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Forests
at a Glance… |
| The Forest Resource |
| Utah forests are as diverse as the
landscape itself. Forest visitors from around the world, as
well as locally, flock to the state’s renowned canyon
lands and alpine getaways. While Utah is currently only 29%
forested, these forests have high scenic value, as well as many
other values, so it is important to track their condition. Inventory
and monitoring efforts conducted by USDA Forest Service present
a systematic compilation of forest statistics of the state.
For example, the graph here presents a breakdown of forest cover,
or forest type, on all land ownerships. Comprehensive
Inventory of Utah’s Forest Resources, 1993 presents
a detailed compilation of Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA)
work based on the most recent completed statewide inventory
(O’Brien 1999). We began Annual
Inventories in the state in 2000. |
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| Plot Status and Current
Activity |
| Field crews are collecting data on Forest Inventory plots and Forest
Health plots across Utah annually. The FIA method consists of 3 inventory
phases: a remotely sensed phase (P1) and 2 field phases (P2 and P3).
Field work begins in early spring and proceeds into the fall as plots
are completed or weather permits. |
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| Number of Plots
by Plot Type |
| Annually, there is on average 425 Phase 2 plots and
20 Phase 3 plots in Utah. Phase 3 plots are a subset of P2 plots.
In addition to the variables taken on P2 plots, P3 plots collect additional
data with an emphasis on forest health. |
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| Cooperators |
| In addition to this site, other information related to Utah forest
conditions may be found on the websites of federal and state cooperators.
Click on the icons below to see what our partners are up to… |
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| Data and Table Access |
| You may find standardized summary tables by going to–
Annual Tables.
Customized data summaries are available through FIA
data retrieval systems. |
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| Other Utah Reports |
| A record of previous statewide reporting efforts is
shown in the table below. Note that other special reports, brochures,
and data tables using FIA data, but not shown in the table, can be
found in a comprehensive list at Utah’s
Forest Resources. |
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| Inventory and Monitoring
Information |
For specific questions related to field procedures,
current and past field manuals are available here.
These manuals describe the details of plot establishment and description,
forest inventory methods, and procedures used for each forest health
indicator. Websites for forest
health indicators give rationale for the indicator, as well
as access to data, analytical procedures, and related publications.
For clients with a general interest in inventory and monitoring
work elsewhere, we have compiled a short list of Inventory
and Monitory on the Web. This list comprises agencies and entities
with related interests in forest monitoring at various geographic
scales, both within the U.S. and internationally, plus some recommended
publications for those with a more technical interest in this subject. |
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| References |
| Keyes, C.;
Rogers, P.; LaMadeleine, L.; Applegate, V.; Atkins, D. 2003. Utah
Forest Health Report: A baseline assessment, 1999-2001. Utah Dept.
of Natural Resources, Div. of Forestry, Fire and State Lands, Salt
Lake City, Utah. 47 p.
O'Brien, Renee A. 1999, Comprehensive
Inventory of Utah's Forest Resources, 1993. USDA Forest Service
Rocky Mountain Research Station. RMRS-RB-1. 105 p.
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| Contacts |
Interior West Forest
Inventory and Analysis
Michael Wilson, Program Manager
USDA Forest Service
507 25 th St.
Ogden, Utah 84401
(801) 625-5407 |
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