Project Title:
Continued development and testing of the landscape level dynamic
simulation system, SIMPPLLE, for the Northern Rocky Mountains,
Colorado Front Range, and the Colorado Plateau
Announcement for Proposals
Joint Fire Sciences AFP 2006-4 Task 1, Announcement for Proposals, 2006-4,
and task statement this proposal
Task 1, -- studies that will build on or extend results of completed JSFP
is responding to:
research, propose re-measurement of past study site or experimental plots, or
evaluate and test models or modeling systems.
Principal Investigator:
Dr. Jimmie D. Chew
Affiliation:
Rocky Mountain Research Station
Address:
Forestry Sciences Lab, Missoula, MT 59801
Phone:
406-542-4171
Email:
jchew@fs.fed.us
Original JFSP Project(s) this Optimizing landscape treatments for reducing wildfire risk and improving
proposal is linked to:
ecological sustainability of ponderosa pine forests with mixed severity fire
regimes 01-1-3-22, Merril Kaufmann
A risk-based comparison of potential fuel treatment trade-off models 98-1-806, David Weise
Application of a fuel characterization system for major fuel types of the
contiguous US and AK 98-1-1-06, Roger Ottmar
Federal Cooperator:
Mary Manning USDA Forest Service, Region 1
(Signature will be required if a Missoula, MT
full proposal is requested)
Email: mmanning@fs.fed.us Phone: 406-329-3304
Bruce Short, USDA, Forest Service, Region 2
Rio Grande NF, Monte Vista, CO
Email: bshort@fs.fed.us Phone: 719-852-6225
Christine Turner, USGS, Box 25046, Federal Center Mail Stop 939,
Denver, CO 80225-0046
Email: cturner@usgs.gov Phone: 303-236-1561
Charles Tuss , USDI, BLM, Butte, MT
Email: charles_tuss@blm.gov Phone: 406-533-7634
George L San Miguel, National Park Service, Mesa Verde NP
PO Box 8, Mesa Verde, CO 81330
Email: george_san_miguel@nps.gov
Duration of Project:
3 calendar years (July/2006 through Sept/2008); 3 fiscal years
Annual Funding Requested:
FY2006: $ 28,815 ;FY2007: $ 168,589 ; FY2008: $ 85,013
Total JFSP Funding Requested:
$282,417
Total Value of In-Kind
$138,500
Contributions:
Abstract:: A new version of the landscape simulation system, SIMPPLLE, will be developed and
delivered to three geographic areas; Northern Rocky Mountains, Colorado Front Range, and Colorado
Plateau. This additional development and testing is in respond to user’s requests and will include the
Fuel Characteristic Classification System (FCCS). These changes will be made to the system’s code in
a way to facilitate future incorporation into the other nine geographic areas that the system covers when
users request .
Signature of PI:
11-14-05
JFSP AFP 2006-4, Page 1 of 7
I. Introduction
SIMPPLLE is a dynamic landscape modeling system used in land management planning. Its
functionality was compared to other models in a model comparison study (98-1-8-06). The version
used for all the locations is available on the web site:
http://www.fs.fed.us/rm/missoula/4151/SIMPPLLE/index.htm. It was also used in the Colorado
Front Range optimization study (01-1-3-22) and made available on CDs in a workshop in Denver
on 10/20/06.
1. Project Justification
The above mentioned JFS projects have contributed funding to the development of SIMPPLLE in
twelve different geographic areas (along with funding from BLM, Forest Service, USGS, Montana
State University, and a nonprofit organization). We are supporting significant use and expanding
interest in three of these areas, Northern Rocky Mts, Colorado Plateau, and the Colorado Front
Range. SIMPPLLE is being used for a range of uses from broad regional assessments, Forest
Plan revision, watershed assessments, and ecosystem restoration and fuel treatment project
planning. For example SIMPPLLE is being used with USGS in their FRAME project (Framing
Research for Adaptive Management of Ecosystems) on the Colorado Plateau. Through this
development and the interaction with users we have feedback identifying critical components that
need to be completed and added to the system.
2. Project Objectives
Our objective is to provide a new version of SIMPPLLE that has the additional functionality
requested by users for all three areas. These changes will include the incorporation of the FCCS
(Fuel Characteristic Classification System) by Ottmar, JFSP, 98-1-1-06, to improve the systems
ability to link vegetation change to fuel models and improve our dynamics of the fire process within
the system.
II. Materials and Methods
1. Description of the original studies or models
The existing model, SIMPPLLE, was peer reviewed by the Inventory and Monitoring Institute of the
WO, Forest Service and has a peer reviewed overview publication in the Western Journal of
Applied Forestry (see SIMPPLLE web site).
2. Proposed Work
We propose a combination of continued development and testing to incorporate new model
features and expand to the full extent of geographic areas where we are getting significant use of
the modeling system. The significant features are: Incorporate FCCS – The system uses logic
rules to identify the type of fire and fire spread from a combination of vegetation descriptions, past
treatments and past disturbance events (insect, disease, and fire). The simulated vegetation
attributes and disturbance processes will be converted to the appropriate fuelbed. Multiple Life
Form -- Finish the code to model the interaction of three life forms, trees, shrubs, and grass on
any “cell”. This will assist in the incorporation of FCCS and the modeling of invasive species.
Regional Climate variable – Currently SIMPPLLE captures cyclic changes in temperature and
moisture as one value for an entire landscape. This will be expanded to utilize a grid. Timber
volumes and biomass - methodology will be developed to provide users the option of using FVS
with FIA data to provide volume information. Complete the incorporation of “land units” -
JFSP AFP 2006-4, Page 2 of 7
identify common processes and attributes for land units, mapped landtypes or landtype
associations. All changes will be tested by simulating insect, disease, and fire processes creating
historic and current trends with and without treatments on landscapes within the three areas.
III. Project Duration and Timeline
This project will last approximately 3 years, assuming a start date in July 2006, with completion in
September 2008. Time Period July - Oct/2006 - Acquire GIS coverages, vegetation, land units,
dems for all sample landscapes in the three geographic areas - Began initial review of FCCS code
March/07 - Complete revision of multiple life form component June /07 -Complete incorporation of
FCCS Sept /07- Complete incorporation of biomass capabilities Dec /07 -Complete incorporation of
biomass capabilities Jan - Aug /08 Complete testing in seven landscapes across the three
geographic area Aug,Sept/2008 Final workshops for each geographic area, distribute cd’s with
install executable and GTR users manual and make available on website.
IV. Budget
31,500
28,815
Contributed
24,461
4,354
-
Requested
31,500
52,000
63,967
7,200
1,000
52,000
72,167
12,846
53,500
Requested
23,261
1,200
-
2008
Contributed
LABOR
TRAVEL
VEHICLES
Capitalized Equipment:
Materials and Supplies:
Science Delivery and Application:
Other
Total Direct Costs
Indirect Costs: 17.8% - of total direct costs
(if applicable)
Total Requested JFSP Funding
Contributed
Budget Item
Requested
Table 1. Proposal Budget Summary for FYs 2006, 2007, and 2008
2006
2007
136,415
6,200
500
143,115
25,474
53,500
1,500
168,589
1,500
85,013
V. Deliverables
All deliverables will be available through final workshops and our internet site.
Table 2. Deliverable, Description and Delivery Dates
Deliverable
Description
Peer reviewed paper Incorporating FCCS within SIMPPLLE
Version 2.5
install executables available from website
SIMPPLLE
and delivered to each cooperator
GTR
User Manual for Version 2.5 featuring the three geographic
areas
Delivery Dates
Sept 08
Aug – Sept 08
July 08
VI. Expected Benefits of the Proposal
This work will provide an increasing number of clients across a range of federal ownership in these
three geographic areas a tool that they can continue to use at a range of planning levels.
JFSP AFP 2006-4, Page 3 of 7
APPENDIX A – P. I. Curricula Vitae
JIMMIE D. CHEW
Forester, USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, P.O. Box 8089,
Missoula, MT 59807. Phone: 406-542-4171. Fax: 406-329-2124. Email: jchew@fs.fed.us
Education
BS Forestry, University of Illinois 1967
MF Forest Management, Oregon State University 1968
Ph.D. Applied Ecology, University of Montana, 1995
Professional Experience
1991-present GS-13 Forester RWU-4151
1983-1991 GS-13 Silviculturist, Regional Office, Region One, Forest Service, Missoula MT
1980-1983 GS-12 Planning Team Leader, Nez Perce National Forest, Idaho
1978-1980 GS-11 Timber Management Planner, Nez Perce National Forest, Idaho
1976-1978 District Silviculturist, Elk City District, Nez Perce NF, Idaho
1974-1976 Area Silviculturist, Sitka Area, Tongass National Forest, Sitka, AK
1970-1974 District Silviculturist, Avery Ranger District, St. Joe NF, Idaho
1968-1970 Forester, Sandpoint District, Kaniksu NF, Idaho
Professional Interests and Activities
Current work emphasizes the design, development, and application of spatialy explicit landscape
scale modeling systems to integrate knowledge to simulate the interaction of vegetation, aquatics
and landform components.
Recent Research Funding
Development of a Version of SIMPPLLE for Mesa Verde National Park and the Colorado Plateau.
Funding provided by USGS. $27,000 (2004, 05)
Incorporation of invasive species spread logic developed by researchers at Montana State
University into
SIMPPLLE as part of the development of an economic assessment of the impact of invasive
species.
Funding providing by Montana State University. $20,000 (2004, 05)
Development of a version of SIMPPLLE to use in Wyoming and South Dakota Grassland
Ecosystems
for the quantification of historic conditions and use in planning sustainable management by a
collection of private landowners. Funding provided by Ecosystem Research Management Institute,
a nonprofit organization. $20,000 (2004, 05)
Development and support for the use of SIMPPLLE by BLM’s Montana Field Offices for
Management Plan Revision and project planning. $27,000 (2003 through 2005)
JFSP AFP 2006-4, Page 4 of 7
Testing of the use of SIMPPLLE by a range of stateholders (private, state, and federal) in the Swan
Valley in Northwest Montana to facilitate collaborative planning. Funding provided by Washington
Office, Forest Service. $25,000 (2003)
Support for the use of SIMPPLLE in planning a ecosystem restoration and fuels management
project, Lolo National Forest, Ninemile District. $3,000 (2002)
Development and support of SIMPPLLE simulation system for Region One’s
use in Forest Plan Revison, watershed assessments, and project analysis. $50,000/year (2000
through 2005)
Extrapolation of modeling results: identifying represenative landscapes at a drainage level that can
be used as a basis for extrapolating SIMPPLLE and MAGIS results, Bitterroot Ecosystem
Management and Research Program. $20,000 (2001)
A Risk-Based Comparison of Potential Fuels Treatment Tradeoff Models at eight geographic areas
across the United States. Pacific Southwest Research Station. $50,000/yr (1998-2004)
A Decision Support System for Spatial Analysis of Fuel Treatment Options
and Effects at Landscape Scales, RMRS-MSO-14, funded R&D study in support of the National
Fire Plan. $180,000 (2001 through 2003)
Joint Fire Sciences project directed by Merrill Kaufmann, RWU-4852, Natural Resource
Assessment, Ecology, and Management Science, SIMPPLLE and MAGIS are being used together
to prioritize fuel treatments in a study area in the South Platte watershed. In additional the Front
Range Fuel Partnership provided funding to for development of a version of SIMPPLLE that can be
used along the entire
Colorado Front Range. $36,000 (2002, 2003) $23,000 (2003 through 2005)
Selected Publications
Chew, J.D; Stalling, C.; Moeller, K. 2004. Integrating Knowledge for Simulating Vegetation Change
at
Landscape Scales. Western Journal of Applied Forestry 19(2): 102-108.
Chew, Jimmie D. 2003. Comparing Two Methods of Identifying Ecological Restoration
Opportunities. In Fire,
Fuel Treatments, and Ecological Restoration: Conference Proceedings; 2002 16-18 April; Fort
Collins CO. Omi
and Joyce, technical editors. RMRS-P-29
Jones, J.G.; Chew, J. D.; Christianson, N. K.; Silvieus, D. J.; Stewart, C. A. 2000. Stevensville
West Central
Study. In: Smith, Helen Y., ed. 2000. The Bitterroot Ecosystem Management Research Project:
What We Have
Learned: symposium proceedings; 1999 May 18-20, Missoula, MT. Proc. RMRS-P-17. Ogden,
UT: USDA
Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 83-90.
Jones, J.G. and J.D. Chew. 1999 Applying Simulation and Optimization to Evaluate the
Effectiveness of Fuel Treatments for Different Fuel Conditions at Landscape Scales.. In
proceeding of the Joint Fire Sciences Conference and Workshop, June 12-17, 1999, Boise Idaho.
JFSP AFP 2006-4, Page 5 of 7
Jones, J. Greg; Chew, Jimmie D; Zuuring, Hans R. 1999. Applying Simulation and Optimization to
Plan Fuel Treatments at Landscape Scales. In Proceeding of the Symposium on Fire Economic
Planning, and Policy: Bottom Lines. 1999 April 5-9 ; San Diego CA; General Technical Report PSW
GTR-173. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station
332p.
Chew, J.D. 1997. Simulating Vegetation Patterns and Processes at Landscape Scales. Pages
287-290. In Proceedings of Eleventh Annual Symposium on Geographic Information Systems,
Integrating Spatial Information Technologies for Tomorrow. 1997 Feb 17-20; Vancouver, British
Columbia, Canada. 640p.
J.G. Jones, J.D. Chew, M.D. Sweet, K.E. Wall, L.A. Weldon, and C.E. Carlson.
1995. Bitterroot Ecosystem Management Research Project (BEMRP): Landscape
Analysis to Support Ecosystem Management. Pages 220-229. In Analysis in
Support of Ecosystem Management. Workshop Proceedings, USDA Forest Service,
Ecosystem Management Analysis Center, Washington D.C. April 10-13,1995. Fort
Collins, CO
Chew, J.D. 1995. Development of a system for simulating vegetative patterns and processes at
landscape scales. Missoula: University of Montana; 182 p. Ph.D. dissertation.
Chew, J.D. 1993. An expert system for the diagnosis of stand treatment needs. AI Applications.
Vol. 7, No. 4, pp 1-11.
Haight, R.G., R.A. Monserud and J.D. Chew. 1992. Optimal harvesting with stand
density targets: Managing Rocky Mountain conifer stands for multiple forest
outputs. Forest Science 38(2): 554-574.
APPENDIX B – SALARY JUSTIFICATION
Certification to the Joint Fire Science Program
Justification of Need for Salary Support
I hereby certify the attached Justification of Need to provide temporary salaries for full-time
permanent employees Kirk Moeller, GS-11 Information Specialist, and Christine Stalling, GS-11
Biologists, is necessary and appropriate to enable him/her (them) to fully and directly participate in
the proposed project.
Justification: Appropriated funding available to project is not sufficient to cover these two
employees full time.
JFSP AFP 2006-4, Page 6 of 7
I understand that salary funding for this/these employee(s) directly involved in the proposed project
is temporary and will not be provided beyond the duration of the proposed project.
Signature____________________________________
Date__11-7-05______________
Name (type or print) __Jimmie D. Chew_________________________
Title
Forester_______Phone Number __406-542-4171_________
JFSP AFP 2006-4, Page 7 of 7