Interior West Forest Inventory & Analysis

Data Collection - Fieldwork Description

Who and Where:

The Interior West Forest Inventory and Analysis (IW-FIA), Rocky Mountain Research Station, Ogden Forestry Sciences Laboratory, conducts forest resource inventories in the Interior West States of Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming.

How:

Our unit inventories the forests of the interior west using a three-phase sample. In phase 1 (remote sensing), we use satellite imagery and aerial photographs to determine forest area in each State. In phase 2 (field plots), we visit a selection of the forested acres identified in phase 1 to further describe the forests. In phase 3, we visit a subset of phase 2 field plots during the summer and collect additional information on the forest.

On all of our field plots (phase 2 and phase 3) we gather quantitative and qualitative measurements that describe: tree measurements and characteristics, counts of tree regeneration, general land use, and general stand characteristics (such as forest type, stand age, and disturbance). In addition, changes in land use and general stand characteristics as well as estimates of growth, mortality, and removals are determined by revisiting plots from the previous time period.

On the phase 3 plots, we collect a more extensive set of data during the growing season. These measures relate to forest ecosystem function, condition, and health. The current measurements on the phase 3 plots can be grouped into the following categories: crown conditions, soil erosion potential, soil chemical and physical analyses, lichen communities, vegetation diversity and structure, and down woody debris.

General Fieldwork Description:

Field crews are composed of 2 to 3 individuals who are responsible for conducting forest resource/health inventories. Field crews locate new or previously established sample sites using GPS and aerial photograph baseline techniques; measure and classify attributes of forest conditions and health including: tree species, diameter, age, height, crown condition; lower vegetation species, cover, structure; site conditions including ground cover, lichen community, habitat type, soils; and other resources conditions including wildlife cover, snags, and recreation use. Individuals are required to carry 30-35 pounds of gear during daily fieldwork and a full backpack (up to 60 pounds) on backpacking trips.

Field sites are often located in remote and rugged country. Duties may require extensive foot travel with a heavy backpack over arduous terrain during inclement weather with exposure to a variety of hazardous conditions. Hikes of 3-5 miles per day in steep country are typical. Duties may require extended stays in backcountry environments (camping). Duties may require accessing remote areas by alternative modes of transportation including but not limited to: 4-wheel drive vehicles, ATV’s, helicopters, boats, and horses.

USDA Forest Service - RMRS - Forest Inventory & Analysis
Last Modified: Tuesday, 26 February 2013 at 07:28:27 EST