National FIA plot intensification procedure report

Jock A. Blackard; Paul L. Patterson

doi:10.2737/RMRS-GTR-329

Treesearch

National FIA plot intensification procedure report

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Jock A. Blackard, Paul L. Patterson

Year:

2014

Type:

General Technical Report

Station:

Rocky Mountain Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2737/RMRS-GTR-329

Source:

Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-329. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 63 p.

Download (PDF 4.80 MB)

Download (PDF 4.80 MB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/46992.pdf

Abstract

The Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program of the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) measures a spatially distributed base grid of forest inventory plots across the United States. The sampling intensity of plots may be increased in some regions when warranted by specific inventory objectives. Several intensification methods have been developed within FIA and USFS National Forest Systems regions; however, a national standard routine for plot intensification does not exist. This report examines eight candidate intensification methods by a developed set of evaluation criteria, and based on those results proposes that FIA adopt the GRID method as its national plot intensification procedure. It is also suggested that the current version of the GRID method be updated by converting it to an ESRI ArcGIS add-in tool.

Keywords

sample intensification, forest inventory, plot intensification, Forest Inventory and Analysis

Citation

Blackard, Jock A.; Patterson, Paul L. 2014. National FIA plot intensification procedure report. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-329. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 63 p.