Assessing ecological departure from reference conditions with the Fire Regime Condition Class (FRCC) Mapping Tool

Abstract

Knowledge of ecological departure from a range of reference conditions provides a critical context for managing sustainable ecosystems. Fire Regime Condition Class (FRCC) is a qualitative measure characterizing possible departure from historical fire regimes. The FRCC Mapping Tool was developed as an ArcMap extension utilizing the protocol identified by the Interagency Fire Regime Condition Class Handbook to derive spatial depictions of vegetation departure. The FRCC Mapping Tool requires a biophysical setting layer identifying potential vegetation distribution, a current succession class layer allowing for comparison with historical vegetation, and a landscape layer (assessment area boundaries) as input data. The tool then compares existing vegetation composition for each biophysical setting to previously modeled reference conditions for those types. As described in this paper, spatial outputs characterizing vegetation departure at the succession class, biophysical setting, and landscape levels can be used by land managers to identify restoration objectives and priorities.

Parent Publication

• Fuels Management-How to Measure Success: Conference Proceedings

Citation

Barrett, Stephen W.; DeMeo, Thomas; Jones, Jeffrey L.; Zeiler, J.D.; Hutter, Lee C. 2006. Assessing ecological departure from reference conditions with the Fire Regime Condition Class (FRCC) Mapping Tool. In: Andrews, Patricia L.; Butler, Bret W., comps. 2006. Fuels Management-How to Measure Success: Conference Proceedings. 28-30 March 2006; Portland, OR. Proceedings RMRS-P-41. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 575-585