Technical Report

Vegetation Mapping of the Rio Grande Floodplain 2002-2004

URL: https://webapps.usgs.gov/mrgescp/documents/Callahan%20and%20White_Vegetation%20Mapping%20of%20the%20Rio%20Grande%20Floodplain%202002-2004.pdf

Date: 2004/01/01

Author(s): Callahan D., White L.

Publication: U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Report, 6 p.

Abstract:

A GIS-based inventory and mapping project was conducted to collect baseline data on riparian vegetation for the ESA Collaborative Program and the Upper Rio Grande Basin Water Operations Review (URGWOPS) Environmental Impact Statement. The study area included the Chama from El Vado Dam to the confluence with the Rio Grande and from the confluence south along the Rio Grande to the full pool elevation for Elephant Butte Reservoir. GIS analysts and biologists representing: Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Reclamation, and New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission, developed the mapping methods.

The method employed a vegetation community and structure classification system, using methods created by the Middle Rio Grande Biological Survey (Hink and Ohmart, 1984). Hink and Ohmart conducted an exhaustive biological analysis on the Rio Grande, including a classification of vegetation community and structure in the riparian zone of the river (levee to levee). In addition, an inventory of wildlife correlated bird and mammal abundance with vegetation types, making this system valuable for determining the wildlife value of vegetation types. The goal for this vegetation mapping effort was to replicate (as accurately as possible) the original Hink and Ohmart (1984) methods, so that the two data sets could be compared. Our methods are a compilation of methods used by Hink and Ohmart (1984) and methods developed by this team.