Seattle Urban Nature Project

Microsoft Access Database Metadata

September 2002

Citation Information

Originator: Seattle Urban Nature Project

Publication Date: September 2002

Title:

Edition: 1

Data Presentation Format: Microsoft Access 1997 Database entitled

Habitat Attributes.mdb. The database was developed using Microsoft Access 2000 for Windows and saved in Microsoft Access 1997 format for this CD. Users with Microsoft Access 2000 can convert the database to the current version without impacting the dataset.

Publication Information

Publication Place: Seattle, WA

Publisher: Seattle Urban Nature Project

Description

Abstract

Associated data and attribute descriptions for the geospatial datasets of habitat polygons of public lands in Seattle, WA delineated from field surveys and aerial photographs by Seattle Urban Nature Project (SUNP) are presented.

Purpose

The Seattle Urban Nature Project mapped the types of vegetation present in Seattle's parks, green belts and other public open spaces using aerial photographs and field surveys. Habitat region delineations were digitized for use in a GIS and the first map atlas edition displaying habitat types and invasive species by area were created by TerraLogic GIS, Inc. The MS Access database contains additional information related to the habitat polygons. This document provides a list and brief explanation of the fields within each Access table.

Revisions

Revisions, edits and additions were made throughout the process.

Reviews Applied to Data

Subject to ongoing reviews by TerraLogic GIS, Inc. and staff, as well as SUNP Board members.

Related Spatial and Tabular Data Sets

SUNP habitat polygon ESRI ArcInfo coverage , ArcView shapefile, ArcGIS Geodatabase and Seattle Public Lands Atlas. First edition.

References Cited

Habitat classifications were based on the Seattle Dept. of Parks and Recreation “Urban Wildlife and Habitat Management Plan, “ July 1994.

Bird Species and Codes were derived from Gustafson, M. E., J. Hildenbrand and L. Metras. 1997. The North American Bird Banding Manual.

Synonomy references were derived from Arthur Lee Jacobson. 2001. Wild Plants of Greater Seattle.

Time Period of Content

3/1/99 through 7/23/02

Spatial Domain

Bounding Coordinates

West Bounding Coordinate: -122.43797589

East Bounding Coordinate: -122.23874683

North Bounding Coordinate: 47.73652034

South Bounding Coordinate: 47.488082

Maintenance and Update Frequency

Unknown

Access Constraints

Per Seattle Urban Nature Project.

Use Constraints

Wetland classifications based solely on field observations of vegetation and hydrology. A formal delineation may not have been performed. Habitat classifications were based on the Seattle Dept. of Parks and

Recreation “Urban Wildlife and Habitat Management Plan, “ July 1994. Public lands were delineated using 2000 King County Parcel level Tax Assessor’s information.

Native Data Set Environment

Microsoft Access 1997 for Windows. The database was developed using Microsoft Access 2000 for Windows and saved as Microsoft Access 1997 for this CD. Users with Microsoft Access 2000 can convert the database to the current version without impacting the dataset.

Table and Attribute Information

Entity Label: Habitat Master Table

Entity Definition: List of all polygons with associated attributes

Entity Type Definition Source: SUNP

Entity Record Total: 4126

Attributes:

Attribute Label: Poly_ID

Attribute Definition: Alpha-numeric park name and number

Attribute Label: Parkcode

Attribute Definition: Park code ascribed by SUNP staff

Attribute Label: Date

Attribute Definition: Date the polygon was surveyed

Attribute Label: Habitat

Attribute Definition: 1 of 62 categories used to describe the

dominant vegetation in the polygon

Attribute Label: Acres

Attribute Definition: Polygon Acreage

Attribute Label: Snag

Attribute Definition: Dead tree > 5” in diameter; hanging

Attribute Label: Down_Log

Attribute Definition: Dead tree >5” in diameter; on ground.

Attribute Label: Lg_Tree

Attribute Definition: Dead tree > 35” in diameter

Attribute Label: Seep

Attribute Definition: Damp or boggy area

Attribute Label: Slide

Attribute Definition: Mud or landslide

Attribute Label: Erosion

Attribute Definition: Gully where water is cutting a ravine

Attribute Label: Refuse

Attribute Definition: Garbage, abandoned vehicles, yard waste

dumps, etc.

Entity Label: Park Names and Codes

Entity Definition: Official Seattle park names or area descriptors and assigned

codes

Entity Type Definition Source: SUNP

Entity Record Total: 303

Attributes:

Attribute Label: Parkcode

Attribute Definition: Official Seattle Park Name or area descriptor

Attribute Label: Parkname

Attribute Definition: Park code ascribed by SUNP staff

Entity Label: Park Species

Entity Definition: List of plant species found within each park

Entity Type Definition Source: SUNP

Entity Record Total: 6194

Attributes:

Attribute Label: Parkcode

Attribute Definition: Official Seattle Park Name or area descriptor

Attribute Label: Species

Attribute Definition: Plant species code ascribed by SUNP staff

Entity Label: Plant Species Names

Entity Definition: Comprehensive list of plant species found by SUNP staff

Entity Type Definition Source: SUNP

Entity Note: The exact locations of five plant species have been masked in the database

in the interest of protecting remnant native populations of locally rare herbaceous species. These species were determined to be sensitive without formal criteria. The following species (and associated codes) were found on Seattle’s Public Lands but have not been listed at the individual park or polygon level:

Vanilla LeafACTR

PathfinderADBI

Maiden Hair FernADPE

Wild GingerASCA3

TrilliumTROV

Entity Record Total: 246

Attribute:

Attribute Label: Species

Attribute Definition: Plant species code ascribed by SUNP staff

Attribute Label: Scientif

Attribute Definition: Scientific Name (Genus & Species)

Attribute Label: Common

Attribute Definition: Common Name

Attribute Label: Synonomy

Attribute Definition: Arthur Lee Jacobsen. 2001. Wild Plants of

Greater Seattle.

Entity Label: Vegetation Table

Entity Definition: Comprehensive list of the plant species found within each

polygon

Entity Type Definition Source: SUNP

Entity Note: Five polygons in the Habitat Master Table are not found in the

this table:

NOIFGS_033-00

INNIGS_059-00

INNIGS_044-00

LINCPK_007-00

ARRONA_001-06

Entity Record Total: 41589

Attributes:

Attribute Label: Poly_ID

Attribute Definition: Alpha-numeric park name and number

Attribute Label: Species

Attribute Definition: Plant species code ascribed by SUNP staff

Attribute Label: Covercls

Attribute Definition: The proportion of ground surface included in

a polygon covered by a particular species (out of 100%)

Attribute Domain Value Definitions:

1 = a trace or single individual of a species

2 = 0-5% coverage

3 = 5-10%

4 = 10-25%

5 = 25-50%

6 = 50-75%

7 = 75-95%

8 = 95-100%

Attribute Label: Canopy

Attribute Definition: Layer of vegetation within a forest

Attribute Domain Value Definitions:

C = canopy
G = ground, or herb layer
G/V = ground/vine, used almost exclusively to show where ivy is both covering the ground and climbing trees
M = mid-story, for trees over 20' tall but not in the canopy
M/C = species found in both in the mid-story and the canopy
S = shrub
S/C = found in both in the shrub layer (tree seedlings) and in the canopy
S/M = found in both in the shrub layer (tree seedlings) and in the mid-story
S/M/C = tree species found in all three layers (shrub, mid-story, canopy)
U = unvegetated (pavement, gravel, bare dirt, etc.)
V = vine. Used for climbing plants, such as ivy, clematis, wisteria, grapes, Loniceras sp.

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© 2002 Seattle Urban Nature Project.

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