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Task 2 FirePro Field Data ArcView 3.x
Over the last 15 years, NPS-Alaska has assembled a large amount of vegetation information for NPS lands in Alaska through the FirePro field data collection program. The principle purpose for this data was to better understand and model fire ecology through quantification of the vegetation (fuels).
The FirePro data includes field forms, 35mm slides, and 1:60K CIR photography with data points annotated on mylars overlays.
In order to improve park and public access to this data for research and resource management, NPS has created digital GIS compatible coverages (Arc/INFO) for the FirePro data.
NPS required a tool that would link the FirePro vector coverages and data base files with the 35mm slides, and present this information in a form that could be efficiently utilized by resource managers and researchers. The EarthSat Project Team worked together with NPS-AKSO to design and implement a solution in ArcView 3.x using the Dialog Designer extension capabilities (available for ArcView3.x from ESRI via anonymous ftp). The prototype tool is also being used extensively by the MDA Project Team in developing the landcover map for Gates of the Arctic Park and Preserve.
The FirePro polygons can be queried to bring up the dialog box which presents the attribute data and photos. The entire application and database (including 2,500 thumbnail and high resolution photos) and backdrop imagery for GAAR fit onto a single CD-ROM for easy ditribution/transportation.
This example of the FirePro database photograpy used extensively in the vegetation mapping shows the environment of Takahula Lake near the Alatna River. Landsat TM satellite imagery simulating a color IR composite (bands 4,5,3 RGB) has been overlaid on the digital elevation model to show a perspective view from south of the lake looking north along the Alatna River valley. The photo and the perspective view both show the dramatic changes in vegetation that are found within short traverses in high relief areas of GAAR.
An oblique airphoto of the Alatna River Valley, scanned from a 35mm slide. The marking delineates the location of detailed field survey work. The photo is typical of the FirePro database photography that has been digitally scanned and integrated into the FirePro Field Data ArcView 3.x Application for GAAR Prototype.
A three-dimensional image rendering of the Alatna River Valley, produced with a false-color Landsat TM image and a Digital Elevation Model.
