184 Mapping revealed how longleaf pine juveniles (the green dots) generate mostly within unburned patches (yellow areas). Smoke Science Program and an assistant scientist at Tall Timbers. “We have shown that we have better habitat where there is higher burn frequency.” Using Data to Model the Behavior of Smoke Tall Timbers started a new department to study smoke. The environmental digital twin helps researchers understand the behavior of smoke and guide it away from vulnerable populations. “We’re really in a challenge to learn how to burn in such a way that prevents the Environmental Protection Agency air quality standards from being exceeded,” Robertson said. “That involves geography, knowing where the smoke is coming from and working with landowners to spread their burning out over time.” While the environmental digital twin has been essential for smoke modeling, additional modeling is needed. Researchers want to be able to discern “the movement of heated air and how that influences the fuels in front of it.” They also need to know how air is being drawn into the fire so they can predict how fire will behave. For now, visitors to Tall Timbers can observe the environmental digital twin in action. More importantly, Visitors to the training center learn from the measured and managed approach that organizations like Tall Timbers take with fire, using GIS to monitor, make plans, and execute strategies. Beneficial fire requires a landscape-level awareness that the technology provides. “We use GIS to understand the balance between the ecological need and safety, and for being aware of smoke and other impacts,” said Holly Nowell, the director of the
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