<metadata><Esri><PublishedDocID>{02C99043-2E25-4A4E-BBE3-6AAE81ED7FC8}</PublishedDocID></Esri><idinfo><citation><citeinfo><origin>U.S. Environmental Protection Agency</origin><pubdate>20120426</pubdate><title>U.S. Level III and IV Ecoregions (U.S. EPA)</title><edition>20100616</edition><geoform>vector digital data</geoform><pubinfo><pubplace>Research Triangle Park, NC</pubplace><publish>U.S. Environmental Protection Agency</publish></pubinfo><onlink>https://dmap-prod-oms-edc.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/index.html#ORD/Ecoregions/</onlink><onlink>https://gispub.epa.gov/arcgis/rest/services/ORD/USEPA_Ecoregions_Level_III_and_IV/MapServer</onlink></citeinfo></citation><descript><abstract>This map service displays Level III and Level IV Ecoregions of the United States and was created from ecoregion data obtained from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Research and Development's Western Ecology Division. The original ecoregion data was projected from Albers to Web Mercator for this map service. To download shapefiles of ecoregion data (in Albers), please go to: https://dmap-prod-oms-edc.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/index.html#ORD/Ecoregions/. IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT LEVEL IV POLYGON LEGEND DISPLAY IN ARCMAP: Due to the limitations of Graphical Device Interface (GDI) resources per application on Windows, ArcMap does not display the legend in the Table of Contents for the ArcGIS Server service layer if the legend has more than 100 items. As of December 2011, there are 968 unique legend items in the Level IV Ecoregion Polygon legend. Follow this link (http://support.esri.com/en/knowledgebase/techarticles/detail/33741) for instructions about how to increase the maximum number of ArcGIS Server service layer legend items allowed for display in ArcMap. Note the instructions at this link provide a slightly incorrect path to "Maximum Legend Count". The correct path is HKEY_CURRENT_USER &gt; Software &gt; ESRI &gt; ArcMap &gt; Server &gt; MapServerLayer &gt; Maximum Legend Count. When editing the "Maximum Legend Count", update the field, "Value data" to 1000. To download a PDF version of the Level IV ecoregion map and legend, go to https://dmap-prod-oms-edc.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/ORD/Ecoregions/us/Eco_Level_IV_US_pg.pdf.  

Ecoregions denote areas of general similarity in ecosystems and in the type, quality, and quantity of environmental resources. They are designed to serve as a spatial framework for the research, assessment, management, and monitoring of ecosystems and ecosystem components. These general purpose regions are critical for structuring and implementing ecosystem management strategies across federal agencies, state agencies, and nongovernment organizations that are responsible for different types of resources within the same geographical areas. The approach used to compile this map is based on the premise that ecological regions can be identified through the analysis of patterns of biotic and abiotic phenomena, including geology, physiography, vegetation, climate, soils, land use, wildlife, and hydrology. The relative importance of each characteristic varies from one ecological region to another. A Roman numeral hierarchical scheme has been adopted for different levels for ecological regions. Level I is the coarsest level, dividing North America into 15 ecological regions. Level II divides the continent into 52 regions (Commission for Environmental Cooperation Working Group, 1997). At Level III, the continental United States contains 104 regions whereas the conterminous United States has 85 (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2005). Level IV ecoregions (n = 968) are further subdivisions of Level III ecoregions. Methods used to define the ecoregions are explained in Omernik (1995, 2004), Omernik and others (2000), and Gallant and others (1989).

Literature cited:
      Commission for Environmental Cooperation Working Group, 1997, Ecological regions of North America- toward a common perspective: Montreal, Commission for Environmental Cooperation, 71 p.
      Gallant, A.L., Whittier, T.R., Larsen, D.P., Omernik, J.M., and Hughes, R.M., 1989, Regionalization as a tool for managing environmental resources: Corvallis, Oregon, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA/600/3-89/060, 152p.
      Omernik, J.M., 1995, Ecoregions - a framework for environmental management, in Davis, W.S. and Simon, T.P., eds., Biological assessment and criteria-tools for water resource planning and decision making: Boca Raton, Florida, Lewis Publishers, p.49-62.
      Omernik, J.M., Chapman, S.S., Lillie, R.A., and Dumke, R.T., 2000, Ecoregions of Wisconsin: Transactions of the Wisconsin Academy of Science, Arts, and Letters, v. 88, p. 77-103.
      Omernik, J.M., 2004, Perspectives on the nature and definitions of ecological regions: Environmental Management, v. 34, Supplement 1, p. s27-s38.

Comments and questions regarding ecoregion development should be addressed to Glenn Griffith, Dynamac Corporation, c/o US EPA., 200 SW 35th Street, Corvallis, OR 97333, 541-754-4465, email:griffith.glenn@epa.gov Alternate: James Omernik, USGS, c/o US EPA, 200 SW 35th Street, Corvallis, OR 97333, 541-754-4458, email:omernik.james@epa.gov</abstract><purpose>Ecoregion maps assist managers of aquatic and terrestrial resources to understand the regional patterns of the realistically attainable quality of these resources.</purpose><supplinf>Electronic versions of ecoregion maps and posters, as well as other ecoregion resources, are available at: https://www.epa.gov/eco-research/ecoregions. Symbology layers for US Levels III and IV are also available. This map service differs from the previous version primarily in the addition of draft Level IV ecoregions of Arizona, which may be subject to change. Except for the Great Lakes, waterbodies were merged with surrounding ecoregion polygons, especially along coastlines. A field called NA_L3NAME was added to be consistent with the North America data. Level IV ecoregions for California, Arizona, and New Jersey are considered draft versions as of Decemeber, 2011. Ecoregions were digitized at 1:250,000 scale and are intended for large geographic extents (i.e. states, multiple counties, or river basins). Use for smaller areas, such as individual counties or a 1:24,000 scale map boundary, is not recommended.</supplinf></descript><timeperd><current>Publication date</current><timeinfo><sngdate><caldate>20111223</caldate></sngdate></timeinfo></timeperd><status><progress>In work</progress><update>As needed</update></status><spdom><bounding><westbc>-160</westbc><eastbc>-64</eastbc><northbc>50</northbc><southbc>17</southbc></bounding></spdom><keywords><theme><themekt>ISO 19115 Topic Category</themekt><themekey>boundaries</themekey><themekey>environment</themekey></theme><theme><themekt>EPA GIS Keyword Thesaurus</themekt><themekey>Ecology</themekey><themekey>Ecosystem</themekey><themekey>Environment</themekey><themekey>Land</themekey><themekey>Natural Resources</themekey></theme><theme><themekt>User</themekt><themekey>Ecoregions</themekey></theme><place><placekt>None</placekt><placekey>United States</placekey></place></keywords><accconst>None.</accconst><useconst>None. Please check sources, scale, accuracy, currency and other available information. Please confirm that you are using the most recent copy of both data and metadata.  Acknowledgement of the EPA would be appreciated.</useconst><native>Microsoft Windows XP Version 5.1 (Build 2600) Service Pack 2; ESRI ArcCatalog 9.3.1.3000</native><secinfo><secsys>https://project-open-data.cio.gov/schema/#accessLevel</secsys><secclass>public</secclass><sechandl>Standard Technical Controls</sechandl></secinfo><ptcontac><cntinfo><cntorgp><cntorg>U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park</cntorg><cntper>Shared Enterprise Geodata Services (SEGS)</cntper></cntorgp><cntpos>OEI RTP NCC GIS</cntpos><cntaddr><addrtype>mailing and physical address</addrtype><address>USEPA Mailroom N127-02</address><city>Research Triangle Park</city><state>NC</state><postal>27711</postal></cntaddr><cntvoice>919-767-7493</cntvoice><cntemail>geoservices@epa.gov</cntemail></cntinfo></ptcontac></idinfo><dataqual><logic>Although ecoregion polygons and attributes have been checked for accuracy, some errors may remain. Polygons along state borders were reviewed and updated June 2010.</logic><complete>Level IV ecoregions for California, Arizona, and New Jersey are considered drafts as of December 2011. Ecoregions were digitized at 1:250,000 scale and are intended for large geographic extents (i.e. states, multiple counties, or river basins). Use for smaller areas, such as individual counties or a 1:24,000 scale map boundary, is not recommended</complete><posacc><horizpa><horizpar>Positional accuracy for the data set varies for individual features within the data set. Actual horizontal positional accuracy for the data set is unknown.</horizpar></horizpa></posacc><lineage><procstep><procdate>20100601</procdate><procdesc>1) USGS 1:250,000-scale topographic maps are used to delineate the ecoregions. The lines drawn are manually digitized or scanned to produce georeferenced electronic files. 2) All base maps are joined together and errors along the edges are resolved. 3) Topology is established and the maps are reviewed for accuracy, completeness, and conformity with the original lines. Corrections are made as needed and topology regenerated. 4) Attributes are added. 5) Maps are plotted for visual inspection by two individuals and necessary changes made. 6) Ecoregions from all available states are merged and dissolved to identify and correct inconsistencies. 7) Polygons of the corrected seamless ecoregion features are extended beyond the coastal borders. 8) State and ecoregion datasets are intersected. 9) Topology errors removed. 10) Final QA.</procdesc><proccont><cntinfo><cntorgp><cntorg>U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park</cntorg><cntper>Shared Enterprise Geodata Services (SEGS)</cntper></cntorgp><cntpos>OEI RTP NCC GIS</cntpos><cntaddr><addrtype>mailing and physical address</addrtype><address>USEPA Mailroom N127-02</address><city>Research Triangle Park</city><state>NC</state><postal>27711</postal></cntaddr><cntvoice>919-767-7493</cntvoice><cntemail>geoservices@epa.gov</cntemail></cntinfo></proccont></procstep><procstep><procdate>20100910</procdate><procdesc>Metadata imported.</procdesc><proccont><cntinfo><cntorgp><cntorg>U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park</cntorg><cntper>Shared Enterprise Geodata Services (SEGS)</cntper></cntorgp><cntpos>OEI RTP NCC GIS</cntpos><cntaddr><addrtype>mailing and physical address</addrtype><address>USEPA Mailroom N127-02</address><city>Research Triangle Park</city><state>NC</state><postal>27711</postal></cntaddr><cntvoice>919-767-7493</cntvoice><cntemail>geoservices@epa.gov</cntemail></cntinfo></proccont></procstep></lineage></dataqual><spdoinfo><direct>Vector</direct><ptvctinf><sdtsterm><sdtstype>G-polygon</sdtstype><ptvctcnt>933</ptvctcnt></sdtsterm></ptvctinf></spdoinfo><eainfo><overview><eaover>The dynamic map service, Level_III_IV_Ecoregions, and its associated layers displays both level III and level IV ecoregions with various ecoregion labeling options. At start-up, the map service will draw level IV polygon fills, level III lines, level III labels, and state lines for the entire U.S. A layer description is included in the layer properties of all layers. Please read the important note at the end of this file regarding proper display of the Level IV Ecoregion Polygons sublayer legend.

Layers:

State Lines - layer with state lines (see Source Information for state line source) which can be drawn over ecoregion polygon layers.

Level IV Ecoregions (December 2011) - group layer with various individual layers which allow for the rendering of level IV ecoregion polygons, level III and IV lines, and level III and IV labels with pre-built scale dependencies. The following attributes are included in the Level IV Ecoregion Polygons sublayer:
     US_L4CODE: Code for Level IV Ecoregion (US)
     US_L4NAME: Name for Level IV Ecoregion (US)
     US_L3CODE: Code for Level III Ecoregion (US)
     US_L3NAME: Name for Level III Ecoregion (US)
     NA_L3CODE: Code for Level III Ecoregion (North America)
     NA_L2CODE: Code for Level II Ecoregion (North America)
     NA_L2NAME: Name for Level II Ecoregion (North America)
     NA_L1CODE: Code for Level I Ecoregion (North America)
     NA_L1NAME: Name for Level I Ecoregion (North America)
     STATE_NAME: Name of State (US)
     EPA_REGION: USEPA Administrative Region
     L4_KEY: US Level IV Code and Name
     L3_KEY: US Level III Code and Name
     L2_KEY: NA Level II Code and Name
     L1_KEY: NA Level I Code and Name

Level III Ecoregions (December 2011) - group layer with various individual layers which allow for the rendering of level III ecoregion polygons, lines, and labels with pre-built scale dependencies. The following attributes are included in the Level III Ecoregion Polygons sublayer:
     US_L3CODE: Code for Level III Ecoregion (US)
     US_L3NAME: Name for Level III Ecoregion (US)
     NA_L3CODE: Code for Level III Ecoregion (North America)
     NA_L2CODE: Code for Level II Ecoregion (North America)
     NA_L2NAME: Name for Level II Ecoregion (North America)
     NA_L1CODE: Code for Level I Ecoregion (North America)
     NA_L1NAME: Name for Level I Ecoregion (North America)
     STATE_NAME: Name of State (US)
     EPA_REGION: USEPA Administrative Region
     L3_KEY: US Level III Code and Name
     L2_KEY: NA Level II Code and Name 
     L1_KEY: NA Level I Code and Name 

Level IV Ecoregion Status (Decmeber 2011) - layer displaying level IV ecoregion completion status by state. The following attributes are included:
    STATE_NAME: Name of State (US)
    l4_status: Completion status of Level IV Ecoregions within given state (US)

IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT LEVEL IV POLYGON LEGEND DISPLAY IN ARCMAP: Due to the limitations of Graphical Device Interface (GDI) resources per application on Windows, ArcMap does not display the legend in the Table of Contents for the ArcGIS Server service layer if the legend has more than 100 items. As of December 2011, there are 968 unique legend items in the Level IV Ecoregion Polygon legend. Follow this link:(http://support.esri.com/en/knowledgebase/techarticles/detail/33741) for instructions about how to increase the maximum number of ArcGIS Server service layer legend items allowed for display in ArcMap. Note the instructions at this link provide a slightly incorrect path to "Maximum Legend Count". The correct path is HKEY_CURRENT_USER &gt; Software &gt; ESRI &gt; ArcMap &gt; Server &gt; MapServerLayer &gt; Maximum Legend Count. When editing the "Maximum Legend Count", update the field, "Value data" to 1000. To download a PDF version of the Level IV ecoregion map and legend, go to ftp://ftp.epa.gov/wed/ecoregions/us/Eco_Level_IV_US_pg.pdf</eaover><eadetcit>https://www.epa.gov/eco-research/ecoregions</eadetcit></overview></eainfo><distinfo><resdesc>Live Data and Maps</resdesc><distliab>https://edg.epa.gov/EPA_Data_License.html</distliab><stdorder><digform><digtinfo><formname>Shapefile</formname><formcont>These spatial files represent the most up-to-date publicly available ecoregion data for the US.</formcont><filedec>Zip (compressed) file</filedec></digtinfo><digtopt><onlinopt><computer><networka><networkr>https://dmap-prod-oms-edc.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/index.html#ORD/Ecoregions/</networkr></networka></computer><accinstr>The ecoregion data downloaded from this ftp site are delivered in zipped (compressed) shapefile format. Links to metadata are also provided.</accinstr></onlinopt></digtopt></digform><digform><digtinfo><formname>ArcGIS Server Map Service</formname></digtinfo><digtopt><onlinopt><computer><networka><networkr>https://gispub.epa.gov/arcgis/rest/services/ORD/USEPA_Ecoregions_Level_III_and_IV/MapServer</networkr></networka></computer></onlinopt></digtopt></digform><digform><digtinfo><formname>ArcGIS Server WMS Service</formname></digtinfo><digtopt><onlinopt><computer><networka><networkr>https://gispub.epa.gov/arcgis/services/ORD/USEPA_Ecoregions_Level_III_and_IV/MapServer/WMSServer</networkr></networka></computer></onlinopt></digtopt></digform><digform><digtinfo><formname>ArcGIS Server REST interface</formname></digtinfo><digtopt><onlinopt><computer><networka><networkr>https://gispub.epa.gov/arcgis/rest/services/ORD/USEPA_Ecoregions_Level_III_and_IV/MapServer?f=json&amp;pretty=true</networkr></networka></computer></onlinopt></digtopt></digform><digform><digtinfo><formname>ArcGIS Server SOAP interface</formname></digtinfo><digtopt><onlinopt><computer><networka><networkr>https://gispub.epa.gov/arcgis/services/ORD/USEPA_Ecoregions_Level_III_and_IV/MapServer?wsdl</networkr></networka></computer></onlinopt></digtopt></digform><fees>None</fees></stdorder><distrib><cntinfo><cntorgp><cntorg>U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park</cntorg><cntper>Shared Enterprise Geodata Services (SEGS)</cntper></cntorgp><cntpos>OEI RTP NCC GIS</cntpos><cntaddr><addrtype>mailing and physical address</addrtype><address>USEPA Mailroom N127-02</address><city>Research Triangle Park</city><state>NC</state><postal>27711</postal></cntaddr><cntvoice>919-767-7493</cntvoice><cntemail>geoservices@epa.gov</cntemail></cntinfo></distrib></distinfo><metainfo><metd>20160719</metd><metfrd>20200719</metfrd><metstdn>FGDC Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata</metstdn><metstdv>FGDC-STD-001-1998</metstdv><mettc>local time</mettc><metc><cntinfo><cntorgp><cntorg>U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park</cntorg><cntper>Shared Enterprise Geodata Services (SEGS)</cntper></cntorgp><cntpos>OEI RTP NCC GIS</cntpos><cntaddr><addrtype>mailing and physical address</addrtype><address>USEPA Mailroom N127-02</address><city>Research Triangle Park</city><state>NC</state><postal>27711</postal></cntaddr><cntvoice>919-767-7493</cntvoice><cntemail>geoservices@epa.gov</cntemail></cntinfo></metc></metainfo><mdDateSt>20100912</mdDateSt><spref><horizsys><geograph><latres>0.000100</latres><longres>0.000100</longres><geogunit>Decimal degrees</geogunit></geograph><geodetic><horizdn>World Geodetic System 1984</horizdn><ellips>WGS_1984</ellips><semiaxis>6378137.000000</semiaxis><denflat>298.257224</denflat></geodetic></horizsys></spref></metadata>