Alaska BpS Review

Alaska BpS Model and Description Review

Denali,Denali National Park, Alaska. Photo credit: Charlie Ott. All rights granted to TNC.

Denali, Denali National Park, Alaska, United States, North America. Photo credit: © Charlie Ott

We Need Your Knowledge

Wanted (Your Input). Hand Pointing to the left.

The first iteration of the complete Biophysical Settings (BpS) models and descriptions suite described the ecosystem dynamics of Alaska’s Ecological Systems prior to significant European colonization. Completed in 2009, the BpS models and descriptions served as the basis for multiple LANDFIRE spatial products (i.e. Fire Regime Groups, Succession Class, and Vegetation Departure).

BpS models and descriptions contribute to BpS, succession class, vegetation departure, vegetation condition class, and fire regime products

BpS models and descriptions contribute to LANDFIRE geo-spatial products including the BpS, succession class, vegetation departure, and fire regime products. BpS descriptions provide guidance for mapping BpS and succession classes. The BpS models estimate reference conditions for measuring vegetation departure and vegetation condition class. The BpS model results for fire frequency and severity are used to map fire regime groups, mean fire return interval, and percent replacement, mixed, and low severity fire.

In 2021, the underlying Ecological Systems classification BpS models and descriptions were built on was updated, necessitating significant modifications to many BpS. In addition, new information about ecosystems and disturbances has become available in the decade since the models were developed. This new information should now be incorporated into these products, bringing them up to date with our current understanding.

This comprehensive review provides critically important updates to the BpS models and descriptions and improves user confidence in the BpS-related products (such as Fire Regime Groups). We are excited to get started with this review.

LANDFIRE invites you to help improve this one-of-a-kind, comprehensive, and unique encyclopedia of ecological knowledge. Your thoughtful feedback to the existing BpS models and descriptions contributes to the improvement of products that can influence fire and vegetation and management across the U.S.

Please help us improve the BpS products in this review by selecting one or more of the options described below.

Review Options

Self-guided review

Interested in a reviewing a certain BpS of interest? Select and work at your pace by providing feedback on specific BpS by editing a Word document.

Review reference fire regimes

Interested in fire? This might be the one for you. Review the reference fire frequency and severity for a BpS or a region. Send us your feedback.

Provide feedback on specific questions

Help us fill in the holes by providing answers to our questions about a specific BpS. Use your expertise and answer questions for any BpS you are familiar with.

Attend a review work session

Curious how these reviews should go? Join a “review work session” and get started on your review. These sessions will provide an opportunity to ask questions, work on reviews, experiment with model changes, and engage with other reviewers.

Guided review

Looking for one-on-one review guidance? Contact kblankenship@tnc.org to schedule a review time.

Review Timeline

Nov. 2021 - Feb. 28, 2022

Spring 2022

Summer 2022

Alaska BpS Review
Get your reviews in by February 28, 2022.

Reviewing Your Reviews
LANDFIRE will incorporate your suggestions and update the BpS models.

BpS Revisions Complete
Latest BpS models and descriptions will be available by request.

Following Your Review: What to Expect

All comments will be considered for inclusion in the revised BpS. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee that all edits will be incorporated. To increase the likelihood that your suggestions are included in the review, we recommend including as much supporting information (e.g. citations) as possible. Reviewers may request to see the revised BpS draft before it is published by contacting landfire@tnc.org