1. Analysis of Metadata Compliance of Local, State, and Federal Spatial Data Sources
Denise Garcia
Barron Orr, PhD
Stuart Marsh, PhD
Office of Arid Lands Studies
NASA Space Grant Undergraduate
Research Internship Program
University of Arizona
Office of Arid Lands Studies

2. San Simon Watershed Watershed area: about 5,828 km2 (2,250 mi2)
For our summer research project, we analyzed the San Simon watershed, which is in southeastern Arizona. This map shows the urban centers in Arizona, Safford being the closest urban center to the NW of the watershed.
Watershed area: about 5,828 km2 (2,250 mi2)

3. San Simon Watershed 1880’s Begin arroyo cutting Causes:
Alluvium
Changing weather
overgrazing
roads
geomorphic process
1930’s-1980’s construction of erosion control structures
Bureau of Land Management BLM also built 19 major detention dams, dikes, and Earth structures beginning in the 1930s
1970’s, however, in1978, Bahre explained that 10% of the Upper Gila-San Simon area was classified as a critical area of high erosion, while 32% of the area was experiencing moderate erosion
Europeans begin settling in the area and practicing heavy cattle grazing in the 1950’s after the Mexican-American War. However, they were not the first people to inhabit the area, Native Americans and Mexicans had been living in the area and traveling through it before the Europeans.
Arroyo cutting began in the 1880’s. However, it was not until the 19020’s that people began to notice that this process was going on. Plans were then made to control the soil erosion. It was with such plans that the Civilian Consevation Corps began building hundreds of structures along the San Simon channel and its tributaries. The Bureau of Land Management built 19 major structures and other smaller structures until the 1980’s.

4. Significance
Farmer dependence on the rich alluvial soils near the main channel
San Simon area case study for desertified areas
Effects of concrete structures on the behavior of the channel
This problem is quite significant because there is heavy farming community dependence on the Upper Gila River Valley. These farming communities can be severely affected if the major structures were to break down and the Gila River, into which the San Simon deposits its waters, were to be flooded with soil.
The San Simon is also a case study for other areas around the world that are beginning to experience the process of arroyo cutting and desertification because the San Simon has been dealing with this process of desertification for a longer time and there has been a significant effort to control this process. By studying the effects, it can be determined if other areas should follow in the steps of the San Simon watershed.
Courtesy of 7/11/09

5. Methodology Assess Terrain
Collect Historical Data from experiments performed in the San Simon Watershed
Collect Spatial Data pertaining to the San Simon watershed
Analyze the metadata from all the sources
For our methodology, did data collection, change in elevation analysis, and did an assessment of vegetation cover difference.

6. Assess Terrain Day trip Observe: - aggradation - degradation
- vegetation
- structures
Courtesy of OALS
Bill Brandau from the Safford Cooperative Extension Office and Lance Brady from the Safford Office of BLM showed us the major landmarks, structures, vegetation, and signs of soil accumulation and erosion along the San Simon Channel
Courtesy of OALS
Courtesy of OALS

7. Collect Spatial Data
Collection of Spatial Data in preparation for a more in-depth analysis of the watershed
The pixels were then color coded and classified by the level of change using Standard Deviation in order to quantify the areas that experienced different levels of change.
Standard deviation is useful because we can see the degree of soil deposition (in brown) and the levels of soil erosion (in green)
Courtesy of NAIP Gateway
Courtesy of GLOVIS
Courtesy of Earth Explorer
Courtesy of AZDOT
Orthomosaic
Landsat 5 Imagery
Digital Elev. Model
Shapefiles: AZ RR
System

8. Uses for Spatial Data
Analyze change in vegetation density and change in elevation.
Provides ability to analyze aggradation and degradation
Metadata makes spatial information usable
A metadata record: is a file of information, usually presented as an XML document, which captures the basic characteristics of a data or information resource. It represents the who, what, when, where, why and how of the resource. Geospatial metadata are used to document geographic digital resources such as Geographic Information System (GIS) files, geospatial databases, and earth imagery.

9. Definition of Metadata
Data about Data
Components
ID information
Data Quality
Spatial Reference
Entity and Attribute
Distribution Information

10. National Metadata Standards
Federal Geographic Data Committee Standards (FGDC)
“Standards facilitate the development, sharing, and use of geospatial data”
Courtesy of

11. Lack of Metadata Issues

12. Analysis Process and the Role of Metadata
Metadata Analysis
Reliability and Quality of Data
Spatial Analysis of Watershed
A metadata record: is a file of information, usually presented as an XML document, which captures the basic characteristics of a data or information resource. It represents the who, what, when, where, why and how of the resource. Geospatial metadata are used to document geographic digital resources such as Geographic Information System (GIS) files, geospatial databases, and earth imagery.
Bureau of Land Management Decision
about Control Structure Management

13. Results Total % complete Federal State Count (N) 23 15 8 Min 8% 57%
Max
92%
91%
Total Average
77%
80%
71%
Standard Deviation
17%
27%

14. Results: % Report Completed
77%
92% 8%
Total
Min
Avg
Max
80%
92%
57%
Federal
Min
Avg
Max
71%
91% 8%
State
Min
Avg
Max
Standard Deviation

15. Discussion
Most state and federal data sources comply with the FGDC standards
In general, federal sources are more consistent with their metadata
There are metadata sections that are superfluous
Sources differ in means of delivering metadata
Spatial Analysis of the San Simon watershed may begin with federal spatial data
State files had a greater standard deviation, or a wider variety in 5 compliance with FDGC standards

16. Thank you

17. Acknowledgements Barron Orr, PhD Stuart Marsh, PhD Taryn Kong
Bill Brandau
Office of Arid Lands Studies
Susan Brew
UA NASA Space Grant Staff

18. Denise Garcia dtgarcia@email.arizona.edu

19. Arroyo cutting Arroyo cutting Arroyo cutting Arroyo cutting
Coversion of fertile, broad valley floors to continuously entrenched stream channels with abrupt, nearly vertical, canyon-like banks
Soil erosion reduces vegetation cover. In turn, lack of vegetation promotes soil erosion.
Figure 2. Arroyo cutting in San Simon Watershed
Arroyo cutting
Arroyo cutting
Arroyo cutting
Arroyo cutting
Arroyo cutting
Arroyo cutting
Arroyo cutting
Arroyo cutting
Arroyo cutting
Arroyo cutting
Arroyo cutting
Arroyo cutting
Arroyo cutting
Arroyo cutting
Arroyo cutting
Arroyo cutting
Arroyo cutting
Arroyo cutting
Arroyo cutting
Figure 2. Arroyo cutting in San Simon Watershed
Figure 2. Arroyo cutting in San Simon Watershed
Figure 2. Arroyo cutting in San Simon Watershed
Conversion of fertile, broad valley floors to continuously entrenched stream channels with abrupt, nearly vertical, canyon-like banks
Soil erosion reduces vegetation cover. In turn, lack of vegetation promotes soil erosion.
Figure 2. Arroyo cutting in San Simon Watershed
Conversion of fertile, broad valley floors to continuously entrenched stream channels with abrupt, nearly vertical, canyon-like banks
Soil erosion reduces vegetation cover. In turn, lack of vegetation promotes soil erosion.
Figure 2. Arroyo cutting in San Simon Watershed
Conversion of fertile, broad valley floors to continuously entrenched stream channels with abrupt, nearly vertical, canyon-like banks
Soil erosion reduces vegetation cover. In turn, lack of vegetation promotes soil erosion.
Figure 2. Arroyo cutting in San Simon Watershed
Conversion of fertile, broad valley floors to continuously entrenched stream channels with abrupt, nearly vertical, canyon-like banks
Soil erosion reduces vegetation cover. In turn, lack of vegetation promotes soil erosion.
Figure 2. Arroyo cutting in San Simon Watershed
Conversion of fertile, broad valley floors to continuously entrenched stream channels with abrupt, nearly vertical, canyon-like banks
Soil erosion reduces vegetation cover. In turn, lack of vegetation promotes soil erosion.
Figure 2. Arroyo cutting in San Simon Watershed
Conversion of fertile, broad valley floors to continuously entrenched stream channels with abrupt, nearly vertical, canyon-like banks
Soil erosion reduces vegetation cover. In turn, lack of vegetation promotes soil erosion.
Figure 2. Arroyo cutting in San Simon Watershed
Conversion of fertile, broad valley floors to continuously entrenched stream channels with abrupt, nearly vertical, canyon-like banks
Soil erosion reduces vegetation cover. In turn, lack of vegetation promotes soil erosion.
Figure 2. Arroyo cutting in San Simon Watershed
Conversion of fertile, broad valley floors to continuously entrenched stream channels with abrupt, nearly vertical, canyon-like banks
Soil erosion reduces vegetation cover. In turn, lack of vegetation promotes soil erosion.
Figure 2. Arroyo cutting in San Simon Watershed
Conversion of fertile, broad valley floors to continuously entrenched stream channels with abrupt, nearly vertical, canyon-like banks
Soil erosion reduces vegetation cover. In turn, lack of vegetation promotes soil erosion.
Figure 2. Arroyo cutting in San Simon Watershed
Conversion of fertile, broad valley floors to continuously entrenched stream channels with abrupt, nearly vertical, canyon-like banks
Soil erosion reduces vegetation cover. In turn, lack of vegetation promotes soil erosion.
Figure 2. Arroyo cutting in San Simon Watershed
Conversion of fertile, broad valley floors to continuously entrenched stream channels with abrupt, nearly vertical, canyon-like banks
Soil erosion reduces vegetation cover. In turn, lack of vegetation promotes soil erosion.
Figure 2. Arroyo cutting in San Simon Watershed
Conversion of fertile, broad valley floors to continuously entrenched stream channels with abrupt, nearly vertical, canyon-like banks
Soil erosion reduces vegetation cover. In turn, lack of vegetation promotes soil erosion.
Figure 2. Arroyo cutting in San Simon Watershed
Conversion of fertile, broad valley floors to continuously entrenched stream channels with abrupt, nearly vertical, canyon-like banks
Soil erosion reduces vegetation cover. In turn, lack of vegetation promotes soil erosion.
Figure 2. Arroyo cutting in San Simon Watershed
Conversion of fertile, broad valley floors to continuously entrenched stream channels with abrupt, nearly vertical, canyon-like banks
Soil erosion reduces vegetation cover. In turn, lack of vegetation promotes soil erosion.
Figure 2. Arroyo cutting in San Simon Watershed
Conversion of fertile, broad valley floors to continuously entrenched stream channels with abrupt, nearly vertical, canyon-like banks
Soil erosion reduces vegetation cover. In turn, lack of vegetation promotes soil erosion.
Figure 2. Arroyo cutting in San Simon Watershed
Conversion of fertile, broad valley floors to continuously entrenched stream channels with abrupt, nearly vertical, canyon-like banks
Soil erosion reduces vegetation cover. In turn, lack of vegetation promotes soil erosion.
Figure 2. Arroyo cutting in San Simon Watershed
Conversion of fertile, broad valley floors to continuously entrenched stream channels with abrupt, nearly vertical, canyon-like banks
Soil erosion reduces vegetation cover. In turn, lack of vegetation promotes soil erosion.
Conversion of fertile, broad valley floors to continuously entrenched stream channels with abrupt, nearly vertical, canyon-like banks
Soil erosion reduces vegetation cover. In turn, lack of vegetation promotes soil erosion.
Conversion of fertile, broad valley floors to continuously entrenched stream channels with abrupt, nearly vertical, canyon-like banks
Soil erosion reduces vegetation cover. In turn, lack of vegetation promotes soil erosion.

20. Arroyo cutting
Conversion of fertile, broad valley floors to continuously entrenched stream channels with abrupt, nearly vertical, canyon-like banks
Soil erosion reduces vegetation cover. In turn, lack of vegetation promotes soil erosion.