FFI: a software tool for ecological monitoring*
Duncan C. Lutes A F , Nathan C. Benson B , MaryBeth Keifer C , John F. Caratti D and S. Austin Streetman EA Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory, 5775 US Highway 10 West, Missoula, MT 59808, USA.
B National Park Service, National Interagency Fire Center, 3833 South Development Avenue, Boise, ID 83705, USA.
C National Park Service, Pacific West Regional Office, 1111 Jackson Street, Oakland, CA 94607, USA.
D Systems for Environmental Management, PO Box 8868, Missoula, MT 59807, USA.
E Spatial Dynamics, 910 N Main St, Suite 342, Boise, ID 83702, USA.
F Corresponding author. Email: dlutes@fs.fed.us
International Journal of Wildland Fire 18(3) 310-314 https://doi.org/10.1071/WF08083
Submitted: 29 May 2007 Accepted: 16 May 2008 Published: 28 May 2009
Abstract
A new monitoring tool called FFI (FEAT/FIREMON Integrated) has been developed to assist managers with collection, storage and analysis of ecological information. The tool was developed through the complementary integration of two fire effects monitoring systems commonly used in the United States: FIREMON and the Fire Ecology Assessment Tool. FFI provides software components for: data entry, data storage, Geographic Information System, summary reports, analysis tools and Personal Digital Assistant use. In addition to a large set of standard FFI protocols, the Protocol Manager lets users define their own sampling protocol when custom data entry forms are needed. The standard FFI protocols and Protocol Manager allow FFI to be used for monitoring in a broad range of ecosystems. FFI is designed to help managers fulfil monitoring mandates set forth in land management policy. It supports scalable (project- to landscape-scale) monitoring at the field and research level, and encourages cooperative, interagency data management and information sharing. Though developed for application in the USA, FFI can potentially be used to meet monitoring needs internationally.
Additional keywords: data management, fire effects, monitoring system, Protocol Manager.
* The content of the present paper was written and prepared by US Government employees on official time, and therefore it is in the public domain and not subject to copyright in the US. The use of trade or firm names in the present paper is for reader information and does not imply endorsement by the US Department of Agriculture of any product or service.
Acknowledgements
Funding for FFI was provided by the National Interagency Fuels Coordination Group. Additional support was provided by the NPS, USFS, Systems for Environmental Management and Spatial Dynamics. We specifically thank Melissa Forder and Dan Swanson (NPS), Clint Isbell (USFS), Charley Martin, Chamise Kramer and Jena Dejuilio (BLM), Bil Graul (San Carlos Apache Tribe), Ben Butler (Student Conservation Association), Kristin Swoboda (Bureau of Reclamation) and Jacque Schei (US Geological Survey) for β testing FFI in August 2007. Jennifer Allen (NPS), Karen Murphy (US FWS), and Randi Jandt (BLM) helped us develop the Alaska Surface Fuels protocol; Roger Ottmar (USFS, Pacific Northwest Research Station) and Susan Pritchard (University of Washington) assisted with development of the FCCS protocol; and Colin Hardy (USFS, Rocky Mountain Research Station) helped us incorporate the Surface Fuels – Piles protocol. Additionally, numerous helpful comments were provided by employees at each of the agencies and organizations already recognized and also the BIA, US Department of the Army and The Nature Conservancy. Chad Keyser (USDA Forest Service, Forest Management Service Center) helped us update the FVS file-building utility in FFI. We thank Rudy King and David Turner of the USFS, Rocky Mountain Research Station, for their assistance in developing the statistical analysis tools available in FFI. Finally, we acknowledge the helpful comments of the anonymous reviewers.
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