VFRDB database - User Guide

The VFRDB proved to be an invaluable resource to this study.  The following is a users guide prepared for RIDEM forest rangers detailing sampling methodology.  Also included in Appendix II are an example of the classification procedure used to identify fuel type at each VFRDB location and the raw VFRDB data itself. 

VFRDB Users Guide

This document was distributed to RIDEM forest rangers who participated in data collection.  Additionally, an informal ½ hour training session was provided to those interested in learning more about the devices.

Field Guide

Your expert knowledge of forested land in Rhode Island will help to create a map of potential areas of fire danger.  The fire map that your field work will help to construct will be constructed based on areas with large amounts of dead woody material, choked understories, historical problems with fires, and areas that you feel have potential for fires in the future.

How it works:  When the GPS is "on" it records it's position and the time every  second.  When you take a photo, the picture is also time stamped.  Since the clocks in both devices are synchronized, the GPS location of the location of every picture is known.

Notes:  The batteries in the GPS and camera will last for about 20 hours of continuous use.  When using the GPS, or camera, please try to turn them on only when taking pictures.  (don't leave them running all day)

Instructions:

Turn on GPS by holding                                                            Turn on Camera by
side button for 2 seconds                                                          sliding front door

                               
The GPS will get a location fix with 30 seconds to 1 minute (depending on obstructions)

Once the GPS has acquired its location, feel free to put it in a shirt pocket or in the top pouch of a backpack to free up your hands.  You can now begin taking photos.

The unit you will be using is quite accurate, and under best case conditions, can attain accuracies of 5m (about 15 feet), however, under dense canopy cover, your accuracy may be impaired.  Be sure to be mindful of the satellite signal strength your GPS unit is reporting.

Sampling Strategies:

When taking photos on foot... 

            Take photos in 360 degrees.  Use the provided compass to start taking pictures from the north, east, south and west.  This allows us to get a good and consistent idea of what the vegetation is like.  It is also helpful to take a picture of the ground for duff fuel ID.