Fire and Environmental Research Applications Team

Connecting FCCS with the Vegetation Dynamics Development Simulator

The Pacific Northwest Research Station's Science Delivery team, led by Miles Hemstrom, has requested assistance from FERA and its cooperators at the University of Washington to integrate the Fuel Characteristic Classification System (FCCS) and the Vegetation Disturbance Dynamics Tool (VDDT). This project will:

• Develop FCCS fuelbeds for VDDT vegetation states (structure and cover combinations) in Oregon, Washington, Arizona, and New Mexico.
• Translate Forest Vegetation Simulator (FVS) information on VDDT state classes to FCCS fuelbeds.
• Enable VDDT users to assess future fire hazard under different land management and disturbance scenarios.
• Substantially increase the number of FCCS fuelbeds available for other uses.

Project Lead:Jessica Halofsky

Funding: American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA)