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Field methods and data processing techniques associated with mapped inventory plots

Publications Posted on: June 22, 2020
The U.S. Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) and Forest Health Monitoring (FHM) programs utilize a fixed-area mapped-plot design as the national standard for extensive forest inventories. The mapped-plot design is explained, as well as the rationale for its selection as the national standard. Ratio-of-means estimators am presented as a method to process data from mapped inventory plots.

A strategic assessment of forest biomass and fuel reduction treatments in Western States

Publications Posted on: June 22, 2020
This assessment characterizes, at a regional scale, forest biomass that can potentially be removed to implement the fuel reduction and ecosystem restoration objectives of the National Fire Plan for the Western United States. The assessment area covers forests on both public and private ownerships in the region and describes all standing tree volume including stems, limbs, and tops.

Using Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) data to its best advantage for forest planning

Science Spotlights Posted on: June 02, 2020
Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) data are long-term, comprehensive forest data sets potentially of great use for Forest Plan revisions, but it can be challenging to figure out how to best take advantage of this resource. A recently published article by RMRS researchers, Supporting National Forest System Planning with Forest Inventory and Analysis Data, provides examples that can help forest managers understand potential applications of FIA for forest planning and opportunities for pursuing additional innovative applications of this dataset.

A global look at trees and forest in drylands

Science Spotlights Posted on: April 23, 2020
Drylands cover 41 percent of the earth’s surface and are home to nearly 2 billion people. Despite lacking water, they are vital, productive landscapes providing food, fiber, and habitat that people and animals depend on to survive. RMRS scientists contributed expertise on North American drylands to the groundbreaking Food and Agriculture Organization publication Trees, forests and land use in drylands: the first global assessment. This first-of-its-kind worldwide assessment uses digital data and new technology and compiles research from more than 200 experts in drylands and land use.

Supporting National Forest System planning with Forest Inventory and Analysis data

Publications Posted on: January 03, 2020
In 2012, the US Forest Service promulgated new regulations for land-management planning that emphasize the importance of scientifically credible assessment and monitoring strategies for adaptive forest planning and the maintenance or restoration of ecological integrity.

Biological assessment of oil and gas development on the Little Missouri National Grassland

Publications Posted on: November 15, 2018
The Little Missouri National Grassland is the largest designated National Grassland in the United States and represents one of the best examples of intact native mixed-grass prairie in the United States. The Little Missouri National Grasslands occurs entirely within the Williston Basin, which has been a leading source of conventional oil and gas production since the 1950s.

Applying the 2012 Planning Rule to conserve species: A practitioner's reference

Publications Posted on: September 30, 2016
The National Forest Management Act of 1976 (NFMA) directs managers of National Forest System (NFS) lands to "provide for diversity of plant and animal communities based on the suitability and capability of the specific land area in order to meet overall multiple-use objectives." The mandate is challenging and is embraced by the Forest Service.

The 1993 RPA timber assessment update

Publications Posted on: May 12, 2016
This update reports changes in the Nation's timber resource since the 1989 RPA timber assessment. The timber resource situation is analyzed to provide projections for future cost and availability of timber products to meet demands. Prospective trends in demands for and supplies of timber, and the factors that affect these trends are examined. These include changes in the land and timber resource base.

A comparative analysis of hydrologic responses of tropical deciduous and temperate deciduous watershed ecosystems to climatic change

Publications Posted on: May 12, 2016
Long-term monitoring of ecological and hydrological processes is critical to understanding ecosystem function and responses to anthropogenic and natural disturbances. Much of the world's knowledge of ecosystem responses to disturbance comes from long-term studies on gaged watersheds. However, there are relatively few long-term sites due to the large cost and commitment required to establish and maintain them.

Forest resources of the United States, 1992

Publications Posted on: May 12, 2016
The 1987 Resources Planning Act (RPA) Assessment forest resources statistics are updated to 1992, to provide current information on the Nation's forests. Resource tables present estimates of forest area, volume, mortality, growth, removals, and timber products output. Resource data are analyzed, and trends since 1987 are noted.

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