Forests of Pennsylvania, 2015

Abstract

This resource update provides an overview of the forest resources in Pennsylvania based on inventories conducted by the U.S. Forest Service, Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program of the Northern Research Station (NRS). Estimates are based on field data collected using the FIA annualized sample design and are updated yearly1(see footnote 1, page 2). Information about the national and regional FIA program is available online at http://fia.fs.fed.us. Since 2000, FIA has implemented an annual inventory in Pennsylvania. For the 2015 inventory, estimates for current variables, such as area, volume, and biomass, are based on 4,550 (3,036 forested) plot samples collected from 2010-2015. Change variables, such as net growth, removals, and mortality, are based on 4,178 samples collected in 2005-2010 and in 2010-2015. Estimates from earlier annual and periodic inventories are shown for comparison. See Bechtoldand Patterson (2005) and O'Connell et al. (2014) for definitions and technical details.

Citation

Widmann, Richard H. 2016. Forests of Pennsylvania, 2015. Resource Update FS-92. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station. 4 p.