Minnesota Land Cover 1991-92: Map

GAP map from DNR

This printed poster-size map depicts classes of vegetative land cover as derived from 1991-92 satellite imagery. See below for ordering information.

The map was created by the Resource Assessment Unit of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and is a derivative product of the federal Gap Analysis Program (GAP), a nationwide effort to prioritize and focus conservation work. The GAP vegetation project is the first to use satellite images to map Minnesota vegetation community types at the 1-acre level of detail while employing a uniform statewide analysis protocol and vegetation typology. The map also describes and shows the boundaries of Ecological Classification System sections.

Land cover classes

The detailed computer database* on which the map is based contains 49 classes of vegetation in mapping units as small as 1 acre. For display at the map scale (1:563,200), the classes have been condensed to 11, and the smallest vegetation unit shown is about 5 acres. The state's total area is about 54 million acres.

  • Upland Conifer Forest: Chiefly pine dominated, some upland spruce and balsam fir, often in mixture with hardwoods. (1,792,203 acres)
  • Upland Deciduous Forest: Mainly aspen/birch, maple/basswood and oaks. (9,503,784 acres)
  • Lowland Conifer Forest: Mostly tamarack, black spruce and white-cedar, sometimes in mixture with hardwoods. (2,852,801 acres)
  • Lowland Deciduous Forest: Mainly ash, elm, cottonwood and silver maple. (691,383 acres)
  • Shrub: Low-growing woody vegetation. (3,908,093 acres)
  • Developed Land: Urban and built-up areas dominated by buildings, roads and other impervious surfaces. (826,251 acres)
  • Barren Land: Sparsely vegetated, including rock outcrops and mining lands. (182,818 acres)
  • Grassland: Non-cultivated herbaceous vegetation, including prairie. (5,179,811 acres)
  • Cropland: Under cultivation. (23,894,280 acres)
  • Water: Open water. (3,139,900 acres)
  • Marsh: Wetland with minimal tree cover, often dominated by sedge or cattail. (2,033,168 acres)

Specifications and ordering information

  • Size: 50" x 42"
  • Scale: 1:563,200
  • Price: Postage included (note: maps are shipped rolled)
    • Photographic paper:  $25.00
    • Plain paper:  $15.00
  • Method of payment: DNR accepts Visa and MasterCard by phone, check or credit by mail. Checks should be made out to "Department of Natural Resources".
  • Contact information:
    DNR Resource Assessment
    413 SE 13th Street
    Grand Rapids, MN   55744
    218-327-4449
    Specify "Minnesota Land Cover Map"
     

*Note:  The GIS data used to make the map is free online in several formats; click here and see the "GAP Land Cover" section.

 

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