Using FIA and GIS Data to Estimate Areas and Volumes of Potential Stream Management Zones and Road Beautifying Buffers

Abstract

Georgia Stream Management Zones (SMZ) are voluntary and have an unknown extent and impact. We use FIA data, Landsat TM imagery, and GAP and other GIS data to estimate the acreages and volumes of these buffers. We use stream data classified into trout, perennial, and intermittent, combined with DEM files containing elevation values, to assess buffers with widths consistent with Best Management Practice rules. Our results suggest that SMZs in Georgia occupy about 3.6 percent of the forested area and contain about 4 percent of its volume. Assuming 100-foot buffers, the area would be more than 7.5 percent and the volume 8.4 percent.

Parent Publication

• Proceedings of the fourth annual Forest Inventory and Analysis symposium

Citation

Zasada, Michael; Cieszewski, Chris J.; Lowe , Roger C.; Zawadzki, Jarek; Clutter, Mike; Siry, Jacek P. 2005. Using FIA and GIS Data to Estimate Areas and Volumes of Potential Stream Management Zones and Road Beautifying Buffers. In: McRoberts, Ronald E.; Reams, Gregory A.; Van Deusen, Paul C.; McWilliams, William H.; Cieszewski, Chris J., eds. Proceedings of the fourth annual forest inventory and analysis symposium; Gen. Tech. Rep. NC-252. St. Paul, MN: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Research Station. 253-257