Products

Products for the MTBS project fall into three categories: unclassified (input) data, geospatial layers and maps (raster and vector), and summary analysis.

Unclassified or input data are comprised of Landsat TM and ETM images that form the basis for measuring spectral response of individual fires. Methods used to process and classify these data will be discussed in more detail under Methods. These data have been processed by USGS EROS through the National Landsat Archive Production System (NLAPS; http://eros.usgs.gov/guides/images/landsat_tm/nlapsgeo2.html) and are representative of the level and format of Landsat data typically delivered to the scientific and operational communities.

A series of geospatial layers make up the intermediate and final products characterizing postfire spectral response, burn severity, and fire perimeters. The following are the principal outputs:

• 30 m-resolution Normalized Burn Ratio (NBR) calculated from Landsat (prefire and postfire);
• 30 m-resolution, continuous differenced NBR (relative and absolute);
• 30 m-resolution, thematic classification of burn severity;
• 30 m-resolution, arithmetic partitions of dNBR;
• vector format fire perimeter based on dNBR;
• metadata for geospatial data.

Analysis outputs are necessarily limited in scope to achieve the primary objectives of the project. In depth trend analysis, correlations to other factors, including climate change and management practices, and implications for other resources fall outside the scope of this project. Formats and resolution of the geospatial products are designed to allow flexibility for application to a wide range of analysis objectives that pertain to burn severity. Indeed, it is expected (and desired) that these data will be used in broad- and moderate-scale research and management activities where a consistent data record of postfire effects is valuable. Primary analysis products delivered by this project include:

• Tabular data summarizing acres burned by severity class;
• Tabular data summarizing acres burned by severity classes and vegetation cover types (where available);
• Tabular data summarizing acres burned by severity classes and presence or absence of fuel treatments (where available).