Using LiDAR and Field Data to Map Fuel Characteristics at Mount Rainier National Park
Project ID: J8W07100017
Federal Agency: National Park Service
Partner Institution: University of Washington
Fiscal Year: 2010
Initial Funding: $40,962
Total Funding: $40,962
Project Type: Technical Assistance
Project Disciplines: Biological
National Park: Mount Rainier National Park
Principal Investigator: Franklin, Jerry
Agreement Technical Representative: Rochefort, Regina
Abstract: The National Park Service (NPS) and the University of Washington (UW) will collaborate in developing fine-scale LiDAR data layers and methodology in a pilot fuel mapping project at Mount Rainier National Park (MORA). The LiDAR data will be used to link NPS field plots to canopy characteristics for eventual mapping throughout the park. This project supports fire and vegetation management planning efforts at MORA, as well as assisting in development of fuel mapping methods. The contribution that LiDAR can make towards fuel mapping efforts at other Pacific Northwest NPS units will be compared to fuels mapping developments using other imagery at these parks. Deliverables will include regression and imputations of predictive variables, digital spatial data layers of LiDAR derived canopy characteristics, and fuel load maps for two large study areas (10-20 sq. km each) within MORA. One or more jointly authored papers are also expected, including methods for mapping fuel loads, and analysis of the contribution of LiDAR to fuel mapping.
Deliverables: