Everglades National Park Vegetation Accuracy Assessment (AA) Data Package, Florida, USA: 2010-2013

The thematic accuracy of the EVER vegetation map was assessed using randomly selected accuracy assessment (AA) points/grid cells across all four mapping regions. These AA points were collected between 2010 and 2013 to be as close as possible to the 2009 flight dates of the imagery used in mapping - specifically to reduce the impacts of natural community succession or perturbation events, like fires and windstorms. These data were collected from helicopter by a trained botanist who could identify South Florida plants and plant communities. The overall vegetation code was derived from the species level percent cover information as well as plot level information on tree, shrub, and herb cover and canopy height. These points were not available to the vegetation project manager, lead photo-interpreter, and the photo-interpreters working on the project until after the map was finished and the final map accuracy had been computed.