Burning Questions Project

The data

One database, 49 sites, decades of field measurement — rescued and standardized.

About the database

The db2020 database integrates 49 North and Central Interior sites, spanning the wet South-Central Interior (ICH, ESSF, and wetter SBS) and the fire-prone Northern Interior (drier SBS, SBPS, and BWBS). A further 24 data sets were identified but could not be incorporated due to logistical obstacles — for example, data that had not yet been digitized — and time constraints.

Because every data set was created for its own purpose, integrating them required substantial transformation: standardizing structure, replacing non-data placeholders, reaching taxonomic consensus, and harmonizing coordinate systems and dates — all while ensuring no loss of information, which sometimes meant adapting the master database structure itself.

Decision-support tool

The project's findings are also available as an interactive decision-support app, letting land managers explore ecosystem responses to fire across sites and conditions.

Open the decision-support tool →

Metadata

Database access

The full db2020 database is available on request for research and management use. For access to the database, please contact Evelyn Hamilton.