Landscape Modeling and Geovisualization Workshop Forest Cover Change Visualizations for Springfield MO Nathan Huggins 1,4,6 Holly Neill 3 and L. Monika Moskal 4,5 1 Remote Sensing and Geospatial Analysis Laboratory Department of Geography Geology and Planning Southwest Missouri State University 3 James River Basin Partnership 4 Assistant Professor Department of Geography Geology and Planning Southwest Missouri State University 5 Director 6 Graduate Student Assistant (JRBP) Remote Sensing and Geospatial Analysis Laboratory Department of Geography Geology and Planning Southwest Missouri State University

Mo NRC - Lake of the Ozarks February 4 th, 2005 Forest Facts Forest Cover makes up 33% of land cover within the US (749 Million Acres) Forest Cover makes up 33% of land cover within the US (749 Million Acres) Missouri – 14 Million Acres Missouri – 14 Million Acres Forests relatively stable since early 1900’s Forests relatively stable since early 1900’s Forest Cover state wide has increased over the past few decades while forest cover within the Springfield area has been slowly declining. Forest Cover state wide has increased over the past few decades while forest cover within the Springfield area has been slowly declining.

Mo NRC - Lake of the Ozarks February 4 th, 2005 Forest cover change in JRB, MO 1977 Land Use Data Analysis 325,962 acres of forest 1985 Missouri Department of Conservation Forest Land Mapping Project 288,678 acres of forest 1992 MoRAP Land Cover 299,596 acres of forest, Woodland and woody herbaceous 2001 MoRAP Land Cover 352,581 acres of forest, woodland and woody herbaceous

Mo NRC - Lake of the Ozarks February 4 th, 2005 Forest Cover Forest cover is slowing decreasing and becoming more fragmented over time Forest cover is slowing decreasing and becoming more fragmented over time Average size of forest stand within area also decreasing Average size of forest stand within area also decreasing Forest Characteristics Area # Patches Mean Patch Size Geo-Visualizations provide a method to communicate landscape fragmentation more effectively than statistics alone Geo-Visualizations provide a method to communicate landscape fragmentation more effectively than statistics alone

Mo NRC - Lake of the Ozarks February 4 th, 2005 Simple Change Animation

Mo NRC - Lake of the Ozarks February 4 th, 2005 Geo-Visualization Software 3D Nature - Virtual Nature Studio 2 3D Nature - Virtual Nature Studio 2 –Uses GIS vector and raster datasets –Allows users control and manipulation of a multitude of variables - terraffectors –Uses realistic parameters to place environmental variables –Provides several models and custom materials –Camera and key frame options

Mo NRC - Lake of the Ozarks February 4 th, 2005 Steps to Visualization – Image to Animation 6 Classified Images 6 Classified Images GIS – to combine and reclassify into single image - matrix GIS – to combine and reclassify into single image - matrix Imported base data into software Imported base data into software –Hydro Vectors –USGS 30 DEM Set Up Ecosystems Set Up Ecosystems Camera, Key Frames Camera, Key Frames Render Render Ecosystems Ecosystems –64 ecosystems –Forest model –Placed using calculated grid –Max height –Min Height –Stems\Area

Mo NRC - Lake of the Ozarks February 4 th, 2005 Springfield Visualization #1

Mo NRC - Lake of the Ozarks February 4 th, 2005 Springfield Visualization #2

Mo NRC - Lake of the Ozarks February 4 th, 2005 Assumptions All trees grow at same rate, no static forest cover All trees grow at same rate, no static forest cover All trees present at 1972 were full grown All trees present at 1972 were full grown Estimation that classified forest cover remained as such between images dates Estimation that classified forest cover remained as such between images dates Non realistic tree characteristics were used for visual purposes Non realistic tree characteristics were used for visual purposes

Mo NRC - Lake of the Ozarks February 4 th, 2005 Forest Visualization Conclusions Geo-Visualizations can effectively and realistically communicate forest change Geo-Visualizations can effectively and realistically communicate forest change Forest cover will continue to become more fragmented as urbanization increases Forest cover will continue to become more fragmented as urbanization increases Successful future management practices will require better communication with the public Successful future management practices will require better communication with the public –Majority of remaining forest cover is privately owned –Work with developers to protect forest stands

Mo NRC - Lake of the Ozarks February 4 th, 2005 Acknowledgments