title: A satellite model of forest flammability.
abstract: We describe a model of forest flammability, based on daily satellite observations, for national to regional applications. The model defines forest flammability as the percent moisture content of fuel, in the form of litter of varying sizes on the forest floor. The model uses formulas from the US Forest Service that describe moisture exchange between fuel and the surrounding air and precipitation. The model is driven by estimates of temperature, humidity, and precipitation from the moderate resolution imaging spectrometer and tropical rainfall measuring mission multi-satellite precipitation analysis. We provide model results for the southern Amazon and northern Chaco regions. We evaluate the model in a tropical forest-to-woodland gradient in lowland Bolivia. Results from the model are significantly correlated with those from the same model driven by field climate measurements. This model can be run in a near real-time mode, can be applied to other regions, and can be a cost-effective input to national fire management programs.
authors.affiliation: Conservation International, 2011 Crystal Drive, Suite 500, Arlington, VA 22202, USA. msteininger@conservation.org
authors.forename: Marc K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Steininger
authors.forename: Karyn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tabor
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Small
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pinto
authors.forename: Johan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Soliz
authors.forename: Ezequiel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Chavez
mesh_terms: D001838:Bolivia; D005390:Fires; D006813:Humidity; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D011891:Rain; D063809:Satellite Imagery; D013696:Temperature; D014197:Trees; D014329:Tropical Climate