LANDFIRE Biophysical Settings Models and Descriptions

Metadata:

Entity_and_Attribute_Information:

Detailed_Description:

Entity_Type:

Entity_Type_Label: Biophysical Setting Code

Entity_Type_Definition:

Unique code for each BpS which links the model, description, and the BpS spatial data layer

Entity_Type_Definition_Source:

LANDFIRE

Detailed_Description:

Entity_Type:

Entity_Type_Label: Biophysical Setting Name

Entity_Type_Definition:

Biophysical Setting name based on NatureServe's Ecological Systems Classification [Comer, P., D. Faber-Langendoen, R. Evans, S. Gawler, C. Josse, G. Kittel, S. Menard, M. Pyne, M. Reid, K. Schulz, K. Snow and J. Teague. 2003. Ecological Systems of the United States: A Working Classification of U.S. Terrestrial Systems. NatureServe. Arlington, Virginia. Available at: www.natureserve.org/getData/ecologyData.jsp.]

Entity_Type_Definition_Source:

LANDFIRE

Detailed_Description:

Entity_Type:

Entity_Type_Label: BpS Model/Description Version

Entity_Type_Definition:

Version date

Entity_Type_Definition_Source:

LANDFIRE

Detailed_Description:

Entity_Type:

Entity_Type_Label: Modelers/Reviewers table

Entity_Type_Definition:

Table listing names and email addresses of people who contributed to the development (modelers) and review (reviewers) of the LANDFIRE National model and description, additional contributors may be listed in the Comments field.

Entity_Type_Definition_Source:

LANDFIRE

Detailed_Description:

Entity_Type:

Entity_Type_Label: Reviewers

Entity_Type_Definition:

List of people who reviewed the model and description during the 2015-17 Model Review.

Entity_Type_Definition_Source:

LANDFIRE

Detailed_Description:

Entity_Type:

Entity_Type_Label: Vegetation Type

Entity_Type_Definition:

Land cover class

Entity_Type_Definition_Source:

NatureServe Ecological Systems

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Barren

Attribute_Definition:

Barren

Attribute_Definition_Source:

NatureServe

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Forest and Woodland

Attribute_Definition:

Forest and Woodland

Attribute_Definition_Source:

NatureServe

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Herbaceous

Attribute_Definition:

Herbaceous

Attribute_Definition_Source:

NatureServe

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Herbaceous Wetland

Attribute_Definition:

Herbaceous Wetland

Attribute_Definition_Source:

NatureServe

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Mixed Upland and Woodland

Attribute_Definition:

Mixed Upland and Woodland

Attribute_Definition_Source:

NatureServe

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Shrubland

Attribute_Definition:

Shrubland

Attribute_Definition_Source:

NatureServe

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Steppe/Savanna

Attribute_Definition:

Steppe/Savanna

Attribute_Definition_Source:

NatureServe

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Woody Wetland

Attribute_Definition:

Woody Wetland

Attribute_Definition_Source:

NatureServe

Detailed_Description:

Entity_Type:

Entity_Type_Label: Map Zones

Entity_Type_Definition:

MRLC NLCD Map Zones, geographic units that partition the United States, designed for mapping.

Entity_Type_Definition_Source:

MRLC NLCD

Detailed_Description:

Entity_Type:

Entity_Type_Label: Model Splits or Lumps

Entity_Type_Definition:

Optional field, present if applicable. Ecological Systems were "split" or divided for modeling when they encompassed too much variation in disturbance regimes or other attributes (e.g. species composition). A rational for split systems will be provided. Ecological Systems were "lumped" or combined for modeling when they had similar disturbance regimes and other attributes. Lumped systems will be listed.

Entity_Type_Definition_Source:

LANDFIRE

Detailed_Description:

Entity_Type:

Entity_Type_Label: Geographic Range

Entity_Type_Definition:

Geographic distribution of the BpS

Entity_Type_Definition_Source:

LANDFIRE

Detailed_Description:

Entity_Type:

Entity_Type_Label: Biophysical Site Description

Entity_Type_Definition:

Characteristic biophysical gradients for the BpS, may include elevation, slope, aspect, soils, precipitation, and temperature.

Entity_Type_Definition_Source:

LANDFIRE

Detailed_Description:

Entity_Type:

Entity_Type_Label: Vegetation Description

Entity_Type_Definition:

Characteristic vegetation for the BpS, may include species, structure and botanical characteristics.

Entity_Type_Definition_Source:

LANDFIRE

Detailed_Description:

Entity_Type:

Entity_Type_Label: BpS Dominant and Indicator Species table

Entity_Type_Definition:

Table listing the symbol, scientific name, and common name from the NRCS PLANTS database (http://plants.usda.gov) for dominant and indicator species.

Entity_Type_Definition_Source:

LANDFIRE

Detailed_Description:

Entity_Type:

Entity_Type_Label: Disturbance Description

Entity_Type_Definition:

Dominant disturbances that impact the BpS. May include the agents, frequency, severity and seasonality.

Entity_Type_Definition_Source:

LANDFIRE

Detailed_Description:

Entity_Type:

Entity_Type_Label: Fire Frequency table

Entity_Type_Definition:

Table listing information about the frequency and severity of fire disturbances for the BpS.

Entity_Type_Definition_Source:

LANDFIRE

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Severity

Attribute_Definition:

Fire severity types are: Replacement (fires that top-kill greater than or equal to 75% of the upper layer lifeform), Moderate (Mixed) (fires that top-kill 25 to 75% of the upper layer lifeform), Low (Surface) (fires that top-kill less than 25% of the upper layer lifeform), and All Fires (fires of all severity classes: replacement, mixed and surface).

Attribute_Definition_Source:

LANDFIRE

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Avg FI

Attribute_Definition:

Average Fire Interval. The average number of years between fires as simulated in the associated state-and-transition simulation model.

Attribute_Definition_Source:

LANDFIRE

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Percent of All Fires

Attribute_Definition:

Percent of All Fires is equal to the probability of a given severity class (Replacement, Mixed, Surface) divided by the All Fires probability.

Attribute_Definition_Source:

LANDFIRE

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Min FI

Attribute_Definition:

Minimum Fire Interval. The minimum number of years between fires. This value is estimated by model contributors. It is not the statistical minimum, and it is not derived from the state-and-transitions simulation model.

Attribute_Definition_Source:

LANDFIRE

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Max FI

Attribute_Definition:

Maximum Fire Interval. The maximum number of years between fires. This value is estimated by model contributors. It is not the statistical maximum, and it is not derived from the state-and-transitions simulation model.

Attribute_Definition_Source:

LANDFIRE

Detailed_Description:

Entity_Type:

Entity_Type_Label: Scale Description

Entity_Type_Definition:

The typical scale of the most common disturbance extent, the general minimum analysis area (e.g., the minimum size that would encompass the mosaic of this BpS), and/or the average patch size of common disturbance agents or the vegetation that comprises the BpS.

Entity_Type_Definition_Source:

LANDFIRE

Detailed_Description:

Entity_Type:

Entity_Type_Label: Adjacency or Identification Concerns

Entity_Type_Definition:

Information that may help identify the BpS in the field or from satellite imagery, including: synonymous local classifications (e.g., habitat type, plant association), adjacent BpSs, BpSs that this one may be confused with, typical identifiers not described elsewhere and uncharacteristic, non-native types (i.e., patterns or processes that wouldn't have existed during the reference period, like exotics) that may occur in the BpS today.

Entity_Type_Definition_Source:

LANDFIRE

Detailed_Description:

Entity_Type:

Entity_Type_Label: Issues or Problems

Entity_Type_Definition:

Difficulties, issues, or concerns about the model or description, the availability of data on the BpS or other considerations.

Entity_Type_Definition_Source:

LANDFIRE

Detailed_Description:

Entity_Type:

Entity_Type_Label: Native Uncharacteristic Conditions

Entity_Type_Definition:

Any vegetation conditions that include only native species, but would be considered uncharacteristic, such as canopy cover ranges, native species or height classes that would not have occurred in the BpS during the reference period, but may occur today.

Entity_Type_Definition_Source:

LANDFIRE

Detailed_Description:

Entity_Type:

Entity_Type_Label: Comments

Entity_Type_Definition:

Description of model lineage and development, names of additional modelers and reviewers, and information that does not fit elsewhere in the description. This is also where model-review comments that do not fit elsewhere are tracked.

Entity_Type_Definition_Source:

LANDFIRE

Detailed_Description:

Entity_Type:

Entity_Type_Label: Succession Classes - Mapping Rules table

Entity_Type_Definition:

Succession class (Sclass or S-Class) mapping rules. The current location of BpS succession classes on the landscape today are mapped using the unique combinations of Lifeform (mapped as an attribute in the Existing Vegetation Type layer), Height (mapped in the Existing Vegetation Height layer), and Cover (mapped in the Existing Vegetation Cover layer) identified in this table. Succession class letters A-E are described for the reference condition in the Succession Class Description section. Some tree lifeform classes use a leafform distinction where a qualifier is added to the class letter: Brdl (broadleaf), Con (conifer), or Mix (mixed conifer and broadleaf). The leafform is mapped from the Existing Vegetation Type layer as follows: Brdl includes the “Hardwood,” Con includes the “Conifer,” and Mix includes the “Hardwood-Conifer” and “Conifer-Hardwood” map classes identified in the EVT_PHYS attribute. UN refers to uncharacteristic native or a combination of height and cover that would not be expected under the reference condition. NP refers to not possible or a combination of height and cover which is not physiologically possible for the species in the BpS.

Entity_Type_Definition_Source:

LANDFIRE

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Upper Layer Lifeform

Attribute_Definition:

Lifeform that occupies the upper layer of the canopy. Lifeforms are Herbaceous, Shrub and Tree and are identified in the Existing Vegetation layer.

Attribute_Definition_Source:

LANDFIRE

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Height

Attribute_Definition:

Height for the upper layer lifeform as mapped in the Existing Vegetation Height layer

Attribute_Definition_Source:

LANDFIRE

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Canopy Cover

Attribute_Definition:

Canopy cover for the upper layer lifeform in 10% increments from 0-100, as mapped in the Existing Vegetation cover layer.

Attribute_Definition_Source:

LANDFIRE

Detailed_Description:

Entity_Type:

Entity_Type_Label: Succession Classes - Description

Entity_Type_Definition:

This section describes each succession class defined for the BpS. A succession class (Sclass or S-Class) is the reference vegetation conditions with respect to vegetation species composition, cover, and height ranges of successional states occurring within each BpS. Each class represents a unique combination of cover type and structural stage although the cover type and structural stage associated with each class can vary between BpSs. Classes are described with a class letter, reference percent, cover type/structural stage label, indicator species, text description, and, if applicable, a maximum tree size class.

Entity_Type_Definition_Source:

LANDFIRE

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Class Letter

Attribute_Definition:

A letter, A-E, identifying a unique succession class for a BpS. This letter corresponds to the letter in the Succession Class spatial layer.

Attribute_Definition_Source:

LANDFIRE

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Reference Percent

Attribute_Definition:

Percent of the landscape in a class under the natural range of variability as output from the associated state-and-transitions simulation model.

Attribute_Definition_Source:

LANDFIRE

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Cover Type/Structural Stage Label

Attribute_Definition:

Each class is described by a unique combination of cover type and structural stage. The cover type describes the age or maturity of the dominant vegetation in the class. Types are: Early Development 1, Early Development 2, Early Development 3, Mid Development 1, Mid Development 2, Mid Development 3, Late Development 1, Late Development 2, and Late Development 3. The structural stage describes the structure of the upper layer lifeform for the class. Stages are: All Structures, Closed and Open. The cover type and structural stage link the succession class description to the corresponding class in the state-and-transition simulation model.

Attribute_Definition_Source:

LANDFIRE

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Indicator Species table

Attribute_Definition:

Table listing the symbol, scientific name, common name, and canopy position for the class indicator species. Indicator species may or may not be the dominant species. Symbols and names are consistent with the NRCS PLANTS database (<http://plants.usda.gov>). The canopy position describes and the relative position of each species in the canopy. Positions include: Upper (upper-most portion of the canopy; dominant or emergent), Mid-Upper (ranging from middle to upper portions of the canopy; co-dominant), Middle (middle section of the canopy; co-dominant or intermediate), Lower-Mid (lower to the middle portions of the canopy; intermediate or suppressed), Lower (below the main canopy; may be suppressed or understory), and All (can vary between any canopy position, or occupy all levels of the canopy).

Attribute_Definition_Source:

LANDFIRE

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Description

Attribute_Definition:

Class characteristics including vegetation structure, composition, and other attributes for the class under the reference condition. If the current condition is significantly altered from the reference condition this may be noted.

Attribute_Definition_Source:

LANDFIRE

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Maximum Tree Size Class

Attribute_Definition:

Maximum tree size class possible for the class if applicable. Tree size class may be defined even if "Tree" is not selected as the upper layer lifeform. Classes are Seedling (<4.5 ft.), Sapling (>4.5 ft., < 5 in. DBH), Pole (5-9 in. DBH), Medium (9-21 in. DBH), Large (21-33 in. DBH), Very Large (>33 in. DBH) and None.

Attribute_Definition_Source:

LANDFIRE

Detailed_Description:

Entity_Type:

Entity_Type_Label: Model Parameters – Deterministic Transitions table

Entity_Type_Definition:

Table containing the information about deterministic transitions from the state-and-transition simulation model. This information describes the main successional pathways for a BpS and is imported from the ST-Sim Transition Pathways - States tab.

Entity_Type_Definition_Source:

LANDFIRE

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: From Class

Attribute_Definition:

Called “Class” in ST-Sim, this is the source class of the deterministic transition.

Attribute_Definition_Source:

LANDFIRE

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Begins At (yr)

Attribute_Definition:

Called “Age Min” in ST-Sim, this is the source class starting age.

Attribute_Definition_Source:

LANDFIRE

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Succeeds To

Attribute_Definition:

Called “To Class” in ST-Sim, this is the destination class of the deterministic transition.

Attribute_Definition_Source:

LANDFIRE

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: After (years)

Attribute_Definition:

Called “Age Max” in ST-Sim, this is the source class ending age. When this age is reached the transition to the “To Class” occurs.

Attribute_Definition_Source:

LANDFIRE

Detailed_Description:

Entity_Type:

Entity_Type_Label: Model Parameters – Probabilities Transitions table

Entity_Type_Definition:

Table containing the information about probabilistic transitions from the state-and-transition simulation model. This information describes the disturbance and alternate succession pathways for a BpS and is imported from the ST-Sim Transition Pathways - Transitions tab.

Entity_Type_Definition_Source:

LANDFIRE

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Disturbance Type

Attribute_Definition:

Called “Transition Type” in ST-Sim, this is the name of a disturbance or alternative succession pathway. Types include: AltSuccession, Competition/Maint, Insects/Disease, MixedFire, NativeGrazing, Optional1, Optional2, ReplacementFire, SurfaceFire, Wind/Weather/Stress. AltSuccession stands for Alternative Succession and Competition/Maint stands for Competition and Maintenance. Optional types, if used, are described in the Optional Disturbances section.

Attribute_Definition_Source:

LANDFIRE

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Disturbance Occurs In

Attribute_Definition:

Called “Class” in ST-Sim, this is the source class for a probabilistic transition.

Attribute_Definition_Source:

LANDFIRE

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Moves Vegetation To

Attribute_Definition:

Called “To Class” in ST-Sim, this is the destination class for a probabilistic transition.

Attribute_Definition_Source:

LANDFIRE

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Disturbance Probability

Attribute_Definition:

Called “Probability” in ST-Sim, this is the probability that a transition will occur in a timestep. LANDFIRE uses an annual timestep.

Attribute_Definition_Source:

LANDFIRE

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Return Interval (yrs)

Attribute_Definition:

The return interval is the inverse of the probability. This field is calculated from the Disturbance Probability.

Attribute_Definition_Source:

LANDFIRE

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Reset Age to New Class Start Age After Disturbance?

Attribute_Definition:

Called “Age Reset” in ST-Sim, this field uses the value “yes” to represent when a transition resets a simulation cell’s age to the “Age Min” of the destination class, and “no” to represent when a transition does not change a simulation cell’s age. The LANDFIRE standard is that probabilistic transitions that do not cause a transition to a different class, do not reset age (Age Reset = No), except for class A to A replacement disturbances; transitions that result in a state change do reset age (Age Reset = yes).

Attribute_Definition_Source:

LANDFIRE

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Years Since Last Disturbance

Attribute_Definition:

Called “TST Min” (time-since-transition minimum) in ST-Sim, this field specifies the minimum number of timesteps before a transition can occur. LANDFIRE models are attributed such that time-since-transition is used only with Alternative Succession transitions, and it is associated with fire disturbances (surface, mixed and replacement). For example, an Alternative Succession transition with a TST Min value of 20 would mean that the Alternative Succession transition could only occur if there had been 20 years (LANDFIRE uses an annual timestep) since the last fire.

Attribute_Definition_Source:

LANDFIRE

Detailed_Description:

Entity_Type:

Entity_Type_Label: Model Parameters - Optional Disturbances

Entity_Type_Definition:

If used, Optional1 and Optional2 Disturbance Types from the Probabilities Transitions table are defined here.

Entity_Type_Definition_Source:

LANDFIRE

Detailed_Description:

Entity_Type:

Entity_Type_Label: References

Entity_Type_Definition:

List of all references used while creating the BpS Model and Description whether or not they are cited directly in the text. May include important references that relate to the BpS that are not cited in the text.

Entity_Type_Definition_Source:

LANDFIRE

Overview_Description:

Entity_and_Attribute_Overview:

The entity and attribute information in this metadata document refers to the information in the BpS model description document.

Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation:

LANDFIRE Biophysical Settings Models and Descriptions

Metadata_Reference_Information:

Metadata_Date: 20241102

Metadata_Contact:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Organization_Primary:

Contact_Organization: The Nature Conservancy -- LANDFIRE Program

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: mailing and physical

Address: 4245 North Fairfax Drive, Suite 100

City: Arlington

State_or_Province: VA

Postal_Code: 22203-1606

Country: USA

Contact_Voice_Telephone: (703) 841-5300

Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: helpdesk@landfire.gov

Metadata_Standard_Name: FGDC Biological Data Profile of the Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata

Metadata_Standard_Version: FGDC-STD-001.1-1999

Metadata_Access_Constraints: None

Metadata_Use_Constraints:

None

Metadata_Security_Information:

Metadata_Security_Classification_System: None

Metadata_Security_Classification: Unclassified

Metadata_Security_Handling_Description:

None