LANDFIRE's (LF) Existing Vegetation Type National Vegetation Classification (NVC), an existing vegetation layer created with a new mapping process and delivered as a separate spatial data layer for the first time with LF 2016 Remap, represents the current distribution of vegetation groups within the U.S. National Vegetation Classification circa 2016. These groups are defined as combinations of relatively narrow sets of diagnostic plant species, including dominants and co-dominants, broadly similar composition, and diagnostic growth forms. LF Remap used U.S. NVC 2.0 to map LF NVC.
The LF NVC product also includes ruderal or semi-natural vegetation types. The LF Ruderal NVC Groups Descriptions for CONUS provides descriptions for each ruderal NVC Group including species, distribution, and classification information.
NVC groups were initially mapped using decision tree models informed by field reference data, Landsat imagery, elevation/topographic, and biophysical gradient inputs.
LF 2016 Remap for Alaska (AK) includes a 90-kilometer buffer along the 1,500 miles of the eastern and southern borders AK shares with Canada.
LF Remap Auto-Keys: Learn about the redesign of the Auto-Keys process, which is used to determine existing vegetation type classification based on plot data in the LFRDB — Developing Auto-Keys for LF Vegetation Mapping: 2014-2015 CONUS Project Report.
LF uses an assessment process that compares the EVT product for a pixel with the Auto-Key EVT assignment for a sample plot contained in that pixel. NVC is part of the assessment. Agreement assessments have has been developed for each LF Remap CONUS GeoArea
NVC will not be produced for LF 2020 Update.
Product availability
Attribute Data Dictionary (LF 2.0.0)
Comma separated value (CSV) files can be found in the LF Library.
Download DataMetadata:
Key NVC Attributes | |
VALUE | National Vegetation Classification not Ecological System |
NVC_NAME | Class name in the LANDFIRE NVC legend |
LFRDB | Code stored in the LFRDB |
LF_LIFEFORM_PRIMARY | Primary lifeform |
NVC_CLASS | Class code in the USNVC Vegetation hierarchy |
NVC_SUBCLASS | Subclass code in the USNVC Vegetation hierarchy |
NVC_FORMATION | Formation code in the USNVC Vegetation hierarchy |
NVC_DIVISION | Division code in the USNVC Vegetation hierarchy |
CLASS | Class name in the USNVC Vegetation hierarchy |
SUBCLASS | Subclass name in the USNVC Vegetation hierarchy |
FORMATION | Formation name in the USNVC Vegetation hierarchy |
DIVISION_CODE | Division code in the USNVC Vegetation database |
DIVISION | Division name in the USNVC Vegetation hierarchy |
MACROGROUP_CODE | Macrogroup code in the USNVC Vegetation hierarchy |
MACROGROUP | Macrogroup name in the USNVC Vegetation hierarchy |
GROUP_CODE | Group code in the USNVC Vegetation database |
GROUP | Group name in the USNVC Vegetation hierarchy |