Toward a national fuels mapping strategy: Lessons from selected mapping programs

The establishment of a robust national fuels mapping program must be based on pertinent lessons from relevant national mapping programs. Many large-ar ea mapping programs are under way in numerous Federal agencies. Each of the se programs follows unique strategies to achieve mapping goals and objectiv es. Implementation approaches range from highly centralized programs that u se tightly integrated standards and dedicated staff, to dispersed programs that permit considerable flexibility. One model facilitates national consis tency, while the other allows accommodation of locally relevant conditions and issues. An examination of the programmatic strategies of four national vegetation and land cover mapping initiatives can identify the unique appro aches, accomplishments, and lessons of each that should be considered in th e design of a national fuel mapping program. The first three programs are t he US. Geological Survey Gap Analysis Program, the U.S. Geological Survey N ational Land Cover Characterization Program, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Survey National Wetlands Inventory. A fourth program, the interagency Mult iresolution Land Characterization Program, offers insights in the use of pa rtnerships to accomplish mapping goals. Collectively, the programs provide lessons, guiding principles, and other basic concepts that can be used to d esign a successful national fuels mapping initiative.