Data Products ›› LANDFIRE National

Vegetation Dynamics Models

LANDFIRE National Vegetation Dynamics Models are created through a series of expert workshops and a review process that engages regional experts from around the country. A VDDT Model and Model Description are created for each biophysical setting (BpS; see inset) in each LANDFIRE mapping zone. Modeling products can be downloaded for a majority of LANDFIRE mapping zones at this time (see links at right). These data products are being released incrementally across the U.S. and are posted as they become available.

VDDT Models

Each BpS was modeled quantitatively using the VDDT (Vegetation Dynamics Development Tool) software. VDDT is a public domain, aspatial, user-friendly modeling tool, available from ESSA Technologies. The VDDT data include quantitative information about the rates and pathways of succession and the frequency and effects of disturbances. Landscape reference condition percentages for each BpS are an important output of the model.

Model Descriptions

Each model includes comprehensive documentation that describes the vegetation, geography, biophysical characteristics, succession stages, and disturbance regimes of each BpS. Descriptions also document the assumptions behind, the outstanding questions about, the contributors to, the resources used for, and the evolution of each model. In addition, model descriptions include the results of the VDDT modeling and can be used as reference conditions for Interagency Fire Regime Condition Class Guidebook procedures.

LANDFIRE National vegetation dynamics models are delivered in a database compatible with version 6.0 of VDDT. Users will need VDDT version 6.0 or better in order to view the models. VDDT can be downloaded from www.essa.com/vddt.

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