Introduction to the Special Section on Forest Inventory and Analysis

Abstract

Eighteen years ago, in this journal, Gillespie (1999) described the transition of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program from its historical practice of periodic, state-level inventories to a spatially and temporally balanced annualized inventory. The article offered a rationale for the change and also noted some of the concerns and challenges of implementing this approach nationally. One of the key points in Gillespie’s (1999, p. 16) rationale was that conducting annual inventory in all states every year would "make it easier for partners (mainly state forestry agencies) to collaborate in program planning and implementation."

Citation

Shaw, John D. 2017. Introduction to the Special Section on Forest Inventory and Analysis. Journal of Forestry. 115(4): 246-248.