Evaluating satellite imagery-based land use data for describing forestland development in western Washington

Forestry professionals are concerned about how forestlands are affected by residential and other development. To address those concerns, researchers must find appropriate data with which to describe and evaluate rates and patterns of forestland development and the impact of development on the management of remaining forestlands. We examine land use data gathered from Landsat imagery for western Washington and evaluate its usefulness for characterizing low-density development of forestland. We evaluate the accuracy of the satellite imagery- based land use classifications by comparing them with other data from US Forest Service's Forest Inventory and Analysis inventories and the US census. We then use the data to estimate an econometric model describing development as a function of socioeconomic and topographic factors and project future rates of development and forestland loss to 2020. We conclude by discussing how best to meet the land use data needs of researchers, forestry policymakers, and managers.