USE OF GIS IN OPTIMIZING TIMBER THINNING STRATEGIES IN THE EASTERN SIERRA-NEVADA

This paper demonstrates the use of a Geographic Information System (GI S) to develop timber thinning strategies on the Kyburz Planning Area o f the Tahoe National Forest in northeastern California. The primary cr iteria used in an assessment of selective thinning potential were fore st health and fire hazard ratings. By eliminating environmentally sens itive, economically unfeasible, or low fire hazard areas from consider ation, the use of GIS reduced the area that was considered appropriate for thinning by approximately 58%. GIS offers considerable potential for improving resource management strategies.