Forest Health Monitoring Clearinghouse

Table of Contents

Project Description

Introduction

The objective of this project is to develop a spatial resource data base of forest health related information for use by Alaska land managers and the science community. Alaska has over 129 million acres of forest land, yet the state is virtually inaccessible with less than 4000 miles of roads and ownership intermixed in large blocks. These facts make coordinated information gathering and sharing difficult. However, Alaska has many positive aspects for coordinated information sharing including excellent working relationships among Federal and state agencies and major land owners. Currently many land managing agencies and owners are creating GIS data bases. These efforts are to be linked and built upon to further enhance the data base for all users.

Data Availability

The site will provide a comprehensive geospatial framework for forest health monitoring in Alaska. The site will be a central location for providing insect, disease and other pertinent forest resource information needed to address Alaska's changing forest conditions. A number of agencies have contributed data to this site, including the State of Alaska Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Division of Forestry, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and the Alaska Fire Service (AFS) of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The data meet FGDC meta-data standards, and is managed at appropriate scales to provide useful projection, map products, and analysis output to Alaska land managers and researchers. If you have related or additional datasets appropriate for this site, please contact agdcweb@usgs.gov. Contributions of data or links are welcome.

For each dataset, some type of reference information is given, either a [Link] to an information page by the contributing agency, a reference publication for the data, and/or a contact for questions on the specific dataset. A [Metadata] button is available to view the metadata file. A short summary of the metadata, usually just one page, is available as a ASCII file [Metatxt] for some datasets. A small quicklook image is also available for some datasets using the [GIF] button. The datasets are either raster or vector format, depending on how they were developed. Most vector datasets are available, with projection information, in both [Shape] (.SHP) and [ARCExport] (.e00) formats. The raster datasets are available in basic image band interleave by line [.BIL] and/or [GRIDExport] (.e00) formats. The raster datasets contain all necessary image-related files to be ingested, with georeferencing, by ARC/GRID and LAS, or can be read by almost image processing software packages. Most data files have been compressed with gzip to facilitate data transfer.

Downloading Information

To retrieve via ftp the dataset for a variable, select the appropriate [Format] button. For each variable, the format (raster or vector), data type (byte or integer) and approximate size when compressed is given. Those who have problems downloading the data, or questions about the data, contact the Web Master.

Available Datasets

Most datasets are available for the entire forested area, if not almost complete coverage of the state of Alaska. Unless otherwise stated, all datasets are statewide coverages (except the western end of the Aleutian Islands) and are in a standard statewide Albers Equal Area Projection. Raster datasets are at a resolution of 1km, with each grid 1992 lines by 2512 samples. Vector data resolution is dependent on the data source.

• Vegetation and Related.
  • Statewide Vegetation/Land Cover. Vegetation map of Alaska, 23 classes, 19 vegetated, raster format. The classification was developed by Michael Fleming using the phenology of a vegetation index (AVHRR/NDVI) collected during the 1991 growing season.
    [Metadata] [Metatxt] [GIF] [.BIL] (Byte, 300k). [GRIDExport] (Integer, 898k).
  • Ecoregions. Three datasets developed to stratify the state into major ecologically related zones.
    
    • Unified EcoRegions of Alaska: 2001 This ecoregion map is an attempt to combine the Bailey and Omernik approaches to ecoregion mapping in Alaska. The ecoregions were developed cooperatively by the USFS, NPS, USGS, The Nature Conservancy and many personnel from many other agencies and private companies. Hard copy maps are available at ESIC offices for $7.
      
    [Metadata] [Region Descriptions] [JPG] [ARCExport] (1.6Mb). [Shape] (3.3Mb).
    • EcoMap The Ecomap was developed by the U.S. Forest Service following the Bailey approach to ecoregion mapping, see their web site for more information on the Ecological Regions of the United States [LINK]. The dataset contained here is the Nowacki/Brock version of the ecoregions of Alaska.
      [Metadata] [Metatxt] [GIF] [ARCExport] (4.2Mb). [Shape] (3.2Mb).
    • EcoRegions: 1996 The Ecoregions map was developed cooperatively by the USGS, Environmental Protection Agency, and Colorado State University following the Omernik approach to ecoregions mapping. Published as USGS Professional Paper 1567, by Gallant, Binnian, Omernik and Shasby, 1995. [LINK]
      [Metadata] [iMAP] [GIF] [ARCExport] (4.4Mb). [Shape] (3.2Mb).
  • Wetlands Inventory. Data for Alaska from the National Wetland Inventory (NWI). The [Status] image shows the status of the NWI mapping effort in the state. A [TXT] file contains more detailed information on the status of each quadrangle as of 7/15/98. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) maintains the national data archive on the [NWI] web site in [DLG] and [ARC] formats. There is one [Metadata] file for the entire dataset.
    
  • Timber Harvest & Other Disturbances. Datasets indicating areas of the state disturbed by timber harvest.
    • Kenai Peninsula Borough, 14-Aug-2000 update (see the KPB link for the most up to date version)
      
    [Metadata] [GIF] [ARCExport] (547Kb). [Shape] (405Kb).
    • Interior
    • Mat/Su
    • Tongass National Forest
      [Metadata] [GIF] [ARCExport] (4.1Mb). [Shape] (2.6Mb).
    
    
• Insects & Disease.
  Historical record of insects and disease infested areas in the state from the DNR/USFS yearly aerial surveys. Yearly datasets are available from 1989 to 2010 with up to 25 percent of the state surveyed each year. The flight line layers show the flight routes along which forest damage was assessed. The Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and the Forest Service's Forest Health Protection web sites can offer more insight into these datasets and current forest health conditions in the state. These data can also be acquired at the Alaska State Geo-Spatial Data Clearing house.
   
  • Yearly Coverages.
    • Year 2011. [Shape] [1.67MB ZIP]
      
    • Year 2010. [Metadata] [Shape] (2.97Mb). [JPG]
      
    • Year 2009. [Metadata] [Shape] (1.85Mb). [JPG]
      
    • Year 2008. [Metadata] [Shape] (1.6Mb). [JPG]
      
    • Year 2007. [Metadata] [Shape] (1.7Mb). [JPG]
      
    • Year 2006. [Metadata] [Shape] (1.5Mb). [JPG]
      
    • Year 2005. [Metadata] [Shape] (1.2Mb). [JPG]
      
    • Year 2004. [Metadata] [ARCExport] (1.02Mb). [Shape] (589KB). [JPG]
      
    • Year 2003. [Metadata] [ARCExport] (457Kb). [Shape] (883Kb). [JPG]
      
    • Year 2002. [Metadata] [ARCExport] (295Kb). [Shape] (334Kb). [JPG]
      
    • Year 2001. [Metadata] [ARCExport] (1.1Mb). [Shape] (754Kb). [JPG]
      
    • Year 2000. [Metadata] [ARCExport] (1.3Mb). [Shape] (930Kb). [JPG]
      
    • Year 1999. [Metadata] [ARCExport] (2.5Mb). [Shape] (1.4Mb). [GIF]
      
    • Year 1998. [Metadata] [ARCExport] (881Kb). [Shape] (570Kb). [GIF]
      
    • Year 1997. [Metadata] [ARCExport] (1.9Mb). [Shape] (1.3Mb). [GIF]
      
    • Year 1996. [Metadata] [ARCExport] (1.7Mb). [Shape] (1.2Mb). [GIF]
      
    • Year 1995. [Metadata] [ARCExport] (450Kb). [Shape] (261Kb). [GIF]
      
    • Year 1994. [Metadata] [ARCExport] (1.1Mb). [Shape] (763Kb). [GIF]
      
    • Year 1993. [Metadata] [ARCExport] (845Kb). [Shape] (566Kb). [GIF]
      
    • Year 1992. [Metadata] [ARCExport] (635Kb). [Shape] (423Kb). [GIF]
      
    • Year 1991. [Metadata] [ARCExport] (585Kb). [Shape] (371Kb). [GIF]
      
    • Year 1990. [Metadata] [ARCExport] (396Kb). [Shape] (236Kb). [GIF]
      
    • Year 1989. [Metadata] [ARCExport] (259Kb). [Shape] (162Kb). [GIF]
      
  • Summary Coverages.
    • 21 Year Cumulative 1989-2010. [Metadata] [Shape] (39.3Mb).
    • Cumulative Yellow Cedar Damage, thru 2010. [Metadata] [Shape] (2.65Mb). [JPG]
      
  • Flight Lines.
    • Flight Lines - 2011 [5.54MB ZIP]
    • Flight Lines - 2010. [Metadata] [Shape] (426Kb). [JPG]
    • Flight Lines - 2009. [Metadata] [Shape] (558Kb). [JPG]
    • Flight Lines - 2008. [Metadata] [Shape] (418Kb). [JPG]
    • Flight Lines - 2007. [Metadata] [Shape] (677Kb). [JPG]
    • Flight Lines - 2006. [Metadata] [Shape] (357Kb). [JPG]
    • Flight Lines - 2005. [Metadata] [Shape] (530Kb). [JPG]
    • Flight Lines - 2004. [Metadata] [Shape] (1.1Mb). [JPG]
    • Flight Lines - 2003. [Metadata] [Shape] (4.5Mb). [JPG]
    • Flight Lines - 2002. [Metadata] [ARCExport] (175Kb). [Shape] (166Kb). [JPG]
    • Flight Lines - 2001. [Metadata] [ARCExport] (155Kb). [Shape] (138Kb). [JPG]
    • Flight Lines - 2000. [Metadata] [ARCExport] (164Kb). [Shape] (147Kb). [JPG]
    • Flight Lines - 1999. [Metadata] [ARCExport] (193Kb). [Shape] (161Kb). [GIF]
      
  
  
• Fire Related.
  Datasets maintained and provided by the Alaska Fire Service (AFS)/BLM, Fairbanks, Alaska. See the [AFS] web pages for a number of statewide fire related datasets. The Fire History, Fire Management Boundaries, and Fire Protection Boundaries datasets listed below are the 1999 editions of these datasets, and are in an Albers Projection. More current versions of these datasets are available in Geographic Format (Digital Degrees).
  • Fire History. Historical record of the spatial distribution of fire occurrences in the state, a summary from 1950 to the present. This is the 1999 version of the data and includes fires > 1,000 acres from 1950 to 1987 and fires > 100 acres from 1988 to 1999.
    [Metadata] [ReadMe] [FAQ] [Disclaimer] [GIF]. [ARCExport] (1.9Mb). [Shape] (1.2Mb).
  • Fire Management Option Boundaries. The level and type of fire protection for lands around the state. The dataset is updated yearly. The 2000 boundaries are currently available.
    [Metatxt] [Metadata] [GIF] [ARCExport] (2.0Mb). [Shape] (2.4Mb).
  • Fire Protection Area Boundaries. The boundaries of responsibility for fire management in the state, between USFS, DNR, and AFS. The dataset is updated yearly. The 2000 boundaries are currently available.
    [Metatxt] [Metadata] [GIF] [ARCExport] (9.8Mb). [Shape] (9.2Mb).
  • Fire Fuels. Fire fuels maps of the state. The statewide vegetation map was converted to three different fire fuels models by the Alaska Fire Service and Bob Burgan. Contact [Mary Lynch] at AFS.
    • National Fire Danger Rating System (NFDRS).
      [Metatxt] [Metadata] [GIF] [GRIDExport] (705k). [.BIL] (230k).
    • Canadian Fire Danger Rating System (CFDRS).
      [Metatxt] [Metadata] [GIF] [GRIDExport] (648k). [.BIL] (202k).
    • BEHAVE Fire Danger Rating System (BEHAVE).
      [Metatxt] [Metadata] [GIF] [GRIDExport] (785k). [.BIL] (263k).
    
    
• Other Useful Datasets.
  
  
  • Anadromous Waters. Anadromous waters of Alaska. Compiled and maintained by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Habitat and Restoration Division [Link]. You must request the most recent version from the state in order to obtain the data. Please contact Ed Weiss, Habitat Biologist, Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
    
  • Elevation. Elevation, in meters above sea level on a 1km grid. Compiled from USGS 3x6 arcsecond DEM's of the state, 1950's vintage DMA data.
    [Metatxt] [Metadata] [GIF] [GRIDExport] (Integer, 3.6Mb). [.BIL] (Integer, 2.2Mb).
  • Hydrology. The USGS 1:2,000,000 DLG hydrology stream network of Alaska, 1982 .
    [Metatxt] [Metadata] [GIF] [ARCExport] (5.4Mb). [Shape] (4.5Mb).
  • Land Status/Ownership. Land ownership and the land status as of Nov 1997. The database is compiled and maintained by BLM and Alaska State DNR. Contact the state [DNR] for the latest update (updated weekly).
    [Metatxt] [Metadata] [GIF] [ARCExport] (19.7Mb). [Shape] (19.7Mb).
  • PermaFrost. Permafrost map of Alaska. By O.J. Ferrians, 1965, U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Geologic Investigations Map 1-445.
    [Metadata] [GIF] [ARCExport] (312k). [Shape] (228k).
  • Soils: 1996. The STATSGO soil survey of Alaska, appropriate at a scale of 1:1,000,000. Developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resource Conservation Service, Anchorage. Includes STATSGO relational [Tables] (226Kb) for the soil classification.
    [Metadata] [GIF] [ARCExport] (4.9Mb). [Shape] (4.3Mb).
  • Surficial Geology. A surficial geology of Alaska, compiled by N.V. Karlstrom, et.at. 1964 and published by the USGS as a Miscellaneous Geologic Investigations Map I-357 at 1:1,584,000.
    [Metadoc] [Metadata] [GIF] [ARCExport] (x.xMb). [Shape] (19.3Mb). [Moraines (shape)] (98Kb).
  • Bedrock Geology. The 1980 Geologic Map of Alaska compiled by H.M. Beikman and published by the USGS as a Special Map at 1:2,500,000.
    [Metatxt] [Metadata] [GIF] [ARCExport] (6.7Mb). [Shape] (6.5Mb).

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Related Sites for Further Information

Other sites with information and/or data relative to this project.

Federal Agencies

• USDA Forest Service.
• Alaska Forest Health Protection
• Chugach National Forest
• Tongass National Forest
• Alaska Geospatial Data Clearinghouse.
• High Latitude Climate Transects (additional statewide datasets).
• Bureau of Land Management
• Alaska Fire Service.
• Interagency Efforts
• Interagency Forest Ecology Study Team (INFEST)
• Spruce Bark Beetle Task Force (Kenai)

State and Local

• State of Alaska, Division of Forestry.
  • Alaska Division of Forestry
  • Alaska Forest Insect and Disease Survey Conditions Reports
  • Timber Planning on State Land
  • Current Fire and Fire Management Information
• Long Term Ecological Research.
  • Bonanza Creek/Caribou-Poker Creek LTER
  • Toolik Lake LTER
• Local Governments.
  • Kenai Peninsula Borough GIS Department
  • Mat-Su Borough GIS Group