CBI

Composite Burn Index

The Composite Burn Index was developed by Key and Benson (2006) to assess the on the ground fire effects on vegetation and soil (i.e. burn severity). CBI plots (30m diameter) rate the burn severity for: substrates (litter, duff, fuel, and soil); herbs, low shrubs, and small trees; tall shrubs and sapling trees; intermediate trees; and big trees. Each of these five strata are rated for 4-5 ratings factors that assess burn severity on a continuous scale ranging from 0.0 (unburned) to 3.0 (high severity). Ratings factor values are averaged together to calculate one value for each stratum. An overall CBI value is then calculated by averaging each stratum's value together. Overall CBI values can subsequently be compared with satellite-derived burn severity data to develop regression equations.

Citation:

Key, Carl H.; Benson, Nathan C. 2006. FIREMON - Landscape assessment. Pages LA 1-55 In: Lutes, Duncan C.; Keane, Robert E.; Caratti, John F.; Key, Carl H.; Benson, Nathan C.; Sutherland, Steve; Gangi, Larry J. 2006. FIREMON: Fire effects monitoring and inventory system. General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-164-CD. Fort Collins, CO: USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station.