Though named LANDFIRE, the suite of tools, models and digital map layers is the first complete, nationally consistent collection of resources with an ecological foundation that can be used across several disciplines. As such, LANDFIRE reaches beyond research and results regarding fire in the United States. Under the original project contract, TNC’s team created 20+ digital map layers, including current vegetation, estimated pre-European settlement vegetation, current vegetation structure, and a metric that summarizes how current vegetation composition and structure are different from pre-settlement vegetation. In addition to these spatial products, the team coordinated the development of more than 1,000 dynamic, quantitative models of vegetation succession and disturbance, which mathematically and textually describe all major U.S. Ecological Systems. All of these products are available for public download from the LANDFIRE National website.  

LANDFIRE models and spatial layers have been used in important wildland fire management situations, but also in numerous and varied conservation applications as well, such as an “enhanced CAP process,” national condition assessments and habitat evaluations. Original products were developed for national or regional analyses, but may be useful for smaller geographies after review and possible adjustment by local experts. Currently, the LANDFIRE Program is improving and updating products and working to increase their appropriate use.

See the Tools for Landscape Planning and Management brochure/map. It offers examples of 32 different non-fire applications of LANDFIRE products. Another brochure offers thumb nail sketches of six individual projects. The latter is also available as a poster.