Pacific Northwest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU)

Fine-scale Remote Sensing Applications to Support Vegetation and Fire Management Planning and Implementation at Lava Beds National Monument

Project ID: J8W07090017

Federal Agency: National Park Service

Partner Institution: University of Idaho

Fiscal Year: 2009

Initial Funding: $40,000

Total Funding: $40,000

Project Type: Technical Assistance

Project Disciplines: Biological

National Park: Lava Beds National Monument

Principal Investigator: Strand, Eva

Agreement Technical Representative: Farris, Calvin

Abstract: This Task Agreement details the steps by which Lava Beds National Monument (LABE), and the University of Idaho (UI) will collaborate in developing fine-scale remotely sensed digital data layers of vegetation and fuels for LABE. These state-of-the-art spatial layers representing vegetation structural stages and fire variables are needed to develop and implement an integrated vegetation and fire management plan for LABE. These layers will be used to assess ecological site conditions, establish burn units and rotations based on quantitative structural and compositional parameters, and monitor landscape dynamics following fire. Deliverables will include digital spatial data layers with the following attributes: shrub cover, functional successional stage, juniper density and crown area, exotic annual grass cover, fuel model, and fuel load. Additional deliverables include all collected field data, source code for classification of maps, a final report, and an article submitted to a peer reviewed journal. Presentations of all work will be delivered to the NPS staff and one-on-one training of NPS staff in image classification techniques by UI will also be conducted.

Deliverables: