Demonstrating a progressive FIA through FIESTA: A bridge between science and production

Abstract

FIESTA (Forest Inventory ESTimation and Analysis) is an open-source, R estimation package designed for analysts who work with sample-based vegetation inventory data from the USDA Forest Service, Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) Program. With today’s complex questions and fast-evolving technologies, an adaptive tool is needed to efficiently process and translate multi-scale resource data into information. FIESTA was developed to augment currently available FIA tools by providing a flexible platform to accommodate unique research questions, including on-the-fly estimations from user-defined polygons as well as enabling the use of auxiliary data from a wide variety of remote sensing instruments. It also incorporates statistical advances in areas such as model-assisted, model-based, and small area estimation. FIESTA’s flexible, open-source strategy allows for accessibility, adaptability, and integration with other R packages and other software platforms - helping bridge the gap between science and FIA’s production-level operations.

Parent Publication

• Celebrating progress, possibilities, and partnerships: Proceedings of the 2019 Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) Science Stakeholder Meeting.

Citation

Frescino, Tracey S.; Moisen, Gretchen G.; Patterson, Paul L.; Toney, Chris; Freeman, Elizabeth A. 2020. Demonstrating a progressive FIA through FIESTA: A bridge between science and production. In: Brandeis, Thomas J., comp. Celebrating progress, possibilities, and partnerships: Proceedings of the 2019 Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) Science Stakeholder Meeting; November 19-21, 2019; Knoxville, TN. e-Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS-256. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Southern Research Station. p. 199-200.