The Photoload Sampling Technique: Estimating Surface Fuel Loadings from Downward-looking Photographs of Synthetic FuelbedsU.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, 2007 - Coarse woody debris - 44 pages Fire managers need better estimates of fuel loading so they can more accurately predict the potential fire behavior and effects of alternative fuel and ecosystem restoration treatments. This report presents a new fuel sampling method, called the photoload sampling technique, to quickly and accurately estimate loadings for six common surface fuel components (1 hr, 10 hr, 100 hr, and 1000 hr downed dead woody, shrub, and herbaceous fuels). This technique involves visually comparing fuel conditions in the field with photoload sequences to estimate fuel loadings. Photoload sequences are a series of downward-looking and close-up oblique photographs depicting a sequence of graduated fuel loadings of synthetic fuelbeds for each of the six fuel components. This report contains a set of photoload sequences that describe the range of fuel component loadings for common forest conditions in the northern Rocky Mountains of Montana, USA to estimate fuel loading in the field. A companion publication (RMRS-RP-61CD) details the methods used to create the photoload sequences and presents a comprehensive evaluation of the technique. |
Common terms and phrases
1.13 tons acreš adjust Branch 100 hour Calculate diameter and length DIAMETER cm Dickinson 2007 Douglas-fir duff and litter English units estimate fuel loadings estimate loadings estimate of loading estimates of fuel field final loading fire behavior Fire Ecology fire effects fire managers FIREMON Fort Collins fuel sampling Fuel Type fuelbeds herbaceous inch Keane and Dickinson kg m˛ Total log diameters log loadings Lutes m˛ 1 meter m˛ Total log match meter 1 meter Missoula Mountain Research Station northern Rocky Mountains ocular estimates photo series photographs photoload estimates Photoload log photoload pictures photoload sampling technique photoload sequences photoload technique plot form plot frames plot sheet Rocky Mountain Research sample area sample unit sampling objective shrub and herb spatial distribution Subplot tons acreš 0.05 tons acreš 0.25 tons/acreš Total log length transect U.S. Department units for diameters University of Montana visual estimates weighted average whitebark pine woody fuel loading