The NSW Natural Resources Commission (NRC) engaged the University of Newcastle to analyse Airborne Laser Scanning (ALS) for monitoring forest conditions and biophysical outcomes. The analysis looked at the relationships between topographic position, fire severity and harvesting history, including harvest intensity. The ALS data used was LiDAR LAS data captured across 540,000 hectares of NSW state forest. These included 27 state forests across 7 regions (Eden, Batemans Bay, Bulahdelah, Wauchope, Coffs Harbour, Styx River and Casino) across 3 separate capture years (2012, 2016 and 2023). The LiDAR metrics developed include canopy top height, canopy coverage, canopy foliage density, and skew. The canopy top height and canopy cover LiDAR metrics displayed in this webmap were calculated at a 30 metre x 30 metre resolution. Read the report here: Retrospective Analysis of Forest Structure Change: ALS Data Comparison and Interpretation This webmap displays the spatial outputs of this project. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- To leave feedback on your experience with this web site or its data, follow this link: NRC Contact Page To leave feedback on your experience with the Spatial Collaboration Portal, follow this link (account creation required) : Spatial Collaboration Portal Feedback ____________________________________________________ This webapp is part of the Coastal Integrated Forestry Operations Approval (Coastal IFOA) monitoring program. Access API Metadata Portal Metadata Information Content TitleCoastal IFOA Forest Structure AnalysisContent TypeOtherDescriptionAirborne Laser Scanning (ALS) derived Canopy Height & Coverage Models and associated factors including Fire Extent and Severity, Year of Last Harvest and Landform Class across several study sites in NSW.Initial Publication Date31/08/2024Data Currency31/08/2024Data Update FrequencyOtherContent SourceFile TypeWeb Feature ServiceAttributionData Theme, Classification or Relationship to other DatasetsAccuracySpatial Reference System (dataset)GDA2020Spatial Reference System (web service)EPSG:4326WGS84 Equivalent ToGDA2020Spatial ExtentContent LineageData ClassificationUnclassifiedData Access PolicyOpenData QualityTerms and ConditionsCreative CommonsStandard and SpecificationData CustodianNSW Natural Resources CommissionPoint of ContactEmma Pearce (Emma.Pearce@nrc.nsw.gov.au)Data AggregatorData DistributorAdditional Supporting InformationTRIM Number

Export DataAccess APIThese datasets were produced as part of a study undertaken by the University of Newcastle, commissioned by the NSW Natural Resources Commission. The study produced a report, titled ‘Retrospective Analysis of Forest Structure Change: ALS Data Comparison and Interpretation’.These datasets are part of a web application on the Spatial Collaboration Portal, accessible through the below URL:https://portal.spatial.nsw.gov.au/portal/apps/experiencebuilder/experience/?id=7ab99290b6514fed880df16af1fcc7e6Metadata Portal Metadata InformationContent TitleALS Analysis into Forest Structure Change - WauchopeContent TypeOtherDescriptionALS derived canopy height & coverage models and associated factors.Initial Publication Date24/05/2024Data Currency24/05/2024Data Update FrequencyOtherContent SourceOtherFile TypeImagery LayerAttributionData produced by University of Newcastle for the Natural Resources CommissionData Theme, Classification or Relationship to other DatasetsAccuracySpatial Reference System (dataset)OtherSpatial Reference System (web service)OtherWGS84 Equivalent ToOtherSpatial ExtentContent LineageData ClassificationUnclassifiedData Access PolicyOpenData QualityTerms and ConditionsCreative CommonsStandard and SpecificationData CustodianNSW Natural Resources CommissionPoint of ContactEmma Pearce (Emma.Pearce@nrc.nsw.gov.au)Data AggregatorData DistributorSpatial VisionAdditional Supporting InformationTRIM Number

Export DataAccess API These datasets were produced as part of a study undertaken by the University of Newcastle, commissioned by the NSW Natural Resources Commission. The study produced a report, titled ‘Retrospective Analysis of Forest Structure Change: ALS Data Comparison and Interpretation’.These datasets are part of a web application on the Spatial Collaboration Portal, accessible through the below URL:https://portal.spatial.nsw.gov.au/portal/home/item.html?id=7ab99290b6514fed880df16af1fcc7e6Metadata Portal Metadata InformationContent TitleALS Analysis into Forest Structure Change -Batemans BayContent TypeScene Layer/Scene Layer PackageDescriptionALS derived canopy height & coverage models and associated factors.Initial Publication Date24/05/2024Data Currency24/05/2024Data Update FrequencyOtherContent SourceOtherFile TypeMap Feature ServiceAttributionData produced by University of Newcastle for the Natural Resources CommissionData Theme, Classification or Relationship to other DatasetsAccuracySpatial Reference System (dataset)OtherSpatial Reference System (web service)OtherWGS84 Equivalent ToOtherSpatial ExtentContent LineageData ClassificationUnclassifiedData Access PolicyOpenData QualityTerms and ConditionsCreative CommonsStandard and SpecificationData CustodianNSW Natural Resources CommissionPoint of ContactEmma Pearce (Emma.Pearce@nrc.nsw.gov.au)Data AggregatorData DistributorSpatial VisionAdditional Supporting InformationTRIM Number

Export DataAccess APIThese datasets were produced as part of a study undertaken by the University of Newcastle, commissioned by the NSW Natural Resources Commission. The study produced a report, titled ‘Retrospective Analysis of Forest Structure Change: ALS Data Comparison and Interpretation’.These datasets are part of a web application on the Spatial Collaboration Portal, accessible through the below URL:https://portal.spatial.nsw.gov.au/portal/apps/experiencebuilder/experience/?id=7ab99290b6514fed880df16af1fcc7e6 Metadata Portal Metadata InformationContent TitleALS Analysis into Forest Structure Change - EdenContent TypeOtherDescriptionALS derived canopy height & coverage models and associated factors.Initial Publication Date24/05/2024Data Currency24/05/2024Data Update FrequencyOtherContent SourceOtherFile TypeImagery LayerAttributionData produced by University of Newcastle for the Natural Resources CommissionData Theme, Classification or Relationship to other DatasetsAccuracySpatial Reference System (dataset)OtherSpatial Reference System (web service)OtherWGS84 Equivalent ToOtherSpatial ExtentContent LineageData ClassificationUnclassifiedData Access PolicyOpenData QualityTerms and ConditionsCreative CommonsStandard and SpecificationData CustodianNSW Natural Resources CommissionPoint of ContactEmma Pearce (Emma.Pearce@nrc.nsw.gov.au)Data AggregatorData DistributorSpatial VisionAdditional Supporting InformationTRIM Number

Export DataAccess APIThese datasets were produced as part of a study undertaken by the University of Newcastles, commissioned by the NSW Natural Resources Commission. The study produced a report, titled ‘Retrospective Analysis of Forest Structure Change: ALS Data Comparison and Interpretation’.These datasets are part of a web application on the Spatial Collaboration Portal, accessible through the below URL:https://portal.spatial.nsw.gov.au/portal/home/item.html?id=7ab99290b6514fed880df16af1fcc7e6Metadata Portal Metadata InformationContent TitleALS Analysis into Forest Structure Change - BulahdelahContent TypeOtherDescriptionALS derived canopy height & coverage models and associated factors.Initial Publication Date24/05/2024Data Currency24/05/2024Data Update FrequencyOtherContent SourceOtherFile TypeImagery LayerAttributionData produced by University of Newcastle for the Natural Resources CommissionData Theme, Classification or Relationship to other DatasetsAccuracySpatial Reference System (dataset)OtherSpatial Reference System (web service)OtherWGS84 Equivalent ToOtherSpatial ExtentContent LineageData ClassificationUnclassifiedData Access PolicyOpenData QualityTerms and ConditionsCreative CommonsStandard and SpecificationData CustodianNSW Natural Resources CommissionPoint of ContactEmma Pearce (Emma.Pearce@nrc.nsw.gov.au)Data AggregatorData DistributorSpatial VisionAdditional Supporting InformationTRIM Number

Export DataAccess APIThese datasets were produced as part of a study undertaken by the University of Newcastle, commissioned by the NSW Natural Resources Commission. The study produced a report, titled ‘Retrospective Analysis of Forest Structure Change: ALS Data Comparison and Interpretation’.These datasets are part of a web application on the Spatial Collaboration Portal, accessible through the below URL:https://portal.spatial.nsw.gov.au/portal/apps/experiencebuilder/experience/?id=7ab99290b6514fed880df16af1fcc7e6 Metadata Portal Metadata InformationContent TitleALS Analysis into Forest Structure Change - Coffs HarbourContent TypeOtherDescriptionALS derived canopy height & coverage models and associated factors.Initial Publication Date24/05/2024Data Currency24/05/2024Data Update FrequencyOtherContent SourceOtherFile TypeImagery LayerAttributionData produced by University of Newcastle for the Natural Resources CommissionData Theme, Classification or Relationship to other DatasetsAccuracySpatial Reference System (dataset)OtherSpatial Reference System (web service)OtherWGS84 Equivalent ToOtherSpatial ExtentContent LineageData ClassificationUnclassifiedData Access PolicyOpenData QualityTerms and ConditionsCreative CommonsStandard and SpecificationData CustodianNSW Natural Resources CommissionPoint of ContactEmma Pearce (Emma.Pearce@nrc.nsw.gov.au)Data AggregatorData DistributorSpatial VisionAdditional Supporting InformationTRIM Number

Export DataAccess APIThese datasets were produced as part of a study undertaken by the University of Newcastle, commissioned by the NSW Natural Resources Commission. The study produced a report, titled ‘Retrospective Analysis of Forest Structure Change: ALS Data Comparison and Interpretation’.These datasets are part of a web application on the Spatial Collaboration Portal, accessible through the below URL:https://portal.spatial.nsw.gov.au/portal/apps/experiencebuilder/experience/?id=7ab99290b6514fed880df16af1fcc7e6 Metadata Portal Metadata InformationContent TitleALS Analysis into Forest Structure Change - CasinoContent TypeScene Layer/Scene Layer PackageDescriptionALS derived canopy height & coverage models and associated factors.Initial Publication Date24/05/2024Data Currency24/05/2024Data Update FrequencyOtherContent SourceOtherFile TypeMap Feature ServiceAttributionData produced by University of Newcastle for the Natural Resources CommissionData Theme, Classification or Relationship to other DatasetsAccuracySpatial Reference System (dataset)OtherSpatial Reference System (web service)OtherWGS84 Equivalent ToOtherSpatial ExtentContent LineageData ClassificationUnclassifiedData Access PolicyOpenData QualityTerms and ConditionsCreative CommonsStandard and SpecificationData CustodianNSW Natural Resources CommissionPoint of ContactEmma Pearce (Emma.Pearce@nrc.nsw.gov.au)Data AggregatorData DistributorSpatial VisionAdditional Supporting InformationTRIM Number

LANDFIRE’s (LF) 2001 Canopy Height (CH) product describes the average height of the top of the canopy for a stand. A spatially-explicit map of canopy height supplies information for fire behavior models such as FARSITE (Finney 1998) to determine the starting point for embers, calculate wind reductions, and compute the volume of crown fuels. In FARSITE, canopy characteristics are used to compute shading, wind reduction factors, spotting distances, crown fuel volume, spread characteristics of crown fires and incorporate the effects of ladder fuels for transitions from a surface to crown fire. CH is derived from the LF Existing Vegetation Height (EVH) product using the LANDFIRE Total Fuel Change Tool (LFTFC). Forested EVH values are reclassified from the five LANDFIRE EVH codes to represent the midpoint of the classification. CH values are represented in meters times 10 starting with 25 and ending at 500. Where EVH is not forested or the tree height is considered to be part of the surface fuel CH receives a value of 0.

LANDFIRE’s (LF) 2016 Remap (Remap) Canopy Base Height (CBH) supplies information used in fire behavior models to determine the critical point at which a surface fire will transition to a crown fire. CBH data are continuous from 0 to 9.9 meters (to the nearest 0.1 meter) and describe the lowest point in a stand where there is enough available fuel (0.25 in dia.) to propagate fire vertically through the canopy. Critical CBH is defined as the lowest point at which the canopy bulk density is .012 kg m-3. The CBH mapping process starts by deriving field referenced estimates of canopy characteristics through LF Reference Database (LFRDB) plot analysis. Utilizing LFRDB plots, a training data set to model CBH was created. Field referenced CBH values are calculated for each plot using the canopy fuel estimation software in Forest Vegetation Simulator (FVS). Statistical analysis of plot variables indicates that LF Remap Existing Vegetation Type (EVT) and Existing Vegetation Height (EVH) demonstrate some influence on CBH, with Existing Vegetation Cover (EVC) affecting CBH values within certain EVTs. To model the relationsIAp LF Remap Canopy Cover (CC) and Canopy Height (CH) are used as predictors of CBH; developing a linear regression equation per EVT and disturbance type/severity. These CBH regression models account for roughly two-thirds of EVT assignments. To account for missing EVTs, regression equations from similar EVTs are utilized as surrogates ensuring consistent values throughout. In some, instances LF Remap assumes the potential burnable biomass in the tree canopy has been accounted for in the surface fuel model. For example, young or short conifer stands where the trees are represented by a shrub type fuel model will not have canopy characteristics. For tree stands dominated by broadleaf species that are fire resistant (e.g. Populus spp.) are coded with a CBH of 10 meters. the artificial increase in CBH is done to prevent false simulation of crown fires that rarely occur in these areas. All non-forest values, including herbaceous/shrub systems and non-burnable types (urban, barren, snow and ice, and agriculture) are coded as 0. However, certain types of agriculture and urban vegetation that are burnable are assigned a constant value by LF Remap Total Fuel Change Toolbar (LFTFC) rulesets based on region and vegetation type. LF Remap Annual Disturbance products are incorporated into CBH to provide informed changes by disturbance type, severity, and time since disturbance (TSD). Annual Disturbance products provide a pre-disturbance scenario represented by LF Remap existing vegetation products. The combination of pre-disturbance and non-disturbance vegetation are used to calculate CBH by vegetation type, cover, and height acted on by a disturbance event. Vegetation adjustments are modeled in disturbed areas based on disturbance type and severity using FVS derived linear equations. With the use of Annual Disturbance products, CBH also has capable fuels functionality. Capable fuels calculate TSD assignments for disturbed areas using an "effective year." For example, year 2020 fuels may be calculated for the year 2020. the new process considers all the existing disturbances included in LF Remap and adjusts the TSD for these to the effective year (2020 in the example), making the products "2020 capable fuels." More information about capable fuels can be found at https://www.landfire.gov/lf_remap.php.

LANDFIRE’s (LF) 2016 Remap (Remap) Canopy Base Height (CBH) supplies information used in fire behavior models to determine the critical point at which a surface fire will transition to a crown fire. CBH data are continuous from 0 to 9.9 meters (to the nearest 0.1 meter) and describe the lowest point in a stand where there is enough available fuel (0.25 in dia.) to propagate fire vertically through the canopy. Critical CBH is defined as the lowest point at which the canopy bulk density is .012 kg m-3. The CBH mapping process starts by deriving field referenced estimates of canopy characteristics through LF Reference Database (LFRDB) plot analysis. Utilizing LFRDB plots, a training data set to model CBH was created. Field referenced CBH values are calculated for each plot using the canopy fuel estimation software in Forest Vegetation Simulator (FVS). Statistical analysis of plot variables indicates that LF Remap Existing Vegetation Type (EVT) and Existing Vegetation Height (EVH) demonstrate some influence on CBH, with Existing Vegetation Cover (EVC) affecting CBH values within certain EVTs. To model the relationsIAp LF Remap Canopy Cover (CC) and Canopy Height (CH) are used as predictors of CBH; developing a linear regression equation per EVT and disturbance type/severity. These CBH regression models account for roughly two-thirds of EVT assignments. To account for missing EVTs, regression equations from similar EVTs are utilized as surrogates ensuring consistent values throughout. In some, instances LF Remap assumes the potential burnable biomass in the tree canopy has been accounted for in the surface fuel model. For example, young or short conifer stands where the trees are represented by a shrub type fuel model will not have canopy characteristics. For tree stands dominated by broadleaf species that are fire resistant (e.g. Populus spp.) are coded with a CBH of 10 meters. the artificial increase in CBH is done to prevent false simulation of crown fires that rarely occur in these areas. All non-forest values, including herbaceous/shrub systems and non-burnable types (urban, barren, snow and ice, and agriculture) are coded as 0. However, certain types of agriculture and urban vegetation that are burnable are assigned a constant value by LF Remap Total Fuel Change Toolbar (LFTFC) rulesets based on region and vegetation type. LF Remap Annual Disturbance products are incorporated into CBH to provide informed changes by disturbance type, severity, and time since disturbance (TSD). Annual Disturbance products provide a pre-disturbance scenario represented by LF Remap existing vegetation products. The combination of pre-disturbance and non-disturbance vegetation are used to calculate CBH by vegetation type, cover, and height acted on by a disturbance event. Vegetation adjustments are modeled in disturbed areas based on disturbance type and severity using FVS derived linear equations. With the use of Annual Disturbance products, CBH also has capable fuels functionality. Capable fuels calculate TSD assignments for disturbed areas using an "effective year." For example, year 2020 fuels may be calculated for the year 2020. the new process considers all the existing disturbances included in LF Remap and adjusts the TSD for these to the effective year (2020 in the example), making the products "2020 capable fuels." More information about capable fuels can be found at https://www.landfire.gov/lf_remap.php.