Forest Service Research & Development (FS R&D) is a world leader in innovative science for
sustaining global forest resources for future generations. Information and solutions are developed to
sustain forests and rangelands and the services they provide for the American public. This research
benefits the owners and managers of rural and urban forests and helps link environmental health
with community well being. FS R&D employs about 500 scientists and several hundred technical and
support staff at 67 sites across the United States. Also, FS R&D maintains 80 experimental forests
and ranges across the Nation, which serves as locations for most of the agency’s long-term research.
The FS R&D structure has two components: Priority Research Areas (PRAs) and Strategic Program
Areas (SPAs). The PRAs address urgent needs in 7 areas: Forest Disturbances, Forest Inventory and
Analysis (FIA), Watershed Management and Restoration, Bioenergy and Biobased Products, Urban
Natural Resources Stewardship, Nanotechnology, and Localized Needs Research (regional). SPAs are
the long-term programs from which PRAs are funded. They are: Wildland Fire and Fuels; Invasive
Species; Recreation; Resource Management and Use; Water, Air, and Soil; Wildlife and Fish; and
Inventory and Monitoring.
Forest and Rangeland Research
(FRRE)
FY 2013
Enacted
Research and Development Programs
$218,947,000
$226,000,000
$208,510,000
60,907,000
66,805,000
66,805,000
$279,854,000
$292,805,000
$275,315,000
Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA)
Total
Research Highlights:
New Tool for Watershed Analysis
FS scientists partnered with the Earth
Systems Institute to develop NetMap, a
platform for rapidly conducting cost-effective
watershed analysis. This tool supports climate
smart restoration and management by
identifying areas of watersheds that are likely
to warm, are vulnerable to erosion and mass
wasting from wildfires and floods, and are most
productive for fish. NetMap is available in the
northwest and is being expanded to cover other
western regions.
Detecting White Nose Syndrome Fungus
White Nose Syndrome (WNS) fungus has
decimated North American bat populations in
recent years. The impact of decreasing bat
populations on agricultural crops is estimated
at more than $3.7 billion per year making
control of the WNS fungus critical. To this end,
FS scientists created the most accurate and
sensitive DNA technique for detecting the
fungus in almost any kind of sample. This test
set the new standard and is being used by a
FY 2014
Enacted
FY 2015 President's
Budget
team from the FS, USGS, and the University of
Wisconsin-Madison to survey soil samples from
across eastern North America. This test is 100fold more sensitive than prior tests and
facilitates detection of the fungus before the
clinical disease is observed.
Real Time Fire Mapping
FS scientists, together with universities and
other agencies, developed methods to provide
near real time fire mapping and measurement
information based on satellite data. This data
has been incorporated in a simulation model
that includes weather forecasts to provide
short-term predictions of fire spread and
activity. These advances greatly enhance the
ability of fire-fighting agencies to identify and
respond to wildland fires quickly, as well as to
plan for upcoming fire seasons.
Detecting the Walnut Twig Beetle
FS scientists developed a highly effective lure
for the walnut twig beetle, which spreads
thousand cankers disease in walnut trees. This
beetle threatens international walnut cultures
as well as timber production. The lure, a
synthetic beetle pheromone, enables faster
detection and mapping of this invasive insect.
strategies that improve environmental health
and community well-being into the future.
Cellulose Nanocrystal Pilot Plant
In August 2012, the Forest Products Lab
unveiled a production facility for renewable,
forest-based nanomaterials. This facility is the
first of its kind in the U.S. and supports an
emerging market for wood-derived renewable
nano-materials, helping spur forest-based job
growth and contributing an estimated $42
billion to the American economy by 2020.
Accessible FIA Data
FS R&D implemented FIA annual forest
sampling in all 50 states. Over 42,000 field
plots were measured representing 14 percent of
the FIA national plot system. FIA data less than
2 years old is accessible at www.fia.fs.fed.us.
Urban Tree Analysis
FS scientists analyzed urban tree cover
nationally revealing a decline of about 20,000
acres or about four million trees per year.
Understanding changes and trends in urban
forests helps cities and towns develop urban
forest management plans and sustainability
National Green Building Standard
FS R&D cooperated with the National
Association of Home Builders to develop the
National Green Building Standard.
The
standard promotes the use of green building
materials and provides incentives for architects
and builders to specify and use non-residential
wood in green construction.
FY 2015 President’s Budget
The FY 2015 President’s Budget proposes $275,315,000 for Forest and Rangeland Research, a
decrease of $17,490,000 from the FY 2014 Enacted level. The request provides $66,805,000 for the
Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program.
resource stewardship, nanotechnology, and
Funding focuses on key research associated
restoration and climate adaptation research.
with the Priority Research Areas and Strategic
Program Areas.
Research supporting watershed restoration,
soil conservation during road decommissioning,
This funding level maintains capacity to
and air quality research in support of forest
address priority invasives research, including
health management will continue.
the introduction and spread of non-native
species, by eliminating some research on
Funding supports implementation of the FIA
established indigenous species.
program in all States, except interior Alaska.
The re-measurement cycle will be extended to
Wildland Fire and fuels research will focus on
10 years. Our ability to leverage funding with
research on fire regimes, fire impacts on
partners will continue at a lower level.
forested
ecosystems,
improving
the
Other Budget Line Items:
understanding and tools related to fire
emissions, smoke management, and real-time
reporting.
National Fire Plan funds research at
$19,795,000, consistent with the FY 2014 level.
Priority recreation science will continue in
support of resilient ecosystems and thriving
Joint Fire Science Program funds research
communities.
at $6,914,000, consistent the FY 2014 level.
Funding will focus on high priority research
such
as
integrated
management
and
production systems, sustainable bioenergy
production, urban sustainability, and natural
Capital Improvement and Maintenance
provides approximately $5 million for facility
related projects.