Comparisons

Comparing Past vs. Present Conditions

Using LANDFIRE’s BpS products, we explore two different ways to visualize past vs. current vegetation patterns.

• First we present changes in broad ecosystem types using an interactive comparison diagram.

• Second we compare amounts of succession classes (past and present) for the most prevalent ecosystems.

Comparing Broad Vegetation Trends

Summary

• Broadly speaking, this subregion has not experienced significant ecosystem conversion to agricultural or urban land uses.
  
• LANDFIRE mapped a fair amount of change in the “Past Conifer” class, with almost 30% of it being mapped as present day shrubland.
• Nearly all of the land classified as present day “exotic vegetation” was converted from shrubland areas.
• Note: number presented when hovering equals acres.

Succession classes for most dominant BpSs

• Succession classes have changed the most in the Rocky Mountain Montane Riparian Systems BpS, with a substantial over representation of succession class B currently.
• Some BpSs appear to be missing succession classes on the landscape today, such as the Colorado Plateau Pinyon-Juniper Woodland (missing succession class B).