| Originator | Minnesota DNR - Division of Ecological Services - County Biological Survey |
| Abstract | A point database of bearing trees used as referrences or landmarks during the original Minnesota Public Land Srvey (PLS). A variety of information are stored about bearing trees that aid in their use as indicators of vegetation conditions present at the time of the survey. This database is described in greater detail in the publication: 'Minnesta's Bearing Tree Database', by John Almendinger, Biological Report No. 56, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, 1997. |
| Use Tips | |
| Browse Graphic | View a sample of the data. |
| Time Period of Content Date | 1908 |
| Currentness Reference | 1997 |
| Access Constraints | None |
| Use Constraints | The Bearing Tree data included here were provided by the Minnesota Natural Heritage Program and Nongame Research Program of the Divsion of Fish and Wildlife, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The DNR is not responsible for any inaccuracies in these data. Use of these data does not imply endorsement or approaval by the DNR of any interpretations or products derived from the data. |
| Distributor Organization | DNR-MIS |
| Ordering Instructions | See Online Linkage or Distribution Contact |
| Online Linkage | http://deli.dnr.state.mn.us/ |
| Section 1 | Identification Information | Top of page | ||
| Originator | Minnesota DNR - Division of Ecological Services - County Biological Survey | |||
| Title | Original Land Survey Bearing Trees | |||
| Abstract | A point database of bearing trees used as referrences or landmarks during the original Minnesota Public Land Srvey (PLS). A variety of information are stored about bearing trees that aid in their use as indicators of vegetation conditions present at the time of the survey. This database is described in greater detail in the publication: 'Minnesta's Bearing Tree Database', by John Almendinger, Biological Report No. 56, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, 1997. | |||
| Use Tips | ||||
| Purpose | The data set is one source of information for scientists wishing to model environmental and ecological conditions present at the time of the original PLS survey. It contains enough potential sources of error (which require sophisticated analysis to account for) that casual use of the database, in its raw form, for critical decision-making is discouraged. | |||
| Time Period of Content Date | 1908 | |||
| Currentness Reference | 1997 | |||
| Progress | Complete | |||
| Maintenance and Update Frequency | None | |||
| Spatial Extent of Data | Statewide | |||
| Bounding Coordinates | -97.5 -89 49.5 43 |
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| Place Keywords | Minnesota | |||
| Theme Keywords | Bearing Trees, Presettlement Vegetation, Public Pland Survey, PLS Sections, biota | |||
| Theme Keyword Thesaurus | None | |||
| Access Constraints | None | |||
| Use Constraints | The Bearing Tree data included here were provided by the Minnesota Natural Heritage Program and Nongame Research Program of the Divsion of Fish and Wildlife, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The DNR is not responsible for any inaccuracies in these data. Use of these data does not imply endorsement or approaval by the DNR of any interpretations or products derived from the data. | |||
| Contact Person Information | Karen Cieminski,
Data Manager/Ecologist DNR - Division of Ecological Services 500 Lafayette Road - Box 25 St. Paul, MN 55155 Phone: 651-259-5081 FAX: 651-296-1811 E-mail: | |||
| Browse Graphic | View a sample of the data. | |||
| Browse Graphic File Description | ||||
| Associated Data Sets | |
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| Section 2 | Data Quality Information | Top of full metadata | Top of page | |
| Attribute Accuracy | Source table PVEG_BTREEPT3.PAT: These data are derived from the Bearing Tree Database, which is in turn derived from a source (original land surveyor notes) which contains known deficiencies that impact the accuracy of attributes within the database. The purpose of the land srvey was land subdivision. The collection of information on tree species and vegetation community typing was an ancillary activity, and the accuracy of tree species typing is known to suffer as a result. Additionally, between one and five percent of the records within the database are known to be incorrect as a result of transcription errors and/or illegibility in source manuscripts. DNR Biological Report 56 (refenced in the abstract to this description) provides essential information in the handling of attribute errors within the database. | |||
| Logical Consistency | Data are topolocially correct using ARC/INFO 7.0.4. | |||
| Completeness | The data extends across the state although bearing trees were not used in many areas (owing to the fact that much of the state was unforested at the time of the survey). Therefore, extensive portions of the prairie and marsh landscapes do not include bearing trees. | |||
| Horizontal Positional Accuracy | Source layer btreept3: The Bearing Tree Database should not be treated as an accurate PLS database. Most of the data are not derived from actual bearing and distance offsets from the corner locations. Instead, they are the product of a standardized offset applied in the direction indicated in the surveyor's notes. Therefore, bearing tree locations within the database are idealized and cannot be considered correct. Positional offsets from correct positions could be as much as 200 meters in some cases. | |||
| Vertical Positional Accuracy | Source layer btreept3: Not Applicable | |||
| Lineage | Attribute Lineage for source table PVEG_BTREEPT3.PAT: These data are derived from the Bearing Tree Database, which is in turn derived from a source (original land surveyor notes). | |||
| Source Scale Denominator | Source layer btreept3: 24000 | |||
| Section 3 | Spatial Data Organization Information | Top of full metadata | Top of page | |
| Native Data Set Environment | ARC/INFO Coverages | |||
| Geographic Reference for Tabular Data | Not Applicable | |||
| Spatial Object Type | point | |||
| Vendor Specific Object Types | point | |||
| Tiling Scheme | county | |||
| Section 4 | Spatial Reference Information | Top of full metadata | Top of page | |
| Horizontal Coordinate Scheme | UTM | |||
| Ellipsoid | GRS1980 | |||
| Horizontal Datum | NAD83 | |||
| Horizontal Units | meters | |||
| Distance Resolution | ||||
| Altitude Datum | Not Applicable | |||
| Altitude Units | Not Applicable | |||
| Depth Datum | Not Applicable | |||
| Depth Units | Not Applicable | |||
| Cell Width | ||||
| Cell Height | ||||
| Latitude Resolution | ||||
| Longitude Resolution | ||||
| UTM Zone Number | 15 | |||
| SPCS Zone Identifier | ||||
| County Coordinate Zone Identifier | ||||
| Coordinate Offsets or Adjustments | Not Applicable | |||
| Map Projection Name | Transverse Mercator | |||
| Map Projection Parameters | Not Applicable | |||
| Other Coordinate System's Definition | Not Applicable | |||
| Section 5 | Entity and Attribute Information | Top of full metadata | Top of page | |
| Entity and Attribute Overview | Data Elements for Attribute Table PVEG_BTREEPT3.PAT: ID: Unique Feature ID for cover/tile X: UTM X coordinate in Minnesota shifted format Y: UTM Y coordinate in Minnesota shifted format SPECIES: code for tree type DIAMETER: tree diameter in inches DISTANCE: distance from corner in links (7.92 inches) TWP: Township (tier) RNG: Range TIC: standard survey corner number VEGTYPE: code for vegetation type |
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| Entity and Attribute Detailed Citation | Value Domain for Data Element ID: Value Domain for Data Element X: Value Domain for Data Element Y: Value Domain for Data Element SPECIES: AH = Ash--Fraxinus nigra, F. pennsylvanica, F. americana AL = Alder--Alnus incana, A. viridis AS = Aspen--Populus tremuloides, P. grandidentata, P. balsamifera (in lesser part) BA = Black Ash--Fraxinus nigra BB = Black Birch--Betula nigra, B. alleghaniensis (in part ?) BE = Beech--Fagus grandifolia (unknown from Minn. possibly Carpinus caroliniana BG = Balm-of-Gilead--Populus balsamifera (in greater part) BI = Birch--Betula papyrifera, B. cordifolia BK = Black Oak--Quercus nigra, Q. ellipsoidalis (in part) BL = Blue Beech--Carpinus caroliniana BO = Bur Oak--Quercus macrocarpa BP = Babswood--Tilia americana BS = Black Spruce--Picea mariana BT = Buttonwood--Platanus occidentalis (unknown from Minn. ?) BU = Butternut--Juglans cinerea BW = Black Walnut--Juglans nigra BX = Box-Elder--Acer negundo BY = Buckeye--Aesculus glabra (unknown from Minn. ?) CE = Cedar--Thuja occidentalis, rarely Juniperus virginiana CH = Cherry--Prunus serotina, P. pennsylvanica CO = Cottonwood--Populus deltoides CR = Crab-Apple--Crataegus spp. EL = Elm--Ulmus americana, U. rubra, U. thomasii FI = Fir--Abies balsamea HA = Hackberry--Celtis occidentalis HB = Hornbeam--Ostrya virginiana HI = Hickory--Carya cordiformis, C. ovata HT = Hawthorn--Crataegus spp. IR = Ironwood--Ostrya virginiana JO = Jack Oak--Quercus ellipsoidalis JP = Jack Pine--Pinus banksiana JU = Juniper or Red Cedar--Juniperus virginiana LI = Linden or Basswood--Tilia americana MA = Maple--Acer rubrum, A. saccharum, A. saccharinum MH = Mountain Ash--Sorbus decora, S. americana MS = Mountain Spruce--probably Picea glauca OA = Oak--Quercus rubra, Q. macrocarpa, Q. ellipsoidalis, Q. velutina, Q. alba, Q. bicolor OU = Scrub Oak--predominantly Quercus ellipsoidalis , but includes Q. macrocarpa as well PI = Pine--Pinus strobus, P. resinosa, P. banksiana PL = Plum--probably Prunus americana PP = Pitch Pine--Pinus banksiana PS = Spruce Pine--Pinus banksiana RA = Red Ash--Fraxinus pennsylvanica RE = Red Elm--Ulmus rubra RM = Red Maple--Acer rubrum RO = Red Oak --Quercus rubra, Q. ellipsoidalis (in part or as hybrid) RP = Red, Norway, or Yellow Pine--Pinus resinosa SM = Soft or White Maple--Acer rubrum or A. Saccharinum SO = Spanish Oak--Quercus ellipsoidalis SP = Spruce--Picea mariana, P. glauca SU = Sugar Maple--Acer saccharum TA = Tamarack--Larix laricina TH = Thorn--probably Crataegus spp. UP = Burned Pine--Pinus spp. WA = White Ash--Fraxinus americana, F. pennsylvanica (in part) WB = White Birch--Betula papyrifera, B. cordifolia WC = White Cedar--Thuja occidentalis WE = Water Elm--Ulmus spp. WH = Witch Hazel--Hamamelis virginiana WI = Willow--Salix spp. WO = White Oak--Quercus alba, Q. macrocarpa (in part) WP = White Pine--Pinus strobus WS = White Spruce--Picea glauca XX = Illegible or Not Recorded--equivalent unknown YB = Yellow Birch--Betula alleghaniensis YP = Yellow Pine--Pinus resinosa Value Domain for Data Element DIAMETER: Value Domain for Data Element DISTANCE: Value Domain for Data Element TWP: Value Domain for Data Element RNG: Value Domain for Data Element TIC: Value Domain for Data Element VEGTYPE: A = creek B = oak barrens C = plowed field, field D = dry ridge E = meadow F = forest, timber G = grove H = bottom I = pine openings, pine barrens, scattered pine J = pine grove K = scattering oak, scattering timber L = lake, slough, pond M = marsh N = dry land O = oak openings P = prairie R = river S = swamp T = thicket, brush, underbrush U = burned area V = valley, ravine W = windthrow, windfall X = only tree around Y = island Z = wet prairie null = no code recorded by collector |
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| Section 6 | Distribution Information | Top of full metadata | Top of page | |
| Publisher | Minnesota DNR - MIS Bureau | |||
| Publication Date | 1998-03-20 00:00:00.0 | |||
| Contact Person Information | Hal Watson GIS Database Coordinator DNR-MIS 500 Lafayette Road, Box 11 St. Paul, MN 55155-4011 Phone: (651) 259-5508 FAX: (651) 297-4946 E-mail: |
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| Distributor's Data Set Identifier | pveg_btreept3 | |||
| Distribution Liability | The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources makes no representation or warranties, express or implied, with respect to the reuse of data provided herewith, regardless of its format or the means of its transmission. There is no guarantee or representation to the user as to the accuracy, currency, suitability, or reliability of this data for any purpose. The user accepts the data 'as is', and assumes all risks associated with its use. By accepting this data, the user agrees not to transmit this data or provide access to it or any part of it to another party unless the user shall include with the data a copy of this disclaimer. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources assumes no responsibility for actual or consequential damage incurred as a result of any user's reliance on this data. | |||
| Transfer Format Name | Shapefile | |||
| Transfer Format Version Number | Not Applicable | |||
| Transfer Size | 30.8 | |||
| Ordering Instructions | See Online Linkage or Distribution Contact | |||
| Online Linkage | http://deli.dnr.state.mn.us/ | |||
| Section 7 | Metadata Reference Information | Top of full metadata | Top of page | |
| Metadata Date | 2006-08-09 08:50:37.0 | |||
| Contact Person Information | Karen Cieminski,
Data Manager/Ecologist DNR - Division of Ecological Services 500 Lafayette Road - Box 25 St. Paul, MN 55155 Phone: 651-259-5081 FAX: 651-296-1811 E-mail: |
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| Metadata Standard Name | Minnesota Geographic Metadata Guidelines | |||
| Metadata Standard Version | 1.2 | |||
| Metadata Standard Online Linkage | http://www.gis.state.mn.us/stds/metadata.htm | |||