Product Description
Vegetation Condition Class (VCC) represents a simple categorization of the associated Vegetation Departure (VDep) and is a derivative of the VDep layer. It indicates the general level to which current vegetation is different from the estimated modeled vegetation based on past reference conditions. VDep and VCC are based upon methods originally described in the Interagency Fire Regime Condition Class Guidebook, but are not identical to those methods and should not be considered as a replacement data set. Full descriptions of the methods used can be found in the VDep product description. Note that the LANDFIRE (LF) team feels it is very important for users to review the VDep methods before comparing VDep or VCC values across LF versions.
VCC is not always created for all extents and/or all versions of LF. See the schedule page to learn more about each version.
In LF 2012, the original three VCC classes were divided in half to create six VCC classes to provide additional thematic resolution. The below table describes the classes:
| LF 2012 and forward | LF c2001 National, LF 2001, LF 2008 |
|---|---|
| VCC I.A: Very Low, VDep 0 - 16 | VCC I: Low departure, VDep 0 - 33 |
| VCC I.B: Low, VDep 17 - 33 | |
| VCC II.A: Moderate to Low, VDep 34 - 50 | VCC II: Moderate departure, VDep 34 - 66 |
| VCC II.B: Moderate to High, VDep 51 - 66 | |
| VCC III.A: High, VDep 67 - 83 | VCC III: High departure, VDep 67 - 100 |
| VCC III.B: Very High, VDep 84 - 100 |
The six new VCC classes can be collapsed into the original three VCC classes as shown above. Both the original three and new six class VCC classifications are included as attributes in the LF 2012 and beyond VCC layer.
FAQs
LANDFIRE (LF) never delivered a "full" FRCC product as originally described, even when the product carried that name, so it was renamed to reduce confusion.
FRCC is composed of two elements: Vegetation Departure and Fire Regime Departure. LF produced and delivered the first component of FRCC (Vegetation Departure) because LF had no consistent way to estimate Fire Regime Departure over the entire geography. Therefore, the product was renamed VCC since it is a more appropriate and descriptive name. VCC is just the current VDep product sliced into categories.
Vegetation Condition Class Resources
LF Definitions, Quality, and Standards - provides information about contributors, metadata and data standards, data creation, and data testing. This document also provides details about our general data release process.
LF Dictionary - a “one-stop shop” general resource that provides information about products, Attribute Data Dictionaries (ADDs), data and metadata, and terms.
LF Version Comparison Table - view the version history for each individual product.
LF Naming Conventions - understanding the version number
LF Definitions, Quality, and Standards - provides information about contributors, metadata and data standards, data creation, and data testing. This document also provides details about our general data release process.
LF Dictionary - a “one-stop shop” general resource that provides information about products, Attribute Data Dictionaries (ADDs), data and metadata, and terms.
LF Version Comparison Table - view the version history for each individual product.
LF Naming Conventions - understanding the version number