PA C I F I C
N O R T H W E S T
Quarterly
Forest Inventory
& Analysis
Issue 1 / Fall 2004
A Message From the Program Manager
Inside:
A Message From the
Program Manager ......................1
Availability of FIA Data
and Plot Coordinates ...............2
Status of Field
Inventories ..................................2
Employee Profiles ......................2
PNW-FIA Annual
Client Meetings..........................3
Recent PNW-FIA
Publications.................................4
Forest Inventory and Analysis
Pacific Northwest Research Station
P.O. Box 3890
Portland, OR 97208-3890
http://www.fs.fed.us/pnw/fia
2004 has been another eventful year for the Pacific Northwest Research Station Forest Inventory and Analysis (PNW-FIA) Program and our partners and
clients. We are currently measuring plots in three states (Washington, Oregon
and California) and have completed the field work in coastal Alaska and the
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. We purchased new data
recorder equipment this year in anticipation of conversion to the new national
data recorder program in 2005. We also initiated work on developing a combined field manual for Alaska, Washington, Oregon and California which will
ensure consistency not only in the national variables but also in our regional
variables.
We were the first FIA unit to test the new National Information Management
System compilation process for annual inventory data. As you can imagine,
being the pilot testing unit can be both exciting and frustrating. We successfully processed data collected from years 2000 though 2003 by using the system,
but when we compared results from the new plot design, stratification, and
compilation system with our previous results by state, we thought more work
was needed. To meet our congressional mandate, we will make field plot data
available to the public, but we will not release compiled estimates until we have
thoroughly tested the compilation and stratification system. We anticipate having this completed by early next year.
We have published summary data for Oregon and Alaska as well as interpretive publications that use the inventory data to address topics of interest. This
year we have completed work on FIA BioSum, which estimates fuel treatment
opportunities, economics, and fire risk reduction effectiveness. We have also
initiated work on invasive species extent and condition, riparian zone sampling
methods, and taper equations for volume estimation. We are continuing to collect additional data on FIA plots that burned in the past two fire seasons. This
will be used to help evaluate the fire models and develop an understanding of
postfire ecosystem recovery dynamics. As we anticipate the development of our
first 5-year report for Oregon, we are exploring ways to estimate change from
the old periodic inventory design to the new annual inventory.
On the national scene, we have been participating in the development of a
national biomass map and are continuing to work on implementation of the
annual inventory design. A task force will be working on ownership categories this fall. The program is still funded at 80 percent of what we need for full
implementation in every state, so we continue to seek support for full funding.
— Sue Willits, PNW-FIA Program Manager
P A C I F I C
N O R T H W E S T
Forest Inventory & Analysis Quarterly
Issue 1 / Fall 2004
Availability of FIA Data and Plot Coordinates
Release of Plot Data
PNW-FIA plot data are currently available for periodic and annual inventories
in all four west coast states and several of the Pacific Islands. 1990s periodic
data for Washington, Oregon and California are available on a CD (Integrated
Database v.1.4) and can be requested on the PNW-FIA Web site data page
(http://www.fs.fed.us/pnw/fia/data/data.shtml) or from Otha Terry by
phone (503) 808-2044 or e-mail: oterry@fs.fed.us. Periodic data for Alaska can be
obtained from George Breazeale (503) 808-2012, and periodic data for American
Samoa (2001) and Guam (2002) can be obtained from Joe Donnegan (503) 8082053. Annual data tables from 2000 through 2003 for Washington, Oregon
and California, can also be requested from George Breazeale. These databases
contain fuzzed plot coordinates, rather than actual coordinates (see below). Also,
the owner information in these databases is general so that information about
individual private landowners cannot be discerned.
Forest attribute (but not location) data for specific plots may be released to the
legal landowner, but data are released to others only after aggregating it to a level
for which information about a particular plot or landowner cannot be determined.
FIA Confidentiality and the Food Security Act
The FIA Program has historically kept plot locations and owner identity confidential. This policy is to protect landowner privacy, the integrity of the plots, and
the reputation of the FIA Program for providing unbiased information. In 2000,
the FIA Program was added to an existing law (Food Security Act PL 99-198, 7
U.S.C. 2276) which makes it illegal to disclose the data in a way that would identify individual landowners or for the data to be used in a legal or administrative
proceeding.
A new policy has been developed to comply with the new law. The FIA Program will continue to release plot coordinates that are rounded to the nearest
100 seconds of latitude and longitude (approximately 1 mile) for plots from our
previous periodic inventories. For current inventories in the annual system, plot
coordinates will be released that are randomly offset up to ½ mile.
(continued on page 3)
Status of Field Inventories
Type of inventory
Start year/end year
Percent of 2004
data collected to
date
Coastal Alaska
Annual
2004/2013
100%
California
Annual
2001/2010
70%
Oregon
Annual
2001/2010
70%
Washington
Annual
2001/2011
70%
American Samoa
Periodic
2001
--
Guam
Periodic
2002
--
Palau
Periodic
2003
--
Commonwealth of the
Northern Mariana Islands
Periodic
2004
100%
State
Employee Profiles
SUSAN WILLITS, Program Manager
e-mail: swillits@fs.fed.us, (503) 808-2066
Manages the PNW-FIA Program; responsible for
data collection, processing, analysis, and reporting of inventory results for Alaska, Washington,
Oregon, California, and the Pacific Islands.
GEORGE BREAZEALE, Information Management
e-mail: gbreazeale@fs.fed.us, (503) 808-2012
Plans and coordinates the compilation of data
from each inventory for Alaska, Washington,
Oregon, California, and the Pacific Islands. Responsible for inventory data maintenance, storage, filing, and documentation; field data recorder
programming; and geographic information system
products.
SALLY CAMPBELL, Inventory Reporting
e-mail: scampbell01@fs.fed.us, (503) 808-2030
Plans and coordinates reports and other products
that summarize data from forest inventories conducted in Alaska, Washington, Oregon, California,
and the Pacific Islands. Responsible for developing
technology transfer products, such as a Web site
and publications, that communicate these inventory results.
JEREMY FRIED, Portland Environmental
Analysis and Research
e-mail: jsfried@fs.fed.us, (503) 808-2058
Plans and coordinates a research program that
utilizes inventory data from Washington, Oregon,
California, and the Pacific Islands to inform land
managers, decision-makers, policy analysts, and
other publics about resource management options
and consequences. Conducts techniques research
that improves the inventory.
RAYMOND KOLESER, Anchorage Data Collection
e-mail: rkoleser@fs.fed.us, (907) 743-9416
Plans and coordinates data collection for inventories in Alaska. Implements quality control procedures. Responsible for hiring and supervising field
crews, developing the field manual, and managing
the data collection budget.
ROBERT RHOADS, Portland Data Collection
e-mail: brhoads@fs.fed.us, (503) 808-2022
Plans and coordinates data collection for inventories in Washington, Oregon, California, and the
Pacific Islands. Implements quality control procedures. Responsible for hiring and supervising field
crews, developing the field manual, and managing
the data collection budget.
BILL VAN HEES, Anchorage Analysis and Research
e-mail: bvanhees@fs.fed.us, (907) 743-9412
Plans and coordinates a research program that
utilizes inventory data from Alaska to characterize
forest land cover, including forest resource assessments and estimation of change and trends. Develops and applies resource inventory techniques.
2
P A C I F I C
N O R T H W E S T
Forest Inventory & Analysis Quarterly
(continued from page 2)
This degree of precision is sufficient for many
uses. FIA will not publicly release exact coordinates for private or tribal land under any circumstances, even to the actual landowner of the plot.
This is the only practical way to protect the privacy interests of private landowners. The policy
allows research to proceed, increases use of FIA
information and products, and does not compromise data security. It creates a way in which both
FIA data confidentiality needs and user interests
can be satisfied.
Issue 1 / Fall 2004
PNW-FIA Annual Client Meetings
Two client meetings were held this spring to share information about the PNW-FIA
Program and to provide our clients with an opportunity to give us feedback.The meeting
in Sacramento, California, March 18, 2004, was attended by 57 people; the meeting in
Anchorage, AK, May 12, 2004, was attended by 29 people. Participants were from a broad
range of organizations and agencies, including state departments of forestry, universities,
other Forest Service research programs, Forest Service Regions, private contractors,
forestry associations, National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Natural Resources
Conservation Service, U.S. Geological Service, one conservation group, and the Western
Forestry Leadership Coalition.
PowerPoint presentations (listed below) shown at the meetings can be viewed on our
PNW-FIA Web site, in the Newsroom: www.fs.fed.us/pnw/fia.
Options for Using Real Coordinates
PNW-FIA offers several alternatives to the
public release of plot coordinates for cases where
users can demonstrate a true need for greater
precision in plot locations:
• PNW-FIA has created in-house capability to
collaborate with researchers to use actual coordinates in the PNW-FIA office. Research results
and derived layers (but not exact coordinates)
will be evaluated for compliance with the confidentiality law and, upon evaluation, can leave
the office.
• FIA also has a national Spatial Data Services
Center available for multiregional projects
requiring actual coordinates or ownership
information. The service center connects geospatial data submitted by interested parties to
the geospatial information collected by FIA,
meeting both customer needs and the confidentiality laws set out by Congress. To learn more
about FIA Spatial Data Services, including how
to make requests, please visit the FIA Spatial
Data Services Web site at www.fs.fed.us/ne/
fia/spatial/index_ss.html.
• A Memorandum of understanding (MOU) can
be entered into by and between the USDA Forest Service and a collaborator. The MOU must
outline a cooperative project where FIA location data will be used for statistical, analytical,
and research purposes only and for purposes
that enhance the FIA Program. For further
information about entering into an MOU, contact Sue Willits, PNW-FIA Program Manager,
503-808-2066.
Dave Azuma shows slides from his Fire Effects and Recovery presentation.
Power Point Presentations:
Collaboration, FIA Program Overview,
PNW FIA Program News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sue Willits, PNW-FIA
Historic Vegetation Data for California . . . . . . . Barbara Allen-Diaz, UC Berkeley
Biscuit Fire and FIA Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dave Azuma, PNW-FIA
California Hardwoods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tara Barrett, PNW-FIA
PNW-FIA Data Availability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . George Breazeale, PNW-FIA
Products and Projects Reporting Team . . . . . . . Sally Campbell, PNW- FIA
Pacific Islands Inventory Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joe Donnegan, PNW-FIA
Vegetation Mapping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lisa Fischer, R-5
Healthy Forest Initiative With FIA Biosum . . . . . Jeremy Fried, PNW-FIA
Vegetation Diversity and Impacts From
Nonnative Species . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Andy Gray, PNW- FIA
Alaska Areas of Research . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bert Mead, PNW-FIA
California Forest Products
Industry Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Todd Morgan, University of Montana
Assessing Pine Bark Beetle Mortality in
Southern California Forests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mark Rosenberg, California
Department of Forestry
Analysis and Reporting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Beth Schulz, PNW-FIA
FIA data Use in the Sierra
Nevada Framework . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lloyd Simpson, R-5
Research - Alaska, Interior Plans, Alaska
Inventory Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bill van Hees, PNW-FIA
PNW-FIA and Recent Remote
Sensing Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ken Winterberger, PNW-FIA
3
Mellen, K.; Marcot, B.G.; Ohmann J.L.;
Waddell, K.; Livingston, S. A.; Willhite E.A.;
Hostetler, Bruce B.; Ogden, C.; Dreisbach,
T. 2004. DecAID: the Decayed Wood Advisor
for managing snags, partially dead trees and
down wood for biodiversity in the forests
of Washington and Oregon [Brochure].
Portland, OR U.S. Department of Agriculture,
Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research
Station.
Boucher, T.V. 2003. Vegetation response to
prescribed fire in the Kenai Mountains, Alaska.
Res. Pap. PNW-RP-554. Portland, OR: U.S.
Department of Agriculture, Forest Service,
Pacific Northwest Research Station. 59 p.
Fried, J.S.; Bolsinger, C.L.; Beardsley, D. 2004.
Chaparral in southern and central coastal California
in the mid-1990s: area, ownership, condition, and
change. Resour. Bull. PNW-RB-240. Portland,
OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest
Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station.
86 p.
Fried, J.S.; Torn, M.S.; Mills, E. 2004. The impact
of climate change on wildfire severity: a regional
forecast for northern California. Climatic Change.
64: 169-191.
Ralston, R.E.; Buongiorno, J.; Fried, J.S. 2004.
Potential yield, return, and tree diversity of
managed, uneven-aged Douglas-fir stands. Silva
Fennica. 38(1): 55-70.
Schulz, B. 2003. Changes in downed and dead
woody material following a spruce beetle
outbreak on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska. Res. Pap.
PNW-RP-559. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest
Research Station. 9 p.
van Hees W.W.S. 2003. Forest resources of
southeast Alaska, 2000: results of a single-phase
systematic sample.Res.Pap.PNW-RP-557.Portland,
OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest
Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station.
96 p.
Please visit our Web page at:
http://www.fs.fed.us/pnw/fia
Published by the
Pacific Northwest Research Station
P.O. Box 3890
Portland, OR 97208-3890
Sally Campbell, Managing Editor
scampbell01@fs.fed.us
(503) 808-2034
Otha Terry, Layout
oterry@fs.fed.us
(503) 808-2044
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits
discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis
of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability,
political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status.
(Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with
disabilities who require alternative means for communication
of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.)
should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600
(voice and TDD).
To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director,
Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th
and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410
or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal
opportunity provider and employer.
USDA is committed to making its information materials
accessible to all USDA customers and employees.
PACIFIC NORTHWEST
Barrett, T.M. 2004. Estimation procedures for
the combined 1990s periodic forest inventories
of California, Oregon, and Washington. Gen.
Tech. Rep PNW-GTR-597. Portland, OR: U.S.
Department of Agriculture, Forest Service,
Pacific Northwest Research Station. 19 p.
News for Pacific Northwest Research Station,
Forest Inventory and Analysis Clients, Employees,
and Retirees
Quarterly
Gatziolis, D.; Fried, J.S. 2004. Adding Gaussian
noise to inaccurate digital elevation models
improves spatial fidelity of derived drainage
networks. Water Resources Research 40(2):
W02508, doi: 10.1029/2002WR001735.
Forest
Service
Forest Inventory
& Analysis
Azuma, D.L.; Donnegan, J.; Gedney, D. 2004.
Southwest Oregon Biscuit Fire. Res. Pap. PNWRP-560. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest
Research Station. 32 p.
United States
Department
of Agriculture
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Pacific Northwest Research Station
Forestry Sciences Laboratory
620 SW Main, Suite 400
P.O. Box 3890
Portland, OR 97208-3890
Recent PNW-FIA Publications