Mapping prescribed fire severity in south-east Australian eucalypt forests using modelling and satellite imagery: a case study
John Loschiavo A C , Brett Cirulis A , Yingxin Zuo B , Bronwyn A. Hradsky A and Julian Di Stefano A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, University of Melbourne, 4 Water Street, Creswick, Vic. 3363, Australia.
B Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, 8 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne, Vic. 3002, Australia.
C Corresponding author. Email: loschiavo.john@gmail.com
International Journal of Wildland Fire 26(6) 491-497 https://doi.org/10.1071/WF16167
Submitted: 3 September 2016 Accepted: 30 March 2017 Published: 6 June 2017
Abstract
Accurate fire severity maps are fundamental to the management of flammable landscapes. Severity mapping methods have been developed and tested for wildfire, but need further refinement for prescribed fire. We evaluated the accuracy of two severity mapping methods for a low-intensity, patchy prescribed fire in a south-eastern Australian eucalypt forest: (1) the Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) derived from RapidEye satellite imagery, and (2) PHOENIX RapidFire, a fire-spread simulation model. We used each method to generate a fire severity map (four-category: unburnt, low, moderate and severe), and then validated the maps against field-based data. We used error matrices and the Kappa statistic to assess mapping accuracy. Overall, the satellite-based map was more accurate (75%; Kappa ±95% confidence interval 0.54 ± 0.06) than the modelled map (67%; Kappa 0.40 ± 0.06). Both methods overestimated the area of unburnt forest; however, the satellite-based map better represented moderately burnt areas. Satellite- and model-based methods both provide viable approaches for mapping prescribed fire severity, but refinements could further improve map accuracy. Appropriate severity mapping methods are essential given the increasing use of prescribed fire as a forest management tool.
Additional keywords: biodiversity, fire spread simulation model, PHOENIX, RapidEye, remote sensing.
References
Arnett JTTR, Coops NC, Daniels LD, Falls RW (2015) Detecting forest damage after a low-severity fire using remote sensing at multiple scales. International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation 35, 239–246.| Detecting forest damage after a low-severity fire using remote sensing at multiple scales.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bradstock R, Penman T, Boer M, Price O, Clarke H (2014) Divergent responses of fire to recent warming and drying across south-eastern Australia. Global Change Biology 20, 1412–1428.
| Divergent responses of fire to recent warming and drying across south-eastern Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Buckley AJ (1993) Fuel reducing regrowth forests with a wiregrass fuel type: fire behaviour guide and prescriptions. Department of Conservation and Environment. Research Report number 40. (Melbourne, Vic., Australia)
Bureau of Meteorology (2016) Bureau of Meteorology, Climate statistics for Australian locations – Aireys Inlet. Bureau of Meteorology. (Melbourne, Vic., Australia)
Chafer CJ (2008) A comparison of fire severity measures: an Australian example and implications for predicting major areas of soil erosion. Catena 74, 235–245.
| A comparison of fire severity measures: an Australian example and implications for predicting major areas of soil erosion.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Chafer CJ, Noonan M, Macnaught E (2004) The post-fire measurement of fire severity and intensity in the Christmas 2001 Sydney wildfires. International Journal of Wildland Fire 13, 227–240.
| The post-fire measurement of fire severity and intensity in the Christmas 2001 Sydney wildfires.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Department of Sustainability and Environment (2012) Remote sensing of fire severity for planned burns: field assessment. Department of Sustainability and Environment. (Melbourne, Vic., Australia)
Díaz-Delgado R, Llorett F, Pons X (2003) Influence of fire severity on plant regeneration by means of remote sensing imagery. International Journal of Remote Sensing 24, 1751–1763.
| Influence of fire severity on plant regeneration by means of remote sensing imagery.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Eidenshink J, Schwind B, Brewer K, Zhu Z, Quayle B, Howard S (2007) A project for monitoring trends in burn severity. Fire Ecology 3, 3–21.
| A project for monitoring trends in burn severity.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Fernandes PM, Botelho HS (2003) A review of prescribed burning effectiveness in fire hazard reduction. International Journal of Wildland Fire 12, 117–128.
| A review of prescribed burning effectiveness in fire hazard reduction.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Fontaine JB, Kennedy PL (2012) Meta-analysis of avian and small-mammal response to fire severity and fire surrogate treatments in US fire-prone forests. Ecological Applications 22, 1547–1561.
| Meta-analysis of avian and small-mammal response to fire severity and fire surrogate treatments in US fire-prone forests.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Fox DM, Maselli F, Carrega P (2008) Using SPOT images and field sampling to map burn severity and vegetation factors affecting post-forest fire erosion risk. Catena 75, 326–335.
| Using SPOT images and field sampling to map burn severity and vegetation factors affecting post-forest fire erosion risk.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
French NHF, Kasischke ES, Hall RJ, Murphy KA, Verbyla DL, Hoy EE, Allen JL (2008) Using Landsat data to assess fire and burn severity in the North American boreal forest region: an overview and summary of results. International Journal of Wildland Fire 17, 443–462.
| Using Landsat data to assess fire and burn severity in the North American boreal forest region: an overview and summary of results.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Fuhlendorf SD, Harrell WC, Engle DM, Hamilton RG, Davis CA, Leslie DM (2006) Should heterogeneity be the basis for conservation? Grassland bird response to fire and grazing. Ecological Applications 16, 1706–1716.
| Should heterogeneity be the basis for conservation? Grassland bird response to fire and grazing.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Gorte RW (2011) Federal funding for wildfire control and management. Congressional Research Service, RL33990. (Washington, DC, USA)
Greene DF, Macdonald SE, Haeussler S, Domenicano S, Noel J, Jayen K, Charron I, Gauthier S, Hunt S, Gielau ET, Bergeron Y, Swift L (2007) The reduction of organic-layer depth by wildfire in the North American boreal forest and its effect on tree recruitment by seed. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 37, 1012–1023.
| The reduction of organic-layer depth by wildfire in the North American boreal forest and its effect on tree recruitment by seed.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Gwet K (2010) ‘Handbook of Inter-Rater Reliability: the Definitive Guide to Measuring the Extent of Agreement among Raters’, 2nd edn. (Advanced Analytics: Gaithersberg, MD, USA)
Halofsky JE, Hibbs DE (2009) Relationships among indices of fire severity in riparian zones. International Journal of Wildland Fire 18, 584–593.
| Relationships among indices of fire severity in riparian zones.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hammill KA, Bradstock RA (2006) Remote sensing of fire severity in the Blue Mountains: influence of vegetation type and inferring fire intensity. International Journal of Wildland Fire 15, 213–226.
| Remote sensing of fire severity in the Blue Mountains: influence of vegetation type and inferring fire intensity.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hines F, Tolhurst KG, Wilson AAG, McCarthy GJ (2010) Overall fuel hazard assessment guide. Department of Sustainability and Environment. Fire and Adaptive Management Report number 82. (Melbourne, Vic., Australia)
Jensen JR (1996) ‘Introductory Digital Image Processing: a Remote Sensing Perspective.’ (Prentice Hall: Upper Saddle River, NJ, USA)
Karau EC, Keane RE (2010) Burn severity mapping using simulation modelling and satellite imagery. International Journal of Wildland Fire 19, 710–724.
| Burn severity mapping using simulation modelling and satellite imagery.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Karau EC, Sikkink PG, Keane RE, Dillon GK (2014) Integrating satellite imagery with simulation modeling to improve burn severity mapping. Environmental Management 54, 98–111.
| Integrating satellite imagery with simulation modeling to improve burn severity mapping.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Keeley JE (2009) Fire intensity, fire severity and burn severity: a brief review and suggested usage. International Journal of Wildland Fire 18, 116–126.
| Fire intensity, fire severity and burn severity: a brief review and suggested usage.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Key C, Benson N (2006) Landscape assessment. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-164-CD. (Ogden, UT, USA)
Keyser TL, Smith FW, Lentile LB, Shepperd WD (2006) Modeling post-fire mortality of ponderosa pine following a mixed-severity wildfire in the Black Hills: the role of tree morphology and direct fire effects. Forest Science 52, 530–539.
Knapp EE, Keeley JE (2006) Heterogeneity in fire severity within early season and late-season prescribed burns in a mixed-conifer forest. International Journal of Wildland Fire 15, 37–45.
| Heterogeneity in fire severity within early season and late-season prescribed burns in a mixed-conifer forest.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kotliar NB, Kennedy PL, Ferree K (2007) Avifaunal responses to fire in south-western montane forests along a burn severity gradient. Ecological Applications 17, 491–507.
| Avifaunal responses to fire in south-western montane forests along a burn severity gradient.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Landis JR, Koch GG (1977) The measurement of observer agreement for categorical data. Biometrics 33, 159–174.
| The measurement of observer agreement for categorical data.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DyaE2s7jsFWqtA%3D%3D&md5=74537c9b500c51ecd48cb1dff8232239CAS |
Lentile LB, Holden ZA, Smith AMS, Falkowski MJ, Hudak AT, Morgan P, Lewis SA, Gessler PE, Benson NC (2006) Remote sensing techniques to assess active fire characteristics and post-fire effects. International Journal of Wildland Fire 15, 319–345.
| Remote sensing techniques to assess active fire characteristics and post-fire effects.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Leonard S, Bruce M, Christie F, Di Stefano J, Haslem A, Holland G, Kelly L, Loyn R, MacHunter J, Rumpff L, Stamation K, Bennett A, Clarke M, York A (2016) Foothills fire and biota. Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning. Fire and Adaptive Management Report number 96. (Melbourne, Vic., Australia)
Lindenmayer DB, Wood JT, Cunningham RB, MacGregor C, Crane M, Michael D, Montague-Drake R, Brown D, Muntz R, Gill AM (2008) Testing hypotheses associated with bird responses to wildfire. Ecological Applications 18, 1967–1983.
| Testing hypotheses associated with bird responses to wildfire.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Maier SW, Russell-Smith J (2012) Measuring and monitoring of contemporary fire regimes in Australia using satellite remote sensing. In ‘Flammable Australia: fire regimes, biodiversity and ecosystems in a changing world’. (Eds RA Bradstock, AM Gill, RW Williams) pp. 79–95. (CSIRO Publishing: Melbourne, Vic., Australia)
Maravalhas J, Vasconcelos HL (2014) Revisiting the pyrodiversity–biodiversity hypothesis: long-term fire regimes and the structure of ant communities in a neotropical savanna hotspot. Journal of Applied Ecology 51, 1661–1668.
| Revisiting the pyrodiversity–biodiversity hypothesis: long-term fire regimes and the structure of ant communities in a neotropical savanna hotspot.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
McArthur AG (1962) Control burning in eucalypt forests. Commonwealth of Australia, Forestry and Timber Bureau Leaflet 80. (Canberra, ACT, Australia)
McCarthy G, Moon K, Smith L (2017) Mapping fire severity and fire extent in forest in Victoria for ecological and fuel outcomes. Ecological Management & Restoration 18, 54–65.
| Mapping fire severity and fire extent in forest in Victoria for ecological and fuel outcomes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
McKenzie D, Gedalof Z, Peterson DL, Mote P (2004) Climatic change, wildfire, and conservation. Conservation Biology 18, 890–902.
| Climatic change, wildfire, and conservation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Miller JD, Thode AE (2007) Quantifying burn severity in a heterogeneous landscape with a relative version of the delta Normalized Burn Ratio (dNBR). Remote Sensing of Environment 109, 66–80.
| Quantifying burn severity in a heterogeneous landscape with a relative version of the delta Normalized Burn Ratio (dNBR).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Morgan P, Keane RE, Dillon GK, Jain TB, Hudak AT, Karau EC, Sikkink PG, Holden ZA, Strand EK (2014) Challenges of assessing fire and burn severity using field measures, remote sensing and modelling. International Journal of Wildland Fire 23, 1045–1060.
| Challenges of assessing fire and burn severity using field measures, remote sensing and modelling.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Norton J, Glenn N, Germino M, Weber K, Seefeldt S (2009) Relative suitability of indices derived from Landsat ETM+ and SPOT 5 for detecting fire severity in sagebrush steppe. International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation 11, 360–367.
| Relative suitability of indices derived from Landsat ETM+ and SPOT 5 for detecting fire severity in sagebrush steppe.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Penman TD, Kavanagh RP, Binns DL, Melick DR (2007) Patchiness of prescribed burns in dry sclerophyll eucalypt forests in south-eastern Australia. Forest Ecology and Management 252, 24–32.
| Patchiness of prescribed burns in dry sclerophyll eucalypt forests in south-eastern Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Penman TD, Christie FJ, Andersen AN, Bradstock RA, Cary GJ, Henderson MK, Price O, Tran C, Wardle GM, Williams RJ, York A (2011) Prescribed burning: how can it work to conserve the things we value? International Journal of Wildland Fire 20, 721–733.
| Prescribed burning: how can it work to conserve the things we value?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Reinke K, Jones S (2006) Integrating vegetation field surveys with remotely sensed data. Ecological Management & Restoration 7, S18–S23.
| Integrating vegetation field surveys with remotely sensed data.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ryan KC, Knapp EE, Varner JM (2013) Prescribed fire in North American forests and woodlands: history, current practice, and challenges. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 11, e15–e24.
| Prescribed fire in North American forests and woodlands: history, current practice, and challenges.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Sitters H, Di Stefano J, Christie FJ, Sunnucks P, York A (2015) Bird diversity increases after patchy prescribed fire: implications from a before–after–control–impact study. International Journal of Wildland Fire 24, 690–701.
| Bird diversity increases after patchy prescribed fire: implications from a before–after–control–impact study.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Stehman SV, Czaplewski RL (1998) Design and analysis for thematic map accuracy assessment: fundamental principles. Remote Sensing of Environment 64, 331–344.
| Design and analysis for thematic map accuracy assessment: fundamental principles.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Stephens SL, McIver JD, Boerner REJ, Fettig CJ, Fontaine JB, Hartsough BR, Kennedy PL, Schwilk DW (2012) The effects of forest fuel-reduction treatments in the United States. Bioscience 62, 549–560.
| The effects of forest fuel-reduction treatments in the United States.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Tanase M, de la Riva J, Perez-Cabello F (2011) Estimating burn severity at the regional level using optically based indices. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 41, 863–872.
| Estimating burn severity at the regional level using optically based indices.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Teague B, McLeod R, Pascoe S (2010) 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission. Final Report Summary. Parliament of Victoria. (Melbourne, Vic., Australia)
Thaxton JM, Platt WJ (2006) Small-scale fuel variation alters fire intensity and shrub abundance in a pine savanna. Ecology 87, 1331–1337.
| Small-scale fuel variation alters fire intensity and shrub abundance in a pine savanna.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Tolhurst K, Shields B, Chong D (2008) PHOENIX: development and application of a bushfire risk-management tool. Australian Journal of Emergency Management 23, 47–54.
Tyc G, Tulip J, Schulten D, Krischke M, Oxfort M (2005) The RapidEye mission design. Acta Astronautica 56, 213–219.
| The RapidEye mission design.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Wood SW, Murphy BP, Bowman D (2011) Firescape ecology: how topography determines the contrasting distribution of fire and rain forest in the south-west of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Journal of Biogeography 38, 1807–1820.
| Firescape ecology: how topography determines the contrasting distribution of fire and rain forest in the south-west of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Wulder M (1998) Optical remote-sensing techniques for the assessment of forest inventory and biophysical parameters. Progress in Physical Geography 22, 449–476.
| Optical remote-sensing techniques for the assessment of forest inventory and biophysical parameters.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Yue X, Mickley LJ, Logan JA, Kaplan JO (2013) Ensemble projections of wildfire activity and carbonaceous aerosol concentrations over the western United States in the mid-21st century. Atmospheric Environment 77, 767–780.
| Ensemble projections of wildfire activity and carbonaceous aerosol concentrations over the western United States in the mid-21st century.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3sXht1altL3I&md5=c280e5b2e2ecf593dcafebd4b7e3100cCAS |
