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Forest Canopy Bulk Density

Canopy bulk density (CBD) describes the density of available canopy fuel in a stand. It is defined as the mass of available canopy fuel per canopy volume unit. Geospatial data describing canopy bulk density supplies information for fire behavior models, such as FARSITE (Finney 1998), to determine the initiation and spread characteristics of crown fires across landscapes (VanWagner 1977, 1993). The Canopy Bulk Density layer for the conterminous U.S. is generated using a predictive modeling approach that relates Landsat imagery and spatially explicit biophysical gradients to calculated values of CBD from field training sites. Because of model requirements, these data are provided for forested areas only. The Canopy Bulk Density layer for Alaska and Hawaii uses the same method described above where plot data were adequate. In instances where there are insufficient or no plot data, consideration is given to similar systems in the conterminous U.S. when possible or CBD is administratively assigned by fire behavior experts. The units of measurement for the LANDFIRE Canopy Bulk Density layer are kg m-3 * 100.

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Finney, M A. 1998. FARSITE: Fire Area Simulator-model development and evaluation. Res. Pap. RMRS-RP-4, Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 47p.

Van Wagner, C. E. 1977. Conditions for the start and spread of crownfire. Canadian Journal of Forest Research. 7:23-24.

Van Wagner, C. E. 1993. Prediction of crown fire behavior in two stands of jack pine. Canadian Journal Forest Research 23:442-449.