A new report: Vanderhorst, J. P., J. Jeuck, and S. C. Gawler. 2007. Vegetation Classification and Mapping of New River Gorge National River, West Virginia. Technical Report NPS/NER/NRTR—2007/092. National Park Service. Philadelphia, PA.
is now available on the web at the following URL: http://www.nps.gov/nero/science/FINAL/NERI_veg_map/NERI_veg_map.htm Abstract A vegetation classification and map were developed by the West Virginia Natural Heritage Program for New River Gorge National River following the standards of the U.S. Geological Survey / National Park Service Vegetation Mapping Program. Classification was based, in part, on multivariate analysis of complete floristic data from 277 plots. The classification for the park was cross-walked to the U.S. National Vegetation Classification in consultation with NatureServe. A digital vegetation map was produced using Geographic Information System software. The base layer for vegetation mapping was a digital orthophoto mosaic of the park developed by North Carolina State University from aerial photography flown for this project in April 2003. Spatial and thematic accuracy assessments were performed by North Carolina State University. The vegetation classification for the park consists of 41 community types (39 associations in the U.S. National Vegetation Classification) including 16 upland forest and woodland types, one lichen type, one sparse vegetation type, 15 riparian types, five headwater wetland types, and three cultural types. Most map classes represent individual community types, but a few represent complexes of multiple classified community types and others represent cultural, disturbed, and non-vegetated areas and features which are not included in the vegetation classification. The vegetation map consists of 47 map classes, including 15 upland forest and woodland vegetation types, one lichen and sparse vegetation type, 15 riparian vegetation types, two headwater wetland vegetation types, three aquatic feature types, eight cultural and disturbed types, and three transportation feature types. Approximately 83% of the park is occupied by upland deciduous forests, but a large proportion of the ecological and species diversity in the park is represented by relatively small areas of cliff, riparian, and wetland communities. Overall thematic accuracy of the vegetation map was estimated to be 96.2%. Comments and questions are welcome. Jim Vanderhorst Community Ecologist West Virginia Natural Heritage Program Division of Natural Resources, Wildlife Section PO Box 67 Ward Road Elkins, WV 26241 email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
