Jon Dewitz 20260113 raster digital data n/a US Geological Survey https://doi.org/10.5066/P1XVKXRL https://www.landfire.gov https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/item/676eeb9ed34e3ce2f608553e Inga P. La Puma 2023 publication n/a US Geological Survey La Puma, I.P., ed., 2023, LANDFIRE technical documentation: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2023–1045, 103 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20231045. https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20231045 https://pubs.usgs.gov/publication/ofr20231045 Existing Vegetation Products Theme Overview LANDFIRE’s (LF) vegetation products comprise vegetation raster layers and a point-based vegetation reference database. Existing Vegetation Products describe the following elements: Existing Vegetation Type - Ecological Systems (EVT-ES), Existing Vegetation Type - National Vegetation Classification (EVT-NVC), Existing Vegetation Cover (EVC), and Existing Vegetation Height (EVH). These layers are created using predictive landscape models based on extensive field-referenced data, satellite imagery and biophysical gradient layers using classification and regression trees. The LF Reference Database (LFRDB) is also a crucial part in creating existing vegetation products by categorizing and describing field plots throughout the country. All LF products are available at landfire.gov, and the full suite of vegetation products are available at https://landfire.gov/vegetation while the LFRDB can be found at https://landfire.gov/reference. Existing vegetation products are released as they are completed throughout the year with regional areas released first (if applicable) and full extent mosaics of the regional areas released when complete. These products are described below. EVC represents the vertically projected percent cover of the live vegetation lifeform for a 30-m cell. EVC is generated separately for tree, shrub, and herbaceous cover lifeforms using training data and other geospatial layers. Percentage tree, shrub, and herbaceous canopy cover training data are generated using plot-level ground-based visual assessments and lidar observations. Once the training data are developed, relationships are then established separately for each lifeform between the training data and combination of Landsat or Harmonized Landsat Sentinel imagery and ancillary data. Each of the derived data layers (tree, shrub, herbaceous) has a potential range from 0-100 percent which are merged into a single composite EVC layer with the dominant lifeform cover for each pixel included in the final raster layer. Disturbance data is used to filter plot data as well as to ensure that disturbances from recent years are accounted for in EVC. EVH represents the average height of the dominant vegetation for a 30-m cell. Vegetation height is generated separately for tree, shrub, and herbaceous lifeforms using training data and other geospatial layers. EVH is determined by the average height weighted by species cover and based on the EVT lifeform. Decision tree models using field reference data, lidar, Landsat, Harmonized Landsat Sentinel, and ancillary data are developed separately for each lifeform. Decision tree relationships are used to generate lifeform specific height class layers, which are merged into a single composite EVH layer depicting the average height value for the dominant lifeform of each pixel. Disturbance data is used to filter plot data as well as to ensure that disturbances from recent years are accounted for in EVH. EVT-ES represents the current distribution of the terrestrial ecological systems classification, developed by NatureServe for the western hemisphere, through 2016. A terrestrial ecological system is defined as a group of plant community types (associations) that tend to co-occur within landscapes with similar ecological processes, substrates, and/or environmental gradients. EVT-ES also includes ruderal or semi-natural vegetation types from the U.S. National Vegetation Classification. The LF Ruderal NVC Groups Descriptions for CONUS provides descriptions for each ruderal NVC Group including species, distribution, and classification information. EVT-ES is mapped using decision tree models, field data, Landsat imagery, Harmonized Landsat Sentinel imagery, elevation, and biophysical gradient data. Decision tree models are developed separately for each of the three lifeform - tree, shrub, and herbaceous and are then used to generate lifeform specific EVT layers. EVT-NVC is an existing vegetation layer created and delivered as a separate spatial data layer for the first time with LF 2016 Remap. It represents the current distribution of vegetation groups within the U.S. National Vegetation Classification. These groups are defined as combinations of relatively narrow sets of diagnostic plant species, including dominants and co-dominants, broadly similar composition, and diagnostic growth forms. LF 2016 Remap used U.S. NVC 2.0, an FGDC standard, to map LF EVT-NVC. The LF Natural NVC Groups Descriptions for Western US and LF Natural NVC Groups Descriptions for Eastern US provides descriptions for each natural NVC Group including species, distribution, and classification information. The LF EVT-NVC product also includes ruderal or semi-natural vegetation types. The LF Ruderal NVC Groups Descriptions for CONUS provides descriptions for each ruderal NVC Group including species, distribution, and classification information. NVC groups were initially mapped using decision tree models informed by field reference data, Landsat imagery, elevation/topographic, and biophysical gradient inputs. Decision tree models were developed separately for each life-form including tree, shrub, herbaceous, and sparse vegetation. LF EVT-NVC was reconciled through QA/QC measures to ensure lifeform is synchronized with both Existing Vegetation Cover and Existing Vegetation Height. When modeled results were poor for modeled NVC classes, rectification and/or cross-walking from existing ancillary datasets or Ecological Systems was performed to improve the quality of the product. The LANDFIRE Reference Database (LFRDB) is the last key piece to the Existing Vegetation Products. The Public LFRDB contains a subset of the data and attributes used for LF National and LF Remap production. Some plot reference data is controlled unclassified information; therefore, it is not available in the Public LFRDB, but is still used as training data for mapping. The Public LFRDB includes vegetation and fuel data that were largely amassed from existing information resources such as the USFS Vegetation and Fuel Plot Data, USGS National Gap Analysis Program (GAP), NPS Inventory and Monitoring (I and M), and State Inventory Data. Data archived in the Public LFRDB include vegetation natural community occurrences, estimates of canopy cover and height per plant taxon, measurements of individual trees, occurrence of exotics plants, fuel biomass estimates of downed woody material, depth or biomass estimates of litter and duff layers, and percentage cover and height of shrub and herb layers. LANDFIRE data products are designed to facilitate national and regional-level strategic planning and reporting of management activities. Data products are created at a 30-meter grid spatial resolution raster data set; however, the applicability of data products varies by location and specific use. Principal purposes of the data products include providing: 1) national-level, landscape-scale geospatial products to support fire and fuels management planning, and, 2) consistent fuels data to support fire planning, analysis, and budgeting to evaluate fire management alternatives. Users are advised to evaluate the data carefully for their applications. 1999 Present ground condition Complete Annually -127.9878 -65.2544 51.6202 22.7657 ISO 19115 Topic Category imageryBaseMapsEarthCover biota NGDA Portfolio Themes NGDA NGDAID112 National Geospatial Data Asset Land Use - Land Cover Theme None raster digital data U.S. Forest Service (USFS) U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) USGS Thesaurus fires hazard preparedness remote sensing image collection geospatial data geographic information systems USGS Metadata Identifier USGS:e7e107d4-2576-4471-a501-904f994ab641 Common geographic areas CONUS United States US Conterminous United States Continental U.S. None None LANDFIRE, Earth Resources Observation and Science Center (EROS), U.S. Geological Survey Customer Service Representative physical

47914 252nd Street

Sioux Falls SD 57198-0001 US 605-594-6151 helpdesk@landfire.gov These products were created by the LF team at USGS EROS, Sioux Falls, SD. Refer to the contact information throughout this metadata to contact the LF team. None in place Unclassified If there is ever doubt, contact the appropriate resource staff who has stewardship responsibility and the GIS Coordinator. Microsoft Windows 10; ESRI ArcGIS Suite Products were tested to ensure that each attribute is represented consistently across all data sets. Attributes were not validated against in person observations. 0.0 Assessment not applied The products were pixel "truth" tested for consistency of land or water characteristics across all products. Products were formally tested to ensure that valid data was produced for all pixels. Each product was then validated and tested for duplicates, omissions, and errors. Please refer to LANDFIRE’s product metadata for detailed information on process steps and source information at https://landfire.gov/ 20260113 Raster Grid Cell 97283 154208 1 Albers Conical Equal Area 29.5 45.5 -96.0 23.0 0.0 0.0 row and column 30.0 30.0 meters North_American_Datum_1983 GRS 1980 6378137.0 298.2572221010042 Please refer to LANDFIRE’s metadata for detailed information on entity and attribute information at https://landfire.gov/ and https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/item/676eeb9ed34e3ce2f608553e La Puma, I.P., ed., 2023, LANDFIRE technical documentation: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2023–1045, 103 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20231045. U.S. Geological Survey GS ScienceBase mailing address

Denver Federal Center, Building 810, Mail Stop 302

Denver CO 80225 United States 1-888-275-8747 sciencebase@usgs.gov This product is reproduced from geospatial information prepared by the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) USGS EROS. By removing the contents of this package or taking receipt of these files via electronic file transfer methods, you understand that the data stored on this media can be updated at any time. Represented features may not be in an accurate geographic location. USGS EROS makes no expressed or implied warranty, including warranty of merchantability and fitness, with respect to the character, function, or capabilities of the data or their appropriateness for any user's purposes. USGS EROS reserves the right to correct, update, modify, or replace this geospatial information without notification. Unless otherwise stated, all data, metadata and related materials are considered to satisfy the quality standards relative to the purpose for which the data were collected. Although these data and associated metadata have been reviewed for accuracy and completeness and approved for release by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), no warranty expressed or implied is made regarding the display or utility of the data for other purposes, nor on all computer systems, nor shall the act of distribution constitute any such warranty. LANDFIRE Program information page https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/item/676eeb9ed34e3ce2f608553e LANDFIRE product data and metadata download at https://landfire.gov/ 20260506 LANDFIRE, Earth Resources Observation and Science Center (EROS), U.S. Geological Survey Customer Service Representative physical

47914 252nd Street

Sioux Falls SD 57198-0001 US 605-594-6151 helpdesk@landfire.gov FGDC Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata FGDC-STD-001-1998 local time None Unclassified None