Predicting vegetation type and fire hazard in the Smith River National Recreation Area using a geographic information system

Graduation Date

1995

Document Type

Thesis

Program

Other

Program

Thesis (M.S.)--Humboldt State University, Natural Resources, 1995

Committee Chair Name

John Stuart

Committee Chair Affiliation

Cal Poly Humboldt Faculty or Staff

Keywords

Six Rivers National Forest (Calif.), Fire risk assessment, Geographic information systems, Smith River National Recreation Area, Vegetation surveys, California, Humboldt State University -- Theses -- Natural Resources

Abstract

Two environmental models were created to predict the occurrence of closed-cone pine (knobcone lodgepole) stands and to assess fire hazard in the Smith River National Recreation Area (SRNRA), Six Rivers National Forest. Both models integrated Landsat Thematic Mapper digital imagery (bands 1 - 5, and 7) with slope and aspect data derived from USGS digital elevation models (DEM) to produce thematic maps of the Middle Fork of the Smith River within the SRNRA. Accuracy was assessed by ground verification using a global positioning system (GPS). Fire hazard classes were mapped with 92 percent accuracy ( K = 0.88) and the location of closed-cone pine stands was predicted with 78 percent accuracy ( K = 0.52). The fire hazard and closed-cone pine models should be useful to land managers when devising fire management plans and for fire suppression.

https://scholarworks.calstate.edu/concern/theses/q811km92w

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