Vegetation Map Accuracy Assessment: Fort Benning, Georgia

Abstract

Abstract : In 1993 the U.S. Army Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (CERL) became involved in the United States Geological Survey, Division of Biological Resources/National Park Service (USGS/NPS) National Vegetation Mapping Program by serving as an interagency peer reviewer. This initial involvement led to discussions on vegetation mapping alternatives for military lands and a completed vegetation map for Fort Benning, GA. To validate the vegetation map and help managers realize its potential use as a natural resources and military training management tool, an accuracy assessment was conducted. Armed with a field key to the plant communities on the Fort Benning map and a project sampling design, intensive fieldwork was conducted to collect the data required to assess the vegetation map's accuracy. Field data was analyzed and an error analysis of the map was completed. This report includes lessons learned and recommendations for future vegetation mapping and accuracy assessment projects.