Datasets > Raster data > United States > 1950-1999

Classification of Forest Fragmentation in North America, 1992

National Atlas of the United States · 1992 Full Details

Full Details

Title
Classification of Forest Fragmentation in North America, 1992
Description
This raster layer is a grid map of North America including the Caribbean and most of Mexico in GeoTIFF format. The map layer is an excerpt from a global assessment of forest fragmentation (Riitters et al., 2000). Each pixel value represents an index of forest fragmentation for the surrounding 81 sq. km. The map layer was created by applying spatial algorithms to a 1 sq. km. resolution map of global land cover (Loveland and Belward 1997) known as NAIGBP1_2L, obtained from the USGS Center for EROS Distributed Active Archive Center (DAAC) as part of the Global Land Cover Characteristics database (GLCC)(Loveland et al. 1991, 1999). One of six categories of fragmentation was identified for each forested pixel in North America from the amount of forest and its occurrence as adjacent forest pixels within a 9x9 pixel (81 sq. km.) window surrounding the pixel on the original land-cover map. The map layer describes one aspect of forest fragmentation at one scale. The forest fragmentation index is designed to distinguish among types of fragmentation (e.g., edges on the interior versus the exterior of a forest patch) and it also reflects differences in the absolute amount of forest present. However, no distinction was drawn between "natural" and "human-caused" fragmentation. This is a revised version of the May 2002 map layer, with a corrected shoreline for Greenland. This map layer was previously distributed as the Forest Fragmentation Index Map of North America. This layer is part of the 1997-2014 edition of the National Atlas of the United States., These data were originally created as part of a global analysis of forest fragmentation and other land-cover patterns based on digital land-cover maps derived from remote sensing and produced by the Global Land Cover Characteristics project. The map portrays continental patterns at relatively coarse scale and is considered a first step towards quantifying forest fragmentation and its potential impacts on biodiversity at landscape-scale levels of biological organization. No responsibility is assumed by the National Atlas of the United States in the use of these data., None. Acknowledgment of the National Atlas of the United States of America and (or) the U.S. Geological Survey would be appreciated in products derived from these data., This layer is presented in the WGS84 coordinate system for web display purposes. Downloadable data are provided in native coordinate system or projection.
Creator
Ritters, Kurt
Publisher
National Atlas of the United States
Subject
Fragmented landscapes, Landscape ecology, Biodiversity, Forests and forestry, Land cover, Environment, Biology and Ecology
Temporal Coverage
1992-1993
Date Issued
2002
Rights
This item is in the public domain. There are no restrictions on use.
Rights Holder
This work is in the Public Domain, meaning that it is not subject to copyright.
Access Rights
Public
Format
GeoTIFF
Language
English
Date Added
October 01, 2025

Location

Cite and Reference

  • Citation
    Ritters, Kurt (2002). Classification of Forest Fragmentation in North America, 1992. National Atlas of the United States. (dataset)
  • BTAA Geoportal Link

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