Identification_Information:
  Citation:
    Citation_Information:
      Originator: U.S. Geological Survey,  National Wetlands Research Center
      Publication_Date: 19880101
      Title: 1988 NWRC Wetland Habitat Data for Gulf of Mexico Coast, Alabama
      Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: Map
  Description:
    Abstract:
      This data set consists of digital data describing wetland and upland
      habitats in the coastal Mobile Bay and nearby Gulf Coast areas of
      Alabama, in 1988.  The data set includes 32 7.5' quadrangles which
      were digitized at the U. U. Geological Survey, National Wetlands
      Research Center using WAMS (Wetland Analytical Mapping System), from
      1:24,000 scale hard copy maps developed by the National Wetlands
      Inventory (NWI).  Wetlands were classified according on the NWI maps
      using the Cowardin, et al., wetland classification scheme to the level
      of salinity modifiers.  Uplands were classified using a customized
      classification scheme which can be cross-referenced to Anderson, et
      al., and were added by NWRC.  Please note that 11 of the 32 quadrangle
      are draft maps, and have NOT been finalized.  This includes the
      quadrangles of Kreole, Point Clear, Magnolia Springs, Lillian, Perdido
      Bay, Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, Bon Secour Bay, Little Point Clear,
      St. Andrew Bay, and Pine Beach.
    Purpose:
      The intended use of this data set is to provide historical information
      for comparison to monitor wetland trends over time. This theme was added
      in support of the Comprehensive GIS Inventory of Coastal Resources as
      funded through the Coastal Impact Assisstance Program.
  Time_Period_of_Content:
    Time_Period_Information:
      Single_Date/Time:
        Calendar_Date: 19880101
    Currentness_Reference: Ground Condition during source photography acquisition.
  Status:
    Progress: Complete
    Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency: None Planned
  Spatial_Domain:
    Bounding_Coordinates:
      West_Bounding_Coordinate: -88.500
      East_Bounding_Coordinate: -87.250
      North_Bounding_Coordinate: 31.000
      South_Bounding_Coordinate: 30.500
  Keywords:
    Theme:
      Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: None
      Theme_Keyword: basins
      Theme_Keyword: bays
      Theme_Keyword: bayous
      Theme_Keyword: canals
      Theme_Keyword: floodplain
      Theme_Keyword: wetlands
      Theme_Keyword: marshes
      Theme_Keyword: swamps
      Theme_Keyword: marshlands
      Theme_Keyword: habitats
      Theme_Keyword: uplands
      Theme_Keyword: vegetation types
      Theme_Keyword: land cover types
      Theme_Keyword: landform types
      Theme_Keyword: coast
      Theme_Keyword: coastal
      Theme_Keyword: delta
      Theme_Keyword: coastal habitats
      Theme_Keyword: geographic information system data
      Theme_Keyword: classified aerial photography
      Theme_Keyword: maps
      Theme_Keyword: mapping
      Theme_Keyword: National Wetlands Inventory
    Place:
      Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: None
      Place_Keyword: Alabama
      Place_Keyword: Alabama Coast
      Place_Keyword: Gulf of Mexico
      Place_Keyword: Coastal Alabama
      Place_Keyword: Mobile and Surrounding Coastal Areas
    Temporal:
      Temporal_Keyword_Thesaurus: None
      Temporal_Keyword: 1988
  Access_Constraints:
    It is strongly recommended that this data is directly acquired from the
    distributor described above or from another USGS Biological Resources
    Division server and not indirectly through other sources which may have
    changed the data in some way.  The distributor makes no claims as to the
    data's suitability for other purposes.
  Use_Constraints:
    Acknowledgement of the U.S. Geological Survey, National Wetlands Research
    Center as a data source would be appreciated in products developed from
    these data, and such acknowledgment as is standard for citation and legal
    practices for data source is expected by users of this data. Sharing new
    data layers developed directly from these data would also be appreciated
    by NWRC staff. Users should be aware that comparison with other data sets
    for the same area from other time periods may be inaccurate due to
    inconsistencies resulting from changes in mapping conventions, data
    collection, and computer processes over time. The distributor shall not be
    liable for improper or incorrect use of this data, based on the
    description of appropriate/inappropriate uses described in this metadata
    document.  These data are not legal documents and are not to be used as
    such.
  Point_of_Contact:
    Contact_Information:
      Contact_Organization_Primary:
        Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey, National Wetlands Research Center
        Contact_Person: Larry Handley
      Contact_Position: Geographer and Principle Investigator
      Contact_Address:
        Address_Type: Mailing and Physical Address
        Address: 700 Cajundome Blvd
        City: Lafayette
        State_or_Province: LA
        Postal_Code: 70506
        Country: USA
      Contact_Voice_Telephone: 337 266-8691
      Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 337 266-8513
      Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: larry_handley@usgs.gov
  Data_Set_Credit: None
  Native_Data_Set_Environment:
    WAMS version 2.1 and ARC/INFO Version 7.0.4 GIS Software for Silicon
    Graphics (UNIX) workstations operating under IRIX version 6.2 Operating
    System.

Data_Quality_Information:
  Attribute_Accuracy:
    Attribute_Accuracy_Report:
      The attribute accuracy was tested using several methods during the
      data development phases and completion.  Data was tested by manual
      comparison of the source with hard copy printouts and/or symbolized
      display of the digital wetlands data on an interactive computer
      graphic system.  In addition, WAMS software tests the attributes. 
      Overall, the attribute accuracy is believed high due to the multiple
      cerror-checking steps done redundantly during processing.  Process
      testing was done on the multiple staff error-checking steps and
      software error-checking steps to develop estimates of the accuracy and
      error rates.  The final accuracy assessment used calculated average
      accuracy and error rates for the human stages and software
      verification stages, which were done redundantly to insure double
      checking verification of the data coverages comprising the data set. 
      Exact tolerances vary with coverages, as does the date of the
      processing and testing.  The final accuracy values expressed are the
      best summation which can be developed from the smaller areas which
      comprise the data set.  Data has been checked and verified against
      original maps and over years of use.  The accuracy values expressed
      represent the final calculated accuracy estimate of the multiple steps
      of data development from source photography to completed data.  The
      actual final should be considered as average and perhaps conservative
      or over estimating the percent change of error for areas in this data
      set.
  Logical_Consistency_Report:
    This logical consistency report includes information about both general
    and specific topological tests and data generation dynamics in the
    fidelity of data.  Data is inherently polygonal.  Polygons intersecting
    the neatline are closed along the border.  Segments making up the outer
    and inner boundaries of a polygon tie end-to-end to completely enclose the
    area.  Line segments are a set of sequentially numbered coordinate pairs. 
    No duplicate features exist nor duplicate points in a data string. 
    Intersecting lines are separated into individual line segments at the
    points of intersection.  Point data are represented by two sets of
    coordinate pairs, each with the same coordinate values.  All nodes are
    represented by a single coordinate pair which indicates the beginning or
    end of a line segment.  The neatline for each quad is generated by
    connecting four corners of a digital file, as established during
    initialization of the digital file.  All data crossing the neatline are
    clipped to the neatline and data within a specified tolerance of the
    neatline are snapped to the neatline.  Tests for logical consistency are
    performed by WAMS verification software.
  Completeness_Report:
    All photo-interpretable wetlands are identified and mapped using standard
    methodologies and equipment for the photo interpretation phases of the
    data development.  In the upland areas, 1/4 acre wetlands generally are
    mapped.  In coastal marsh, swamps, and bottomland hardwood areas, small
    open water and emergent wetlands are mapped.  In general, the minimum
    mapping unit is from 1 to 3 acres depending of the wetland type and the
    scale and emulsion of the source aerial photography.  Some small wetlands,
    densely broken marsh, and those wetlands obscured by dense forest cover
    may not be included in this data set.  Processing of the digital data also
    follows conventions and standard methodologies for the time period and
    within limitations of available workstation equipment at the date of data
    development.  Processing follows standard operating procedures as used,
    developed, and shared by the National Wetlands Inventory of the U.S. Fish
    and Wildlife Service.  Data products were completed using similar systems
    and methodologies which are used by NWI and by USGS.
  Positional_Accuracy:
    Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy:
      Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy_Report:
        For reference points accuracy, the accuracy for the digital data
        are tested by visual comparison of the source with hard copy maps,
        and by understanding of the hardware tolerances and processing
        values reported by the software used in data development. 
        Additional checks on comparison were possible when
        georeferencing/rectification was done using the USGS maps, which
        cite National Mapping Accuracy Standard compliance.
    Vertical_Positional_Accuracy:
      Vertical_Positional_Accuracy_Report: Not applicable
  Lineage:
    Source_Information:
      Source_Citation:
        Citation_Information:
          Originator: National Aeronautics and Space Adminstration
          Publication_Date: 19880101
          Title: Color Infrared Aerial Photography
          Edition: Varies
          Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: Remote-Sensing Image
          Publication_Information:
            Publication_Place: NASA Ames,California
            Publisher:
              National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA),
              United States
      Source_Scale_Denominator: 65000
      Type_of_Source_Media: Stable-Base Material
      Source_Time_Period_of_Content:
        Time_Period_Information:
          Single_Date/Time:
            Calendar_Date: 19880101
        Source_Currentness_Reference: Source Photography Date
      Source_Citation_Abbreviation: NASA CIR
      Source_Contribution:
        Primary data for photo interpretation and identification of
        wetland and upland classes.
    Source_Information:
      Source_Citation:
        Citation_Information:
          Originator: United States Geological Survey (USGS)
          Publication_Date: 19830101
          Title:
            USGS Topographic Quadrangles, standard 7.5 minute series
            maps
          Edition: Varies
          Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: Map
          Publication_Information:
            Publication_Place: Reston, VA
            Publisher: United States Geological Survey (USGS)
      Source_Scale_Denominator: 24000
      Type_of_Source_Media: Paper
      Source_Time_Period_of_Content:
        Time_Period_Information:
          Single_Date/Time:
            Calendar_Date: 19830101
        Source_Currentness_Reference: Source map date
      Source_Citation_Abbreviation: USGS Quads
      Source_Contribution:
        Provided base maps for wetland and upland polygon layer
        information.
    Source_Information:
      Source_Citation:
        Citation_Information:
          Originator:
            United States Fish and Wildlife Service's National
            Wetlands Inventory
          Publication_Date: 19790101
          Title: National Wetlands Inventory Hard Copy Wetland Maps
          Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: Map
          Publication_Information:
            Publication_Place: St. Petersburg, Fl
            Publisher:
              U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Wetlands
              Inventory
      Source_Scale_Denominator: 24000
      Type_of_Source_Media: Hard copy maps
      Source_Time_Period_of_Content:
        Time_Period_Information:
          Single_Date/Time:
            Calendar_Date: 19790101
        Source_Currentness_Reference: Source photography for maps
      Source_Citation_Abbreviation: NWI Maps
      Source_Contribution: Provided hard copy maps to be digitized.
    Process_Step:
      Process_Description:
        NASA High altitude 1:65,000 color infrared aerial photographs were
        photo interpreted for wetland and upland habitat classifications. 
        Habitat layer was overlaid on USGS Quad base maps to create the
        NWI maps.
      Process_Date: 1990-1993
    Process_Step:
      Process_Description:
        The hard copy 1:24,000 NWI maps were digitized at the U.S.
        Geological Survey, National Wetlands Research Center using WAMS
        (Wetland Analytical Mapping System).
      Process_Date: 1994

Spatial_Data_Organization_Information:
  Indirect_Spatial_Reference: Not applicable
  Direct_Spatial_Reference_Method: Vector

Spatial_Reference_Information:
  Horizontal_Coordinate_System_Definition:
    Geographic:
      Geographic_Coordinate_Units: Decimal degrees
    Geodetic_Model:
      Horizontal_Datum_Name: North American Datum of 1927
      Ellipsoid_Name: Clarke 1866
      Semi-major_Axis: 6378206.400000
      Denominator_of_Flattening_Ratio: 294.978698

Entity_and_Attribute_Information:
  Detailed_Description:
    Entity_Type:
      Entity_Type_Label: Wetland and Upland Habitat Polygons
      Entity_Type_Definition:
        Wetlands are lands transitional between terrestrial and aquatic
        systems where the water table is usually at or near the surface of
        the land is covered by shallow water. Uplands are terrestrial
        systems that do not exhibit wetland characteristics.
      Entity_Type_Definition_Source:
        Cowardin, Lewis M., Virginia Carter, Francis Goblet, and Edward T.
        Laroe.  Classification of wetlands and deepwater habitats of the
        United States.  U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  Biological
        Services Program; FWS/OBS - 79/31. 103 pp.
    Attribute:
      Attribute_Label: DATA
      Attribute_Definition:
        The wetland classification system is hierarchical, with wetlands
        and deepwater habitats divided among 5 major systems at the
        broadest level.  The five systems include Marine, Estuarine,
        Riverine, lacustrine, and Palustrine.  These systems are further
        divided into subsystems which reflect hydrologic conditions. 
        Below the subsystems are classes and subclasses describing
        vegetation or substrate, and modifiers relating to hydrology,
        soils, water chemistry, and man's activities.
      Attribute_Definition_Source:
        Cowardin, Lewis M., Virginia Carter, Francis Goblet, and Edward T.
        LaRoe.  Classification of wetlands and deepwater habitats of the
        United States.  U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  Biological
        Services Program; FWS/OBS - 79/31. 103 pp.  Customized
        classification which can be cross-referenced to Anderson, James
        R., Ernest E. Hardy, John T. Roach, and Richard T. Witmer.  A Land
        Use and Land Cover Classification System for Use with Remote
        Sensor Data.  Geological Survey Professional Paper 964.  A
        revision of the land use classification system as presented in
        U.S. Geological Survey Circular 671.  United States Government
        Printing Office, Washington:  1976.
      Attribute_Domain_Values:
        Codeset_Domain:
          Codeset_Name: Cowardin, et al., Wetland Classification Scheme
          Codeset_Source:
            Cowardin, Lewis M., Virginia Carter, Francis Goblet, and
            Edward T. LaRoe.  Classification of wetlands and deepwater
            habitats of the United States.  U.S. Fish and Wildlife
            Service.  Biological Services Program; FWS/OBS - 79/31.
            103 pp.
      Attribute_Domain_Values:
        Codeset_Domain:
          Codeset_Name:
            Modified version of Anderson et al. Classification scheme
            for uplands.
          Codeset_Source:
            Can be cross-referenced to Anderson, James R., Ernest E.
            Hardy, John T. Roach, and Richard T. Witmer.  A Land Use
            and Land Cover Classification System for Use with Remote
            Sensor Data.  Geological Survey Professional Paper 964.  A
            revision of the land use classification system as
            presented in U.S. Geological Survey Circular 671.  United
            States Government Printing Office, Washington, DC, USA.

Distribution_Information:
  Distributor:
    Contact_Information:
      Contact_Organization_Primary:
        Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey, National Wetlands Research Center
        Contact_Person: Helena Schaefer
      Contact_Position: Geographer
      Contact_Address:
        Address_Type: Mailing and Physical Address
        Address: 700 Cajundome Blvd.
        City: Lafayette
        State_or_Province: Louisiana
        Postal_Code: 70506
        Country: USA
      Contact_Voice_Telephone: 337 266-8696
      Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 337 266-8616
      Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: helena_schaefer@usgs.gov
      Hours_of_Service: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday Through Friday

  Distribution_Liability:
    Although these data have been processed successfully on a computer system
    at the U.S. Geological Survey, National Wetlands Research Center, no
    warranty expressed or implied is made regarding the accuracy or utility of
    the data on any other system or for general or scientific purposes, nor
    shall the act of distribution constitute any such warranty. This
    disclaimer applies both to individual use of the data and aggregate use
    with other data. It is strongly recommended that these data are directly
    acquired from a Biological Resources Division server, and not indirectly
    through other sources which may have changed the data in some way. It is
    also strongly recommended that careful attention be paid to the contents
    of the metadata file associated with these data. NWRC shall not be held
    liable for improper or incorrect use of the data described and/or
    contained herein. So, these data are provided "as is" and without any
    express or implied warranties, including, without limitation, the implied
    warranties or merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. Also,
    use of trade names or commerical products in this metadata is solely for
    the purpose of providing specific information, and does not imply
    recommendation or endorsement by the US Government. Any downloading and
    use of these data signifies a user's agreement to comprehension and
    compliance of the NWRC Standard Disclaimer. Insure all portions of
    metadata are read and clearly understood before using these data in order
    to protect both user and NWRC interests.
  Standard_Order_Process:
    Digital_Form:
      Digital_Transfer_Information:
        Format_Name: ARCE
        Format_Version_Number: 7.1.1
        File_Decompression_Technique: ARC/INFO Export .e00 Compression Format
      Digital_Transfer_Option:
        Online_Option:
          Computer_Contact_Information:
            Network_Address:
              Network_Resource_Name: http://sdms.nwrc.gov
    Fees: None, if data are available online.
  Custom_Order_Process: None

Metadata_Reference_Information:
  Metadata_Date: 19971223
  Metadata_Contact:
    Contact_Information:
      Contact_Person_Primary:
        Contact_Person: Helena Schaefer
        Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey, National Wetlands Research Center
      Contact_Position: Geographer
      Contact_Address:
        Address_Type: Mailing and Physical Address
        Address: 700 Cajundome Blvd
        City: Lafayette
        State_or_Province: Louisiana
        Postal_Code: 70506
        Country: USA
      Contact_Voice_Telephone: 337 266-8696
      Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 337 266-8616
      Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: helena_schaefer@usgs.gov
      Hours_of_Service:
        9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. CST for phone calls.  Any hours for E-mail
        or fax transmit.
  Metadata_Access_Constraints: None
  Metadata_Use_Constraints:
    Acknowledgement of the National Wetlands Research Center as the metadata
    source would be appreciated. Please cite the original metadata when using
    portions of the record to create a similar record of slightly altered
    data, such as reprojection.
  Metadata_Standard_Name: Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata
  Metadata_Standard_Version: FGDC-STD-001-1998
