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Abstract
The USDA Forest Service has historically conducted forest inventory on a state-by-state cycle, producing relatively high precision snapshots of forest resources for a given state at 7- to 15-year intervals. We are now considering a change to a continuous inventory system where we would operate at reduced intensity simultaneously in all states every year. Advantages for customers include the continuous availability of data that are on average half a cycle old; access to data of a uniform age across administrative boundaries; increased opportunities for partnering with Forest Inventory and Analysis, including funding intensification or special studies; a permanent role in an ongoing inventory program; and increased program efficiency. Disadvantages include the elimination of the periodic higher precision inventory; a potential loss of credibility among end users; the risk of poor program service for states unable or unwilling to contribute to the program; and the possibility that the continuous approach will be more expensive than the periodic in some parts of the country.
Parent Publication
Citation
Gillespie, Andrew J. R. 2000. Pros and cons of continuous forest inventory: customer perspectives. In: Hansen, Mark; Burk, Tom, eds. Integrated tools for natural resources inventories in the 21st century. Gen. Tech. Rep. NC-212. St. Paul, MN: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Forest Experiment Station. 60-66.
