Improving assessment of old growth forests in the eastern Sierra Nevada using geographic information systems

In this thesis I present the results of an analysis utilizing Geographic Information Systems technology in conjunction with existing information to predict old growth locations along the Eastern Sierra Nevada mountain range.;This analysis relied upon existing timber inventory for the vegetation layer where other similar studies utilize satellite imagery for this layer and these studies try to determine a spectral signature associated with old growth.;The layers used in this analysis were known old growth, a timber inventory, slope, aspect, elevation, roads, and soils. The known old growth layer resulted from three field seasons of work by Toiyabe National Forest Wildlife Biologists. This inventory was incomplete as local knowledge indicated other stands that might meet old growth criteria exited.;This analysis resulted in a prediction of 54 stands or clumps of stands that were verified via 1:12,000 aerial photography. The analysis also predicted many existing stands (31 of 54 or 57%) and one newly inventoried stand. The location of predicted stands will be turned over to Toiyabe Wildlife Biologists for further investigation and field verification.