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Kevin D. Hop

Position title: Biologist (Remote Sensing)

Email: khop@usgs.gov
Phone: 608.781.6385
Fax: 608.783.6066

Education:
1987 B.S., Wildlife & Fisheries Sciences, South Dakota State University

Primary Responsibilities/Activities:
As a Task Leader, I oversee the technical mapping of assigned USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program (VMP) projects. I collaborate with other agencies and organizations associated with VMP projects. I report to and work with my Team Leader, Jennifer Dieck. I also provide the Team Leader with task items and time estimates for future mapping projects.

As a photointerpreter, I perform photointerpretation mapping of plant communities and land cover using nationally standardized classification systems. I perform quality control and training of photointerpretation work as necessary. I also perform field reconnaissance in support of map classification and photointerpretation mapping. I collaborate with many ecologists, classifiers, and botonists to promote proper understanding and use of the vegetation classification.

I also produce final products for completed mapping projects, including the GIS database development, metadata, project reports, graphic files, and map compositions. I attend professional, production, and project kickoff meetings, and I present mapping procedures and products at project wrap-up meetings.

Research Interests:

• Vegetation Mapping
• Ecological Plant Community Classification

Active Projects:

• USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program
  • Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park Vegetation Mapping Project (RMSAT)
  • Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore Vegetation Mapping Project (RMSAT)
  • Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Vegetation Mapping Project (RMSAT)
  • Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Vegetation Mapping Project (RMSAT)
  • Saint Croix National Riverway Vegetation Mapping Project (RMSAT)
  • Grand Portage National Monument Vegetation Mapping Project (RMSAT)
  • Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore Vegetation Mapping Project (RMSAT)

Select Publications:
Hop, K., M. Reid, J. Dieck, S. Lubinski, and S. Cooper. 2007. U.S. Geological Survey-National Park Service Vegetation Mapping Program: Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, Alberta, Canada and Montana. U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, La Crosse, Wisconsin, August 2007. 134 pp. + Appendixes A-L.

Faber-Langendoen, D., N. Aaseng, K. Hop, and M. Lew-Smith. 2007. Field Guide to the Plant Community Types of Voyageurs National Park, U.S. Geological Survey Techniques and Methods.

Hop, K., S Lubinski, and S. Menard. 2005. U.S. Geological Survey-National Park Service Vegetation Mapping Program: Effigy Mounds National Monument, Iowa. U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, La Crosse, Wisconsin, January 2005. 62 pp. + Appendixes A-I.

Lubinski, S., K Hop, and S. Gawler. 2003. U.S. Geological Survey-National Park Service Vegetation Mapping Program: Acadia National Park, Maine. U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, La Crosse, Wisconsin, Revised Edition - October 2003. 52 pp. + Appendixes A-I.

Hop, K. 2001. Land Cover and Land Use Spatial Database of Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge (2000). U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, La Crosse, Wisconsin. 31 pp. + Appendixes A-B and data CD. (Baseline database to support USFWS Comprehensive Conservation Planning.)

Hop, K., D. Faber-Langendoen, M. Lew-Smith, N. Aaseng, and S. Lubinski. 2000. U.S. Geological Survey-National Park Service Vegetation Mapping Program: Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota. U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, La Crosse, Wisconsin, February 2000. 199 pp. + Appendixes A-F.

Owens, T. W., K. Hop, L. Robinson, L. DeHaan, and T. Fancher. 1997. Long Term Resource Monitoring Program standard operating procedures: Quality control for cartographic activities. U.S. Geological Survey, Environmental Management Technical Center, Onalaska, Wisconsin, May 1997. LTRMP 95-P008-7. 10 pp. + Appendixes A-F.

Owens, T. and Kevin D. Hop. 1995. Long Term Resource Monitoring Program standard operating procedures: Field station photointerpretation. National Biological Service, Environmental Management Technical Center, Onalaska, Wisconsin, August 1995. LTRMP 95-P008-2. 13 pp. + Appendixes A-E.

Owens, T., and Kevin D. Hop. 1995. Long Term Resource Monitoring Program standard operating procedures: Photointerpretation. National Biological Service, Environmental Management Technical Center, Onalaska, Wisconsin, July 1995. LTRMP 95-P008-1. 7 pp. + Appendixes A and B.

Links:
USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program
USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program - Glacier National Park
USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program - Acadia National Park
USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program -Effigy Mounds National Monument
USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program - Voyageurs National Park
Vegetation Classification and Mapping Tools for National Parks: Demonstration Products for Voyageurs National Park

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