Fuel load modeling from mensuration attributes in temperate forests in northern Mexico

Abstract

The study of fuels is an important factor in defining the vulnerability of ecosystems to forest fires. The aim of this study was to model a dead fuel load based on forest mensuration attributes from forest management inventories. A scatter plot analysis was performed and, from explanatory trends between the variables considered, correlation analysis was carried out using the stepwise method in SAS software. Results showed that leaf load, total volume and cutting intensity largely explain dead fuel load as the dependent variable. In addition to discussing the statistical benefits of the models studied, it is concluded that inventory data from management programs are an efficient and low-cost alternative for estimating forest fuel loads.

Parent Publication

• Proceedings of the fourth international symposium on fire economics, planning, and policy: climate change and wildfires

Citation

Morales-Soto, Maricela; Pompa-Garcia, Marín. 2013. Fuel load modeling from mensuration attributes in temperate forests in northern Mexico. In: González-Cabán, Armando, tech. coord. Proceedings of the fourth international symposium on fire economics, planning, and policy: climate change and wildfires. Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-245 (English). Albany, CA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station: 274-280.