Temporal and spatial characteristics of anomalous precipitation regimes on vegetation type and fire regime condition class

This study examines several drought indices for the contiguous US from 1895-2003 in order to obtain a greater understanding of spatial and temporal characteristics of wet and dry precipitation regimes on vegetation type and fire regime condition class. PRISM (Parameter-elevation Regression on Independent Slopes Model) is an analytical model using point data and a digital elevation model (DEM) to estimate monthly precipitation at a 4km resolution for the contiguous US back to 1895. Two datasets have been constructed using 1895-2003 PRISM data: 1) Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) for 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72, 84, 96, 108, and 120-month time scales.; and 2) monthly Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI). The project objective is to provide land managers with quantitative information on potential impacts of wet and dry regimes on vegetation type and condition class for strategic planning of fuel treatment. This paper describes the project results and management implications.