Total Phosphorus Regions for Lakes in the Northeastern United States
FGDC Metadata
DescriptionSpatialData StructureData QualityData SourceData DistributionMetadata
+ Resource Description
Citation
Information used to reference the data.
Title: Total Phosphorus Regions for Lakes in the Northeastern United States
Originators: US Environmental Protection Agency
Publisher: U.S. EPA Office of Research and Development (ORD) - National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory (NHEERL)
Publication place: Corvallis, OR
Publication date: 2012
Description
A characterization of the data, including its intended use and limitations.
Abstract:
This shapefile is shown on the poster “Total Phosphorus Regions for Lakes in the Northeastern United States”. The map provides a synoptic illustration of regional patterns and histograms on the poster show the variability of total phosphorus values within those regions. Total phosphorus was selected as an indicator of lake trophic condition because of its role in controlling the overall fertility of most lakes.

The approach used for delineating phosphorus regions is similar to that used by Omernik et al. (1988) for the map of summer total phosphorus in lakes in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. The lake phosphorus regions are based on phosphorus data from 2,893 lakes monitored throughout the region. Locations of study lakes are displayed on an inset map. Many of the 61 delineated lake regions include lakes with a wide range of phosphorus values. The apparent distinguishing characteristic of each region, compared to adjacent regions, is in the distribution of values, which is determined by, or associated with, that region's landscape characteristics, including physiography, land cover/land use, vegetation (both potential and existing), bedrock and surficial geology, and soil types.

Each mapped region is coded with a four-digit number. The first two digits refer to the specific ecoregion (see Omernik,1987) that all or most of the lake phosphorus region occupies. Ecoregion #58 is the Northeastern Highlands; #59 is the Northeastern Coastal Zone; #60 is the Northern Appalachian Plateau; #61 is the Erie Drift Plain; and #62 is the North Central Appalachians. The last two digits identify the phosphorus regions within ecoregions. The shading on the map illustrates the estimated central tendency of the regional range of phosphorus values.  The 2,893 lakes that yielded the data used to define phosphorus regions represent about 13% of the approximately 22,000 lakes, ponds, and reservoirs larger than 1 hectare found in the study area. These data were acquired from a variety of sources, including federal and state agencies, university researchers, and private corporations. Data were screened to include only upper limnetic, mid-lake water samples collected during the growing season, roughly mid-June to mid-September. Summer values were used for all states except Pennsylvania, which reports phosphorus as a yearly average, and Vermont, which collects spring total phosphorus values. The Vermont spring values were qualitatively adjusted for regionalization purposes, through a comparison of Vermont values with patterns of summer values in similar regions, with similar landscape associations, in adjacent states.

Lake phosphorus regions were delineated on 1:250,000-scale maps. While spatial patterns of lake data are apparent at varying scales, this map scale has proven to be effective for analyzing regional patterns, particularly when interpreting associations with mapped information related to landscape characteristics.

	References:
	Omernik, J.M. 1987. Ecoregions of the conterminous United States.  Annals of the association of American Geographers. 77(1):118-125. Map Scale 1:7,500,000.

	Omernik, J.M., D.P. Larsen, C.M. Rohm, and S.E. Clarke. 1988. Summer total phosphorus in lakes: A map of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. Envir. Management 12(6):815-825. Map Scale 1:2,500,000.

Comments and questions regarding total phosphorus regions should be addressed to Glenn Griffith, USGS, c/o US EPA., 200 SW 35th Street, Corvallis, OR 97333, (541)-754-4465, email:griffith.glenn@epa.gov Alternate: James Omernik, USGS, c/o US EPA, 200 SW 35th Street, Corvallis, OR 97333, (541)-754-4458, email:omernik.james@epa.gov
Purpose:
Lake phosphorus regions help managers and researchers understand the patterns of trophic condition.
Supplemental information:
Electronic versions of ecoregion maps and posters as well as other ecoregion resources are available at:  http://www.epa.gov/wed/pages/ecoregions.htm.  Phosphorus regions were digitized at 1:250,000 or smaller scales and are intended for large geographic extents (i.e. states, multiple counties, or river basins).  Use for smaller areas, such as individual counties or a 1:24,000 scale map boundary, is not recommended.
Point Of Contact
Contact information for the individual or organization that is knowledgeable about the data.
Organization: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory (NHEERL)
Person: Marc Weber
Position: GIS Analyst
Phone: (541) 754-4469
Email: weber.marc@epa.gov
Instructions:
http://www.epa.gov/nheerl/
Address type: mailing address
Address:
200 S.W. 35th Street
City: Corvallis
State or Province: OR
Postal code: 97333
Time Period of Data
Time period(s) for which the data corresponds to the currentness reference.
Date: 20120731
Currentness reference:
Publication date
Status
The state of and maintenance information for the data.
Data status: Complete
Update frequency: None Planned
Key Words
Words or phrases that summarize certain aspects of the data.
Theme:
Keywords: biota, boundaries, environment, location
Keyword thesaurus: ISO 19115 Topic Category
Theme:
Keywords: Ecosystem, Environment, Exposure, Management, Natural Resources, Surface Water
Keyword thesaurus: EPA GIS Keyword Thesaurus
Place:
Keywords: United States
Keyword thesaurus: None
Data Access Constraints
Restrictions and legal prerequisites for accessing or using the data after access is granted.
Access constraints:
None
Use constraints:
None
Data Security Information
Handling restrictions imposed on the data because of national security, privacy or other concerns.
Security classifiction system: FIPS Pub 199
Security classification: No Confidentiality
Security handling: Standard Technical Controls
+ Spatial Reference Information
Horizontal Coordinate System
Reference system from which linear or angular quantities are measured and assigned to the position that a point occupies.
Coordinate System Details
Map projection
Map projection name: USA Contiguous Albers Equal Area Conic USGS version
Standard parallel: 29.5
Standard parallel: 45.5
Longitude of central meridian: -96.0
Latitude of projection origin: 23.0
False easting: 0.0
False northing: 0.0
Planar Coordinate Information
Planar coordinate encoding method: coordinate pair
Coordinate representation:
Abscissa resolution: 0.0000000037527980722984474
Ordinate resolution: 0.0000000037527980722984474
Planar distance units: Meter
Geodetic model
Horizontal datum name: D North American 1983
Ellipsoid name: GRS 1980
Semi-major axis: 6378137.0
Denominator of flattening ratio: 298.257222101
Spatial Domain
The geographic areal domain of the data that describes the western, eastern, northern, and southern geographic limits of data coverage.
Bounding Coordinates
In Unprojected coordinates (geographic)
BoundaryCoordinate
West-80.524129 (longitude)
East-66.957805 (longitude)
North47.454625 (latitude)
South40.500028 (latitude)
+ Data Structure and Attribute Information
Overview
Summary of the information content of the data, including other references to complete descriptions of entity types, attributes, and attribute values for the data.
Entity and attribute overview:
CLASS phos_ug_l (µg/l = micrograms/liter)
1 < 5 (no polygons, only on poster histograms)
2 = 5-9
3 = 10-14
4 = 15-19
5 = 20-24
6 = 25-29
7 = 30-50
8 > 50
9 = water

			
Entity and attribute detailed citation:
None.
Direct spatial reference method: Vector
Attributes of ne_phos_2
Detailed descriptions of entity type, attributes, and attribute values for the data.
Description:
shapefile name
Source:
US Environmental Protection Agency
Attributes
FID
Definition:
Internal feature number.
Attribute domain range
RangeValue
Minimum0
Maximum146
Attribute definition source:
ESRI
Shape
Definition:
Feature geometry.
Attribute values: Coordinates defining the features.
Attribute definition source:
ESRI
CLASS
Definition:
Range of prevalent total phosphorus values in lakes.
Attribute domain values
ValueDefinition
1
<5 (µg/l = micrograms/liter)
Definition Source:
USEPA
Attribute domain values
ValueDefinition
2
5-9 (µg/l = micrograms/liter)
Definition Source:
USEPA
Attribute domain values
ValueDefinition
3
10-14 (µg/l = micrograms/liter)
Definition Source:
USEPA
Attribute domain values
ValueDefinition
4
15-19 (µg/l = micrograms/liter)
Definition Source:
USEPA
Attribute domain values
ValueDefinition
5
20-24 (µg/l = micrograms/liter)
Definition Source:
USEPA
Attribute domain values
ValueDefinition
6
25-29 (µg/l = micrograms/liter)
Definition Source:
USEPA
Attribute domain values
ValueDefinition
7
30-50 (µg/l = micrograms/liter)
Definition Source:
USEPA
Attribute domain values
ValueDefinition
8
>50 (µg/l = micrograms/liter)
Definition Source:
USEPA
Attribute definition source:
USEPA
Shape_Leng
Definition:
Length of feature
Attribute values: Positive real numbers that are automatically generated.
Attribute definition source:
ESRI
Shape_Area
Definition:
Area of feature in internal units squared.
Attribute values: Positive real numbers that are automatically generated.
Attribute definition source:
ESRI
phos_ug_l
Definition:
micrograms per liter for classes
Attribute values: unique ranges of total phosphorus
Attribute definition source:
USEPA
SDTS Feature Description
Description of point and vector spatial objects in the data using the Spatial Data Transfer Standards (SDTS) terminology.
Spatial data transfer standard (SDTS) terms
Feature class
Type: GT-polygon composed of chains
Count: 147
+ Data Quality and Accuracy Information
General
Information about the fidelity of relationships, data quality and accuracy tests, omissions, selection criteria, generalization, and definitions used to derive the data.
Logical consistency report:
Tests for integrity have not been performed.
Completeness report:
Features represented have not been tested for completeness
Positional Accuracy
Accuracy of the positional aspects of the data.
Horizontal accuracy report:
Data were collected using methods that have unknown accuracy (EPA National Geospatial Data Policy [NGDP] Accuracy Tier 10). For more information, please see EPA's NGDP at http://epa.gov/geospatial/policies.html
+ Data Source and Process Information
Process Steps
Information about events, parameters, tolerances and techniques applied to construct or derive the data.
Process step information
Process Step 1
Process description:
1) U.S.G.S. 1:250,000 topographic maps are used to delineate the regions. The lines drawn are manually digitized to produce georeferenced electronic files.
Process date: 1993
Process Step 2
Process description:
2) Base maps are joined together and errors along the edges are resolved.
Process date: 1993
Process Step 3
Process description:
3) Topology is established and the maps are reviewed for accuracy, completeness, and conformity with the original lines. Corrections are made.
Process date: 1993
Process Step 4
Process description:
4) Attributes are added.
Process date: 1993
Process Step 5
Process description:
5) Coverage converted to geodatabase and shapefile.
Process date: 2011
Process Step 6
Process description:
6) metadata.
Process date: 2012
+ Data Distribution Information
General
Description of the data known by the party from whom the data may be obtained, liability of party distributing data, and technical capabilities required to use the data.
Resource description:
Downloadable Data
Distribution liability:
Although these data have been processed successfully on a computer system at the Environmental Protection Agency, 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. It is also strongly recommended that careful attention be paid to the contents of the metadata file associated with these data to evaluate data set limitations, restrictions or intended use. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency shall not be held liable for improper or incorrect use of the data described and/or contained herein.
Distribution Point of Contact
Contact information for the individual or organization distributing the data.
Person: Marc Weber
Organization: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory (NHEERL)
Position: GIS Analyst
Phone: (541) 754-4469
Email: weber.marc@epa.gov
Instructions:
http://www.epa.gov/nheerl/
Address type: mailing address
Address:
200 S.W. 35th Street
City: Corvallis
State or Province: OR
Postal code: 97333
+ Metadata Reference
Metadata Date
Dates associated with creating, updating and reviewing the metadata.
Last updated: 20120502
Future metadata review date: 20160502
Metadata Point of Contact
Contact information for the individual or organization responsible for the metadata information.
Person: Marc Weber
Organization: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory (NHEERL)
Position: GIS Analyst
Phone: (541) 754-4469
Email: weber.marc@epa.gov
Instructions:
http://www.epa.gov/nheerl/
Address type: mailing address
Address:
200 S.W. 35th Street
City: Corvallis
State or Province: OR
Postal code: 97333
Metadata Standards
Description of the metadata standard used to document the data and reference to any additional extended profiles to the standard used by the metadata producer.
Standard name: FGDC Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata
Standard version: FGDC-STD-001-1998
FGDC Plus Metadata Stylesheet
Stylesheet: FGDC Plus Stylesheet
File name: FGDC Plus.xsl
Version: 2.3
Description: This metadata is displayed using the FGDC Plus Stylesheet, which is an XSL template that can be used with ArcGIS software to display metadata. It displays metadata elements defined in the Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata (CSDGM) - aka FGDC Standard, the ESRI Profile of CSDGM, the Biological Data Profile of CSDGM, and the Shoreline Data Profile of CSDGM. CSDGM is the US Federal Metadata standard. The Federal Geographic Data Committee originally adopted the CSDGM in 1994 and revised it in 1998. According to Executive Order 12096 all Federal agencies are ordered to use this standard to document geospatial data created as of January, 1995. The standard is often referred to as the FGDC Metadata Standard and has been implemented beyond the federal level with State and local governments adopting the metadata standard as well. The Biological Data Profile broadens the application of the CSDGM so that it is more easily applied to biological data that are not explicitly geographic (laboratory results, field notes, specimen collections, research reports) but can be associated with a geographic location. Includes taxonomical vocabulary. The Shoreline Data Profile addresses variability in the definition and mapping of shorelines by providing a standardized set of terms and data elements required to support metadata for shoreline and coastal data sets. The FGDC Plus Stylesheet includes the Dublin Core Metadata Element Set. It supports W3C DOM compatible browsers such as IE7, IE6, Netscape 7, and Mozilla Firefox. It is in the public domain and may be freely used, modified, and redistributed. It is provided "AS-IS" without warranty or technical support.
Instructions: On the top of the page, click on the title of the dataset to toggle opening and closing of all metadata content sections or click section links listed horizontally below the title to open individual sections. Click on a section name (e.g. Description) to open and close section content. Within a section, click on a item name (Status, Key Words, etc.) to open and close individual content items. By default, the Citation information within the Description section is always open for display.
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