Montana Natural Heritage Program University of Idaho Sanborn 201005 Fgdb raster digital data Montana GIS Portal Natural Resource Information System Montana Natural Heritage Program (MTNHP). 2010. Montana Land Cover/Land Use Theme. Based on classifications originally developed by the University of Idaho, Sanborn and the MTNHP for the Pacific Northwest ReGAP project. Helena, Montana. Davidson, A., J. Aycrigg, E. Grossmann, J. Kagan, S. Lennartz, S. McDonough, T. Miewald , J. Ohmann, A. Radel, T. Sajwaj, C. Tobalske. 2009. Digital Land Cover Map for the Northwestern United States. Northwest Gap Analysis Project: USGS GAP Analysis Program. Lennartz, S., et al., 2007. Final Report on Land Cover Mapping Methods for Map Zones 22, 29, and 30 http://gisportal.msl.mt.gov/arcgis/rest/services/MSDI_Framework/LandCover/MapServer http://gisportal.msl.mt.gov/arcgis/rest/services/BaseMaps This statewide land cover theme is a baseline digital map of Montana's natural and human land cover. The baseline map is adapted from the Northwest ReGAP project land cover classification, which used 30m resolution multi-spectral satellite imagery acquired from 2002 through 2005. Vegetation classes were drawn from the Ecological System Classification developed by NatureServe (Comer et al. 2003). The land cover classes were developed by Anderson et al. (1976). The NWGAP effort encompasses 12 map zones. Montana overlaps seven of these zones. The two NWGAP teams responsible for the initial land cover mapping effort in Montana were Sanborn and NWGAP at the University of Idaho. Both Sanborn and NWGAP employed a similar modeling approach in which Classification and Regression Tree (CART) models were applied to Landsat ETM+ scenes. The Spatial Analysis Lab within the Montana Natural Heritage Program was responsible for developing a seamless Montana land cover map with a consistent statewide legend from these two separate products. Additionally, the Montana land cover layer incorporates several other land cover and land use products (e.g. the National Land Cover Dataset, the National Wetlands Inventory, and the National Hydrography Dataset) and a reclassification based on plot-level data to improve accuracy and enhance the usability of the theme. Additional updates to improve the accuracy will be conducted on an annual basis. A new MSDI Land Cover layer will be made available through the Montana GIS Portal, hosted by Natural Resource Information System (NRIS) on an annual basis. Additionally, previous versions will be archived and available through the Montana GIS Portal. This version was last updated May 2010. Originally this land cover classification was an update of the GAP Analysis Program's mapping and assessment of biodiversity for the five-state region encompassing Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming. Specifically, the primary objective of the update was to identify biotic elements that are underrepresented on lands managed from their long term conservation. Additionally, the updated Montana land cover layer may be used for analyses at the regional, sub-regional, and landscape levels; it may also provide support for management disciplines, including timber, wildlife, fisheries, and recreation. This service displays the MSDI Framework Land Cover as compiled by the Natural Heritage Program. This is the 2010 version and has been adjusted a few times but we will continue to refine and ground-truth the data and roll out a newer updated version each year. There are two versions a dynamic version and a cached version. The "dynamic" version (BaseMaps/LandCover) has three levels of "grouping" that you may choose to display at ANY scale. The default is to display each LandCover value as its own unique color. Operations allowed include: Map (Display), Query (Identify), Data (Find). The "cached" version (BaseMaps/LandCover_Cached) has three levels of "grouping". Beyond 1:2,000,000 scale, it groups the LandCover into 8 broad categories (Level 1). From 2,000,000 to 250,000 scale, it groups the LandCover into 27 categories (Level 2). And in beyond 250,000 it displays each LandCover value as its own unique color (Level 3 or Ecological Systems). Additional information on the Ecological Systems can be obtained from the Montana Field Guide: http://fieldguide.mt.gov/displayES_LCLU.aspx Operations allowed include: Map (Display), Query (Identify), Data (Find). The file format is JPEG and the sub-layers cannot be turned on or off in the cached version. The Cache Scales at 96 dots per inch (DPI) are: 1:4,514 (1 pixel = 1.194329 m); 1:9,028 (1 pixel = 2.388657 m); 1:18,056 (1 pixel = 4.777314 m); 1:36,112 (1 pixel = 9.554629 m); 1:72,224 (1 pixel = 19.109258 m); 1:144,448 (1 pixel = 38.218516 m); 1:288,895 (1 pixel = 76.437031 m); 1:577,791 (1 pixel = 152.874063 m); 1:1,155,581 (1 pixel = 305.748125 m); 1:2,311,162 (1 pixel = 611.496250 m); 1:4,622,325 (1 pixel = 1222.992500 m); 1:5,500,000 (1 pixel = 1455.211244 m); 1:9,244,649 (1 pixel = 2445.985000 m); 1:18,489,298 (1 pixel = 4891.969999 m); 1:36,978,597 (1 pixel = 9783.940000 m) 2002 2010 ground condition Complete Annually -116.754425 -102.806934 50.440827 43.686834 ISO 19115 Topic Category imageryBaseMapsEarthCover Montana Spatial Data Infrastructure MSDI Land Cover Landcover LULC Land Use Land Cover Montana Spatial Data Infrastructure Land Cover Imagery/Base Maps/Earth Cover Montana To view the dynamic land cover service in ArcMap, first open the following link in a web browser (e.g. Internet Explorer) and click on the "View In:" ArcMap link. Open this link to the dyanamic web servcie in a web browser: http://gisportal.msl.mt.gov/arcgis/rest/services/MSDI_Framework/LandCover/MapServer When adding the cached version directly in ArcGIS as an ArcGIS Server, omit "rest/" from the URL so that it reads: http://gisportal.msl.mt.gov/arcgis/services/BaseMaps Use of this grid is not recommended for fine-scale analyses (i.e., less than 1:100,000). Linda Vance Montana Natural Heritage Program Senior Ecologist physical address

1515 East Sixth Ave

Helena Montana 59620 406-444-3380 406-444-0266 livance@mt.gov Montana Natural Heritage Program Microsoft Windows Vista Version 6.1 (Build 7600) ; ESRI ArcCatalog 9.3.1.4000 Natural Resources Conservation Service, United States Department of Agriculture various For specific dates, go to each county/survey area http://soildatamart.nrcs.usda.gov 24000 shapefile SSURGO SSURGO data were used throughout the study area. Montana Department of Revenue 2010 ESRI personal geodatabase http://nris.mt.gov/nsdi/nris/mdb/revenue_flu.zip ESRI personal geodatabase FLU Classification The Department of Revenue used the 2005 NAIP (1 meter resolution) to produce a fine-scale, detailed layer of data used in property valuation for agriculture and forest land on private properties, the Final Land Unit (FLU) Classification. FLU data were used throughout the study area to improve the Pasture/Hay and Cultivated Cropland classes. Pixels not coded as agriculture in the original landcover layer were reclassified to the closest grassland type. USGS 2010 ESRI file geodatabase http://nhd.usgs.gov/data.html 24000 ESRI file geodatabase NHD The high resolution National Hydrography Dataset was used throughout the study area to reclass pixels as either open or closed depression wetlands. National Gap Analysis Program 2010 ESRI Grid This dataset combines the work of two different projects to create a seamless data set for the contiguous United States. Montana overlaps 7 of these zones (10, 19, 20, 21, 22, 29, 30). NWGAP mapped zones 10, 19 and 21 in western Montana. Sanborn mapped zones 20, 22, 29, 30 in eastern Montana. ftp://ftp.gap.uidaho.edu/outgoing/National/National_landcover.zip 100000 ERDAS Imagine image file REGAP Northwest Gap Analysis data were the basis of this land cover layer U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), EROS Data Center http://ned.usgs.gov/ Arc/Info GRID 30m NED The 30 meter resolution US. Geological Survey (USGS) National Elevation Dataset (NED) was used to generate a grid of slope in order to reclass pixels as cliffs and canyons. The NED was also used to define elevations breaks for certain ecological systems throughout the study area. Natural Resources Conservation Service Montana State Office 20070508 http://nris.mt.gov/nrcs/reap ESRI Grid REAP The 10 meter resolution Relative Effective Annual Precipitation (REAP) values were used to reclass pixels from 4266 to 4242 (RM Montana Douglas-Fir Forest and Woodland to RM Subalpine Dry-Mesic Spruce-Fir Forest and Woodland) USDA-Farm Services Agency Aerial Photography Field Office 2006 http://nris.mt.gov/nsdi/orthophotos/naip_2005.asp TIFF NAIP The 1-meter resolution 2005 NAIP (National Agriculture Imagery Program) imagery was used throughout the study area to reclass pixels. The Revenue FLU dataset was developed from the 2005 NAIP. Sanborn modifications Individual ecological systems were modified as follows (based on L. Vance, S. Cooper, T. Luna, and M. Hart comments): In all zones: 4238 (SRM dry-mesic mixed conif) reclassed to 4232 (NRM dry-mesic mixed conif); 7119 (SRM montane-subalpine grassland) to 7113 (NRM subalpine-upper montane grassland); and 7122 (WGP shortgrass prairie) to 7114 (NWGP mixedgrass prairie); 4241 (SRM Ponderosa) to 4280 (NWGP - Black Hills Ponderosa); 5426 (NRM Foothill Conif Wooded Steppe) reclassed to 4280 in zones 22, 29, 30; kept as 5426 in zone 20. East of Musselshell River, around Fort Peck Lake: forest reclassed to 5454 (sagebrush steppe) if NLCD = shrub, to 3114 (badland) if NLCD = grassland. North of Road 2: sagebrush steppe (5454) reclassed to 7114 (mixedgrass prairie) if NLCD = grassland. Bur Oak mapped in wrong location, reclassed to 4303 (mountain mahogany). Salt Scrub around Clark Fork Yellowstone (south) reclassed using NLCD. If shrub/scrub, reclassed to 5454 (sagebrush steppe). If agriculture, reclassed to 82. If hay, to 81. If Woody wetland, reclassed to 9326 (NWGP Riparian). If Herbaceous wetland, reclassed to 9218 (open depressional wetland). If herbaceous, reclassed to 3139 (IMB shale badlands). For all zones, Western great Plains Riparian 9329 was reclassed to Northwestern Great Plains Riparian 9326, and WGP Floodplain 9153 was reclassed to NWGP Floodplain 9159. Additional floodplain modeling was conducted as follows. 27 large rivers were selected and buffered with a 1-km buffer. SSURGO soil polygons characterized as floodplain in the SSURGO Component table (Geomorphic Description field) were selected within the buffer, and NLCD agriculture pixels were removed; remaining NWGP Riparian pixels (9326) were reclassed to 9159 (NWGP Floodplain). Greasewood 9103: corresponding pixels classified as agriculture or urban in NLCD were reclassed. Northern Rocky Mountain Lower Montane Riparian Woodland and Shrubland 9155: the NED 30m DEM was used. If elevation <900m in selected ecoregions, pixels were reclassed to 9326 (NWGP Riparian). If 900-1400m they were reclassed to 9156 (RM lower montane-foothill riparian). RM lower montane-foothill riparian 9156: pixels were reclassed to 9326 (NWGP Riparian) if <900m in selected ecoregions. Western Great Plain Saline Depression Wetland 9256: the SSURGO Soil Data Viewer was used to generate a shapefile of representative electrical conductivity (options: used Dominant Component, no % cut-off, tie break = Higher, layer option = All Layers). Polygons with EC >= 6 (moderately-high salinity) were selected. Patches of saline wetlands that were within 100m of a selected polygon were kept. For patches further than 100m of saline soils, high resolution NHD water shapefiles were used to reclass pixels as either open or closed depression wetland. Patches within 30m (1 pixel) distance of a stream were reclassed as Open Wetland (9218), patches further than 30m were reclassed as Closed Wetland (9252). Conversely, if open or closed wetlands were located within 30m of saline soil (EC >=6), they were reclassed to saline wetland (9256). Montane Sagebrush 5455: elevation from the NED dataset was extracted for pixels classified as montane sagebrush. Pixels with an elevation lower than 4100' (1250m) were reclassed as sagebrush steppe (5454). Sand Prairie 7121: select SSURGO polygons composed of at least 50% of components associated with sand prairie species (Andropogon hallii, Calamovilfa longifolia, Carex inops spp heliophila, and Panicum virgatum). If pixel = 7121 and SSURGO ge 50% sand prairie, keep as 7121; otherwise reclass as Mixedgrass Prairie 7114. If pixel = 7114 and SSURGO ge 50% sand prairie, reclass as 7121. In addition, polygon distribution of rare sand prairie affiliates were opbtained from the Montann Natural Heritage database and burned onto the grid. Several exotic vegetation classes (8402 Introduced Upland Vegetation - Shrub; 8404 Introduced Upland Vegetation - Annual Grassland; and 8405 Introduced Upland Vegetation - Perennial Grassland) only showed up as being mapped in a small, 10k buffer along the southeastern bounday of the state (in Big Horn, Powder River, and Carter counties). For consistency, these were removed by reclassifying the grasslands to 7114 (Northwestern Great Plains Mixedgrass Prairie) and the shrubland to 5455 (Inter-Mountain Basins Montane Sagebrush Steppe). Class 8403 (Introduced Upland Vegetation - Forbland) was only mapped in mapzone 20, but in large quantity, so it was not reclassified. ReGap modifications, zones 10-19-21: 9231 was reclassed to 9162 (CP vernal pool to NRM vernal pool); the "quarry" which is in fact Big Sky ski resort was recoded as as RM alpine bedrock and scree (3135); 4303, 5209 and 5454 were reclassed to adjacent pixels in Canadian Rockies and Northern Rockies ecoregion level 3. Western Larch Savanna (ES 4103) was reclassed to NRM Dry-Mesic Montane Mixed Conifer Forest (ES 4232). The pixel composition for each Omernick level 4 ecoregion was examined by Linda Vance and the following corrections were made: 15h: 4302 to 4104, 7112 to 7113, 5312 to 5263 41c: 4266 to 4242 (for elevations greater than 1720 meters) 41b: 4302 to 4104, 4303 to 5326; 5312 to 5326 if above 1980m (6500'); 7112 to 7113 if above 1525m (5000'); 4266 to 4242 if less than 100cm REAP, to 4243 if more; 9256 to nearest neighbors (predominantly alpine fell-fields); agriculture (81 and 82) to 7112 if below 5000', 7113 if above. 42q: 5326 to 5312, 7113 to 7112, if below 1525m (5000'); 9103 to 9256; 4233, 4242 and 4243 to 4232 (all pixels below 6000'). 42r: 4233, 4242 and 4243 to 4232; 5209 to 5455; 5326 to 5312; 7113 to 7112. 41a: 4266 to 4234. 42o: 4104 to 4302, 4242 to 4266, 5209 to 5262, 9253 to 9259 (Missouri River floodplain). 17r: 5209 to 5455 15c: 4242 and 4243 to 4232; 9256 to 9222. 41d: 5209 to 5455. 43n: 4242 and 4243 to 4266; 4303, 5203 and 5209 to 5263; 7118 to 7112. 15o: 4302 to 4104. 41e: 4302 to 4104; 9256 to 9187. 15e: 4302 to 4104. 15b: 4302 to 4104. 43m: 4242 and 4243 to 4266. 43o: 9153 to 9326. 17x: 3114 to 3129; 9256 to 9162. 17p: 9256 to 9171. 17q: 9256 to adjacent pixels. 17ak: 3114 to 3129. 17v: 3114 to 3129; 9256 to adjacent pixels. 15p: 4302 to 4104; 4303 to adjacent pixels. 43s: 3114 to 3129; 7121: to 7112 if SSURGO soil has less than 50% sand (unless if within 100m of sandy soil); 9256 to 9218; 9153 to 9159; 9329 to 9326. 17s: 9256 to 9155. 43u: 9111 to adjacent pixels. 17aj: 3114 to 3129; 5262 to 5263; 9111 9155. 17w: 3114 to 3173; 4242 and 4243 below 1525m (5000ft) to 4266; 9111 to 9155. 43t: 9103 and 9111 to adjacent; 9153 to 9159. 17h: 4232 to 4242; 7112 to 7113; 9256, 81 and 82 to adjacent pixels. 15a: 4303 and 9256 to adjacent pixels. 16h: 81 to 9217; 4266 to 4242; 4302 to 4104; 5312 to 5326; 7112 to 7113; 9256 to 9217. 16e: 23 and 24 to 7113; 4302 to 4104; 9256 to 11. 17ai: 3114 to 5455; 9256 to 11. 17am: 3114 to 5455; 9256 to 9222. 17f: 5262, 5263 and 9256 to adjacent pixels; 7114 to 7113. 16a: 9256 to adjacent pixels. 17g: 3114 to 31; 7121 to 7112; 9111 to 9171; 9231 to 11. 17ag: 3114 to 3129; 3130 to 7116; 9256 to 9217. 17ac: 3114 to 5455; 5454 to 5455; 9256 to 9217. 17aa: 3114 to 3173; 4243 and 4242 to 4232 when below 1525m (5000'); 9111 to 9156; 9256 to 11, 31 or 9217 (based on proximity). 17ah: 3114 to 3129. 17i: 3114 (scattered pixels) to adjacent pixels or 3129 (based on NAIP); 4328 to 9156; 7121 to 7112. 17l: 21 to 22 (roads); 81 and 82 to adjacent pixels; 7114 to 7113; 9256 to 9171. 17z: 81 and 82 to adjacent pixels. 17ae: 3114 to 5455; 9111 to 4243. 17u: 21 to 22; 3114 and 7114 to 7112; 5262 to 5263; 4242 and 4243 to 4232; 4328, 9111 and 9256 to adjacent pixels. 17e: 3114 to adjacent pixels. 18b: 4242 and 7113 to adjacent pixels. 17d: 81 and 82 to 7118. 17k: 21 to 22; 4303 to 5455. 17ao: 21 and 3114 to 22; 4303 to 5455; 7112 to 7113. The modified grids were used to update Western MT and merged with Eastern MT. Statewide improvements: Cliffs and canyons: The 30m NED DEM was used to compute a grid of slope. Cliff pixels were added as follows: * In forested areas, slope pixels greater or equal to 50 degrees were reclassed as cliffs and canyons; * In non-forest areas, slope pixels greater or equal to 40 degrees were reclassed as cliffs and canyons; * In SSURGO polygons identified as rock outcrops, rubble land, or welded tuff, all non-forest pixels not classified as alpine vegetation (deciduous shrubland, montane sagebrush, big sagebrush, and foothill grassland) were reassigned to a cliffs and canyons ecological system. * The new cliff and canyon pixels were assigned to ecological systems based on their location, elevation, and neighboring pixels: - In MRLC zones 20, 29 and 30, code to 3142 (NWGP Cliffs and Outcrops) - In MRLC zones 10, 19, 21 and 22, code to 3129 (RM Cliff, Canyon, and Massive Bedrock) for elevation below 2300m; and to 3135 (RM Alpine Bedrock and Scree) for elevation above 2300m. (MRLC = Multi-Resolution Land Characteristics Consortium; zones refer to the NLCD 2001 mapping zones: http://www.mrlc.gov/nlcd_multizone_map.php) Agriculture and pasture/hay: The Department of Revenue used the 2005 NAIP to produce a fine-scale, detailed layer of data used in property valuation for agriculture and forest land on private properties, the Final Land Unit (FLU) Classification. Polygons with a LType code H (non-irrigated hay land) and I (irrigated land), F (sumemr fallow farmland) or C (continuously cropped) were selected, recoded to 81 (Pasture/Hay) or 82 (Cultivated Cropland), converted to rasters, and used to improve the landcover grid. Pixels coded as agriculture in the original landcover, but not in the FLU layer, were reclassed to the closest grassland type using the ArcGIS Nibble command. Raster Pixel 24219 33158 1 Lambert Conformal Conic 45.000000 49.000000 -109.000000 44.250000 0.000000 0.000000 row and column 30.000000 30.000000 meters North American Datum of 1983 Geodetic Reference System 80 6378137.000000 298.257222 VAT_msdi_land_cover_2010_Project OBJECTID Internal feature number. ESRI Sequential unique whole numbers that are automatically generated. VALUE Arbitrary value for display purposes COUNT Pixel Count - The number of 30 m X 30 m pixels per class ESLF_CODE ESLF Code used to identify the Ecological System or land use class that is specific to Montana http://fieldguide.mt.gov/displayES_LCLU.aspx 0 Background 11 Open Water NLCD 2001 21 Developed, Open Space NLCD 2001 22 Developed, Low Intensity NLCD 2001 23 Developed, Medium Intensity NLCD 2001 31 Quarries, Strip Mines and Gravel Pits NLCD 2001 81 Pasture/Hay NLCD 2001 82 Cultivated Crops NLCD 2001 3114 Great Plains Badlands NatureServe/MTNHP 3129 Rocky Mountain Cliff, Canyon and Massive Bedrock NatureServe/MTNHP 3130 Alpine Ice Field NatureServe/MTNHP 3135 Alpine Bedrock and Scree NatureServe/MTNHP 3139 Shale Badland NatureServe/MTNHP 3142 Great Plains Cliff and Outcrop NatureServe/MTNHP 3160 Active and Stabilized Dune NatureServe/MTNHP 3173 Wyoming Basic Cliff and and Canyon NatureServe/MTNHP 4104 Aspen Forest and Woodland NatureServe/MTNHP 4232 Rocky Mountain Dry-Mesic Montane Mixed Conifer Forest NatureServe/MTNHP 4233 Rocky Mountain Subalpine Woodland and Parkland NatureServe/MTNHP 4234 Rocky Mountain Mesic Montane Mixed Conifer Forest NatureServe/MTNHP 4236 Rocky Mountain Foothill Limber Pine-Juniper Woodland NatureServe/MTNHP 4237 Rocky Mountain Lodgepole Pine Forest NatureServe/MTNHP 4240 Rocky Mountain Ponderosa Pine Woodland and Savanna NatureServe/MTNHP 4242 Rocky Mountain Subalpine Dry-Mesic Spruce-Fir Forest and Woodland NatureServe/MTNHP 4243 Rocky Mountain Subalpine Mesic Spruce-Fir Forest and Woodland NatureServe/MTNHP 4266 Rocky Mountain Montane Douglas-fir Forest and Woodland NatureServe/MTNHP 4267 Rocky Mountain Poor Site Lodgepole Pine Forest NatureServe/MTNHP 4280 Great Plains Ponderosa Pine Woodland and Savanna NatureServe/MTNHP 4302 Aspen and Mixed Conifer Forest NatureServe/MTNHP 4303 Mountain Mahogany Woodland and Shrubland NatureServe/MTNHP 4328 Great Plains Wooded Draw and Ravine NatureServe/MTNHP 5000 Geysers and Hot Springs ReGap 5203 Mat Saltbush Shrubland NatureServe/MTNHP 5207 Alpine Dwarf-Shrubland NatureServe/MTNHP 5209 Low Sagebrush Shrubland NatureServe/MTNHP 5257 Big Sagebrush Shrubland NatureServe/MTNHP 5258 Mixed Salt Desert Scrub NatureServe/MTNHP 5262 Great Plains Shrubland NatureServe/MTNHP 5263 Rocky Mountain Lower Montane-Foothill Shrubland NatureServe/MTNHP 5312 Rocky Mountain Montane-Foothill Deciduous Shrubland NatureServe/MTNHP 5326 Rocky Mountain Subalpine Deciduous Shrubland NatureServe/MTNHP 5426 Rocky Mountain Foothill Woodland-Steppe Transition NatureServe/MTNHP 5454 Big Sagebrush Steppe NatureServe/MTNHP 5455 Montane Sagebrush Steppe NatureServe/MTNHP 7112 Rocky Mountain Lower Montane, Foothill and Valley Grassland NatureServe/MTNHP 7113 Rocky Mountain Subalpine-Upper Montane Grassland NatureServe/MTNHP 7114 Great Plains Mixedgrass Prairie NatureServe/MTNHP 7116 Alpine Fell-Field NatureServe/MTNHP 7117 Alpine Turf NatureServe/MTNHP 7118 Rocky Mountain Subalpine-Montane Mesic Meadow NatureServe/MTNHP 7121 Great Plains Sand Prairie NatureServe/MTNHP 8402 Introduced Upland Vegetation - Shrub MTNHP/ReGap 8403 Introduced Upland Vegetation - Annual and Biennial Forbland MTNHP/ReGap 8404 Introduced Upland Vegetation - Annual Grassland MTNHP/ReGap 8405 Introduced Upland Vegetation - Perennial Grassland and Forbland MTNHP/ReGap 8406 Introduced Riparian and Wetland Vegetation MTNHP/ReGap 8501 Recently burned forest MTNHP/ReGap 8502 Recently burned grassland MTNHP/ReGap 8503 Recently burned shrubland MTNHP/ReGap 8601 Harvested forest-tree regeneration MTNHP/ReGap 8602 Harvested forest-shrub regeneration MTNHP/ReGap 8603 Harvested forest-grass regeneration MTNHP/ReGap 9103 Greasewood Flat NatureServe/MTNHP 9111 Rocky Mountain Conifer Swamp NatureServe/MTNHP 9155 Northern Rocky Mountain Lower Montane Riparian Woodland and Shrubland NatureServe/MTNHP 9156 Rocky Mountain Lower Montane-Foothill Riparian Woodland and Shrubland NatureServe/MTNHP 9159 Great Plains Floodplain NatureServe/MTNHP 9162 Rocky Mountain Wooded Vernal Pool NatureServe/MTNHP 9171 Rocky Mountain Subalpine-Montane Riparian Woodland NatureServe/MTNHP 9187 Rocky Mountain Subalpine-Montane Riparian Shrubland NatureServe/MTNHP 9203 Great Plains Prairie Pothole NatureServe/MTNHP 9217 Alpine-Montane Wet Meadow NatureServe/MTNHP 9218 Great Plains Open Freshwater Depression Wetland NatureServe/MTNHP 9222 Emergent Marsh NatureServe/MTNHP 9234 Rocky Mountain Subalpine-Montane Fen NatureServe/MTNHP 9252 Great Plains Closed Depression Wetland NatureServe/MTNHP 9256 Great Plains Saline Depression Wetland NatureServe/MTNHP 9326 Great Plains Riparian NatureServe/MTNHP LEVEL1 Landcover class generally based on vegetative physiognomy (i.e. grassland, shrubland, forest), but also include aquatic and alpine cover classes, as well as human land uses. Unless otherwise noted, definitions follow the International Classification of Ecological Communities Terrestrial Vegetation of the United States: Volume I; http://www.natureserve.org/library/vol 1.pdf. Human Land Use Developed areas in rural or urban settings (including roads), strip mines and gravel pits, and agricultural lands. Recently Disturbed or Modified Recently burned or harvested vegetation, and introduced upland and riparian vegetation. Sparse and Barren Systems Badlands, dunes, and cliffs and canyons, that are characterized by sparse vegetation or are unvegetated. Abiotic substrate features dominant. Vegetation is scattered to nearly absent and generally restricted to areas of concentrated resources (total vegetation cover is typically less than 25% and greater than 0%). Alpine Systems Barren substrate or herbaceous and low shrubby vegetation above mountain timberline. Forest and Woodland Systems All natural forest and woodland systems, with the exclusion of riparian systems. Shrubland, Steppe and Savanna Systems All natural shrub/scrub systems, with the exclusion of alpine and riparian systems. Shrubland: Shrubs generally greater than 0.5m tall with individuals or clumps overlapping to not touching (generally forming more than 25% cover, trees generally less than 25% cover). Shrub cover may be less than 25% where it exceeds tree, dwarf-shrub, herb, and nonvascular cover, respectively. Vegetation dominated by woody vines is generally treated in this class. Dwarf shrubland: Low-growing shrubs usually under 0.5 m tall. Individuals or clumps overlapping to not touching (generally forming more than 25% cover, trees and tall shrubs generally less than 25% cover). Dwarfshrub cover may be less than 25% where it exceeds tree, shrub, herb, and nonvascular cover, respectively. Grassland Systems All natural herbaceous systems, with the exclusion of alpine and riparian systems. Herbaceous: Herbs (graminoids, forbs, and ferns) dominant (generally forming at least 25% cover; trees, shrubs, and dwarf-shrubs generally with less than 25% cover). Herb cover may be less than 25% where it exceeds tree, shrub, dwarf-shrub, and nonvascular cover, respectively. Open Water/Wetland and Riparian Systems Natural systems located in areas where the soil or substrate is periodically saturated with or covered with water. LEVEL2 Landcover subclass values at the intermediate level of classification that incorporates information on elevation and climate Open Water All areas of open water, generally with less than 25% cover of vegetation or soil . NLCD 2001; http://www.mrlc.gov/nlcd_definitions.php Developed Developed, Open Space - areas with a mixture of some constructed materials, but mostly vegetation in the form of lawn grasses. Impervious surfaces account for less than 20 percent of total cover. These areas most commonly include large-lot single-family housing units, parks, golf courses, and vegetation planted in developed settings for recreation, erosion control, or aesthetic purposes. Developed, Low Intensity - areas with a mixture of constructed materials and vegetation. Impervious surfaces account for 20-49 percent of total cover. These areas most commonly include single-family housing units. Developed, Medium Intensity - areas with a mixture of constructed materials and vegetation. Impervious surfaces account for 50-79 percent of the total cover. These areas most commonly include single-family housing units. NLCD 2001; http://www.mrlc.gov/nlcd_definitions.php Mining Strip mines and gravel pits. Agriculture Summer fallow farmland, a method of farming in arid and semi-arid areas without using irrigation which consists of cultivating a given area in alternate years (usually every other year), allowing moisture to be stored in the un-cropped (fallow) year. Even if grain crops are occasionally sequenced with alfalfa or other nitrogen fixing crops, the land will be classified as fallow if grain is the principle crop. Continuously cropped, a method of farming without irrigation in which crops are grown a majority of the time as part of a normal farming practice. Christmas tree plantation and fruit orchards are classified as continuously cropped farmland. Non-irrigated hay land, a method of farming whereby hay is cut a majority of the years. Native vegetation cut for hay yearly or majority of the time over a period of years. Non-irrigated alfalfa and other domestic varieties cut for hay yearly or the majority of the time. Irrigated land, a method of farming that uses man-made water delivery systems to apply water to hayland or cropland to increase production. All hay land and cropland that is irrigated a majority of the time over the long term. Department of Revenue's Final Land Unit Classification Cliff, Canyon and Talus Barren and sparsely vegetated landscapes (generally <10% plant cover) of steep cliff faces, narrow canyons, and smaller rock outcrops of various igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic bedrock types. Also included is vegetation of unstable scree and talus slopes that typically occurs below cliff faces. Bluff, Badland and Dune Badlands and inland dunes composed of barren and sparsely vegetated substrates. Alpine Grassland and Shrubland Herbaceous and low shrubby vegetation above mountain timberline. Herbaceous - Herbs (graminoids, forbs, and ferns) dominant (generally forming at least 25% cover, trees, shrubs, and dwarf-shrubs generally with less than 25% cover). Herb cover may be less than 25% where it exceeds tree, shrub, dwarf-shrub, and nonvascular cover, respectively. Shrubland - Shrubs generally greater than 0.5 m tall with individuals or clumps overlapping to not touching (generally forming more than 25% cover, trees generally less than 25% cover). Shrub cover may be less than 25% where it exceeds tree, dwarf-shrub, herb, and nonvascular cover, respectively. Alpine Sparse and Barren Barren or sparsely vegetated substrate above mountain timberline. Sparse Vegetation: Abiotic substrate features dominant. Vegetation is scattered to nearly absent and generally restricted to areas of concentrated resources (total vegetation cover is typically less than 25% and greater than 0%). Conifer-dominated forest and woodland (xeric-mesic) Natural coniferous forest and woodland systems occurring in dry to moderately moist conditions. Evergreen - Greater than 75% of the total woody cover is never without green foliage. Forest - Trees with their crowns overlapping (generally forming 60-100% cover). Woodland - Open stands of trees with crowns not usually touching (generally forming 25-60% cover). Canopy tree cover may be less than 25% in cases where it exceeds shrub, dwarf-shrub, herb, and nonvascular cover, respectively. Conifer-dominated forest and woodland (mesic-wet) Natural coniferous forest and woodland systems occurring in moderately moist to moist conditions. Evergreen - Greater than 75% of the total woody cover is never without green foliage. Forest - Trees with their crowns overlapping (generally forming 60-100% cover). Woodland - Open stands of trees with crowns not usually touching (generally forming 25-60% cover). Canopy tree cover may be less than 25% in cases where it exceeds shrub, dwarf-shrub, herb, and nonvascular cover, respectively. Deciduous dominated forest and woodland Natural deciduous forest and woodland systems, with the exception of riparian systems. Deciduous - Greater than 75% of the total woody cover sheds its foliage imultaneously in connection with the unfavorable season. Forest - Trees with their crowns overlapping (generally forming 60-100% cover). Woodland - Open stands of trees with crowns not usually touching (generally forming 25-60% cover). Canopy tree cover may be less than 25% in cases where it exceeds shrub, dwarf-shrub, herb, and nonvascular cover, respectively. Mixed deciduous/coniferous forest and woodland Natural forest and woodland systems composed of a mixture of coniferous and deciduous species. Mixed evergreen-deciduous - Evergreen and deciduous species generally contribute 25-75% of the total woody cover.Forest - Trees with their crowns overlapping (generally forming 60-100% cover).Woodland - Open stands of trees with crowns not usually touching (generally forming 25-60% cover). Canopy tree cover may be less than 25% in cases where it exceeds shrub, dwarf-shrub, herb, and nonvascular cover, respectively. Deciduous Shrubland Native, non-riparian deciduous shrubland. Shrubland - Shrubs generally greater than 0.5 m tall with individuals or clumps overlapping to not touching (generally forming more than 25% cover, trees generally less than 25% cover). Shrub cover may be less than 25% where it exceeds tree, dwarf-shrub, herb, and nonvascular cover, respectively. Vegetation dominated by woody vines is generally treated in this class. Scrub and Dwarf Shrubland Native, non-riparian scrub and dwarf shrubland not dominated by Artemisia spp. Dwarf-shrubland - Low-growing shrubs usually under 0.5 m tall. Individuals or clumps overlapping to not touching (generally forming more than 25% cover, trees and tall shrubs generally less than 25% cover). Dwarfshrub cover may be less than 25% where it exceeds tree, shrub, herb, and nonvascular cover, respectively. Sagebrush-dominated Shrubland Artemisia-dominated shrubland and dwarf-shrubland. Sagebrush Steppe Artemisia-dominated steppe (between 10% and 40% shrub cover). Lowland/Prairie Grassland Low elevation grassland systems. Herbaceous - Herbs (graminoids, forbs, and ferns) dominant (generally forming at least 25% cover, trees, shrubs, and dwarf-shrubs generally with less than 25% cover). Herb cover may be less than 25% where it exceeds tree, shrub, dwarf-shrub, and nonvascular cover, respectively. Montane Grassland Grassland systems occurring from lower montane to upper montane-subalpine elevations. Herbaceous - Herbs (graminoids, forbs, and ferns) dominant (generally forming at least 25% cover, trees, shrubs, and dwarf-shrubs generally with less than 25% cover). Herb cover may be less than 25% where it exceeds tree, shrub, dwarf-shrub, and nonvascular cover, respectively. Recently burned Recently burned forest, shrubland or grassland systems. Harvested Forest Recently cut forest systems with grass, shrub, or tree regeneration. Introduced Vegetation Introduced upland and riparian communities dominated by invasive alien species. Though these communities are often casually considered as "planted/cultivated," they are spontaneous, self-perpetuating, and not the (immediate) result of planting, cultivation, or human maintenance. Land occupied by invasive communities is generally permanently altered (converted) unless restoration efforts are undertaken. Depressional Wetland Wetland ecological systems were defined following a non-regulatory definition for wetlands, emphasizing three important attributes: (1) the hydrology is such that there is some degree of flooding or soil saturation; (2) the vegetation is composed of plants adapted to grow in water or in a soil or substrate that is occasionally oxygen deficient due to saturation (hydrophytes); and (3) the soils are those saturated long enough during the growing season to produce oxygen-deficient conditions in the upper part of the soil, which commonly includes the major part of the root zone of plants (hydric soils). Floodplain and Riparian Flood plain - (bottomland) The nearly level alluvial plain that borders a stream and is subject to inundation under flood-stage conditions unless protected artificially. It is usually a constructional landform built of sediment deposited during overflow and lateral migration of the stream. Riparian: A narrow zone of habitats, which may or may not be vegetated, directly associated with streamsides or lake shores, or similar immediately adjacent habitat. Forested Marsh Ecological systems characterized by woody vegetation that is 6 m tall or taller, occurring on poorly drained soils that are saturated year-round or may have seasonal flooding in the spring . (Cowardin et al. 1979) Herbaceous Marsh The Emergent Wetland Class is characterized by erect, rooted, herbaceous hydrophytes, excluding mosses and lichens. This vegetation is present for most of the growing season in most years. These wetlands are usually dominated by perennial plants. All water regimes are included except subtidal and irregularly exposed . (Cowardin et al. 1979) Bog or Fen Wetlands with peat or muck substrate resulting from unusual water chemistry; includes areas of highly mineralized groundwater discharge (e.g., many fens) as well as sterile rainwater catch-basins (e.g., many bogs) and other peatlands. Wet meadow An herbaceous wetland dominated by plants rooted in occasionally flooded soils. LEVEL3 Montana specific Ecological System Name. Value at the most detailed level of classification that contains Montana-specific Ecological Systems and land use classes http://fieldguide.mt.gov/displayES_LCLU.aspx Definitions for landuse codes follow NLCD 2001 and National ReGAP. The ecological system definitions were originally developed by NatureServe and then modified by MTNHP to better match Montana vegetation. NLCD 2001: http://www.epa.gov/mrlc/classification.html NatureServe: http://www.natureserve.org/library/usEcologicalsystems.pdf Comer, P., D. Faber-Langendoen, R. Evans, S. Gawler, C. Josse, G. Kittel, S. Menard, M. Pyne, M. Reid, K. Schulz, K. Snow, and J. Teague. 2003. Ecological Systems of the United States: A Working Classification of U.S. Terrestrial Systems. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. MTNHP: a link to detailed description of ecological systems in Montana can be found at http://fieldguide.mt.gov/displayES_LCLU.aspx Unless otherwise noted, definitions follow the International Classification of Ecological Communities: Terrestrial Vegetation of the United States: Volume I; (http://www.natureserve.org/library/vol1.pdf) Montana State Library mailing address

P.O. Box 201800

Helena MT 59620-1800 406-444-5355 nris@mt.gov Live Data and Maps ESRI File Geodatabase 106 http://nris.mt.gov/nsdi/nris/mdb/MSDI_Land_Cover_2010.zip 20110330 Claudine Tobalske Montana Natural Heritage Program Ecologist/GIS Analyst physical address

Spatial Analysis Lab, The University of Montana

Missoula Montana 59812 406-243-5196 claudine.tobalske@mso.umt.edu FGDC Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata FGDC-STD-001-1998 {E4218788-CA76-4555-BB47-19B841777CA3}