The Nature Conservancy 200511 These data are aspatial. VDDT models are in DBF file format and description documents are in PDF file format. Boulder, CO The Nature Conservancy www.landfire.gov The Rapid Assessment (RA) vegetation dynamics data help to synthesize the best available knowledge of vegetation dynamics and quantify the natural range of variability in vegetation composition and structure. Models consist of two components: (1) a comprehensive description and (2) a quantitative, state-and-transition (box) model, created in the public domain software VDDT (Vegetation Dynamics Development Tool; Beukema et al. 2003). RA vegetation models were based on a simple, standardized five-box model that combines three generic succession stages with two canopy cover classes. Each class is specifically defined for individual models. Variations on this standardized model were also developed. Models were developed in 2004-2005 during workshops across the conterminous United States where regional vegetation and fire ecology experts synthesized the best available data on vegetation dynamics and disturbances for vegetation communities in their region. A peer review process following workshops garnered additional expert input and offered an opportunity to refine models. Quantitative models are based on inputs such as fire frequency and severity, the probability of other disturbances, and the rate of vegetation growth. Inputs are derived from literature review and expert input during and after modeling workshops. Models simulate several centuries of vegetation dynamics and produce outputs such as the percent of the landscape in each class and the frequency of disturbances. Outputs are checked against available data whenever possible, and are peer-reviewed during and after expert workshops. Model descriptions and quantitative outputs were used in the RA to help define and map potential natural vegetation groups, or the vegetation communities that are likely to exist under the natural range of variability in biophysical environments and ecological processes, including fire and other disturbances. Models are used as reference conditions to calculate Fire Regime Condition Class (FRCC), a standardized, interagency index to measure the departure of current conditions from reference conditions (Hann et al 2004). For a complete description of the methodology used to develop RA vegetation models, please consult the “LANDFIRE Rapid Assessment Modeling Manual” (The Nature Conservancy et al. 2005). Beukema, S. J., Kurz, W.A., Pinkham, C.B., Milosheva, K. and Frid, L. 2003. Vegetation Dynamics Development Tool User’s Guide, Version 4.4c. Prepared by ESSA Technologies, Ldt., Vancouver, BC. 239 pp. Available at: www.essa.com. Hann, Wendel J. et al. 2004. Interagency Fire Regime Condition Class Guidebook. Available at: www.frcc.gov. The Nature Conservancy, USDA Forest Service, and Department of the Interior. LANDFIRE Rapid Assessment Modeling Manual, Version 2.1. January 2005. Boulder, CO. 72 pp. Available at: www.landfire.gov. The LANDFIRE RA is a regional-scale effort that will produce maps and models of potential natural vegetation groups, reference fire regimes, and FRCC for the conterminous United States. These products will be delivered in the fall of 2005. The LANDFIRE RA data can be used for national- to regional-scale strategic planning, broad ecological assessments, and resource allocation. It is designed to fill data needs prior to the release of the suite of LANDFIRE National products (www.landfire.gov). The RA data will be replaced by LANDFIRE National data when it becomes available. LANDFIRE is supported by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service Office of Fire Management and Aviation and the US Department of Interior (USDOI) Office of Wildland Fire Coordination and chartered by the Wildland Fire Leadership Council. Principle cooperators on the project include the USDA Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station Missoula Fire Sciences Laboratory, USDOI Geological Survey Earth Resources Observation Systems Data Center, and The Nature Conservancy's Global Fire Initiative. Unknown Unknown These data represent vegetation communities that are likely to exist under the natural range of variability in biophysical environments and ecological processes, including fire and other disturbances. Knowledge of presettlement vegetation dynamics, based on scientific literature and expert opinion as of 2005, was used to develop the reference conditions. Please refer to the "LANDFIRE Rapid Assessment Modeling Manual" (The Nature Conservancy et al. 2005; available @ www.landfire.gov) for more information. Complete None planned Not Applicable (NA) Vegetation Dynamics Development Tool, Potential Natural Vegetation Type, Fire Regime Condition Class, TNC, USFS, USGS Rapid Assessment LANDFIRE vegetation dynamics model state-and-transition model box model succession VDDT PNVG FRCC fire disturbance reference condition ModelTracker database The Nature Conservancy Global Fire Initiative United States Forest Service Missoula Fire Sciences Lab United States Geological Survey EROS Data Center U.S., US, U.S.A., USA Conterminous U.S. United States United States of America None. All data are provided as is. The Nature Conservancy makes no warranty as to the currency, completeness, accuracy or utility of any specific data. This disclaimer applies both to individual use of the data and aggregate use with other data. It is strongly recommended that careful attention be paid to the contents of the metadata file associated with these data. The Nature Conservancy shall not be held liable for improper or incorrect use of the data described and/or contained herein. The Nature Conservancy -- LANDFIRE Project mailing and physical

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Boulder CO 80302 USA 303.444.2950 helpdesk@landfire.gov 0900 - 1700 Mountain Time These data were developed at expert workshops facilitated by The Nature Conservancy where regional vegetation and fire ecology experts synthesized the best available data on vegetation dynamics and disturbances for vegetation communities in their region. A peer review process following workshops garnered additional expert input and offered an opportunity to refine models. The authors and reviewers of each model are listed in the description file that accompanies each VDDT model. For more information please refer to the "LANDFIRE Rapid Assessment Modeling Manual" (The Nature Conservancy et al. 2005; available at www.landfire.gov). VDDT Version 4.4c ESSA Tchnologies Ltd. 2005 Version 4.4c VDDT models available as DBF files Vancouver, BC, Canada ESSA Technologies Ltd. www.essa.com These vegetation models were created with the Vegetation Dynamics Development Tool (VDDT) software. VDDT is a public domain software program available online at www.essa.com. For more information on the modeling process, please refer to the "LANDFIRE Rapid Assessment Modeling Manual" (The Nature Conservancy et al. 2005; available at www.landfire.gov). www.essa.com VDDT is available online. Microsoft Windows 98 SE or later ESSA Technologies Ltd. mailing and physical

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Vancouver British Columbia V6J 5C6 Canada 604.733.2996 604.733.4657 info@essa.com ESSA Technologies Ltd. 2005 Version 4.4c modeling software Vancouver, BC, Canada ESSA Technologies Ltd. www.essa.com Model outputs were checked against available data whenever possible and were peer-reviewed during and after expert workshops. Each model and description document went through a standardized quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) process by two TNC LANDFIRE national staff. Model and descriptions documents were checked for logical consistency and adherence to the Rapid Assessment modeling rules (The Nature Conservancy et al. 2005). Additional information on the QA/QC process will be available in a LANDFIRE QA/QC document, which will be available at www.landfire.gov when complete. Data were checked for consistency and completeness. See the Attribute Accuracy Report for more information. Complete NA expert workshop These data were developed at expert workshops facilitated by The Nature Conservancy where regional vegetation and fire ecology experts synthesized the best available information on vegetation dynamics and disturbances for vegetation communities in their region. A peer review process following workshops garnered additional expert input and offered an opportunity to refine models. For a complete description of the methods, please refer to "LANDFIRE Rapid Assessment Modeling Manual" (The Nature Conservancy et al. 2005; available at www.landfire.gov). The Nature Conservancy, USDA Forest Service, and Department of the Interior 2005 Version 2.1 document (pdf) Boulder, CO The Nature Conservancy www.landfire.org The process for developing these data is documented in the "LANDFIRE Rapid Assessment Modeling Manual" (The Nature Conservancy et al. 2005; available at www.landfire.gov). 2005 The Nature Conservancy -- LANDFIRE Project mailing and physical

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Boulder CO 80302 USA 303.444.2950 helpdesk@landfire.gov 0900 - 1700 Mountain Time NA The VDDT model output and related qualitative information for each PNVG are contained in the model description PDF document. The entity and attribute information for these data is thoroughly described in the “About LFRA Vegetation Models” document available for download at www.landfire.gov. The Nature Conservancy. About LANDFIRE Rapid Assessment Vegetation Models. October 2005. Boulder, CO. 8pp. Available at: www.landfire.gov. The Nature Conservancy -- LANDFIRE Project mailing and physical

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Boulder CO 80302 USA 303.444.2950 helpdesk@landfire.gov 0900 - 1700 Mountain Time The Nature Conservancy makes no warranty, expressed or implied, as to the use or appropriateness of use of the data, nor are there warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use. No representation is made as to the currency, accuracy or completeness of the data set or of the data sources on which it is based. The Nature Conservancy shall not be liable for any lost profits or consequential damages, or claims against the user by third parties. zip na Microsoft Access Database files (models) Portable Document Format files (description documents) zip format www.landfire.gov The URL <www.landfire.gov> provides an interface that allows customers to download the vegetation dynamics models (DBF files) and the associated, comprehensive description documents (PDF files) described by this metadata document as well as selected documents referenced in this metadata document. The models and description documents can be saved to the customer's computer as zipped files. Not available for dissemination. None Variable VDDT software (available at www.essa.com) is required to view the vegetation dynamics state-and- transition models. The description documents are in PDF format and can be viewed with Adobe Reader. Knowledge of VDDT is useful for understanding the vegetation dynamics models, but not necessary to understand the accompanying description document. 20051021 The Nature Conservancy -- LANDFIRE Project mailing and physical

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Boulder CO 80302 USA 303.444.2950 helpdesk@landfire.gov 0900 - 1700 Mountain Time FGDC Biological Data Profile of the Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata FGDC-STD-001.1-1999 None None None Unclassified None