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Rapid Refresh 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 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 units of measurement for the LANDFIRE Canopy Bulk Density layer are kg m-3 * 100.

These data were refined for western zones based upon comments obtained from fuel and fire behavior specialists. Moreover, these data were updated to reflect the effects from recent (1999 to 2007) wildland fires. (Obtain Rapid Refresh Fire Perimeter Data.)

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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.