1. Analysis of Annual Forest Inventory Data: Examples from New York and Maine Eric Wharton and Will McWilliams Forest Inventory and Analysis Northeastern Research Station Sloane Crawford New York Department of Environmental Conservation Division of Lands and Forests

2. FIA analysts are in the business of turning “factory” data into “palatable” information about forested ecosystems. Report on standard forest-land indicators, providing client- and issue-driven analyses that address: ► Extent ► Character and Composition ► Structure and Condition ► Sustainability and Health Analysis and Reporting There has always been a strong demand for timely, consistent, and reliable forest inventory information of the type provided by the FIA program.

3. Analytical Reporting Mandates ►Interim Annual Reporting (ramp-up) ►Comprehensive five-year analytical reports ►Special, issue-driven analyses

4. ►Each year, core data will be compiled into a standard set of tables for each state, and released in hard copy and electronic formats. ►The data for each panel will be added to the database and released to customers the next fiscal year. ►Analyses will be provided for the early years of the annual inventory implementation as they become available. ►Annual reporting is designed to answer questions within the limits of data reliability. Early results indicate that the ability to address the current status and trend issues may vary considerably. Interim Reporting for Initial Annual Inventories

5. Million Acres Year 15 10 5 0 Periodic Annual Change in Area of Timberland, Pennsylvania

6. ►Nine interim tables, at a minimum, will contain standard variables that will be generated in the first few years and be reported only at the state level. ►Once fifty percent of the sample locations are completed, a tenth table will be added that shows components of resource change: net growth, removals, and mortality. Occurs after the third panel in New York. ►After year 5, a comprehensive analytical report will be produced which include the full compliment of panels. ►No annual reporting is mandated for years six through nine. The second 5-year report (at year 10) will contain full remeasurement. Interim Annual Reporting Standards

7. ►Use existing FHM plots ►Use previous FIA plot ►Locate new sample plot Old 1/5-acre plot Impact of New Plot Design on Remeasurement

8. Annual Inventory BeginsMay, 2002 First PanelData Collection CompletedJuly, 2003 Results sent to StateNovember, 2003 Data Posted to FIA-DBMarch, 2004 Second PanelData Collection CompletedJuly, 2004 Results sent to StateDecember, 2004 Data Posted to FIA-DBFebruary, 2005 Third PanelData Collection CompletedApril, 2006 Fourth PanelData Collection CompletedApril, 2007 Fifth PanelData Collection CompletedApril, 2008 First 5-year Analytical ReportApril, 2009 Complete RemeasurementApril, 2014 Schedule for New York Annual Inventory

9. Every five years, a complete state analytical report will be produced. Comprehensive Analytical Reports ►Reports will include the current status of the forest based on the last five years. ►Also report on trends in forest status and condition over the preceding 20 years, with emphasis on comparing the most recent data with data from the previous period.

10. Examples from the Maine 5-year Report Traditional indicators ► Land Area ► Numbers of Trees ► Volume and Biomass ► Growth, Removals, and Mortality Indictors of forest health Use of more spatially-oriented analytical tools and procedures Specialized analyses tied to user-defined issues and concerns

11. Land Area ►Land use ►Ownership class ►Forest-type group ►Stand-size class ►Stocking class ►Volume class ►Disturbance class

12. Area by Ownership Class

13. SAPLING Area by Stand-size Class POLETIMBER SMALL SAWTIMBER LARGE SAWTIMBER

14. Numbers of Trees ►Species ►Diameter ►Tree Class ALL SPECIES

15. Volume and Biomass ►Forest-type group ►Stand-size class ►Species ►Diameter class ►Tree class ►Tree grade BALSAM FIR

16. ►Species ►Components of change ►Land use change and harvesting Growth, Removals, and Mortality BEECH

17. Forest Health Indicators ►Private forest-land ownership ►Roundwood output and timber removals ►Distribution of tree damage and crown vigor ►Biomass and volume of down woody debris ►Change in species frequency and vegetative cover ►Ozone injury and bioindicator species ►Properties, compaction, and erosion of soils ►Lichen community indicator indices

18. Special studies continue to be sought by customers interested in regional analysis of resource trends. ► Regional ► County-level ► Watersheds ► Ecological regions ► Biophysical regions ► Political subdivisons Special Spatially-Driven Analyses Property Rights Foundation of America, Inc. Adirondack Forest Preserve

19. Issue-oriented analyses continue to be sought after. Some have relied heavily on the expertise of partners. Special Issue-Driven Analyses ► Landscape dynamics (fragmentation/ parcelization) ► Risk mapping for forest insects and diseases ► Exotic and invasive plant occurrences ► Biomass, carbon storage and flux ► Fire fuel-loading and risk analyses ► Catastrophic event assessments ► Wood product market research ► Wilderness and roadless areas ► Forest regeneration