELEVATION RANGE:
DIAGNOSTIC SPECIES: (see DESCRIPTION)
MAPPING UNIT ATTRIBUTE CODE: 43000
MAPPING UNIT NAME: Mixed forest land type.
DOMINANT SPECIES: Varied
DESCRIPTION This type includes all forested areas where both
evergreen and deciduous trees are growing and neither predominates.
When more than one-third intermixture of either evergreen or deciduous
species occurs in a specific area, it is classified as mixed forest
land. Where the intermixed land use total less than one-third of the
specified area, the category appropriate to the dominant type of forest
land applied, whether deciduous or evergreen (Anderson, et al. 1976).
In practice, the Land Use/ Land Cover map used by Colorado Gap seemed
to include the following vegetation cover combinations in the class
"Mixed Forest": pinyon-juniper-Gambel oak, Ponderosa pine-Gambel oak,
Ponderosa pine-Aspen, Spruce-fir-Aspen, Mixed conifer-Aspen.
DISTRIBUTION: Throughout western Colorado.
ELEVATION RANGE:
DIAGNOSTIC SPECIES: (see DESCRIPTION)
MAPPING UNIT ATTRIBUTE CODE: 52001
MAPPING UNIT NAME: Open water type.
DOMINANT SPECIES: Not applicable
DESCRIPTION Any area of open water with area greater than 40 ha.
Includes lakes and reservoirs, but not rivers or streams.
DISTRIBUTION: Throughout the state of Colorado.
ELEVATION RANGE: 920-3820m (3000-12500')
DIAGNOSTIC SPECIES: Not applicable
MAPPING UNIT ATTRIBUTE CODE: 61001
MAPPING UNIT NAME: Forest dominated wetland/riparian type.
DOMINANT SPECIES: Plains cottonwood (Populus deltoides), Narrowleaf
cottonwood (Populus angustifolia), Aspen, Boxelder (Acer negundo),
Willows (Salix sp.), conifer species.
DESCRIPTION Riparian and wetland areas in which tree species dominate
the vegetation. These are generally cottonwood species at low to
middle elevations, but grade into aspen, boxelder, alder, willows and a
variety of conifer species at mid to high elevations. Trees must occupy
more than 25% of the vegetative cover within the riparian zone.
DISTRIBUTION: Throughout the state of Colorado.
ELEVATION RANGE: 1070-2900m (3500-9500')
DIAGNOSTIC SPECIES: Populus deltoides, Populus angustifolia, Populus
tremuloides, Acer negundo, Salix sp., conifer species.
MAPPING UNIT ATTRIBUTE CODE: 62001
MAPPING UNIT NAME: Shrub dominated wetland/riparian type.
DOMINANT SPECIES: Any shrub dominated riparian area.
DESCRIPTION Riparian or wetland areas where shrubs comprise more than
25% of the vegetative cover and trees comprise less than 25%. Shrubs
often include various willow species but other shrubs (hawthorn, wild
plum, birch, alder, greasewood or sagebrush) may be present or
dominant. Includes willow dominated subalpine riparian zones.
DISTRIBUTION: Throughout the state of Colorado.
ELEVATION RANGE: 950-3650m (3100-12000')
DIAGNOSTIC SPECIES: Salix sp., Betula sp., Alnus sp.
MAPPING UNIT ATTRIBUTE CODE: 62002
MAPPING UNIT NAME: Graminoid and forb dominated wetland/riparian type.
DOMINANT SPECIES: Varied
DESCRIPTION This type includes wetland and riparian areas with
vegetation dominated by grasses or forbs. Includes communities such as
wet and moist meadow grasslands, marsh and swamp wetlands, cattail,
bulrush and sedge dominated wetlands, inland salt meadows and salt
flats as well as riparian areas. Must not have more than 25% shrub or
tree cover.
DISTRIBUTION:
ELEVATION RANGE:
DIAGNOSTIC SPECIES:
MAPPING UNIT ATTRIBUTE CODE: 70000
MAPPING UNIT NAME: Barren Lands
DOMINANT SPECIES: Not Applicable
DESCRIPTION Areas dominated by bare ground in which less than
one-third of the area has vegetation or other cover. In general, it is
an area of thin soil, sand, or rock.
DISTRIBUTION: Can be found throughout Colorado.
ELEVATION RANGE:
DIAGNOSTIC SPECIES:
MAPPING UNIT ATTRIBUTE CODE: 71001
MAPPING UNIT NAME: Unvegetated playa type.
DOMINANT SPECIES: None
DESCRIPTION This type includes bare saline playa areas, mud flats,
shorelines, sand beaches and gravel bars. Very sparse, salt tolerant
vegetation such as Salicornia rubra may be present around the margins.
DISTRIBUTION: Mainly flat-floored bottoms of interior desert basins
which do not qualify as wetlands
ELEVATION RANGE:
DIAGNOSTIC SPECIES: Salicornia rubra
MAPPING UNIT ATTRIBUTE CODE: 71002
MAPPING UNIT NAME: Bare soil. Not in manual.
DOMINANT SPECIES:
DESCRIPTION
DISTRIBUTION:
ELEVATION RANGE:
DIAGNOSTIC SPECIES:
MAPPING UNIT ATTRIBUTE CODE: 73000
MAPPING UNIT NAME: Sandy areas other than beaches.
DOMINANT SPECIES: Not applicable
DESCRIPTION This type is composed primarily of dunes, accumulations
of sand transported by wind (Anderson, et al. 1976).
DISTRIBUTION: This type is found primarily in eastern Colorado, North
Park, and the Great Sand Dunes National Monument in the San Luis Valley.
ELEVATION RANGE:
DIAGNOSTIC SPECIES: Not applicable
MAPPING UNIT ATTRIBUTE CODE: 74001
MAPPING UNIT NAME: Exposed rock type.
DOMINANT SPECIES: Not applicable
DESCRIPTION This type includes naturally occurring areas of bare rock
such as cliffs, spires, rock outcrops and talus fields as well as steep
scarps of soft rock with total vegetative cover less than 5%.
DISTRIBUTION: Throughout the state of Colorado.
ELEVATION RANGE:
DIAGNOSTIC SPECIES: Not applicable
MAPPING UNIT ATTRIBUTE CODE: 75001
MAPPING UNIT NAME: Mining operations type.
DOMINANT SPECIES: Not applicable
DESCRIPTION This type includes unreclaimed mine sites, strip mines,
associated development, drainage ponds, etc. as well as oil and gas
development where the vegetation has been removed or damaged over
areas greater than 100 ha.
DISTRIBUTION: Throughout the state of Colorado.
ELEVATION RANGE:
DIAGNOSTIC SPECIES: Not applicable
MAPPING UNIT ATTRIBUTE CODE: 81001
MAPPING UNIT NAME: Prostrate shrub and tundra type.
DOMINANT SPECIES: Willows (Salix sp.), Mountain avens (Dryas
octopetala), Alpine prickly currant (Ribes montigeum), Wild red
raspberry (Rubus idaeus ssp. sachalinensis), Shrubby cinquefoil
(Potentilla fructicosa).
DESCRIPTION Alpine tundra areas, above treeline, where the vegetation
is dominated by low willows and other prostrate shrubs. Willow species
must comprise more than 25% of the total vegetative cover.
DISTRIBUTION: Above timberline throughout the state of Colorado.
ELEVATION RANGE: Above timberline.
DIAGNOSTIC SPECIES: Salix sp., Dryas octopetala, Ribes montigeum, Rubus
idaeus ssp. sachalinensis, Potentilla fructicosa.
MAPPING UNIT ATTRIBUTE CODE: 82001
MAPPING UNIT NAME: Meadow tundra type.
DOMINANT SPECIES: Dominance various
DESCRIPTION This type includes graminoid and forb dominated
vegetation that occurs above upper treeline in the alpine zone. Common
species include various sedges (Carex sp.), low growing willows (Salix
sp.), grasses and forbs.
DISTRIBUTION: Above timberline throughout the state of Colorado.
ELEVATION RANGE: Above timberline
DIAGNOSTIC SPECIES: Carex sp., Salix sp.
MAPPING UNIT ATTRIBUTE CODE: 82002
MAPPING UNIT NAME: Subalpine meadow type.
DOMINANT SPECIES: A variety of species can be dominant or co-dominant
DESCRIPTION Graminoid and forb type occurring within and below upper
treeline. Often found in mountain park situations.
DISTRIBUTION: (see DESCRIPTION above)
ELEVATION RANGE: 1530-3050m (5000-10000')
DIAGNOSTIC SPECIES: Polygonum bistortoides (American bistort),
Agrostis thurberiana (Thurber bentgrass), Lewisia pygmaea (least
lewisia), Juncus drummondii (Drummonds rush), Phleum alpinum (alpine
timothy), Poa reflexa (nodding bluegrass), Veronica wormskjoldii
(alpine veronica), Arnica mollis (subalpine arnica).
MAPPING UNIT ATTRIBUTE CODE: 83000
MAPPING UNIT NAME: Bare Ground Tundra
DOMINANT SPECIES: Not applicable
DESCRIPTION Areas in tundra regions which are less than one-third
vegetated. Usually dominated by considerable amounts of exposed bare
rock, sand, or gravel interspersed with low herbaceous, shrubby plants.
DISTRIBUTION: Tundra regions
ELEVATION RANGE:
DIAGNOSTIC SPECIES: Not applicable
MAPPING UNIT ATTRIBUTE CODE: 85000
MAPPING UNIT NAME: Mixed Tundra
DOMINANT SPECIES: Varied
DESCRIPTION Areas consisting of a mixture of tundra occurrences where
any particular type occupies less than two-thirds of the area of the
mapping unit.
DISTRIBUTION: Tundra regions
ELEVATION RANGE:
DIAGNOSTIC SPECIES:
Attribute_Definition_Source:
Thompson, T., et al. 1996. 'Manual to Accompany the Gap Analysis Land
Cover Map of Colorado.' Colorado Division of Wildlife, Denver, CO 80216
Distribution_Liability:
Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW) provides these
geographic data "as is." CDOW makes no guarantee or warranty
concerning the accuracy of information contained in the geographic
data. CDOW further makes no warranties, either expressed or implied
as to any other matter whatsoever, including, without limitation,
the condition of the product, or its fitness for any particular
purpose. The burden for determining fitness for use lies entirely
with the user. Although these data have been processed successfully
on computers of CDOW, no warranty, expressed or implied, is made by
CDOW regarding the use of these data on any other system, nor does the
fact of distribution constitute or imply any such warranty.
In no event shall the CDOW have any liability whatsoever for payment
of any consequential, incidental, indirect, special, or tort damages
of any kind, including, but not limited to, any loss of profits
arising out of use of or reliance on the geographic data or arising
out of the delivery, installation, operation, or support by CDOW.
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