How to modify Landfire files
mcgratta opened this issue · comments
I know this isn't an issue, but does anyone know how to modify a Landfire Geo Tiff file. In other words change one or two tiles?
Also, do you want to activate the Discussion functionality for this GitHub repository?
The typical approach is to develop disturbance maps and then modify the data using the Landfire total fuel change tool (https://landfire.gov/download_lftfc.php). There is guidance on how to use the tool with some examples in the guide on the landfire site (https://www.conservationgateway.org/ConservationPractices/FireLandscapes/LANDFIRE/Documents/ModifyingLF_DataGuide_V1.pdf).
As Randy mentioned, the data is stored as a geotiff, so you can directly modify the pixel values in any environment which can edit this data format. If you have pretty simple rules you want to apply you can use the raster calculator within QGIS. In the past I have done pixel by pixel editing within a separate python environment or in a photo editing tool like photoshop or paint.net (https://www.getpaint.net/). You have to be careful with your bit depth and channels when using photo editing tools.
We found a QGIS plug-in called Serval that appears to work. We'll write up a wiki.
Editing GeoTIFF Files
There may be times when locally saved GeoTiff files require slight editing. For example, if you want to modify a locally saved LANDFIRE map. Here is one way to do it.
- Install the plug-in
Servalvia the menuPlugins/Manage and install plugins... - Click on the layer you wish to edit from the Layers window.
- Click on the pencil on the bar just above the viewport. If the pencil is greyed out, the layer you have selected is not stored locally or is an incompatible file type.
- Change the value that is directly next to the pencil.
- Left click over the desired pixel whose value you want to change.
I have not had a chance to try this because some server is down, but let me know if it works for you and if so, could you add it to the wiki pages.
