Wildfire Impacts on Forest Carbon: Fusing Forest Inventory and Analysis Data and Terrestrial Laser Systems

Friday, September 20, 2024

12:00 PM – 12:30 PM MST

Location: Embassy Suites, River Birch C

Speaker(s)

Christopher Tsz Hin Choi (he/him/his)

Research Associate & Graduate Student
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, Colorado, United States

Co-Author(s)

AV

Anthony Vorster
AS

Atticus Stovall
Wade Tinkham, n/a (he/him/his)

Research Forester
Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station
Fort Collins, Colorado, United States

We combined the strengths of Forest Inventory and Analysis data (pre and post-fire measurements) with those of Terrestrial Laser Scanning (detailed three-dimensional reconstructions) to improve understanding of how fire impacts the transfer of carbon between pools in Southern Rocky Mountain subalpine forests.

Learning Objectives:

Upon completion, participants will be able to comprehend the challenges associated with accurately quantifying carbon dynamics in extensive post-fire landscapes, particularly in the Southern Rockies region.
Upon completion, participants will gain insight into the methodology of utilizing Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) technology to generate high-resolution three-dimensional reconstructions of post-fire Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) plots, facilitating precise carbon estimation.
Upon completion, participants will be equipped with the knowledge to understand the benefits of fusing historical carbon datasets from the United States Forest Service (USFS) Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program with TLS-derived data for improved accuracy and precision in post-fire carbon estimations, along with insights into enhancing existing protocols for better estimation of carbon stocks in wildfire-affected landscapes.