Inventory, Monitoring, and Analysis

The collection of data and information about the status of natural resources is essential to the successful stewardship of forests and rangelands. Inventory and monitoring science performed by the Northern Research Station provides foundational data and tools that are used to increase understanding around the effects of landscape and climate change on resources to include carbon, wildlife, forest products, biodiversity, urban forests, water, outdoor recreation, wilderness, and ecosystem services. Scientists and research technicians collect, analyze, and share data to track information on land ownership, land status and distribution, forest health, and many other landscape characteristics.  

A large part of this inventory and monitoring work is done by the Forest Inventory and Analysis program, which maintains the largest continuous body of forest inventory data in the world. Data that is collected from within the 20 states that make up the Northern Research Station region as well as from the neighboring states of North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Kansas is analyzed by Forest Inventory and Analysis researchers to assess sustainability, aide in decision-making, evaluate wildlife habitat, and address pressing environmental challenges.