Methodology and Interpretation

Selected Field Validation Points
Initial land-cover validation sampling indicates an overall accuracy of the 2003 land-cover map in excess of 95% (N=73). Water-quality indicator maps in this browser are based upon geospatial statistical analyses of this field-validated land-cover data and the water-quality sampling data among the 244 subwatersheds in the study area. An sub-sample of field-based validation points are shown in the map below, and linked with a photograph of each field site, to demonstrate the diversity of land-cover types are included in a single land-cover class. Because of the sampling regime, the 73 validation points were not randomized. Therefore, the reported accuracy of the 2003 land-cover product used in these analyses is provisional.

Dataset FGDC Metadata