Design tool for inventory and monitoring

Abstract

Forest survey planning typically begins by determining the area to be sampled and the attributes to be measured. All too often the data are collected but underutilized because they did not address the critical management questions. The Design Tool for Inventory and Monitoring (DTIM) is being developed by the National Inventory and Monitoring Applications Center in collaboration with the National Forest System (NFS) and the Remote Sensing Applications Center. DTIM will assist inventory planners by stepping them through the monitoring process: 1) identifying key customers and broad objectives, 2) identifying monitoring questions, 3) identifying attributes needed to answer the questions, 4) evaluating existing data; then if additional data are needed, 5) setting precision and cost constraints, 6) selecting the sampling and plot designs and sample sizes; and, 7) selecting the sample locations. A prototype was successfully used on the Mark Twain National Forest and is being applied on several other National Forests. A team of NFS representatives is identifying the requirements for developing DTIM to help establish monitoring plans on National Forests as well as for use by other Forest Inventory and Analysis partners.

Parent Publication

• Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) Symposium 2008; October 21-23, 2008; Park City, UT

Citation

Scott, Charles T.; Bush, Renate; Brewer, Ken. 2009. Design tool for inventory and monitoring. In: McWilliams, Will; Moisen, Gretchen; Czaplewski, Ray, comps. Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) Symposium 2008; October 21-23, 2008; Park City, UT. Proc. RMRS-P-56CD. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 7 p.