Geospatial Analysis and Photo Interpretation

Vegetation Classification and Mapping Nehalem Bay State Park and the Cougar Valley Ranch Complex, Oregon Department of Parks and Recreation

We conducted a pertinent literature review pertaining to the historical and current conditions of the vegetation communities; relatively unique polygons were delineated on NAIP imagery (directly in GIS) and on aerial photographs and later brought into a GIS using heads up digitizing procedures. Botanical surveyors then visited each and every polygon to refine polygon boundaries according to plant associations and plant community conditions. Surveyors utilized survey grade GPS to accomplish field mapping effort. Wetlands were delineated, characterized and the plant communities within the wetlands were described; no minimum mapping unit existed for wetlands. Field survey also included mapping at-risk species, threatened, endangered, and rare species, and exotic species. Post survey tasks included GIS data development, producing maps illustrating pertinent botanical features, and a written report which detailed the vegetation conditions of the State parks and discussed potential restoration opportunities.