FRCC 1
FRCC 2
FRCC 3
Fire Regime Condition Class Mapping Tool
User’s Guide
Version 2.1.0
National Interagency
Fuels Coordination Group
Fire Regime Condition Class Mapping Tool User’s Guide Preface
Preface
Many federal land management agencies have been directed to manage their lands to
sustain ecosystems through time (USDA 1999, USDA 2000a, USDA 2000b). Allen and
Hoekstra (1992) suggested that sustainability could be achieved only if managers worked
with the underlying processes of the system to be managed, not against them. Several
important scientific concepts have been developed to help managers address
sustainability by the assessment of ecosystem condition. The scientific concepts
important to the development and understanding of the Fire Regime Condition Class
Mapping Tool – or FRCC Mapping Tool – include the historical range of variation,
ecological departure, fire regime condition class (FRCC), and FRCC versus fire hazard.
Historical range of variation
Recent federal forest policy has identified the need to consider current ecosystem
condition in the context of historical variation (USDA 2000a, 2000b). Historical range
of variation (HRV) provides context and guidance for ecosystem management.
Furthermore, disturbance-driven spatial and temporal variation is a vital attribute of
nearly all ecosystems (Landres and others 1999). Landres and others (1999) suggest
that a primary objective in characterizing HRV is to understand: 1) how the driving
ecosystem processes vary from site to site, 2) how these processes affected ecosystems
in the past, and 3) how these processes might affect both current and future
ecosystems. Vegetation patterns resulting from historical fire regimes are a critical
component for characterizing HRV in fire-adapted ecosystems.
Ecological departure
The historical range of variation can be used as a reference condition for understanding
and evaluating change (Morgan and others 1994; Hessburg and others 1999; Swetnam
and others 1999), as well as for evaluating current and future management goals (Hann
and others 1997). For example, historical conditions have been used to assess the
impact of altered fire regimes on the structure and composition of forest ecosystems
(Skinner and Chang 1996; Hann and others 1997) and for assessing the effectiveness of
wildland fire use programs (Brown and others 1994).
Certain photos courtesy of Fire Management Today
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Fire Regime Condition Class Mapping Tool User’s Guide Preface
The amount of change or departure from reference disturbance regimes can be derived
by comparing the condition of existing or future ecosystems to the historical range of
variation. An understanding of ecosystem departure provides the context necessary for
managing sustainable ecosystems. That is, managers need to understand how ecosystem
processes and functions have changed before they can develop strategies for sustaining
those systems through time. In addition, the departure from historical fire regimes may
serve as a useful ecological proxy of the potential for uncharacteristic fire effects.
Several recent land management initiatives have addressed these important concepts
with respect to fire and call for spatially explicit maps of historical fire regimes as well as
an estimate of fire regime departure (or condition class) (USDA 2000a; USDA 2000b;
Healthy Forests Initiative: W House 2002; Healthy Forests Restoration Act: U.S.
Congress 2003).
Fire regime condition class
Fire regime condition class (FRCC) is an index of ecological departure from reference
conditions. The FRCC departure metric can be derived by evaluating the change in
composition of succession classes, fire frequency, and fire severity (Hann and others
2004). Three classes corresponding to low, moderate, and high departure have been
defined (Hardy and others 2001; Schmidt and others 2002) (see Appendix B). Common
causes of departure include fire suppression, timber harvesting, livestock grazing,
introduction and establishment of exotic plants, as well as introduced insects and
disease (Schmidt and others 2002).
FRCC is derived by comparing current conditions to an estimate of the historical range
that existed prior to substantial Euro-American settlement. Departure of current
conditions from an historical baseline can be used as a proxy for potential
uncharacteristic fire effects and serves an important role in addressing risks to the
sustainability of fire-adapted ecosystems. In applying the condition class concept
(Schmidt and others 2002), we assume that historical fire regimes represent the
conditions under which ecosystem components of fire-adapted ecosystems have evolved
and been maintained over time (Hardy and others 1998). Thus, if we observe that fire
intervals, fire severity, vegetation structure, and/or vegetation composition have
changed from those of historical conditions, we would expect fire size, fire intensity, and
burn patterns to be subsequently altered. If these basic fire characteristics have
changed, then it is also likely that ecosystem components adapted to these historical fire
regimes would be affected as well.
FRCC versus fire hazard
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Fire Regime Condition Class Mapping Tool User’s Guide Preface
Fire regime condition class should not be used to indicate fire hazard potential since the
relationships between condition class and fire behavior are inconsistent at best. For
example, in some cases, low departure areas may have very active fire behavior,
whereas in other cases, the fire behavior could be relatively benign. The opposite is
also true: some high departure areas may have fire behavior ranging from benign to very
active. In addition, fire behavior and FRCC are derived at different scales. FRCC is a
landscape metric, whereas fire behavior is typically analyzed on a stand basis (such as a
homogeneous patch characterized by uniform topography and fuels). Since FRCC is
derived according to the composition of succession classes (for example, stands) within
a given landscape, it is quite possible that some succession classes would have
characteristics that may result in a low fire behavior hazard (such as in early seral
stands), whereas others may have a high hazard (such as in late seral stands).
_____________________
The FRCC Mapping Tool
The FRCC Mapping Tool quantifies the departure of vegetation conditions from a set of
reference conditions that represents the historical range of variation. The tool, which
operates from the ArcMap platform, derives several metrics of departure by comparing
the composition of successional states representing current vegetation to the
composition of successional states representing the reference conditions. FRCC
Mapping Tool outputs can be used to develop management plans and treatment
strategies aimed at restoring vegetation conditions.
This version of the FRCC Mapping Tool (version 2.1.0) was released in January of 2007.
Future versions may incorporate additional features, so be sure to check the NIFTT
website (www.niftt.gov) for possible updates and enhancements as well as associated
updates to this user’s guide.
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Fire Regime Condition Class Mapping Tool User’s Guide Front Matter
What’s new in version 2.1.0?
→Changes in terminology and concepts
Some terms and concepts related to the FRCC Mapping Tool have changed
considerably since earlier versions of this software were made available. The
term potential natural vegetation group, or PNVG, which was widely used in
earlier versions of FRCC material, has been replaced by the term biophysical
setting (commonly abbreviated as BpS). Another earlier term, vegetation-fuel
class, has been replaced by the term succession class (S-Class) in this user’s guide
and in other current material related to the FRCC Mapping Tool.
→Changes to inputs
The design of the FRCC Mapping Tool’s user interface (dialog boxes) has been
improved for ease of use. In addition, the structure of the Reference Condition
Table has changed, as have some field names; these changes were intended to
make the Reference Condition Table more robust and thereby reduce common
errors. Moreover, reference condition tables from the LANDFIRE Rapid
Assessment are now included with the installation package. Lastly, the FRCC
Mapping Tool can now modify BpS and S-Class grids even if they do not coincide
with the Reference Condition Table.
→Changes to outputs
Two new output layers have been added: Landscape FRCC and Stand Departure.
(Chapter 5 provides information on these new layers). In addition, the
Management Report has been renamed Summary Report and several new fields
have been added.
Prerequisites
FRCC Mapping Tool users should be familiar with the FRCC assessment process. As a
minimum, users should review the Interagency Fire Regime Condition Class Guidebook
(Hann and others 2004) prior to working with the FRCC Mapping Tool. We also
recommend that potential users complete online FRCC training available at
www.frcc.gov. Since the FRCC Mapping Tool is a GIS application, users must also have
a working knowledge of ArcMap. Lastly, because the FRCC Mapping Tool incorporates
some applications of Microsoft Access and Excel, users should have at least some basic
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Fire Regime Condition Class Mapping Tool User’s Guide Front Matter
working knowledge of these programs. Specific hardware and software requirements
are detailed in Chapter 1
of this guide.
Obtaining copies
To obtain additional copies of the FRCC Mapping Tool User’s Guide or Tutorial
(available spring 2008), go to the NIFTT website at www.niftt.gov. Click on NIFTT
Tools & User Documents in the menu. Select NIFTT User Documents, and you
will then be routed to www.fire.org where NIFTT tools and associated documents are
housed.
Credits
A beta version of the FRCC Mapping Tool was developed for the National Interagency
Fuels Technology Team (NIFTT) by J.D. Zeiler and Jeff Jones of the USDA Forest
Service. Early versions of the software have been substantially modified by Lee Hutter
of Systems for Environmental Management (SEM) under the auspices of NIFTT.
Funding was provided by the USDA Forest Service and the U.S. Department of Interior.
This FRCC Mapping Tool User’s Guide was written by NIFTT members Jeff Jones of the
USDA Forest Service and Deb Tirmenstein of Systems for Environmental Management.
Lastly, we thank Christine Frame of Systems for Environmental Management (and NIFTT
member) for her editorial proficiency.
Your input
We value your input. Please forward any questions, comments, reports of bugs, or
ideas to the National Interagency Fuels Technology Team (NIFTT) at
helpdesk@niftt.gov.
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Fire Regime Condition Class Mapping Tool User’s Guide Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Preface..................................................................................................................... 1
Historical range of variation.........................................................................................................1
Ecological departure ......................................................................................................................1
Fire regime condition class...........................................................................................................2
FRCC versus fire hazard...............................................................................................................2
The FRCC Mapping Tool..............................................................................................................3
What’s new in version 2.1.0?.......................................................................................................4
Prerequisites....................................................................................................................................4
Obtaining copies.............................................................................................................................5
Credits ..............................................................................................................................................5
Your input........................................................................................................................................5
Chapter 1: About the FRCC Mapping Tool User’s Guide................................ 8
1.1 Before you begin.....................................................................................................................8
1.2 How to use this guide ...........................................................................................................8
1.3 System requirements.............................................................................................................9
1.3.1 Computer hardware......................................................................................................9
1.3.2 Computer software .......................................................................................................9
Chapter 2: FRCC Mapping Tool Function........................................................ 10
2.1 How it operates....................................................................................................................10
2.2 Processing steps....................................................................................................................10
2.3 Applications ...........................................................................................................................11
Chapter 3: Input Data......................................................................................... 12
3.1 Description of input data....................................................................................................12
3.1.1 Biophysical Settings (BpS) layer.................................................................................12
3.1.2 Succession Classes (S-Class) layer............................................................................13
3.1.3 Landscape layer.............................................................................................................15
3.1.4 Reference Condition Table........................................................................................18
Chapter 4: Obtaining Input Data ...................................................................... 22
4.1 Spatial input layers................................................................................................................22
4.1.1 Steps for obtaining the layers ....................................................................................22
4.2 Reference conditions...........................................................................................................29
Chapter 5: Output Data ..................................................................................... 31
5.1 Succession class (S-Class) outputs....................................................................................32
5.1.1 S-Class Percent Difference (SclassPctDiff)...............................................................32
5.1.2 S-Class Departure (SclassDep)..................................................................................33
5.1.3 S-Class Relative Amount (SClassRelAmt)...............................................................33
5.1.4. Stand FRCC (StandFRCC).........................................................................................34
5.2 Strata (BpS) outputs.............................................................................................................35
5.2.1 Strata Departure (StrataDep)....................................................................................35
5.2.2 Strata FRCC (StrataFRCC) ........................................................................................35
5.3 Landscape outputs................................................................................................................36
5.3.1 Landscape Departure (LandFRCCDep) ..................................................................36
5.3.2 Landscape FRCC (LandFRCC) ..................................................................................37
5.4 Summary Report ..................................................................................................................37
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Fire Regime Condition Class Mapping Tool User’s Guide Table of Contents
5.5 Access database....................................................................................................................43
Chapter 6: Installing FRCC MT ......................................................................... 44
6.1 Installation instructions.......................................................................................................44
6.1.1 Installing the complete NIFTT tool package...........................................................45
6.1.2 Single tool (FRCC MT) installation...........................................................................50
6.2 Troubleshooting FRCC MT installation ..........................................................................52
Chapter 7: Using the FRCC Mapping Tool ...................................................... 53
7.1 The FRCC MT toolbar........................................................................................................53
7.2 How to run FRCC MT........................................................................................................53
7.2.1 Creating a new project ...............................................................................................53
7.2.2 Loading data...................................................................................................................54
7.2.3. Selecting a reference condition table......................................................................58
7.2.4 Selecting input layers ...................................................................................................61
7.2.5 Selecting output layers ................................................................................................66
7.2.6 Running the tool ...........................................................................................................69
Chapter 8: Troubleshooting FRCC MT – Common Errors, Symptoms, and
Solutions................................................................................................................ 75
8.1 Data quality............................................................................................................................75
8.1.1 Output error related to the S-Class layer..............................................................75
8.1.2 Output error related to the BpS layer....................................................................76
8.1.3 Output error related to the Reference Condition Table ...................................76
8.1.4 Output error related to landscape scale.................................................................77
8.2 Landscape patterns ..............................................................................................................77
8.3 Naming conventions............................................................................................................78
8.4 Reference Condition Database.........................................................................................78
Appendix A: References ...................................................................................... 79
Appendix B: Fire Regime Condition Classes ................................................... 82
Appendix C: Fire Regime Groups ..................................................................... 83
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Fire Regime Condition Class Mapping Tool User’s Guide Chapter 1
Chapter 1: About the FRCC Mapping Tool User’s Guide
1.1 Before you begin
1.2 How to use this guide
1.3 System requirements
1.3.1 Computer hardware
1.3.2 Computer software
1.1 Before you begin
This user’s guide describes the basic operation of the FRCC Mapping Tool, which
quantifies the departure of vegetation conditions from a set of reference conditions.
We recommend that FRCC Mapping Tool users understand the concepts and methods
presented in the Interagency FRCC Guidebook (Hann and others 2004) prior to
working with the FRCC Mapping Tool. This user’s guide will review many of the
concepts, definitions, and methods contained within the Interagency FRCC Guidebook,
but will not repeat detailed discussions.
Lastly, FRCC Mapping Tool users must be familiar with Microsoft Windows and basic
ArcGIS/ArcMap functions.
1.2 How to use this guide
You need not read the entire guide to carry out a specific task. Once you are familiar
with the basic concepts associated with the FRCC Mapping Tool, you can quickly locate
commonly performed tasks by reviewing the headings in the Table of Contents located
near the beginning of this guide. You can then refer to the specific section pertaining to
your needs. Whenever appropriate, screen captures are used to illustrate the steps
required to complete a task.
Note that the FRCC Mapping Tool User’s Guide is not intended to provide step-by-step
guidance on the tool’s operation using specific examples; rather, it is intended to serve
as a reference guide. The FRCC Mapping Tool tutorial, available in spring of 2008
through www.niftt.gov
to a specific management scenario.
, will provide such step-by-step instructions for applying the tool
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Fire Regime Condition Class Mapping Tool User’s Guide Chapter 1
1.3 System requirements
1.3.1 Computer hardware
Your choice of hardware will greatly affect the FRCC Mapping Tool’s
performance. In general, computers having faster processors, more memory,
and more free hard drive space will process data faster. A computer system
having the minimum requirements identified in table 1-1 will likely suffice for
applications involving relatively small analysis areas, such as tens of thousands of
acres. However, a computer system should have the recommended
requirements (table 1-1) if users will be frequently processing relatively large
analysis areas, such as hundreds of thousands of acres.
Table 1-1. Minimum and recommended computer specifications for FRCC MT.
Windows operating system 2000/XP 2000/XP
Memory 1GB At least 1.5GB
Processor: P4 or equivalent 1.0GHz At least 2.0GHz
Free hard drive space 5GB At least 10GB
Display resolution 800 x 600 At least 1280 x 1024
Mouse or pointer Required Required
Minimum Recommended
1.3.2 Computer software
Users of the FRCC Mapping Tool need to have the following programs installed:
ArcMap versions 9.0 or 9.1 with the Spatial Analyst extension, Microsoft Excel
(2000 or higher), and Microsoft Access (2000 or higher).
Note: Although not required, ArcCatalog is a highly valuable tool for managing
and organizing ArcMap data layers and should be used for all data
manipulation such as copying, pasting, renaming, and deleting.
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Fire Regime Condition Class Mapping Tool User’s Guide Chapter 2
Chapter 2: FRCC Mapping Tool Function
2.1 How it operates
2.2 Processing steps
2.3 Applications
2.1 How it operates
The FRCC Mapping Tool works within ArcMap to spatially assess the departure of
vegetation conditions from a set of reference conditions. These reference conditions
represent the midpoint of the historical range of variation (see the preface to this
guide). The tool generates a suite of metrics that characterizes vegetation departure
with varying degrees of thematic detail and at various levels of ecosystem organization.
For example, some metrics are based on continuous values, whereas others use
categorical data made up of relatively few discrete classes. Departure indices are
generated at the landscape, biophysical setting, and succession class levels. Users can
select the metric(s) that best addresses the specific analysis question.
The FRCC Mapping Tool uses protocols and algorithms outlined in the Interagency
FRCC Guidebook (Hann and others 2004) to derive FRCC and related departure
metrics. However, unlike the FRCC field assessment technique, the tool does not
estimate departure of fire frequency and severity. All departure metrics produced by
the FRCC Mapping Tool are based solely on vegetation conditions.
2.2 Processing steps
The FRCC Mapping Tool integrates the ArcMap and Access applications. ArcMap
combines the spatial landscape, biophysical setting, and succession class layers so that
each value in the resulting raster layer denotes a unique combination of values from the
three input layers. A series of queries is then made in an Access database to derive the
composition of succession classes (S-Class) for every biophysical setting (BpS) within
each landscape. The S-Class composition is then compared to the reference conditions
contained within another Access database, known as the Reference Condition Database.
Various departure indices are then computed within Access and, after that, joined back
to the combined raster. Individual rasters representing each departure metric are then
produced by ArcMap.
Finally, tabular data are exported to Excel where the difference between current and
reference conditions is calculated. The Excel worksheet displays the amount of change
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Fire Regime Condition Class Mapping Tool User’s Guide Chapter 2
in the area necessary to restore or maintain landscapes according to their reference
condition.
2.3 Applications
Outputs from the FRCC Mapping Tool can be used to develop management plans and
treatment strategies to improve the sustainability of fire-adapted ecosystems. That is,
the FRCC Mapping Tool can help to spatially identify restoration opportunities.
Outputs can determine the amount of change that is needed across a landscape if
restoring fire-adapted ecosystems is a management goal. Furthermore, the tool can
help evaluate the effectiveness of proposed treatments in regards to restoring departed
landscapes. The FRCC Mapping Tool can be used for broad- to fine-scale planning;
however, careful consideration should be given to the spatial resolution, thematic
specificity, and accuracy of the input data (spatial layers and reference conditions) when
designing and interpreting FRCC Mapping Tool applications.
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Fire Regime Condition Class Mapping Tool User’s Guide Chapter 3
Chapter 3: Input Data
3.1 Description of input data
3.1.1 Biophysical Settings (BpS) layer
3.1.2 Succession Classes (S-Class) layer
3.1.3 Landscape layer
3.1.4 Reference Condition Table
3.1 Description of input data
The FRCC Mapping Tool requires three kinds of spatial information in ArcGRID format:
a layer (or attribute) depicting biophysical settings (BpS); a layer depicting succession
classes (S-Class), and a layer depicting the landscape units (such as reporting units)
within which the composition of succession classes is derived. This spatial information
can be provided by a single layer having BpS, S-Class, and landscape levels as attributes,
or the information can be provided by three unique layers which characterize BpS, SClass, and landscape units separately. If multiple layers are used, all must have identical
coordinate systems and projections. In addition, we recommend that the spatial layers
also have identical cell sizes, cell alignment, and geographic extents. The tool also
requires a set of reference conditions that can be associated with the BpS layer. These
reference conditions are stored in a table (the Reference Condition Table) contained
within a Microsoft Access database. Each of the inputs will be discussed in this user’s
guide, but readers are encouraged to refer to the Interagency FRCC Guidebook (Hann
and others 2004) for a more detailed discussion of concepts pertaining to biophysical
settings, succession classes, and reference conditions.
3.1.1 Biophysical Settings (BpS) layer
Biophysical settings reflect the integration of soils, climate, and topography which
define native disturbance regimes and the composition of resulting plant
communities. Biophysical settings are the taxonomic units used to characterize
reference conditions. The natural composition of succession classes has been
determined for each BpS by using either spatial vegetation succession and
disturbance models, such as LANDSUM (Keane and others 2006) and TELSA
(ESSA Technologies Ltd. 2005a) or aspatial vegetation succession and
disturbance models, such as the Vegetation Dynamics Development Tool
(VDDT; ESSA Technologies Ltd 2005b).
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Fire Regime Condition Class Mapping Tool User’s Guide Chapter 3
The FRCC Mapping Tool derives departure values, and subsequently fire regime
condition classes, for each BpS within the analysis area. Therefore, the BpS layer
must contain attributes with codes that coincide with BpS codes in the
Reference Condition Table. Departure values will be derived only for those
biophysical settings common to both the BpS layer and the Reference Condition
Table. Biophysical settings lacking a set of reference conditions (such as barren,
water, agriculture, and urban) are ignored when calculating landscape
composition and deriving departure indices. For example, if agriculture
comprises 10 percent of a landscape, the composition of succession classes is
determined from the remaining 90 percent of that landscape.
The BpS layer must contain an attribute that coincides with the BpS codes used
in the Reference Condition Table. In the example Value Attribute Table
displayed in figure 3-1, the attribute denoted as Bps_model coincides with the
field named BpS_model in the Reference Condition Table (fig. 3-5).
Figure 3-1. Example of a value attribute table from a BpS layer produced by the LANDFIRE
Project.
Tip: To view an example attribute table, open ArcMap and right click on any
desired layer in the Table of Contents. Select Open Attribute Table from
the menu options.
3.1.2 Succession Classes (S-Class) layer
The Succession Classes (S-Class) layer identifies the successional states within
each BpS. Succession classes are unique to a BpS and can be interpreted only
within the context of the BpS. Consequently, succession classes must be nested
within the BpS layer. Succession classes typically denote both seral status (in
other words, early-, mid-, or late-seral) and structure (in other words, open or
closed canopy) and are generally derived from a characterization of species
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Fire Regime Condition Class Mapping Tool User’s Guide Chapter 3
composition (such as cover type), diameter and/or height classes, and density or
cover.
The current version of the FRCC Mapping Tool can accommodate up to six
succession classes for a given BpS, including five natural states (for example,
early-seral, mid-seral closed, mid-seral open, late-seral open, late-seral closed),
and one “uncharacteristic” state or vegetation class that would not have been
found within the natural or historical range of variation, such as invasive weeds
and timber or grazing management that doesn’t emulate the natural regime.
These states are commonly denoted by A, B, C, D, E, and U, respectively.
However, it is important to note that not all biophysical settings are
characterized by five natural states and that the description of each state is not
necessarily consistent. For example, some biophysical settings do not have open
structures and some lack mid-seral states. For this reason, users must be
familiar with the BpS model descriptions that apply to their local areas.
The FRCC Mapping Tool computes the existing composition of succession
classes for each BpS within a given landscape (fig. 3-2). The existing composition
is then compared to the reference composition to derive the departure indices.
Consequently, every pixel in the BpS layer that has been assigned to a BpS having
a reference condition, must also be assigned to an S-Class. Biophysical settings
lacking a reference condition (such as rock, barren, mines, agriculture, urban, and
water) do not need a corresponding S-Class since they are ignored when
departure is derived.
The S-Class layer must contain an attribute denoting the S-Class as A, B, C, D,
E, or U (fig. 3-2) so that the layer can be associated with the Reference
Condition Table. In the following example, the attribute Label relates the SClass layer to the succession classes in the Reference Condition Table (fig. 3-5).
Succession classes identified by anything other than A, B, C, D, E or U will be
ignored when calculating the S-Class composition of a BpS.
Note: The S-Class layer must have an attribute that can be related to the
Reference Condition Table.
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Fire Regime Condition Class Mapping Tool User’s Guide Chapter 3
Figure 3-2. Example of a value attribute table derived from an S-Class layer produced by the
LANDFIRE Project. Note – the S-Class layer produced by LANDFIRE may have two
uncharacteristic classes: “UE” depicts an uncharacteristic condition due to exotics, where as “UN”
depicts an uncharacteristic condition due to unnatural structure.
3.1.3 Landscape layer
The Landscape layer identifies a geographic area for deriving the composition of
succession classes for any given BpS. Thus, the Landscape layer and the BpS
layer together create the strata for which vegetation departure and FRCC are
derived. The concepts of ecological departure and FRCC are scale-dependent.
Consequently, results will differ as the landscape used to report those results
changes in size and/or shape. It is therefore highly important that landscapes of
an appropriate size are selected when using the FRCC Mapping Tool.
To select an appropriately sized landscape, consider historical fire regimes and
the resulting vegetation patterns that historically dominated a particular area.
The landscape should be large enough to encompass the historical range of
variation (HRV). That is, it should be large enough so that the full expression of
succession classes would occur given natural disturbance processes. For
example, in a forested setting, infrequent, high-severity fire regimes commonly
led to relatively large patches of vegetation (in other words coarse-grained
patterns), whereas frequent, low-severity fire regimes resulted in relatively small
patches (fine-grained patterns). Thus, larger landscapes would be required to
incorporate the full expression of HRV in areas having coarse-grained patterns,
whereas smaller landscapes may suffice in areas having fine-grained patterns.
Estimates of departure tend to be inversely correlated with landscape size. That
is, departure estimates tend to increase as the landscape size decreases.
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Fire Regime Condition Class Mapping Tool User’s Guide Chapter 3
Conversely, using exceedingly large landscapes may produce departure estimates
that are too low.
Tip: The creation of a landscape layer commonly involves clipping a preexisting layer. This process often creates slivers around the boundary of the
assessment area. Erroneous estimates of departure may occur if these small
slivers are not incorporated into the larger, adjacent landscapes. In some
instances, it may be advantageous to extend the assessment area to
incorporate entire landscapes extending beyond a project area’s boundary.
A nested hierarchy of up to three landscape levels (small, medium, and large) can
be used by the FRCC Mapping Tool to derive the composition of succession
classes. A nested hierarchy allows for the analysis of areas containing multiple
biophysical settings and historical fire regimes. For example, the smallest
landscape level could be used to assess the departure of biophysical settings
dominated by low-severity fire regimes (in other words, regimes resulting in finegrained vegetation patterns); the mid-sized landscape level could be used to
assess biophysical settings dominated by mixed-severity regimes (regimes
resulting in both fine- and coarse-grained vegetation patterns); and the largest
landscape level could by used to assess biophysical settings dominated by highseverity regimes (regimes resulting in coarse-grained vegetation patterns).
If multiple landscape levels are used, the smaller landscape levels must be nested
within the larger landscape levels. To ensure that the landscape levels are in fact
nested, we recommend using a single landscape layer that contains an attribute
for each level of the hierarchy. For example, if a watershed hierarchy such as a
hydrologic unit code (HUC) is used, the layer could contain three attributes
representing subbasins (large), watersheds (medium), and subwatersheds (small).
Similarly, if an ECOMAP hierarchy (Cleland and others 1997) is used, the
landscape layer could contain attributes for subsections (large), landtype
associations (medium), and landtypes (small). Figures 3-3 and 3-4 demonstrate
examples of a nested landscape layer comprised of watersheds and the
associated value attribute table, respectively.
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Fire Regime Condition Class Mapping Tool User’s Guide Chapter 3
Black = Subbasins
Red = Watersheds
Blue = Subwatersheds
Figure 3-3. Example of nested landscapes comprised of subbasins, watersheds, and
subwatersheds.
Subbasin Subwatershed
Watershed
Figure 3-4. Example of a value attribute table from a Landscape layer comprised
of nested watersheds.
Although the FRCC Mapping Tool can use three hierarchical levels of landscapes
for assessing departure, it is not necessary to use all three. For example, using
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Fire Regime Condition Class Mapping Tool User’s Guide Chapter 3
only one level may be appropriate if the analysis area is dominated by a single fire
regime group. Similarly, for a small analysis area dominated by a single fire
regime group, it might be appropriate to have a single landscape (analysis area
boundary). In this instance, the landscape layer would contain only a single value
(for example, one subwatershed).
3.1.4 Reference Condition Table
The Reference Condition Table provides three key pieces of information for use
with the FRCC Mapping Tool: 1) a list of biophysical settings that occur within a
particular analysis area, 2) the succession classes and corresponding reference
condition for each BpS, and 3) the dominant historical fire regime group. Select
one or more landscape levels according to the fire regime group(s) to compute
the composition of the existing succession classes. Reference conditions are
typically derived by a vegetation succession and disturbance model such as
VDDT (ESSA Technologies Ltd. 2005b), TELSA (ESSA Technologies Ltd. 2005a),
or LANDSUM (Keane and others 2006). However, some users have developed
reference condition tables by consulting the literature or by using General Land
Office survey information. The Reference Condition Table identifies the
proportional distribution of succession classes (expressed as a mid-point) within
each BpS that would likely occur across a landscape as a result of the historical
disturbance regime.
The Reference Condition Table (fig. 3-5) must be formatted so that it can be
associated with BpS and S-Class layers. For example, the first field in the
Reference Condition Table, BpS_Model, denotes the BpS and must coincide
with an attribute in the BpS layer. The third through eighth fields in the
Reference Condition Table, succession classes A through U, correspond to the
S-Class and provide percent composition within a particular BpS. The field
headings must coincide with an attribute of the S-Class layer.
Note: The U field denoting the “uncharacteristic” class must be populated
with a value of 0 because uncharacteristic succession classes did not occur
naturally during the reference period.
The next field, Fire Regime Group (FRG) describes the dominant historical fire
regime (see Appendix C) for each BpS. The dominant fire regime group is used
to assign a value to the last field, LandscapeLevel. LandscapeLevel identifies
the appropriate landscape level to use for deriving the existing composition of
succession classes within a BpS. The values in the LandscapeLevel field – 1, 2,
and 3 – correspond to the small, mid-sized, and large landscapes, respectively.
Two fields in the Reference Condition Table, Name and FRG, are optional and
are not directly used by the FRCC Mapping Tool. These fields are included only
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Fire Regime Condition Class Mapping Tool User’s Guide Chapter 3
for convenience and need not be populated. However, if the Name field is not
populated in the Reference Condition Table, then the Summary Report will not
show the BpS names (see Chapter 5 for a description of the Summary Report).
Reference condition tables can be found in an Access database called
refcon.mdb, which is located in c:\NIFTT\FRCC Mapping Tool
2.1.0\Reference Conditions Database (provided the recommended default
pathways were used during the installation procedure). Five default reference
condition tables are included when the FRCC Mapping Tool is installed. Three –
GB_Alaska, GB_East, and GB_West – were adapted from the Interagency
FRCC Guidebook (Hann and others 2004), and two – RA_East and RA_West
– were adapted from the Rapid Assessment phase of the LANDFIRE Project.
Note: Users of the default reference condition tables should review the FRG
and LandscapeLevel fields to verify that values are reasonable for the specific
assessment area (unreasonable values should be changed).
Figure 3-5. Example Reference Condition Table from the Rapid Assessment phase of the
LANDFIRE Project. BpS_Model = the BpS code; Name = BpS name; A thru U = succession
classes; FRG = Fire regime group; LandscapeLevel = the appropriate level at which to assess
each BpS.
Some general guidelines for creating a reference condition table in Access are as
follows:
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Fire Regime Condition Class Mapping Tool User’s Guide Chapter 3
1. The name of the Reference Condition Table cannot contain spaces or special
characters (such as `~! @#$^()-+={ }[ ]|\?/:;”’< >, .) and should be between
three and eight characters long.
2. The Name and FRG fields are optional and need not contain any values.
They are included within the Reference Condition Table for user
convenience only.
3. The S-Class fields A through U cannot contain missing values (cannot be left
blank). For example, the record must contain a value of 0 in cases where an
S-Class did not occur naturally; therefore, the U field must contain 0 for
every record in the table. In addition, S-Class values should total 100
percent for each BpS.
4. The LandscapeLevel field in the Reference Condition Table must match
the desired number of analysis levels. The default reference condition tables
were developed assuming that three analysis levels would be used to assess
departure. If a user prefers to use only one or two levels, then the
LandscapeLevel field in the default reference condition table must be
edited. For example, if only one level is used, then the LandscapeLevel
field must contain a value of 1 for every record in the table. If two levels are
used, then the LandscapeLevel field must contain a value of 1 or 2 for
every record.
5. The total path length for the location of the FRCC Mapping Tool software,
and consequently the Reference Condition Table, must be less than 80
characters in length.
6. The FRCC Mapping Tool can use only a reference condition table in an
Access database labeled as refcon.mdb. This database is created during the
software installation process. If the default pathway was selected during the
installation process, then the refcon.mdb will reside in c:\NIFTT\FRCC
Mapping Tool 2.1.0\Reference Conditions Database. (The pathway cannot
contain any folders with spaces such as Program Files, My Documents,
or Documents and Settings).
7. Removing the FRCC Mapping Tool software will also remove any customized
reference condition tables that you may have developed. We therefore
recommend that, prior to removing the software, you make a backup copy of
the refcon.mdb if it contains any customized reference condition tables.
The design or structure of the Reference Condition Table is critically
important for successful execution of the FRCC Mapping Tool. The
appropriate design of the Reference Condition Table is displayed in table 3-1.
An empty table called Custom (provided with the installation of the software)
has the appropriate design specifications, and users wishing to create their own
reference condition table are encouraged to use this Custom table as a
template. An alternative approach for creating a customized reference condition
tables is to copy one of the default tables included with installation, paste it with
a new name within the database and then edit those values of interest.
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Fire Regime Condition Class Mapping Tool User’s Guide Chapter 3
Table 3-1. Required structure of the Reference Condition Table.
Field name Data
BpS_Model Text 16 Yes No
Name Text 128 No Yes No Yes
A Number Double Auto Yes 0 No
B Number Double Auto Yes 0 No
C Number Double Auto Yes 0 No
D Number Double Auto Yes 0 No
E Number Double Auto Yes 0 No
U Number Double Auto Yes 0 No
FRG Text 4 Yes No No Yes
Landscape
Level
type
Number
Field
size
Long
Integer
Decimal
places
Auto Yes 1 No
Required Allow
zero
length
Default
value
Indexed Unicode
Yes (No
duplicates)
compression
Yes
IME
mode
No
Cntrl.
No
Cntrl.
No
Cntrl.
IME
sentence
mode
None
None
None
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Fire Regime Condition Class Mapping Tool User’s Guide Chapter 4
Chapter 4: Obtaining Input Data
4.1 Spatial input layers
4.1.1 Steps for obtaining the layers
4.2 Reference conditions
4.1 Spatial input layers
LANDFIRE is an interagency project producing consistent and comprehensive maps and
data describing vegetation, wildland fuel, and fire regimes across the United States.
LANDFIRE data layers representing biophysical settings and succession classes can be
downloaded from the LANDFIRE website at www.landfire.gov
United States. Layers developed by the LANDFIRE Rapid Assessment phase of the
project are currently available for the entire continental United States. LANDFIRE
National data products are being delivered across the nation on an incremental basis,
and layers are currently available for the western United States. The National phase of
the LANDFIRE Project is scheduled to complete coverage for the entire nation,
including Alaska and Hawaii, by the end of 2009. BpS and S-Class layers produced by
the LANDFIRE National effort will be more refined than those produced by the Rapid
Assessment phase of the LANDFIRE Project.
Note: The LANDFIRE Rapid Assessment uses older terminology and refers to the BpS
layer as PNVG (potential natural vegetation group). The S-Class layer produced by
LANDIRE National contains two uncharacteristic classes (“UE” and “UN”, depicting
uncharacteristic exotics, and uncharacteristic natural, respectively). These two classes
will need to be combined into a single uncharacteristic class denoted as “U” prior to use
in the FRCC Mapping Tool.
for many areas of the
4.1.1 Steps for obtaining the layers
1. Navigate to www.landfire.gov and click on Data Products.
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Fire Regime Condition Class Mapping Tool User’s Guide Chapter 4
Click on
Data Products
Figure 4-1. LANDFIRE website homepage.
2. Under the Data Product Access menu item, you will see an overview
followed by four options for downloading LANDFIRE data (shown below in
fig. 4-2). Note these are also located in the right-hand column of the page.
The first option links to the National Map LANDFIRE, LANDFIRE’S data
dissemination website managed by the U.S. Geological Survey. The second
option allows you to download the LANDFIRE Data Access Tool, which is
run from ArcMap and can be used to download data layers (see
http://www.landfire.gov/datatool.php). The third option provides information
on how to obtain the latest LANDFIRE data via DVD, and the fourth explains
how to access the data from an ftp site (note: this option is reserved for
rare, time-sensitive situations – see website for details).
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Fire Regime Condition Class Mapping Tool User’s Guide Chapter 4
Options for
downloading
LANDFIRE
data
Figure 4-2. LANDFIRE data product access options.
The following steps will detail the process necessary for downloading data
directly from the National Map LANDFIRE.
3. Click on National Map LANDFIRE for a description of the data
dissemination site and then click on the link in the right-hand column of that
page to link to the National Map LANDFIRE. You can also access the
National Map LANDFIRE website directly at
http://landfire.cr.usgs.gov/viewer/.
Click on link to
National Map
LANDFIRE
Figure 4-3. Link to National Map on LANDFIRE website.
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Fire Regime Condition Class Mapping Tool User’s Guide Chapter 4
4. Click on View User Instructions to open a page with tips for using the
map interface. After reviewing, click on the approximate geographic location
of your assessment area.
Note: Layers are available for all mapping zones colored green on the website’s
front page (visit the National Map LANDFIRE for current mapping status).
Click on
geographic area
of interest
Click on View User
Instructions
for help
Figure 4-4. National Map LANDFIRE front page.
5. The next web page will display a shaded relief map of the approximate
geographic location that you selected in the previous step. At this point, you
can zoom in, zoom out, and pan until the specific area of interest is within
view. Note also that under the Display tab, you can access the Places and
Boundaries menus to help locate your area of interest.
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