Lassen Volcanic National Park Comparative Mapping Project

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This project is in progress and will evaluate two methodologies and produce two distinct GIS-based vegetation databases for Lassen Volcanic National Park, California.  One method employs traditional aerial photo interpretation techniques using 1:15,840-scale aerial photography acquired in August 2004.  The second method uses the Discrete Classification Methodology (DCM) developed by Geographic Resource Solutions, Arcata, California, utilizing Landsat 5 imagery acquired September 1, 2005.  The DCM is expected to be less expensive, provide quantitative vegetation metrics, have higher overall accuracies, and allow multiple vegetation classifications.  Two separate accuracy assessments will be developed and the products of the two methodologies will be compared by USGS based on: 

  1. Effort and level of expertise required to design and execute the methodology and produce usable products 
  2. Cost per unit area in relation to the information content of the digital databases
  3. Spatial and vegetation classification accuracy
  4. Digital database data content
  5. Adherence to minimum mapping unit
  6. Ease of use by non-fulltime GIS professionals
  7. Ease of modification to examine data content for varied applications
  8. Ease of updating the digital database
  9. Analytical capabilities 

Example of vector output from aerial photo interpretation (red), the Discrete Classification Methodology (yellow), and the vegetation sampling triangular transect (turquoise).

Example of vector output from aerial photo interpretation (red), the Discrete Classification Methodology (yellow), and the vegetation sampling triangular transect (turquoise).

Author Name
Robert Waltermire
Author Email
waltermireb@usgs.gov