Metadata:

  Identification_Information:                                              

    Citation:

      Citation_Information:

        Originator: The Colorado Natural Heritage Program Colorado State

          University

        Publication_Date: 20070615

        Title: Networks of Conservation Areas

        Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: Map

        Database_Version: Biodiversity Tracking and Conservation System,

          Version 4.0

        Publication_Information:

          Publication_Place: Fort Collins, Colorado USA

          Publisher: The Colorado Natural Heritage Program Colorado State

            University

 

    Description:

      Abstract:

        A Network of Conservation Areas (NCA) will fit one of the following

        definitions:

 

        A. A landscape area that encompasses Potential Conservation Areas (PCAs)

           that share similar species or natural communities and ecological

           processes. NCAs include unoccupied or unsurveyed areas that are

           within the same ecological system that the species or natural

           communities require. NCAs contain PCAs with an obvious repeating

           pattern (that is, the same species or natural communities are in

           each associated PCA).

        B. A mostly intact, lightly fragmented landscape that supports wide-

           ranging species and large scale disturbances. NCAs include

           unoccupied or unsurveyed areas that demonstrate the connectivity of

           the landscape. NCAs contain PCAs that may occur at a variety of

           ecological scales.

         

      Purpose:

        CNHP provides information on the distribution of Network of Conservation

        Areas in Colorado to public and private agencies and individuals for

        environmental review, proprietary land management, resource planning,

        biological and ecological research and general scientific reference.

 

      Supplemental_Information:

        The Colorado Natural Heritage Program (CNHP) collects data on rare

        and imperiled species, subspecies and natural communities

        (collectively known as Element Occurrences or EOs) in Colorado.

        Potential Conservation Areas (PCAs) are derived from these data. A

        PCA represents CNHP's best estimate of the primary area supporting

        the long-term survival of targeted species, subspecies and natural

        natural communities. NCAs are derived from PCAs and are designed to

        reflect large, intact landscapes or areas with an obvious repeating

        pattern for large-scale planning.

 

        Networks of Conservation Areas typically are drawn onto 1:100,000 or

        1:250,000 scale USGS topographical maps and digitized using Arc/Info

        7.2.1 on a UNIX platform OR drawn on-screen ("heads up" digitizing) by

        CNHP staff in ArcView using 1:100,000 or 1:250,000 USGS digital raster

        graphics (DRGs) as a reference. Source information is documented in

        the attribute table. Data are available in Arc/Info export format

        (subclass ncas) and ArcView shapefile format; feature class is regions

        or multi-part shapes. Note attributes for the NCA regions coverage are

        stored in .patncas.

 

        CNHP manages data using the Biodiversity Tracking and Conservation

        System (BIOTICS) which integrates spatial data using ArcView 3.2a

        (ESRI 1992-2000) with narrative and tabular data using Oracle 9i

        (Oracle Corporation 1994-2002). BIOTICS was designed by NatureServe,

        CNHP's parent organization. To learn more about the BIOTICS data model,

        refer to http://www.natureserve.org/prodServices/biotics.jsp

 

    Time_Period_of_Content:

      Time_Period_Information:

        Range_of_Dates/Times:

          Beginning_Date: 19861212

          Ending_Date: Present (refer to Publication Date)

      Currentness_Reference:

        Data were exported and published on the publication date above.

        If the site was visited, see the MAPDATE field for dates referring

        to the ground condition. If site was not visited, it was drawn from

        desktop references on the MAPDATE.

 

    Status:

      Progress: In progress

      Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency: Continually

 

    Spatial_Domain:

      Bounding_Coordinates:

        West_Bounding_Coordinate: -109.2493

        East_Bounding_Coordinate: -101.7821

        North_Bounding_Coordinate: 41.8874

        South_Bounding_Coordinate: 36.9392

      Bounding_Altitudes:

        Altitude_Minimum: 1,021

        Altitude_Maximum: 4,398

        Altitude_Distance_Units: meters

 

    Keywords:

      Theme:

        Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: None

        Theme_Keyword: Network of Conservation Areas

        Theme_Keyword: Colorado Natural Heritage Program

      Place:

        Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: None

        Place_Keyword: Colorado

        Place_Keyword: USA

 

    Access_Constraints:

      Typically, there are no constraints on accessing Networks of Conservation

      Areas; however, the user must comply with any criteria specified in the

      Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) or Data Use Agreement if applicable. If

      other individuals or agencies are interested in these data, contact

      CNHP's Data Distribution Coordinator directly at (970) 491-7331 or

      visit our website at http://www.cnhp.colostate.edu/gis.html to download

      the data for free for non-commercial use.

 

    Use_Constraints:

      Please note that the bounding coordinates and bounding altitudes reflect

      statewide values.

 

      These data are strictly "on loan" and should be considered "works in

      progress". Data are for non-commercial use only. Under no circumstances

      are data to be DISTRIBUTED in any fashion to outside parties. If other

      individuals or agencies are interested in these data, contact CNHP's

      Data Distribution Coordinator directly at (970) 491-7331,

      mmenefee@lamar.colostate.edu.

 

      Acknowledgement of the Colorado Natural Heritage Program would be

      appreciated in products derived from these data. Please cite this

      particular dataset as follows:

      Colorado Natural Heritage Program. 2007. Networks of Conservation Areas.

      Biodiversity Tracking and Conservation System. Colorado State

      University, Fort Collins, Colorado, U.S.A. Data exported 06/15/2007.

 

      The Networks of Conservation Areas coverage is a product and property of

      the Colorado Natural Heritage Program, a sponsored program at Colorado

      State University. CNHP data are supplemental and care should be taken in

      interpreting these data. NCAs are designed for broad, large-scale

      planning and should not replace field studies necessary for more

      localized planning efforts. CNHP is not responsible for whether other,

      non-CNHP data providers have secured landowner permission for data

      collected.

 

      The data contained herein are provided on an as-is, as-available basis 

      without warranties of any kind, expressed or implied, including (but

      not limited to) warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular

      purpose, and non-infringement. CNHP, Colorado State University and the

      State of Colorado further expressly disclaim any warranty that the data

      are error-free or current as of the date supplied.

 

      Copyright 2007

      Colorado State University

      Colorado Natural Heritage Program

      All Rights Reserved

 

    Point_of_Contact:

      Contact_Information:

        Contact_Person_Primary:

          Contact_Person: Amy Lavender

          Contact_Organization: The Colorado Natural Heritage Program

        Contact_Position: GIS Program Coordinator

        Contact_Address:

          Address_Type:  Mailing and Physical Address

          Address: 8002 Campus Delivery

          City: Fort Collins

          State_or_Province: Colorado

          Postal_Code: 80523-8002

          Country: USA

        Contact_Voice_Telephone: 970.491.2847

        Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 970.491.3349

        Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: lavender@lamar.colostate.edu

 

    Data_Set_Credit:

      CNHP, USFS, BLM, CDOW, GOCO, CSU, TNC, RMBO, NatureServe

      Other partner lists available upon request.

 

    Security_Information:

      Refer to Use Constraints and any MOU or Data Use Agreement for

      specific restrictions.

 

    Native_Data_Set_Environment:

      Dell Precision Workstation 530

      Windows 2000 Service Pack 4

      ArcView 3.2a - ArcView shapefile

      Arc/Info Workstation 9.0 SP3 - Arc/Info export file

 

 Data_Quality_Information:

   Attribute_Accuracy:

     Attribute_Accuracy_Report:

       All items were checked for invalid or null values in GIS and

       found to be satisfactory. An assessment of the accuracy of

       attributes captured in the field by the observer has not been

       completed.

     Quantitative_Attribute_Accuracy_Assessment:

       Attribute_Accuracy_Value: Unknown

       Attribute_Accuracy_Explanation:

         Attribute accuracy is dependent on the expertise of the

         field biologist.

 

 Logical_Consistency_Report:

   Arc/Info export coverage was found to be topologically correct

   in Arc/Info Workstation 9.0 SP3. Data were imported from an

   ArcView shapefile and cleaned (dangle length and fuzzy tolerance

   set to .1m). No node, label or region errors are present. ArcView

   shapefiles do not have topology.

 

 Completeness_Report:

   NCAs are only designed for PCAs that are derived from elements

   tracked by CNHP. Refer to http://www.cnhp.colostate.edu/list.html

   for an up-to-date list of tracked elements. While we strive to

   have the most comprehensive database of significant Networks of

   Conservation Areas, data are incomplete at this time.

 

   Positional_Accuracy:

     Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy:

       NCAs are typically mapped onto 1:100,000 scale or 1:250,000 scale 

       USGS topographical maps (digital or hard copy). Refer to attribute

       information for source data and scale.

     Vertical_Positional_Accuracy:

       Elevation is collected in the field by biologists so this is

       dependent on the estimate of natural resource professionals.

 

   Process_Step:

     1) Element Occurrence data are collected in the field by CNHP biologists

        or other experts.

     2) Data are digitized and transcribed in BIOTICS by CNHP information

        managers.

     3) CNHP biologists digitize Potential Conservation Areas in ArcView 3x

        based on the locations and quality of Element Occurrences and the

        natural processes needed to sustain them.

     4) PCAs are imported to BIOTICS and transcribed.

     5) PCA boundaries and transcription are quality controlled by CNHP

        information managers and the GIS Coordinator.

     6) NCAs are designed from PCAs by CNHP biologists, where applicable

        (i.e. intact landscapes or repeating patterns exist. Not all PCAs

        have associated NCAs.)

     7) NCAs are imported to BIOTICS and transcribed.

     8) NCA boundaries and transcription are quality controlled by CNHP

        information managers and the GIS Coordinator.

     9) Prior to export, data integrity scripts are run to ensure spatial

        and narrative information are synchronized.

     10) Oracle attributes are joined to the NCA shapefile.

     11) Attributes are quality controlled in GIS for invalid or null values.

 

     If an Arc/Info coverage is requested:    

     12) NCA shapefile is converted to an Arc/Info regions coverage, subclass

         ncas, with double precision using Arc/Info WorkStation 9.0 SP3.

     13) Coverage is cleaned with fuzzy tolerance and dangle length set to .1m.

     14) Labels are created and idedit is run to update user-ids.

     15) Coverage is checked for node errors, label errors and region errors.

     16) Project define is used to set projection parameters.

     17) Export cover is used to create Arc/Info export file (.e00)

    Process_Date:

      Steps one through 8 are continual. Steps 9-17 are completed on the

      publication date.

 

    Process_Contact_Information:

      Contact_Organization_Primary:

        Contact_Organization: The Colorado Natural Heritage Program

        Contact_Person: Amy Lavender

        Contact_Position: GIS Program Coordinator

        Contact_Address:

          Address_Type:  Mailing and physical address

          Address: Colorado Natural Heritage Program

          Address: 8002 Campus Delivery

          City: Fort Collins

          State_or_Province: Colorado

          Postal_Code: 80523-8002                                            

          Country: USA

        Contact_Voice_Telephone: 970.491.2847

        Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 970.491.3349

        Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: lavender@lamar.colostate.edu

 

 Spatial_Data_Organization_Information:

   Indirect_Spatial_Reference: Colorado

   Direct_Spatial_Reference_Method: Vector

 

  Spatial_Reference_Information:

    Horizontal_Coordinate_System_Definition:

      Planar:

        Grid_Coordinate_System:

          Grid_Coordinate_System_Name: Universal Transverse Mercator

          Universal_Transverse_Mercator:

            UTM_Zone_Number: 13

            Transverse_Mercator:

              Scale_Factor_at_Central_Meridian: .9996

              Longitude_of_Central_Meridian: -105 00 00

              Latitude_of_Projection_Origin: 00 00 00

              False_Easting: 500000

              False_Northing: 0

        Planar_Coordinate_Information:

          Planar_Coordinate_Encoding_Method: Coordinate pair

          Coordinate_Representation:

            Abscissa_Resolution:

            Ordinate_Resolution:

          Planar_Distance_Units: Meters

      Geodetic_Model:

        Horizontal_Datum_Name: North American Datum of 1983

        Ellipsoid_Name:  GRS 80

        Semi-major_Axis: 6378137.0

        Denominator_of_Flattening_Ratio: 298.26

 

  Entity_and_Attribute_Information:

    Detailed_Description:

      Entity_Type:

        Entity_Type_Label: Networks of Conservation Areas

        Entity_Type_Definition:

          This dataset includes all Networks of Conservation Areas as

          regions or multi-part shapes. Attributes include unique

          identifiers, site names, source map and digitizing scale and

          date boundaries were drawn. If you have a question regarding an

          NCA, please provide the SITE ID and/or SITECODE when contacting

          CNHP.

        Entity_Type_Definition_Source: Colorado Natural Heritage Program

      Attribute:

        Attribute_Label: SITE_ID

        Attribute_Label_Definition:

          A unique, sequentially assigned number generated in BIOTICS.

        Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable domain

        Attribute_Definition_Source: NatureServe

      Attribute:

        Attribute_Label: SITECODE

        Attribute_Label_Definition:

          The site code is a combination of the nation, state, installation

          code and the sequentially derived potential conservation area

          number. Site codes are unique for each record. The installation

          code refers to the organization that has lead responsibility.

          Installation codes can be one of the following:

          CNHP - The Colorado Natural Heritage Program

          COFO - The Colorado Field Office of The Nature Conservancy

            WRO - The Western Regional Office of The Nature Conservancy  

        Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable domain

        Attribute_Definition_Source: Colorado Natural Heritage Program

      Attribute:    

        Attribute_Label: SITENAME

        Attribute_Label_Definition:

          The official CNHP Site name, usually corresponding to a local place

          name or to a nearby geographic feature.

        Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable domain

        Attribute_Definition_Source: Colorado Natural Heritage Program

      Attribute:

        Attribute_Label: ALIAS

        Attribute_Label_Definition:

          Other names commonly associated with the NCA. These can include

          informal names, old names, names used by other offices or cooperating

          organizations, or the original survey site name. This field can be

          null.

        Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable domain

        Attribute_Definition_Source: Colorado Natural Heritage Program

      Attribute:

        Attribute_Label: SITEMAP

        Attribute_Label_Definition:

          Indicates whether the boundaries were drawn from desktop references

          or field verified.

          Attribute_Domain_Values:

            Enumerated_Domain:

              Enumerated_Domain_Value: Partial

              Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Preliminary boundary derived

                from desktop sources by CNHP personnel

              Enumerated_Domain_Value: Yes

              Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Field verified by CNHP

                personnel

          Attribute_Definition_Source: Colorado Natural Heritage Program

      Attribute:

        Attribute_Label: MAPDATE

        Attribute_Label_Definition:

          The date the NCA was last redrawn. YYYY-MM-DD.

        Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable domain

        Attribute_Definition_Source: Colorado Natural Heritage Program

      Attribute:

        Attribute_Label: DESIGNER

        Attribute_Label_Definition:

          The CNHP biologist who designed the NCA.

        Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable domain

        Attribute_Definition_Source: Colorado Natural Heritage Program

      Attribute:

        Attribute_Label: MINELEV

        Attribute_Label_Definition:

          The minimum elevation in feet as estimated by the field biologist.

          This field can be null.

        Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable domain

        Attribute_Definition_Source: Colorado Natural Heritage Program

      Attribute:

        Attribute_Label: MAXELEV

        Attribute_Label_Definition:

          The maximum elevation in feet as estimated by the field biologist.

          This field can be null.

        Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable domain

        Attribute_Definition_Source: Colorado Natural Heritage Program

      Attribute:

        Attribute_Label: DIGSCALE

        Attribute_Label_Definition:

          The scale at which the PCA was digitized and the data source.

          Attribute_Domain_Values:

            Enumerated_Domain:

              Enumerated_Domain_Value: 1:100,000 Quad - Paper

              Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Tablet digitizing in

                Arc/Info 7.2.1 using hard copy USGS 30x60 minute quadrangle

              Enumerated_Domain_Value: 1:100,000 Quad - Digital

              Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: "Heads-up" digitizing

                in ArcView 3x using digital USGS 30x60 minute quadrangle

                (Digital Raster Graphics)

              Enumerated_Domain_Value: 1:250,000 Quad - Paper

              Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Tablet digitizing in

                Arc/Info 7.2.1 using hard copy USGS 1x2 degree quadrangle

              Enumerated_Domain_Value: 1:250,000 Quad - Digital

              Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: "Heads-up" digitizing in

                ArcView 3x using digital USGS 1x2 degree quadrangle

                (Digital Raster Graphics)

      Attribute:

        Attribute_Label: EXPIRE

        Attribute_Label_Definition:

          This field includes information regarding the expiration of the data.

        Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable domain

        Attribute_Definition_Source: Colorado Natural Heritage Program

      Attribute:     

        Attribute_Label: DISCL

        Attribute_Label_Definition:

          This field includes a standard disclaimer and must stay with the data

          at all times.

        Attribute_Domain_Values: Unrepresentable domain

        Attribute_Definition_Source: Colorado Natural Heritage Program

     

  Distribution_Information:

    Distributor:

      Contact_Organization: The Colorado Natural Heritage Program

      Contact_Person: Michael Menefee

        Contact_Position: Data Distribution Coordinator

        Contact_Address:

          Address_Type:  Mailing and physical address

          Address: Colorado Natural Heritage Program

          Address: 8002 Campus Delivery

          City: Fort Collins

          State_or_Province: Colorado

          Postal_Code: 80523-8002

          Country: USA

        Contact_Voice_Telephone: 970.491.7331

        Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 970.491.3349

        Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: mmenefee@lamar.colostate.edu

     Resource_Description: Networks of Conservation Areas

     Distribution_Liability:

       None.

     Standard_Order_Process:

       Digital_Form:

        Digital_Transfer_Information:

          Format_Name: ARCE, AVSHP

          Format_Version_Number: ArcView shapefiles or Arc/Info export files

          Format_Specification: Data can be transferred via CD-ROM or via

            CNHP's secure FTP site.

      Ordering_Instructions: Contact Data Distribution Coordinator for

        eligibility and fees. (970) 491-7331. For nonsensitive sites, visit

        our website at http://www.cnhp.colostate.edu/gis.html to download

        the data for free for non-commercial use.

    Standard_Order_Process:

      Non-digital_Form: Spreadsheets and hard copy maps are also available.

        Contact the Data Distribution Coordinator for eligibility and fees.

 

  Metadata_Reference_Information:

    Metadata_Date: 20050323

    Metadata_Review_Date: 20070712

    Metadata_Future_Review_Date: As needed

    Metadata_Contact:

      Contact_Information:

        Contact_Organization_Primary:

          Contact_Organization: The Colorado Natural Heritage Program

          Contact_Person: Amy Lavender

        Contact_Position: GIS Program Coordinator

        Contact_Address:

          Address_Type:  Mailing and physical address

          Address: 8002 Campus Delivery

          City: Fort Collins

          State_or_Province: Colorado

          Postal_Code: 80523-8002

          Country: USA

        Contact_Voice_Telephone: 970.491.2847

        Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 970.491.3349

        Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: lavender@lamar.colostate.edu

    Metadata_Standard_Name:

      FGDC Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata

    Metadata_Standard_Version: FGDC-STD-001.1-1998

    Metadata_Access_Constraints: None

    Metadata_Use_Constraints: None