Vegetation Map of Brazil


Date:  December 22, 1992

To:    Recipient of Data for Vegetation Map of Brazil 

From:  Dr. Norman B. Bliss                    Tel:  (605) 594-6034
       Principal Scientist                    
       Land Sciences Section                  Fax:  (605) 594-6589
       EROS Data Center                       email: bliss@dg1.cr.usgs.gov
       Sioux Falls, South Dakota  57198

Subject:  Documentation of Data for Vegetation Map of Brazil


1.  This file is distributed with the data as BRVEG11D.README.

2.  The MAPA DE VEGETACAO DO BRASIL was digitized at the U.S. Geological 
    Survey's EROS Data Center, Sioux Falls, South Dakota.  It was
    produced by:

    Ministerio da Agricultura
    Instituto Brasileiro de Desenvolvimento Florestal

    Secretaria de Planejamento e Coordenacao
      da Presidencia da Republica

    Fundacao Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia
      e Estatistica - IBGE

    1988

    Original scale 1:5,000,000

    Original projection:  Polyconic

3.  The original map contains both vegetation codes and overprints.  The
    Vegetation codes were digitized using the same one- or two-letter 
    codes that are used on the legend of the published map.  The overprint 
    codes were sequentially assigned in the order that they were 
    encountered in the map legend:

         OP     Overprint code
         --     --------------
         1      CAMPOS
         2      CAMPANHA GAUCHA
         3      CAMPOS DE RORAIMA
         4      CAMP. GAUCHA
         5      FLORESTA ATLANTICA
         6      ATIVIDADES AGRICOLAS

    Where there was no overprinting, an overprint code of zero (0) was used.
    In the ANTROPICA column, the legend defines the codes S, E, T, D,
    A, M, F, C, and P to indicate human influences, and the map is shaded
    with fine dots.  These are not considered overprints because the
    vegetation codes uniquely identify these conditions, and the overprint
    code is zero (0).  In some cases, such as where the D code is combined 
    with FLORESTA ATLANTICA, then a non-zero overprint code is used.

4.  Some of the polygons on the original map were not labeled.  The
    code NOLAB was entered for the vegetation code.  This is discussed
    in more detail below.

5.  Water was coded as WATER for the vegetation code.  The polygons for
    the rivers and the Lagoa dos Patos were arbitrarily closed
    at the contact with the Atlantic Ocean.  The polygons for the
    Amazon river were arbitrarily split so that the polygon shading
    in Arcplot would work properly.  If these arbitrary lines are
    a problem in Arcplot, then the Arc BUILD command could be used to create
    an Arc Attribute Table (AAT), the arbitrary arcs could be labeled,
    and the RESELECT command in Arcplot could be used to suppress plotting
    the arcs.

6.  Following digitizing, the map was reprojected into Geographic
    (latitude-longitude) coordinates.  Since then, the following 
    updates have been made:

    a.  Plots were made to compare the data with the original map. 
        Some polygons were corrected, using the VEG2 and OP2 items.  
        Thus, the items VEG2 and OP2 should be used if fidelity to the 
        original map is a primary concern.  (December 1991)

    b.  The polygons that were digitized as having no label (NOLAB) were
        identified, and Norman Bliss made a "best guess" as to the
        probable vegetation type of these data.  These revisions were
        coded in VEG3 and OP3.  Use of these codes is optional, or the
        user may wish to make his or her own interpretation based on the
        original map or other data sources.  There is considerable 
        confusion on the original map in the area of 49.5 degrees West, 
        7.5 degrees South.  (December 1991)

    c.  Seven polygons with codes D or Dm were identified by Liane
        Guild (NASA Ames) that should have overprint code of 5 (indicating
        Atlantic forest rather than Amazon forest).  Five of these were
        correctly shown on the map, and the OP2 item was corrected to
        reflect this.  For two polygons (BRVEGGEO11-ID 1808, 1870) it appears
        that the printed map is missing the overprints.  All seven polygons
        were corrected by calculating OP4 = 5.  VEG4 and OP4 now reflect 
        the best estimate of the vegetation and overprint codes.  The VEG3
        and OP3 items were deleted.  (June 18, 1992)
        
    
7.  The data are distributed as an Arc/Info interchange file.  Arc/Info is
    is a proprietary geographic information system software package 
    developed by the Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc.,
    Redlands, California.

8.  The interchange file was created using the Arc/Info EXPORT command:

         EXPORT COVER BRVEG11D BRVEG11D

9.  The data can be read using the Arc/Info command:

         IMPORT COVER BRVEG11D BRVEG11D

10.  This will result in a coverage BRVEG11D.  This name connotes:
        BR   BRazil
        VEG  VEGetation
        11   Version 11 of the file
        D    Distribution format

     A distribution format for the data has been created that removes the
     additional items that were added at the EROS Data Center for our 
     own processing, analysis, and plotting.  Those items could confuse
     a user, and perhaps lead to erroneous results.

11.  The follwing files are present in the coverage, with the size in
     bytes indicated (the size of the log file may differ):

       arc     1409948
       arx       48644
       bnd          16
       cnt       51480
       cnx       17228
       lab       68580
       log        1410
       pal      211104
       pat       59948
       pax       17228
       prj         567
       tic          72
       tol          36

12.  The following files are present in the INFO directory.  The 
    INFO internal names may be different following the IMPORT.

  ENTER COMMAND >DIR
  TYPE NAME                            INTERNAL NAME    NO. RECS LENGTH EXTERNL
   DF  BRVEG11D.TIC                      ARC000DAT             6     12    XX
   DF  BRVEG11D.BND                      ARC001DAT             1     16    XX
   DF  BRVEG11D.PAT                      ARC002DAT          2141     28    XX
   DF  BRVEG11D.NAME                     ARC003DAT            94    186

13.  The Arc/Info DESCRIBE command gives:


Arc: describe brveg11d
               Description of SINGLE precision coverage brveg11d
 
         ARCS                              POLYGONS
 
Arcs          =       6068            Polygons    =       2141
Segments      =     145891            Polygon Topology is present.
0    bytes of Arc Attribute Data      28   bytes of Polygon Attribute Data
 
         NODES                             POINTS
 
Nodes =       4367                    Label Points =       2140
0    bytes of Node Attribute Data
 
         TOLERANCES                             SECONDARY FEATURES
 
Fuzzy   =            0.000 V               Tics   =               6
Dangle  =            0.010 V               Links  =               0
 
                             COVERAGE BOUNDARY
 
Xmin =                  -73.979            Ymin =                  -33.779
Xmax =                  -34.811            Ymax =                    5.230
 
                                   STATUS
 
The coverage has not been Edited since the last BUILD or CLEAN.
 
                     COORDINATE SYSTEM DESCRIPTION
 
Projection           GEOGRAPHIC
Units                        DD             Spheroid      CLARKE1866
Parameters:

14.  The items in BRVEG11D.PAT are:

  ENTER COMMAND >SEL BRVEG11D.PAT
     2141 RECORD(S) SELECTED

  ENTER COMMAND >ITEMS
  DATAFILE NAME: BRVEG11D.PAT                                    12/22/1992
     8 ITEMS: STARTING IN POSITION    1
  COL  ITEM NAME         WDTH OPUT TYP N.DEC  ALTERNATE NAME
     1  AREA                4   20  F    8
     5  PERIMETER           4   20  F    8
     9  BRVEG11D#        4   10  B    -
    13  BRVEG11D-ID      4   10  B    -
    17  VEG2                5    5  C    -    CORRECT.TO.MAP
    22  OP2                 1    1  I    -
    23  VEG4                5    5  C    -    UPDATE.JUNE92
    28  OP4                 1    1  I    -
 **  REDEFINED ITEMS  ** 
    17  VEGOP2              6    6  C    -
    23  VEGOP4              6    6  C    -

    The item VEG1 was deleted from the coverage before distribution.  It
    represents the vegetation code as originally digitized, before 
    corrections were made in December 1991.  Similarly, the OP1 code
    is obsolete.

    VEG2 is the vegetation code as contained on the published map.
    OP2 is the overprint code as digitized from the published map.
    VEG4 is the vegetation code including the "best guess" for polygons
      that are not labeled on the original map.
    OP4 is the overprint code including the "best guess" for polygons
      that are not labeled on the original map.
    VEGOP2 is an item created with the INFO REDEFINE command, that 
      includes both the vegetation code VEG2 and the overprint 
      code OP2 as a single item.
    VEGOP4 is a redefined item that includes VEG4 and OP4 as a single item.

15.  The INFO file BRVEG11D.NAME contains text items that identify
    the coded legend categories.  Because the vegetation codes and
    overprint codes are both necessary for an appropriate understanding 
    of the legend, the redefined items VEGOP2 or VEGOP4 should be used
    for linking this file with the .PAT file.  The items are:

  ENTER COMMAND >SELECT BRVEG11D.NAME 
       94 RECORD(S) SELECTED

  ENTER COMMAND >ITEMS
  DATAFILE NAME: BRVEG11D.NAME                                    12/22/1992
     8 ITEMS: STARTING IN POSITION    1
  COL  ITEM NAME         WDTH OPUT TYP N.DEC  ALTERNATE NAME
     1  NAME.ID             4    4  I    -
     5  VEG                 5    5  C    -
    10  OP                  1    1  I    -
    11  GROUP               1    1  C    -
    12  GROUP.NAME         85   85  C    -
    97  SUBGROUP.NAME      20   20  C    -
   117  CLASS.NAME         40   40  C    -
   157  GROUP.SHORTNAME    30   30  C    -
       **  REDEFINED ITEMS  **
     5  VEG2                5    5  C    -
    10  OP2                 1    1  I    -
     5  VEGOP2              6    6  C    -
     5  VEG4                5    5  C    -
    10  OP4                 1    1  I    -
     5  VEGOP4              6    6  C    -
  

    NAME.ID is an identifier, used to sort the vegetation and
     overprint codes into the sequence used on the original map legend.
    VEG2 is the vegetation code on the original published map.
    OP2 is the overprint code on the original published map.
    GROUP is a one character code that represents the major headings
     on the original published map.
    GROUP.NAME is the full name of the major headings on the original map.
    SUBGROUP.NAME is the name of the subgroups on the original map.  These
     are often distinguished on the basis of the overprint code.
    CLASS.NAME refers to the distinguishing type within the groups and
     subgroups.  The class names by themselves do not uniquely define
     a legend category.
    GROUP.SHORTNAME is an abbreviated version of the group name.
    VEG4 is a redefined item that represents the vegetation code.  It is
     designed to be related to the VEG4 item in BRVEGGEO14D.PAT (see below).
     The VEG4 item is implemented as a redefined item referencing the same 
     data as VEG2.
    OP4 is a redefined item for overprint codes to be used with VEG4.
    VEGOP2 is a redefined item that combines VEG2 and OP2 into a single
     item.  This is useful for relating the .NAME file to the .PAT file.
    VEGOP4 is a redefined item that combines VEG4 and OP4 into a single item.

    Records 92 and 93 of the file provide for the NOLAB vegetation code.
    They will be referenced if VEGOP2 is used, but will not be referenced
    if VEGOP4 is used as the relate item when relating to the .PAT 
    (see below).

    Record 94 of the file provides for the OFFMA vegetation code.  This
    is a carryover from a previous analysis in which an OFFMAP category
    was defined after an overlay with another map, and may be ignored or
    purged.

16. The RELATE command in INFO may be used to relate the polygon attribute
    table BRVEG11D.PAT to the names file BRVEG11D.NAME in order
    to access the names associated with each polygon.  For example,
    to use the codes referring to the original map (including NOLAB codes),
    the VEGOP2 item should be used as the relate item:

  ENTER COMMAND >SELECT BRVEG11D.PAT
     2141 RECORD(S) SELECTED

  ENTER COMMAND >RELATE BRVEG11D.NAME 1 BY VEGOP2

  ENTER COMMAND >LIST VEGOP2,$1GROUP.NAME,$1SUBGROUP.NAME,$1CLASS.NAME
                 1
  VEGOP2          =     0
  NO MATCH IN RELATED DATAFILE 1 FOR RECORD       1
  GROUP.NAME      =
  SUBGROUP.NAME   =
  CLASS.NAME      =
                 2
  VEGOP2          =Dm   0
  GROUP.NAME      =FLORESTA OMBROFILA DENSA
  SUBGROUP.NAME   =FLORESTA AMAZONICA
  CLASS.NAME      =Montana
                 3
  VEGOP2          =Tp   3
  GROUP.NAME      =SAVANA ESTEPICA
  SUBGROUP.NAME   =CAMPOS DE RORAIMA
  CLASS.NAME      =Parque
                 4
  VEGOP2          =Ds   0
  GROUP.NAME      =FLORESTA OMBROFILA DENSA
  SUBGROUP.NAME   =FLORESTA AMAZONICA
  CLASS.NAME      =Submontana
                 5
  VEGOP2          =Pf   0
  GROUP.NAME      =AREAS DAS FORMACOES PIONERIAS
  MORE?N
 
  ENTER COMMAND >

    The message:

       NO MATCH IN RELATED DATAFILE 1 FOR RECORD       1
 
    is expected, and represents the "universe polygon" in the Arc/Info
    coverage.

    To use the "best guess" values that do not contain the NOLAB code, 
    use VEGOP4 as the relate item.  

    It is possible to use both items as relate items by doing two relates.
    This example illustrates some of the polygons that were recoded between
    VEG2 and VEG4.

  ENTER COMMAND >SELECT BRVEG11D.PAT
     2141 RECORD(S) SELECTED
 
  ENTER COMMAND >RELATE BRVEG11D.NAME 1 BY VEGOP2 RO
 
  ENTER COMMAND >RELATE BRVEG11D.NAME 2 BY VEGOP4 RO
 
  ENTER COMMAND >RESELECT VEG2 = 'NOLAB'
       58 RECORD(S) SELECTED

  ENTER COMMAND >LIST VEGOP2,VEGOP4,$1GROUP.SHORTNAME,$2GROUP.SHORTNAME
                96
  VEGOP2          =NOLAB0
  VEGOP4          =Da   0
  GROUP.SHORTNAME =NO LABEL.
  GROUP.SHORTNAME =FLORESTA OMBROFILA DENSA
               132
  VEGOP2          =NOLAB0
  VEGOP4          =D    0
  GROUP.SHORTNAME =NO LABEL.
  GROUP.SHORTNAME =FLORESTA OMBROFILA DENSA
               133
  VEGOP2          =NOLAB0
  VEGOP4          =LO   0
  GROUP.SHORTNAME =NO LABEL.
  GROUP.SHORTNAME =AREAS DE TENSAO ECOLOGICA
               137
  VEGOP2          =NOLAB0
  VEGOP4          =D    0
  GROUP.SHORTNAME =NO LABEL.
  GROUP.SHORTNAME =FLORESTA OMBROFILA DENSA
               145
  VEGOP2          =NOLAB0
  VEGOP4          =LO   0
  MORE?N
 
  ENTER COMMAND >

17.  Suggestions on ways to improve this data base
     would be appreciated.  

URL: http://na.unep.net/globalpop/brsoil/brveg11d.html
Last modified: 2 November 1998.