DFG Mandate for Vegetation Mapping and Classification

1. DFG Mandate for Vegetation Mapping and Classification Vegetation MOU Connections October 23, 2007

2. Key Components to SB 85 • Requires a published state-wide standard for vegetation classification • Standard methods for field data collection, image interpretation, and digital map production and attribution • Requires training manuals and materials, tools, and database structures • Requires post- project accuracy assessment and public review • Standard methods of induction of new and updated map products into the state system • All components guided by collaboration with the MOU Committee

3. Funding • $3.86 Million over 4 years from WCB • Additional Funding from Prop. 84 over next 5 years?

4. Prioritizes Based on DFG Business Needs • N. Sierra Foothills • San Joaquin Valley and surroundings • Central Coast • S.F. Bay Area • Regional Planning Efforts

5. Ecological Sections Form Basis for Tile Boundaries

6. Desired Outcomes • Build on Veg MOU progress • Meet other needs as much as feasible • Continue to strengthen partnerships on veg mapping • Meet DFG needs and legislative requirements

7. Concepts Used in The DFG Integrative Approach to Vegetation Inventory • Classification • Vegetation sampling • Data analysis • Reporting and archiving • Vegetation Mapping • GIS analysis and modeling • Conservation Planning • Resource Management

8. DFG business needs: Standard Classification

9. 2007 “MCV 2” Classification • Total almost 500 alliances • Formal definition and description of 240 new alliances since 1995 • Over 1000 new plant associations since 1995 • New NVC/IVC classification hierarchy

10. New NVC/IVC Hierarchy

11. DFG business needs :Example of vegetation Alliance • Salvia leucophylla Shrubland Alliance • 4 associations, 9 phases, 248 samples Salvia leucophylla- Artemisia californica Association

12. Californian Drought-Deciduous Scrub (Lupinus albifrons, Lotus scoparius) Macrogroup Growth forms: Stands are dominated by Broad-leaved deciduous shrubs (SBD) with drought-deciduous or partially drought-deciduous leaves. Some species produce dimorphic leaves including thinner and larger spring and winter leaves, which drop off at the onset of late spring and summer drought; and smaller, thicker, or more hairy leaves, which persist through the dry season. Individual stands vary in their deciduousness depending on exposure and on yearly conditions. Typically these shrubs are small to moderate sized (0.5 – 2 m tall) and are relatively short-lived. They have small spreading roots and are not usually strong post-disturbance resprouters. Ecological factors: Regional climate: Stands are restricted to winter-wet, summer- dry (Mediterranean) climate 200-360 frost free days. Geographicregion: Californian Province and Mojavean sub-province of Sonoran Province (Takhtajan 1986). in areas below 1500 m elevation. The best geographical representation of this group is in the central California Coast Ranges and in the southern California Coastal area ranging south to northwestern Baja California, Mexico.

13. DFG business needs :As much as possible, stands seen on the ground should be mapped

14. DFG business needs: Mapping Standards • NAIP Imagery 2005 • Attributes include: • Vegetation Type (CA and National Vegetation Classification multi-resolution standards) • Cover for each Vegetative Lifeform • By layer • Separate hardwood and conifer cover • Vegetation Stand Height (6 height classes) • Tree Size for Woodland & Forest Types (WHR size classes) • Exotic vegetation rating and other disturbance codes

15. DFG business needs:Minimum Mapping Unit Standards Guidelines • General - 2 acres • 1 acre for wetlands/riparian • 2 - 5 Acres for non floristic breaks (density - exotics - cleared - height - size) • 5 - 10 Acres - Land use changes in Non-natural areas (Agriculture - Urban) • About 30 ft. minimum width (extended narrow polygons in natural settings - riparian) Represents ~ 1 Acre

16. 3 DFG business needs:ALLIANCE LEVEL MAPPING 2 5 5 6 1 5 6 3 6 5 4 4 1 6 5 1 1 6 3 4 1 5 5 2 6 6 3 3 5 6 4 LEGEND 1 = CA Bay Alliance 2 = Redwood Alliance 3 = Douglas-fir Alliance 4 = Coast Live Oak Alliance 5 = Coyote Brush Alliance 6 = CA Annual Grasslands Alliance 7 = Water 5 4 1 6 4 6 6 4 1 3 5 4 7 4 2 1 2 1 4 1 1 6 6 6

17. Process Efficiencies – Segmentation to Delineation Phase Medium-scale Fine-scale 1 polygon of Lower Elevation Mixed Chaparral Habitat (in Blue) 323 polygons of 21 Alliances (in Yellow) Scale of imagery 1:6,600

18. Expected accuracy for all mappable types is: 80% or greater

19. General Rules of AA for DFG Mapping • Assume spatial accuracy based on ortho-rectification standards and use of fine-scale imagery for interpretation • Test thematic accuracy of most needed types with a directed approach immediately after map is done (include floristic and structural themes) • Allocate samples based on polygons, not points • Use field crews who know the vegetation and the limits of the map • Need to understand the ecological relationships between types and need to know what the balance between fine-scale needs and acceptable accuracy

20. VegCAMP Website • New information on products and standards are being added regularly • http://www.dfg.ca.gov/whdab/html/vegcamp.html