J5D.11
Assessing the ecological implications of FireSmart forest management
Ana C. Espinoza, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; and W. Cui and D. L. Martell
FireSmart forest management strategies often include landscape level fuel treatments that fragment the landscape to reduce the risk of extreme fire events. We describe a decision support system that is being developed for incorporating FireSmart forest management strategies into long term forest management planning in a forest management unit (FMU) in Alberta. A GIS database is used to create decision rules that stipulate when and where harvesting and fuel management activities are to take place. A spatial burn probability model based on fire ignition and fire spread models is used to evaluate the flammability of the landscape under alternative strategies. A simple forest succession model is used to age the stands in the forest. Habitat suitability models for the three-toed woodpecker (Picoides tridactylus) and Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) are then used to evaluate FireSmart forest management strategies. .
Supplementary URL: http://www.firelab.utoronto.ca
Joint Session 5D, Risk Assessment and Decision Support (TRACK IV)
Tuesday, 18 November 2003, 8:30 AM-4:30 PM
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