| 
using the Patch Analyst (Fig. 15). Forest polvgons containing 
hemlock were reclassed to pure hemlock and hemlock mixed 
with other tree species. Patch-level landscape metrics 
calculated using hemlock polygons show interpreter 
differences were minimal, while edge density and mean 
shape index metrics were significantly lower for exterior 
quads (WECO and GATL) having more human influence 
compared to interior quads (THMO and SIBA) (Fig. 16 and 
17). 
Wear Cove : Gatlinburg | : 
[err Ce 
| { Interpreter # #2 2b 
  
m1 Interpreter # #1} 
  
  
  
Thunderhead 
p Mountain ; 
  
.. Silers Bald 
     
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Figure 11. Overstory vegetation in the Wear Cove and 
Thunderhead Mountain quadrangles of Great Smoky 
Mountains National Park were mapped by Interpreter #1, 
while Interpreter #2 mapped vegetation in Gatlinburg and 
Silers Bald. 
p—— a ei Re remet 
| Human Influence | | 
Wear Goua MA “Gatlinburg 
  
  
[rm DER 
| Interior Old Growth | 
Thunderhead ei Stier Bald 
: Mountain ed 
  
  
  
  
  
    
  
  
  
  
  
Figure 12. Overstory vegetation in the Wear Cove and 
Gatlinburg quadrangles of Great Smoky Mountains National 
Park are subject to greater human influence because they are 
located at the edge of the park boundary, while vegetation in 
the interior Thunderhead Mountain and Silers Bald quads is 
more protected from human impacts. 
1291 
International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, Vol XXXV. Part B4. Istanbul 2004 
Landscape Level Landscape Metrics 
Shannon's Diversity Index 
m 
Shannon's Diversity Index 
  
WECO GATL SIBA THMO 
Figure 13. At the landscape level, the Shannon's Diversity 
Index was slightly lower for exterior quads (WECO and 
GATL). Interpreter differences were not significant. 
Patch Level Landscape Metrics 
  
M eei rn Cr reale y Theme = E am | 
p * QE ,8N-U se diagonals clumping method | 
+ 
Figure 14. Overstory vegetation polygons in vector format 
were converted to patches in a raster grid for computation of 
patch level landscape metrics. 
  
Reclass to Isolate Hemlock 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Figure 15. Reclassification of overstory vegetation isolated 
forest patches containing pure hemlock stands and mixed 
hemlock/hardwood communities. 
4. SUMMARY 
In summary, GIS analyses and visualization techniques were 
used to assess vegetation patterns in Great Smoky Mountains 
National Park vegetation community distributions. Overlay 
analyses of vegetation, elevation, slope and aspect resulted in 
range and variance statistics that define vegetation 
distributions related to terrain factors. Rule-based modeling 
of overstory and understory vegetation produced fuel class 
data sets for the park that, in turn, can be used to model fire 
behavior, plan fire management tactics and assess the risk of 
future fires. Landscape metrics also were used to investigate 
patch characteristics of diversity, shape and edge density.