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The Northeastern Forest Inventory and Analysis Unit (NE-FIA), headquartered in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, has the responsibility to provide detailed forest resource information on the nature, condition, and use of the forests in 13 northeastern states. Their purpose is to:
Collect and disseminate information about the forests of the Northeastern United States relating to forest distribution, forest condition, ownership patterns, timber utilization, and forest mensuration techniques.
Maintain a current and comprehensive database of the renewable forest resources of the Northeastern United States.
Develop and apply scientific knowledge and technology in support of the inventory and analysis project.
Provide information and technical assistance for the development of periodic national and regional assessments.
A number of activities are carried out to fulfill this purpose, which include:
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Inventories of forest resources including estimates of trends in forest area, species composition, growth, mortality, and harvesting levels.
Surveys of the patterns, trends, and numbers of private forestland owners.
Studies of timber utilization and processing to determine the amount of timber that is removed from the forest and converted into wood products.
Measurement of a variety of ecological parameters including wildlife habitat, forest biomass, soil conditions, forest fragmentation, and damage due to insects, disease, and other factors.
Research in sampling designs, remote sensing techniques, Global Positioning Systems (GPS), and analytical techniques related to inventorying and monitoring forested ecosystems.
The Unit operates under technical guidance from the Office of Deputy Chief for
Forest Research and Development
(located in Washington DC), and under administrative guidance from the Director of the
Northeastern Research Station
(also located in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania).
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