Field note: A new conversion of Forest Inventory and Analysis data for use in the Forest Vegetation Simulator

John D. Shaw; Aaron Gagnon

doi:10.1093/jofore/fvz050

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Field note: A new conversion of Forest Inventory and Analysis data for use in the Forest Vegetation Simulator

Formally Refereed

Authors:

John D. Shaw, Aaron Gagnon

Year:

2019

Type:

Scientific Journal

Station:

Rocky Mountain Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1093/jofore/fvz050

Source:

Journal of Forestry. doi: 10.1093/jofore/fvz050.

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Abstract

Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) data are useful for a wide range of applications (Shaw 2017), including research, National Forest planning, and private consultation. For some of these applications, FIA data are the primary source of input for projections done using the Forest Vegetation Simulator (FVS; Dixon 2002). For the past several years, there has been a barrier to full use of FIA data in FVS, because of rapid changes in the FIA database (FIADB) and difficulty maintaining a translation process that correctly and comprehensively produces FVS-ready tables from FIADB. In addition, the use of Microsoft Access as a data-distribution format was discontinued by the FIA program, because of the fact that FIADB contents for several individual states had exceeded the 2 gigabyte capacity of Access. The need for an updated translation process and new data distribution approach warranted a new approach to both issues.

Keywords

Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA), data, FIA database (FIADB), Forest Vegetation Simulator (FVS), planning

Citation

Shaw, John D.; Gagnon, Aaron. 2019. Field note: A new conversion of Forest Inventory and Analysis data for use in the Forest Vegetation Simulator. Journal of Forestry. doi: 10.1093/jofore/fvz050.