Multiple value forest surveys in the Midsouth states

Abstract

State-of-the-art achievement and limitations in integrating water, range, wildlife, and recreation ("nontimber") inventories with forest surveys of the USDA-Forest Service, Southern Forest Experiment station, Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) Unit are reviewed.The FIA Unit surveys private and public forests in 7 Midsouth states:Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas.Articles, works-in-progress, and the process of integrating multiple-value forest inventories while maintaining an ongoing forest survey are discussed with respect to: (1) current and projected trends, (2) new approaches and additional monitoring measures, and (3) establishment of a user constituency in nontimber disciplines.Recommendations for the future include studies of sample designs suited to multiresources assessment, focusing analytical reports toward newsworthy issues in nontimber disciplines, fostering interdisciplinary efforts to study regional forest resource issues through cooperative funding programs, and "outreach" activities to inform and involve individuals in the multiple value potential of forest survey information.

Citation

Rudis, Victor A. 1990. Multiple value forest surveys in the Midsouth states. State-of-the-art methodology of forest inventory:a symposium proceedings; 1989 July 30-August 5;Syracuse, NY. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-263. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station: 495-504.