Hazardous Fuels and Vegetation Treatment Processes and Tools
Under Development by R5, PNW Research Station and RM Research Station
1. Tool Name : Gradient Nearest Neighbor method and software for regional vegetation and fuels
mapping
2. Brief Description of Tool: This is a method for vegetation mapping that integrates ground data from
regional grids of field plots with satellite imagery and other spatial data, using multivariate gradient
modeling and imputation. Basic software is available (beta version).
3. Scale Tool is Applicable: broad-scale (regional).
4. Analyst Requirement: High (H) – Requires a high level of analytical skills to apply this mapping
method to a particular region. Requires knowledge of multivariate ordination concepts and methods
(CANOCO or PCORD software), spatial analysis skills (particularly ArcInfo and ArcMap), and
knowledge of relational and spatial database management.
5. Data Inputs: Requires the following: (1) statistical model developed with canonical correspondence
analysis or redundancy analysis, using CANOCO or PCORD software. (2) Field plot data that sample
the range of vegetation variability in the area to be mapped, with plots being georegistered. Only those
vegetation attributes measured on the plots, or that can be derived from field measurements, can be
mapped. (In other words, if fuels are to be mapped, fuel variables must be available for the plots.) (3)
Spatial data layers for the area to be mapped for variables that are correlated with the vegetation
elements to be mapped (e.g., measures of climate, topography, disturbance history, satellite imagery,
soils).
6. Model Outputs: The end product is a map in which each pixel or gridcell is assigned a single
(nearest-neighbor) field plot, including all of the vegetation attributes measured on the plot. Maps can
then be generated for any of these attributes, which are represented as continuous variables. Variables
derived or modeled from the basic field-measured data also can be mapped, such as crown bulk
density or fuelbeds from the fuel characterization classification system (FCCS).
7. Application of Model for Fuel Treatment work: The maps of fuels and vegetation characteristics
can be used at a strategic level to plan fuel treatment and vegetation management projects. The maps
can translated into fuelbeds of the Fuel Characterization Classification System (FCCS). The maps can
be linked to stand (e.g., Forest Vegetation Simulator (FVS)) and landscape simulators to project future
vegetation conditions under alternative treatment scenarios. The maps also can be linked to models of
fire behavior and fire effects. Because the maps represent total vegetation conditions, they can be used
in integrated analyses of multiple resources (e.g., effects of proposed fuel treatments on wildlife
habitat).
8. Linkage to Other Models/Tools: The maps can translated into fuelbeds of the Fuel Characterization
Classification System (FCCS). The maps can be linked to stand (e.g., FVS) and landscape simulators
to project future vegetation and fuels conditions. The maps also can be linked to models of fire
behavior and fire effects (e.g., FLAMMAP, Farsite). Because the maps represent total vegetation
Disclaimer: The views in this report (presentation) are these of the author(s) do not necessarily represent the views of the
Forest Service.
conditions, they can be used in integrated analyses of multiple resources (e.g., effects of proposed fuel
treatments on wildlife habitat).
9. Partners: Collaborators: Don McKenzie (PNW), Roger Ottmar (PNW), David Sapsis (California
Department of Forestry), Tom Leuschen (private consultant).
10. Current Status: A beta version of the software is available by contacting Matt Gregory
(matt.gregory@oregonstate.edu).
11. Training Availability: No formal training is available or planned. We will work collaboratively with
individuals or groups interested in using the Gradient Nearest Neighbor mapping method.
12. Tool Contact: Janet Ohmann, PNW Research Station, Corvallis; e-mail johmann@fs.fed.us, phone
541-750-7487. Other developers: Matt Gregory (Oregon State University), Ken Pierce (PNW), Mike
Wimberly ( University of Georgia), Jeremy Fried (PNW).
13. Example of Model/Tool Application: (see attached).
Disclaimer: The views in this report (presentation) are these of the author(s) do not necessarily represent the views of the
Forest Service.
Hazardous Fuels and Vegetation Treatment Processes and Tools
Under Development by R5, PNW Research Station and RM Research Station
1. Tool Name : Gradient Nearest Neighbor (GNN) vegetation and fuels maps, including metadata and
accuracy assessment.
2. Brief Description of Tool: Digital maps of vegetation and fuels developed with the Gradient Nearest
Neighbor method. Maps currently are available for coastal Oregon and eastern Washington, and will
be available by end of 2004 for the California Sierra.
3. Scale Tool is Applicable: Maps are developed at a broad scale (region), but can be used at the scale of
a large landscape or 5th-field watershed scale.
4. Analyst Requirement: Low (L) – resource specialist or local GIS specialist can run the model or tool
locally with minimal changes needed for local situation.
5. Data Inputs: Use of the maps requires knowledge of image viewing and analysis software such as
ArcMap. Conducting further analysis and summary of the vegetation and fuels data may require more
advanced skills in grid-based analysis and database management.
6. Model Outputs: Digital maps of vegetation and fuels developed with the Gradient Nearest Neighbor
method. Existing maps for coastal Oregon and eastern Washington are 30-m-resolution rasters (gridbased maps). Each pixel or gridcell in the map is assigned a field plot and all of the vegetation and
fuels variables measured on the plot, or that can be derived or modeled from the field measurements.
Maps can be developed for any of these variables, which are represented as individual variables. New
classification or summary variables also can be developed and mapped by the user to meet their
particular objectives.
7. Application of Model for Fuel Treatment work: The maps of fuels and vegetation characteristics
can be used at a strategic level to plan fuel treatment and vegetation management projects. The maps
can translated into fuelbeds of the Fuel Characterization Classification System (FCCS). The maps can
be linked to stand (e.g., Forest Vegetation Simulator (FVS)) and landscape simulators to project future
vegetation conditions. The maps also can be linked to models of fire behavior and fire effects. Because
the maps represent total vegetation conditions, they can be used in integrated analyses of multiple
resources (e.g., effects of proposed fuel treatments on wildlife habitat).
8. Linkage to Other Models/Tools: The maps can translated into fuelbeds of the Fuel Characterization
Classification System (FCCS). The maps can be linked to stand (e.g., FVS) and landscape simulators
to project future vegetation and fuels conditions. The maps also can be linked to models of fire
behavior and fire effects (e.g., FLAMMAP, Farsite). Because the maps represent total vegetation
conditions, they can be used in integrated analyses of multiple resources (e.g., effects of proposed fuel
treatments on wildlife habitat).
9. Partners: Collaborators: Don McKenzie (PNW, Roger Ottmar (PNW), David Sapsis (California
Department of Forestry), Tom Leuschen (private consultant). Other developers: Ken Pierce (PNW),
Disclaimer: The views in this report (presentation) are these of the author(s) do not necessarily represent the views of the
Forest Service.
Mike Wimberly ( University of Georgia), Matt Gregory (Oregon State University), Jeremy Fried
(PNW).
10. Current Status: Maps currently are available for coastal Oregon and eastern Washington, and will be
available for the California Sierra by the end of 2004.
11. Training Availability: No formal training is available or planned. We will work collaboratively with
individuals or groups interested in using the Gradient Nearest Neighbor maps.
12. Tool Contact: Janet Ohmann, PNW Research Station, Corvallis; e-mail johmann@fs.fed.us, phone
541-750-7487.
13. Example of Model/Tool Application: (see attached).
Disclaimer: The views in this report (presentation) are these of the author(s) do not necessarily represent the views of the
Forest Service.