Download or read book Understory Vegetation Data Quality Assessment for the Interior West Forest Inventory and Analysis Program written by Paul L. Patterson and published by . This book was released on 2011 with total page 9 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Interior West Forest Inventory and Analysis (IW-FIA) program of the USDA Forest Service collects field data on understory vegetation structure that have broad applications. In IW-FIA one aspect of quality assurance is assessed based on the repeatability of field measurements. The understory vegetation protocol consists of two suites of measurements: (1) the structure by lifeform and (2) the structure for individual species with cover greater than five percent. The measurements of structure by lifeform and species are highly repeatable; however, since species identification is confounded with cover threshold, the repeatability of species identification cannot be evaluated using FIA's tolerance and compliance rate protocol for measuring repeatability. the protocols used to collect the data analyzed in this paper are specific to IW-FIA. A standardized national understory vegetation procedure that is very similar to the IW-FIA procedure described here will be implemented in 2011 for all FIA units.
Download or read book Research Paper RMRS written by and published by . This book was released on 1998 with total page 140 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Forest Inventory and Analysis National Data Quality Assessment Report for 2000 to 2003 written by James E. Pollard and published by . This book was released on 2006 with total page 52 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Forest Inventory and Analysis program (FIA) is the key USDA Forest Service (USFS) program that provides the information needed to assess the status and trends in the environmental quality of the Nation's forests. The goal of the FIA Quality Assurance (QA) program is to provide a framework to assure the production of complete, accurate and unbiased forest information of known quality. Specific Measurement Quality Objectives (MQO) for precision are designed to provide a window of performance that we are striving to achieve for every field measurement. These data quality goals were developed from knowledge of measurement processes in forestry and forest ecology, as well as the program needs of FIA. This report is a national summary and compilation of MQO analyses by regional personnel and the National QA Advisor. The efficacy of the MQO, as well as the measurement uncertainty associated with a given field measurement, can be tested by comparing data from blind check plots where, in addition to the field measurements of the standard FIA crew, a second QA measurement of the plot was taken by a crew without knowledge of the first crew's results. These QA data were collected between 2000 and 2003 and analyzed for measurement precision between FIA crews. The charge of this task team was to use the blind-check data to assess the FIA program's ability to meet data quality goals as stated by the MQO. The results presented indicate that the repeatability was within project goals for a wide range of measurements across a variety of forest and nonforest environments. However, there were some variables that displayed noncompliance with MQO goals. In general, there were two types of noncompliance: the first is where all the regions were below the MQO standard, and the second is where a subset of the regions was below the MQO standards or was substantially different from the other remaining regions. Results for each regional analysis are presented in appendix tables. In the course of the study, the task team discovered that there were difficulties in analyzing seedling species and seedling count variables for MQO compliance, and recommends further study of the issue. Also the task team addresses the issue of trees missed or added and recommends additional study of this issue. Lastly, the team points out that traditional MQO analysis of the disturbance and treatment variables may not be adequate. Some attributes where regional compliance rates are dissimilar suggest that regional characteristics (environmental variables such as forest type, physiographic class, and forest fragmentation) may have an impact on the ability to obtain consistent measurements. Additionally, differences in data collection protocols may cause differences in compliance rates. For example, a particular variable may be measured with a calibrated instrument in one region, while ocularly estimated in another region.
Download or read book FIA National Assessment of Data Quality for Forest Health Indicators written by and published by . This book was released on 2009 with total page 80 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program of the U.S. Forest Service collects vast amounts of field data to assess the condition and trends of the nations forest resources. A quality assurance (QA) program is implemented to assure that data are collected accurately with consistent protocols. A random subset of field plots is chosen to receive an additional, independent measurement by another field crew. This blind check approach allows for comparison of measurements between the two crews. The measurement differences are evaluated against measurement quality objectives (MQO), which specify a level of measurement precision for each attribute. In this report, differences in repeated measurements from blind check data are analyzed to assess the quality of forest health data nationwide. For the understory vegetation indicator, the ground cover variables attained the MQO or were slightly below the desired level. Variables related to canopy and species identifcation were substantially below the MQO. Tree crown attributes that effectively met the MQO include crown light exposure, crown dieback, and foliage transparency. The uncompacted crown ratio, vigor class, and crown density measurements did not attain the MQO standards. Quality assessment for the lichen indicator is evaluated using a second measurement by an expert and not an independent measurement by another field crew. Overall, the MQO was not attained, although compliance improved over time and western regions were close to achieving the standard. Most variables measured for the down woody material indicator were below MQO standards. Due to the sampling protocols for the ozone indicator, direct analyses of MQO attainment are not possible. Mean biosite index was not significantly different between crews, although there were some large discrepancies on individual plots. There was agreement on presence/absence of ozone damage for about 80 percent of the plots. For field measurements of forest soils, 10 of the 12 variables attained the MQO. Although MQOs are not specifically stated for laboratory analyses of soil properties, comparisons were performed to assess the variability of lab measurements.
Download or read book The Enhanced Forest Inventory and Analysis Program national Sampling Design and Estimation Procedures written by and published by . This book was released on 2005 with total page 96 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) Program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service is in the process of moving from a system of quasi-independent, regional, periodic inventories to an enhanced program featuring greater national consistency, a complete and annual sample of each State, new reporting requirements, and integration with the ground sampling component of the Forest Health Monitoring Program. This documentation presents an overview of the conceptual design, describes the sampling frame and plot configuration, presents the estimators that form the basis of FIA's National Information Management System (NIMS), and shows how annual data are combined for analysis. It also references a number of Web-based supplementary documents that provide greater detail about some of the more obscure aspects of the sampling and estimation system, as well as examples of calculations for most of the common estimators produced by FIA.
Download or read book Forest Inventory and Analysis Fiscal Year 2015 Business Report written by J. T. Vogt and published by Government Printing Office. This book was released on 2016-09-07 with total page 84 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This annual Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) Fiscal Year 2015 business report (#18) will tell you, the taxpayers, partners, and clients what the program has accomplished with the financial resources provided and what the program will accomplish in the coming year with budgeted financial resources. This relationship with taxpayers, partners, and clients is integral to FIA's continued success, because accountability is their first priority. Some key findings of this annual report are: Annualized progress, Funding, Partners' support, Grants and agreements, Data availability, Five-year reports, Quality assurance, Users groups, Personnel, Other program features, New FIA Strategic Plan, Looking to 2016. This information can be used in many ways, such as evaluating wildlife habitat conditions, assessing sustainability of current ecosystem management practices, monitoring forest health, supporting planning and decision-making activities undertaken by public and private enterprises, and predicting the effects of climate change. Related products: Soil Manual Survey --New --2017 can be found here: https://bookstore.gpo.gov/products/soil-survey-manual-march-2017 Forest Health Monitoring: National Status, Trends, and Analysis, 2014 can be found here: https://bookstore.gpo.gov/products/sku/001-000-04768-0?ctid=819 National Individual Tree Species Atlas can be found at this link: https://bookstore.gpo.gov/products/sku/001-001-00703-0?ctid=819 Christmas Tree Pest Manual can be found at this link: https://bookstore.gpo.gov/products/sku/001-000-04764-7?ctid=819 Other products available from the United States Forest Service can be found at this link: https://bookstore.gpo.gov/agency/819 Environment & Nature publications can be found here: https://bookstore.gpo.gov/catalog/environment-nature Department of Agriculture (USDA) publications can be found here: https://bookstore.gpo.gov/agency/department-agriculture-usda
Download or read book Handbook for Inventorying Surface Fuels and Biomass in the Interior West written by James Kerr Brown and published by . This book was released on 1982 with total page 52 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Presents comprehensive procedures for inventorying weight per unit area of living and dead surface vegetation, to facilitate estimation of biomass and appraisal of fuels. Provides instructions for conducting fieldwork and calculating estimates of downed woody material, forest floor litter and duff, herbaceous vegetation, shrubs, and small conifers. Procedures produce the most accurate estimates in the Interior West; however, techniques for herbs, litter, and downed woody material are applicable anywhere. Includes computer program and card punching instructions for processing inventory data.
Download or read book California s Forest Resources 2001 2005 written by and published by . This book was released on 2008 with total page 198 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This report highlights key findings from the most recent (2001-2005) data collected by the Forest Inventory and Analysis Program across all forest land in California. We summarize and interpret basic resource information such as forest area, ownership, volume, biomass, and carbon stocks; structure and function topics such as biodiversity, forest age, dead wood, and hardwood forests; disturbance topics such as insects and diseases, fire, invasive plants, and air pollution; and information about the forest products industry in California, including data on tree growth and mortality, removals for timber products, and nontimber forest products. The appendixes describe inventory methods in detail and provide summary tables of data, with statistical error, about the suite of forest characteristics inventoried.
Download or read book Forest Inventory and Analysis National Data Quality Assessment Report for 2000 to 2003 written by and published by . This book was released on 2006 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book The Forest Inventory and Analysis Database written by Sharon W. Woudenberg and published by Createspace Independent Pub. This book was released on 2012-10-19 with total page 344 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This publication is based on previous documentation of the nationally standardized Forest Inventory and Analysis database (Hansen and others 1992; Woudenberg and Farrenkopf 1995; Miles and others 2001). Documentation of the structure of the Forest Inventory and Analysis database (FIADB) for Phase 2 data, as well as codes and definitions, is provided. Examples for producing population level estimates are also presented. This database provides a consistent framework for storing forest inventory data across all ownerships for the entire United States. Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) is a continuing endeavor mandated by Congress in the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 and the McSweeney-McNary Forest Research Act of 1928. FIA's primary objective is to determine the extent, condition, volume, growth, and depletion of timber on the Nation's forest land. Before 1999, all inventories were conducted on a periodic basis. The passage of the 1998 Farm Bill requires FIA to collect data annually on plots within each State. This kind of up-to-date information is essential to frame realistic forest policies and programs. USDA Forest Service regional research stations are responsible for conducting these inventories and publishing summary reports for individual States. In addition to published reports, the Forest Service provides data collected in each inventory to those interested in further analysis. This report describes a standard format in which data can be obtained. This standard format, referred to as the Forest Inventory and Analysis Database (FIADB) structure, was developed to provide users with as much data as possible in a consistent manner among States. A number of inventories conducted prior to the implementation of the annual inventory are available in the FIADB. However, various data attributes may be empty or the items may have been collected or computed differently. Annual inventories use a common plot design and common data collection procedures nationwide, resulting in greater consistency among FIA work units than earlier inventories. Data field definitions note inconsistencies caused by different sampling designs and processing methods.
Download or read book A Guide to Nonnative Invasive Plants Inventoried in the North by Forest Inventory and Analysis written by Cassandra Olson and published by Government Printing Office. This book was released on 2017-09-20 with total page 214 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This field guide is intended to aid Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) foresters in identifying 44 plants listed in Appendix I of the FIA Field Guide 4.0 (http://nrs.fs.fed.us/ fia/data-collection/). This document will change as invasive species are added or removed from the list. Appendix A includes Leaf and inflorescence morphology, descriptive terms, and descriptive flower shapes. Appendix B contains a comparison of nonnative shrubbery Lonicera. Appendix C includes keys to the species, Lonicera. Appendix D contains a comparison of nonnative Berberis species. Appendix E contains keys to the species Berberis. Appendix F contains Notes about Polygonum (Fallopia) species. Appendix G contains a key to the species Elaeagnus. A Glossary is also included. Related products: Other products produced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service can be found here; https://bookstore.gpo.gov/agency/us-forest-service Plants collection is available here: https://bookstore.gpo.gov/catalog/plants
Download or read book The California Spotted Owl written by Jared Verner and published by . This book was released on 1992 with total page 300 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book FRAGSTATS written by Kevin McGarigal and published by . This book was released on 1995 with total page 132 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book The Forest Ecosystem Study written by Andrew B. Carey and published by . This book was released on 1999 with total page 140 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Ecosystems of California written by Harold Mooney and published by Univ of California Press. This book was released on 2016-01-19 with total page 1008 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This long-anticipated reference and sourcebook for California’s remarkable ecological abundance provides an integrated assessment of each major ecosystem type—its distribution, structure, function, and management. A comprehensive synthesis of our knowledge about this biologically diverse state, Ecosystems of California covers the state from oceans to mountaintops using multiple lenses: past and present, flora and fauna, aquatic and terrestrial, natural and managed. Each chapter evaluates natural processes for a specific ecosystem, describes drivers of change, and discusses how that ecosystem may be altered in the future. This book also explores the drivers of California’s ecological patterns and the history of the state’s various ecosystems, outlining how the challenges of climate change and invasive species and opportunities for regulation and stewardship could potentially affect the state’s ecosystems. The text explicitly incorporates both human impacts and conservation and restoration efforts and shows how ecosystems support human well-being. Edited by two esteemed ecosystem ecologists and with overviews by leading experts on each ecosystem, this definitive work will be indispensable for natural resource management and conservation professionals as well as for undergraduate or graduate students of California’s environment and curious naturalists.
Download or read book North American Workshop on Monitoring for Ecological Assessment of Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecosystems written by Celedonio Aguirre Bravo and published by . This book was released on 1996 with total page 340 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book North American Workshop on Monitoring for Ecological Assessment of Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecosystems written by and published by . This book was released on 1996 with total page 340 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
