Remote sensing of fire effects: A review for recent advances in burned area and burn severity mapping

Burned area and burn severity are the two most commonly used remote-sensing metrics for characterizing the effects of wildfire activity. Over the past decade, many new remote-sensing sensors and techniques have been used to map burned areas and evaluate post-fire burn severity. Advances include the application of new change-detection algorithms and new remote-sensing sensors, for example, high-spatial-resolution satellite imagery and Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) remote sensing, to quantify fire effects on ecosystems structure and species composition. The objective of this chapter is to provide a critical reflection of recent advances in remote-sensing method used to assess fire effects. This review first examines significant advances that have been made in remote sensing of fire effects at local, regional, and global scales. Second, the review shows that there is a need to develop ecological meaningful indicators for the assessment of remote-sensing-based fire effects. Third, we discuss the potential and limitations of a variety of methods for remotely measuring of burned area and burn severity and also point out potential future directions toward improved characterization of fire effects.