Federal Geographic Data Committee Vegetation Subcommittee

1. Federal Geographic Data Committee Vegetation Subcommittee Briefing for the FGDC Coordination Group December 4, 2007 Ralph H. Crawford, Ph.D. Chairperson FGDC Vegetation Subcommittee Briefing

2. Overview FGDC Vegetation Subcommittee • U.S. Forest Service (lead agency) * Natural Resources Conservation Service * U.S. Geological Survey-BRD/NBII * U.S. National Park Service * U.S. Bureau of Land Management * U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service * National Aeronautics and Space Administration * Department of Defense * Environmental Protection Agency * NatureServe * Ecological Society of America (Vegetation Classification Panel) FGDC Vegetation Subcommittee Briefing

3. Overview FGDC National Vegetation Classification Standard • Purpose and Scope • Response to Public Review Comments • Draft Implementation Plan FGDC Vegetation Subcommittee Briefing

4. Purpose and Scope FGDC National Vegetation Classification Standard • Purpose • Facilitate data-sharing among Federal agencies and partners • A cross-walking standard for vegetation data and information (local to global) • Does not replace classification systems used by individual agencies FGDC Vegetation Subcommittee Briefing

5. Purpose and Scope FGDC National Vegetation Classification Standard • Scope • Mandatory for all vegetation data gathered using federal funds • Cross-walking requirement applies to: • Vegetation plot data • Vegetation types (taxonomic units) • Vegetation map units FGDC Vegetation Subcommittee Briefing

6. History FGDC National Vegetation Classification Standard - 1997 • Established a physiognomic/floristic vegetation hierarchy • Established a content standard for the physiognomic levels • A list of vegetation types • Initiated the development of a process standard for the floristic levels • How to define floristic vegetation types FGDC Vegetation Subcommittee Briefing

7. Current Status / Timeline Revision of the FGDC Vegetation Classification Standard • Resolve identified problems with the physiognomic hierarchy FGDC Vegetation Subcommittee Briefing

8. Current Status / Timeline Revision of the FGDC Vegetation Classification Standard • Resolve identified problems with the physiognomic hierarchy • Complete the process standard for classifying alliances and associations FGDC Vegetation Subcommittee Briefing

9. Current Status / Timeline Revision of the FGDC Vegetation Classification Standard • Resolve identified problems with the physiognomic hierarchy • Complete the process standard for classifying alliances and associations • Establish all levels of the FGDC hierarchy as a “dynamic content standard” FGDC Vegetation Subcommittee Briefing

10. Current Status / Timeline Dynamic Content Standard • Initiates an innovative approach to streamline the FGDC standards process to revise the list of vegetation types • The classification content would be maintained by an authorized body with oversight from a national peer review board • Requires databases for vegetation types, plot data, and peer review tracking • Prototypes have been developed by NatureServe and the ESA Vegetation Panel FGDC Vegetation Subcommittee Briefing

11. Current Status / Timeline Changes to the FGDC Hierarchy • Move Natural vs. Cultural vegetation distinction to top of hierarchy • Reduce and revise physiognomic levels • Add new mid floristic levels that reflect broad phyto-geographic affinities FGDC Vegetation Subcommittee Briefing

12. Comment Sources • Canadian National Vegetation Committee (11 specific comments) • Natural Resources Conservation Service (3) • Minnesota DNR (1) FGDC Vegetation Subcommittee Briefing

13. Updated Appendices Updated Table of Contents Addressed listing of cultivated crops Updated Citations Reword statements for clarity Addressed listing of pastureland Revisions FGDC Vegetation Subcommittee Briefing

14. Implementation Implementation Plan Objectives • Facilitate & support development of standard vegetation classification • Maintain & disseminate classification content • Define & adopt standards for data collection & analysis FGDC Vegetation Subcommittee Briefing

15. Implementation Implementation Plan Objectives • Maintain scientific credibility through peer review of proposed changes • Facilitate inter-agency collaboration and inter-agency product consistency FGDC Vegetation Subcommittee Briefing

16. Implementation Core Implementation Activities • Maintain & disseminate current & previous versions of dynamic content of the standard • Maintain & disseminate supporting data that form the basis for decision on content • Preparation & submission of proposals for revising the standard FGDC Vegetation Subcommittee Briefing

17. Implementation Core Implementation Activities • Review and evaluate proposals for revisions of classification content • Disseminate results of review process & incorporate approved changes of classification standard in a public record FGDC Vegetation Subcommittee Briefing

18. Implementation Other Implementation Features • Implementation will vary between natural and cultivated vegetation types • Outreach and training materials will need to be developed • Must provide for long-term maintenance • Must be compatible with other international vegetation classification standards FGDC Vegetation Subcommittee Briefing

19. The End Questions? FGDC Vegetation Subcommittee Briefing