National Spatial Data Infrastructure-Wetlands Layer
The National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) is defined as the technologies, policies, standards and human resources necessary to acquire, process, store, distribute, and improve utilization of geospatial data. The NSDI enhances the accessibility, communication, and use of geospatial data to support a wide variety of decisions at all levels of society, including government, the private and non-profit sectors, and the academic community.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is identified, by OMB Circular A-16, as the principal federal agency that provides wetland information to the public as well as other agencies. The Service’s National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) forms the Wetlands Layer of NSDI, and is designated as a National Geospatial Data Asset (NGDA). It is registered through Data.gov and Geoplatform.gov and is distributed on the Wetlands Mapper.
Quality and consistency of the Wetlands Layer is supported by federal wetlands mapping and classification standards, which were developed under the oversight of the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) with input by the FGDC Wetlands Subcommittee. This dataset is part of the FGDC Water-Inland Theme, which is co-chaired by the Service and the U.S. Geological Survey.
More information on the Wetlands Layer of NSDI:
- Interior Secretary Salazar Announces Endorsement of Wetlands Mapping Standard
- FGDC Wetlands Mapping and Classification Standards
- Wetlands Layer - National Spatial Data Infrastructure: A Phased Approach to Completion and Modernization
- Office of Management and Budget: Circular No. A-16
- FGDC Wetlands Subcommittee
- FGDC Water-Inland Theme
As stewards of the Wetlands Layer of the NSDI, NWI promotes partnership and collaboration with stakeholders, and integration of their standards compliant data into the Wetlands Layer. More than 160 organizations and agencies have contributed to this effort so far.