Inventory measurement rates lag in wilderness areas across the western USA

David L. R. Affleck; George C. Gaines; Cici Conroy; Gianna Santino; Andrew J. Larson

doi:10.1007/s44391-025-00047-3

Treesearch

Inventory measurement rates lag in wilderness areas across the western USA

Formally Refereed

Authors:

David L. R. Affleck, George C. Gaines, Cici Conroy, Gianna Santino, Andrew J. Larson

Year:

2025

Type:

Scientific Journal

Station:

Rocky Mountain Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1007/s44391-025-00047-3

Source:

Forest Science

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Download (PDF 454 KB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/81276.pdf

Abstract

The National Forest Inventory (NFI) for the USA draws sample data from all lands with equal intensity. Non-response in the NFI tends to be low on public lands relative to private lands, but this research documents higher rates of missing and delayed field plot measurements in wilderness areas relative to other federal lands in the contiguous westernUS. Given the extent and unique management directives of federal wilderness, discrepancies in field plot completion rates over this region could induce non-response bias in estimators of forest conditions at county or state levels. Further research is needed to identify the statistical impacts as well as the factors contributing to nonresponse and delayed response in wilderness.

Keywords

natural resource monitoring, non-response bias, survey non-response, wilderness

Citation

Affleck, David L. R.; Gaines, George C., III; Conroy, Cici; Santino, Gianna; Larson, Andrew J. 2025. Inventory measurement rates lag in wilderness areas across the western USA. Forest Science. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44391-025-00047-3.