Source: NORTHEASTERN RESEARCH STATION submitted to NRP
CONTINUING INVENTORIES AND ASSESSMENTS, IN THE NORTHEASTERN US, OF THE REGION'S FOREST ECOSYSTEMS AND THEIR USE
Sponsoring Institution
Forest Service/USDA
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
USDA INHOUSE
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0197440
Grant No.
(N/A)
Cumulative Award Amt.
(N/A)
Proposal No.
(N/A)
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Jul 14, 2003
Project End Date
Jul 14, 2008
Grant Year
(N/A)
Program Code
[(N/A)]- (N/A)
Recipient Organization
NORTHEASTERN RESEARCH STATION
11 CAMPUS DRIVE
NEWTOWN SQUARE,PA 19073
Performing Department
NORTHEASTERN RESEARCH STATION - NEWTON SQUARE, PA
Non Technical Summary
Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) conducts forest resource surveys on all lands and reports on the status and trends observed. FIA also conducts surveys of forest landowner and of wood use. The results are used by a variety of customers to establish policy and to make forest management decisions. The results from the FIA surveys have been vital in evaluating the forest resources available to new or existing mills and in the development of policies for the management of the forest resources in the northeastern United States, particularly in the context of increased urbanization.
Animal Health Component
100%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
100%
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
12306991070100%
Knowledge Area
123 - Management and Sustainability of Forest Resources;

Subject Of Investigation
0699 - Trees, forests, and forest products, general;

Field Of Science
1070 - Ecology;
Goals / Objectives
Continuing inventories and assessments, in the Northeastern US, of the forest ecosystems and their use are needed in order to analyze resource dynamics and identify trends, assess the consequences of alternative uses and management strategies, and provide customers with timely, statistically valid data and information in tabular, written, and mapped summary forms and in data bases from which they can generate reports and summaries particular to their needs.
Project Methods
Resource inventory sampling and compilation is focused on efficiently collecting and compiling forest ecosystem data for national, regional, stat, sub-state and ecosystems level assessments. Multi-resource inventories are planned and conducted to provide current information on the kind, amount, condition, ownership, use of, and trends in forest resources. All classes of land are sampled. There are three separate and complex areas of focus within this element. Inventories of the physical resource as determined from remote sensing and field sample plots, provide data on current forest conditions and changes in those conditions over time. Surveys of landowners as determined from questionnaires and interviews, provide information about landowner objectives and management practices and how they change over time. Surveys of wood use provide the basis for assessment of timber removals over time. This problem will analyze effect of attitudes of private forest-land owners on future timber supply, analyze and evaluate regional stand dynamics, investigate the urban forest situation, monitor and evaluate forest health, study timber availability and hardwood quality, analyze potential use of wood biomass, analyze the effects of forest are and distribution. Research results must be presented to a wide range of customers in a manner that facilitates their use of the research. The FIA staff will work both independently and with partners to employ a variety of methods and media to accomplish that end.

Progress 07/14/03 to 07/14/08

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Product lines are being developed for each major issue with spatial products and further research to expand scope and impact of results. For example, wildlife models or risk assessments that span eco-regions instead of state boundaries. PARTICIPANTS: Our unit works with many partners and cooperators. To complete work on National Forest lands, we partner with the Eastern, Northern, and Rocky Mountain Regional Offices. Our State partners provide essential support and in-kind contributions. We partner with universities to link with nationally and internationally recognized technical experts. Our State partners include; Connecticut Division of Forestry, Delaware Forest Service, Illinois Division of Forest Resources, Indiana Division of Forestry, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Kansas Forest Service, Lumberjack Resource Conservation and Development Maine Forest Service, Maryland Forest Service, Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Missouri Department of Conservation, Nebraska Forest Service, New Hampshire Division of Forests & Lands, New Jersey Forest Service, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, North Dakota Forest Service, Ohio Division of Forestry, Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry, Rhode Island Division of Forest Environment, South Dakota Division of Resource Conservation and Forestry, Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation, West Virginia Division of Forestry, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. In addition to the above partner organizations, we collaborate with several NGO's including Nature Serve, Conservation Biology Institute of US Forest Service Remote Sensing Applications Center, USGS EROS Data Center, NASA. We also collaborate with the other research work units in our Station on research of mutual benefit. TARGET AUDIENCES: NC-FIA provides forest inventory and analysis information for the states in the northern region for all citizens of the U.S. with an interest in the status of our nation's forests both public and private. This includes members of institutions and governmental agencies including State Foresters, private industry, university researchers, U.S. Congress and all Federal Agencies, etc. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: NC-FIA has combined with NE-FIA as the result of the merging of the two Research Stations. Additionally, our unit has incorporated two former NE units: carbon and economics. This has required an evaluation and consolidation of our organizations and our methodologies. This effort had to take place concurrently with the continuing output of field data collection and analytical reporting.

Impacts
The results have fostered policy development and management decisions affecting millions of acres of forest land. Our unit continues to work on special projects that monitor environmental factors such as water quality, soil depletion, forest regeneration and the fragmentation of forest lands. Covering all aspects of gathering, processing and reporting annual inventory data, and providing comprehensive and continuing characterizations of the region's forests and the major issues, factors and agents impacting and shaping those forests will allow us to not only sustain our effort, but fully meet annual inventory mandates, promises, and expectations.

Publications

  • Butler, Brett J. 2008. Family Forest Owners of the United States, 2006. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-27. Newtown Square, PA; U. S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station. 72 p.
  • Butler, Brett J. 2008. Forest Ownership Patters are Changing. National Woodlands. Spring 2008: 8-9.
  • Butler, Brett J., Miles, Patrick D.; Hansen, Mark H. 2008. National Woodland Owner Survey Tabler web-application version 1.0. Amherst, MA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station. Available at http://fiatools.fs.fed.us/NWOS/tablemaker.jsp
  • Butler, Brett J.; Burnham, Charles; Goodnight, I. Ted; O'Connell, Barbara; Tirrell, Bryan. 2008. Massachussetts' forest resources, 2006. Research Note, NRS-13. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station. 4p.
  • Butler, Brett J.; Carr, Mary A. 2008. Who Owns America's Forests NRS-INF-06-08. Newtown Square, PA. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station. 7p.
  • Butler, Brett J.; Goodnight, I. Ted; Hochholzer, Helene F.; O'Connell, Barbara; Tirrell Bryan. 2008. Connecticut's forest resources, 2006. Research Note NRS-15. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station. 4 p.
  • Butler, Brett J.; Goodnight, I.; O'Connell, Barbara; Payton, Bruce; Tirrell Bryan. 2008. Rhode Island's forest resources, 2006. Research Note NRS-14. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station. 4p.
  • Butler, Brett J.; Tyrrell, Mary; Feinberg, Geoff, Vanmanen, Scott; Wiseman, Larry; Wallinger, Scott. 2007. Understanding and reaching family forest owners: Lessons from social marketing research. Journal of Forestry. October/November 105 (7): 348 - 357.
  • Crocker, Susan J. 2007. Iowa's forest resources, 2006. Res. Note. NRS-12. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station. 4 p. http://www.nrs.fs.fed.us/fia/data-tools/state-reports/default.asp
  • Hansen, M.H.: Perry, C.H.; Brand, G.; McRoberts, R.E. 2008. Wisconsin's forests, 2004: statistics and quality assurance. Resour. Bull. NRS-24. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station. 98 p. Available at http://www.nrs.fs.fed.us/pubs/4271
  • Kittridge, David B.; D'Amato, Anthony; Catanzaro, Paul; Fish, Jennifer; Butler, Brett J. 2008. Estimating ownerships and parcels of non-industrial private forest in Massachusetts. Northern Journal of Applied Forestry. 25 (2): 93-98.
  • Majumdar, Indrajit; Teeter, Lawrence; Butler, Brett. 2008. Characterizing Family Owned Forest Owners: A Cluster Analysis Approach. Forest Science. 54(2): 176-184.
  • McWilliams, William H.; Cassell, Seth P.; Alerich, Carol L.; Butler, Brett J.; Hoppus, Michael L.; Horsley, Stephen, B.; Lister, Andrew J; Lister, Tonya W.; Morin, Randall S.; Perry, Charles H.; Westfall, James A.; Wharton, Eric H.; Woodall, Christopher W. 2007 Pennsylvania's Forest 2004. Resour. Bull. NRS-20. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station. 86 p.
  • Meneguzzo, D.M. 2007. Nebraska's forest resources, 2006. Res. Note NRS-11. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station. 4 p. http://www.nrs.fs.fed.us/fia/data-tools/state-reports/default.asp
  • Morin, R.S.; De Deus, R. 2008. Vermont's forest resources, 2006. Res. Note NRS-16. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station. 4 p. http://www.nrs.fs.fed.us/fia/data-tools/state-reports/default.asp
  • Morin, R.S.; Tansey, M. 2008. New Hampshire's forest resources, 2006. Res. Note NRS-17. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station. 4 p. http://www.nrs.fs.fed.us/fia/data-tools/state-reports/default.asp
  • Piva, Ronald J.; Haugan, Douglas; Josten, Gregory J.2007. South Dakota's forest resrouces, 2006. Res. Note NRS-10. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station. 4 p. http://www.nrs.fs.fed.us/fia/data-tools/state-reports/default.asp
  • Widmann, R. H. 2008. New Jersey's forest resources, 2006. Res. Note. NRS-21. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station. 4 p. Available at http://www.nrs.fs.fed.us/fia/data-tools/state-reports/default.asp
  • Zhang, Y.; Liao, X.; Butler, B.J.; Schelhas, J. 2008. The Increasing Importance of Small-Scale Forestry: Evidence from Family Forest Ownership Patterns in the United States. Small-Scale Forestry. DOI 10.1007/s 11842-008-9050-6.
  • Widmann, R. H. 2008. Ohio's forest resources, 2006. Res. Note. NRS-22. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station. 4 p. Available at http://www.nrs.fs.fed.us/fia/data-tools/state-reports/default.asp
  • Widmann, R. H.; Cook, Gregory W. 2008. West Virginia's forest resources, 2006. Res. Note. NRS-23. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station. 4 p. Available at http://www.nrs.fs.fed.us/fia/data-tools/state-reports/default.asp


Progress 10/01/06 to 09/30/07

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Northern Research Station, Forest Inventory and Analysis (NRS-FIA) utilized measurement of forest attributes on a sample grid across the Northeast region. Information from ownership surveys supplemented forest attribute data. Surveys of timber products output and utilization provided information on the amount and character of wood that is harvested. Reporting on annual results intensified this year with a goal of delivering annual updates to statistical summaries of extent, condition, and health. More comprehensive "5-year" reports focused on contemporary issues, such as forest fragmentation, impacts of exotic pests, non-native invasive plants, carbon sequestration, and others. PARTICIPANTS: Our unit works with many partners and cooperators. To complete work on National Forest lands, we partner with the Eastern, Northern, and Rocky Mountain Regional Offices. Our State partners provide essential support and in-kind contributions. We partner with universities to link with nationally and internationally recognized technical experts. Our State partners include; Connecticut Division of Forestry, Delaware Forest Service, Illinois Division of Forest Resources, Indiana Division of Forestry, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Kansas Forest Service, Lumberjack Resource Conservation and Development Maine Forest Service, Maryland Forest Service, Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Missouri Department of Conservation, Nebraska Forest Service, New Hampshire Division of Forests & Lands, New Jersey Forest Service,New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, North Dakota Forest Service, Ohio Division of Forestry, Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry, Rhode Island Division of Forest Environment, South Dakota Division of Resource Conservation and Forestry, Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation, West Virginia Division of Forestry, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. In addition to the above partner organizations, we collaborate with several NGO's including Nature Serve, Conservation Biology Institute of US Forest Service Remote Sensing Applications Center, USGS EROS Data Center, NASA. We also collaborate with the other research work units in our Station on research of mutual benefit. Our Unit provided research opportunites and professional development to: PhD forestry intern from Madrid Spain, a Hispanic college student under the HACU program, two high school student interns, elementary students engaged in outdoor activities and a formal high school educational program in forest and water quality issues. TARGET AUDIENCES: NE-FIA provides forest inventory and analysis information for the states in the northern region for all citizens of the U.S. with an interest in the status of our nation's forests both public and private. This includes members of institutions and governmental agencies including State Foresters, private industry, university researchers, U.S. Congress and all Federal Agencies, etc. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: NE-FIA has combined with NC-FIA as the result of the merging of the two Research Stations. This has required an evaluation and consolidation of our organizations and our methodologies. This effort had to take place concurrently with the continuing output of field data collection and analytical reporting.

Impacts
The results have fostered policy development and management decisions affecting millions of acres of forest land. Our unit continues to work on special projects that monitor environmental factors such as water quality, soil depletion, forest regineration and the fragmentation of forest lands. Covering all aspects of gathering, processing and reporting annual inventory data, and providing comprehensive and continuing characterizations of the region's forests and the major issues, factors and agents impacting and shaping those forests will allow us to not only sustain our effort, but fully meet annual inventory mandates, promises, and expectations.

Publications

  • Morin, Randall S; Riemann, Rachel; Lister, Andrew; Lister, Tonya, and Tansey, Matt. Characterizing Fragmented and Contiguous Forests Using FIA Data and GIS. Proceedings of the Society of American Forestrs 2006 National Convention. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agricutlure, Forest Service, Northern Research Station; 2007.
  • Riemann, Rachel. Ingo Kowarik and Stefan Korner (eds), Wild Urban Woodlands: New Perspectives for Urban Forestry. 2007; 22, 1267-1268. y; v. 2006.
  • Riemann, Rachel; Murdoch, Sierra, and Lister, Andrew. Modeled Distributions of Tree Species in New York. ESRI Map Book, Vol 22. Redlands, CA: ESRI Press; 2007: pp77.
  • Scott, C.T. Mcwilliams 2007. Measuring Sustainability Using the US Forest Inventory and Analysis Program. P.199-207 in Sustainable Forestry From Monitoring and Modelling to Knowledge Management and Policy Science. Reynolds, K.M., A.J. Thomson, M. Kohl, M.A. Shannon, D. Ray, and K. Rennolls (eds.). CABI, Wallingford, UK.
  • Butler, Brett J. The Changing Faces of Forest Owners in New England. 2007; 68, (3): 2p.
  • Lister, Andrew and Lister Tonya. Straightforward Use of Satellite Data in Geographic Information Systems to Identify Loss of Tree Cover. Proceedings of the Society of American Foresters 2006 National Convention; Pittsburgh, PA. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northearn Research Station; 2007.
  • Morin, Randall S; Liebhold, Andrew M; Tobin, Patrick C; Gottschalk, Kurt W, and Luzader, Eugene. Spread of beech bark disease in the eastern United States and its relationship to regional forest composition. 2007; 37, (4): 726-726.
  • Scott, C.T.;Mcwilliams, W.H. 2006. Measuring Sustainability Using the U.S. Forest Inventory and Analysis Program. P.1-5 in Sustainable forestry in theory and practice recent advances in inventory and monitoring, statistics and modeling, information and knowledge management, and policy science. Reynolds, K.M. (eds.). U.S. Deparment of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, Portland, OR. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-688 [CD-ROM]
  • Walker, Wayne S; Kellendorfer, Josef M; LaPoint, Elizabeth; Hoppus, Michael, and Westfall, James. An empirical InSAR-optical fusion approach to mapping vegetation canopy height. 2007; 109, 482-499. y; v. November 2006.
  • Westfall, James A; Lautsen, K. M. 2006. A Total and Merchantable Height Model for Tree Species in Maine. North. J. Appl For. 23, (4): 241-249.
  • Widmann, Richard H; Dye, Charles R., and Cook, Gregory W., Forester, State Forester, Assistant State Forester (Respectively). Forests of the Mountain State. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station; 2007: 28p. v. 2006.
  • Widmann, Richard H. and McWilliams, William H., Forester, Research Forester. Changes in the Oak Resources in the Mid-Atlantic States (DE, MD, NJ, PA, and WV) Using Forest Inventory and Analysis Data. Proceedings of Society of American Foresters 2006 National Convention


Progress 10/01/05 to 09/30/06

Outputs
The primary role of Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program of the Northeastern Research Station (NE) is to assess the status and trends in the forest resources of the 13 Northeastern states. We have completed a full cycle of the annual inventory in Pennsylvania and have begun writing the comprehensive report. The annual survey was continued in all 13 Northeastern states enabling us to meet another requirement of the FIA strategic plan. We began to implement plans to reduce the annual inventory cycles to 5 years in all 13 states. Previously, many of the Northeastern states were on 7-year measurement cycles. In 2006, the National Woodland Owner Survey (NWOS) contacted nearly 14,000 private forest owners from across the nation and invited them to participate in the survey - their responses are now being processed. This represents the final year of data collection for the first 5-year cycle of the NWOS. In 2007, NRS FIA will publish an in-depth report of our findings. The NE FIA program combined its operations with the North Central FIA program as part of the reorganization effort to combine the Northeastern and North Central Research Stations.

Impacts
Policies for the management of the forest resources in the northeastern United States are developed using FIA data, particularly in the context of increased forest fragmentation, and changes in ownership and ownership values. The results from the FIA surveys also have been vital in evaluating the forest resources available to new or existing mills. The reduction of the measurement cycles will allow FIA to realize the promise of an annual survey, primarily shortened data collection cycles and more frequent release of updated data to the public. Combining the 2 FIA units will increase operational efficiency and consistency across 24 states.

Publications

  • Butler, B. J. 2005. The impact of urbanization on forest ownership dynamics in the northeastern United States. In: Laband, D.N., ed. Emerging issues along urban/rural interfaces: linking science and society, proceedings of the meeting; 2005 March 13-16; Atlanta, GA. Auburn, AL: Auburn University, Center for Forest Sustainability: 377.
  • Butler, B.J. 2005. Contribution of ownership surveys for monitoring forest sustainability. In: Aguirre-Bravo, Celedonio; et al., eds. Monitoring science and technology symposium: unifying knowledge for sustainability in the Western Hemisphere; 2004 September 20-24; Denver, CO. Proc. RMRS-P-37CD. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. [CD-ROM]
  • Butler, B; Widmann, R. 2006. In: Sprague, Eric; Burke, David; Claggett, Sally; Todd, Albert, eds. The state of Chesapeake forests. Arlington, VA: The Conservation Fund: 152. Available at: http://www.chesapeakebay.net/stateoftheforests.htm (Accessed: October 3, 2006).
  • Kangas, A.; Gove, J.H.; Scott, C.T. 2006. Introduction. In: Kangas, A.; Maltamo, M.; eds. Forest Inventory - Methods and applications. Dordrecht, The Netherlands: Springer Publishing: 3-11. (von Gadow, Klaus and others, ser. eds.; Managing forest ecosystems: vol. 10)
  • LaPoint, E. 2005. Access and use of FIA data through FIA spatial data services. In: McRoberts, Ronald E.; Reams, Gregory A.; Van Deusen, Paul C.; McWilliams, William H., eds. Proceedings of the fifth annual forest inventory and analysis symposium; 2003 November 18-20; New Orleans, LA. Gen. Tech. Rep. WO-69. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: 199-202.
  • McWilliams, William H.; Butler, Brett J.; Caldwell, Laurence E.; Griffith, Douglas M.; Hoppus, Michael L.; Laustsen, Kenneth M.; Lister, Andrew J.; Lister, Tonya W.; Metzler, Jacob W.; Morin, Randall S.; Sader, Steven A.; Stewart, Lucretia B.; Steinman, James R.; Westfall, James, A.; Williams, David A.; Whitman, Andrew; Woodall, Christopher W. 2005. The forests of Maine: 2003. Resour. Bull. NE-164. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station. 188 p.
  • McWilliams, W.H. 2005. American chestnut analysis: inventory and monitoring challenges exemplified. In: Aguirre-Bravo, Celedonio; et al., eds. Monitoring science and technology symposium: unifying knowledge for sustainability in the Western Hemisphere; 2004 September 20-24; Denver, CO. Proceedings RMRS-P-37CD. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. CD-ROM.
  • McWilliams, William H.; Lister, T.W.; LaPoint, E.B.; Rose, A.K.; Vissage, J.S. 2006. Current status of chestnut in eastern US forests. Natural Resources Report NPS/NCR/CUE/NRR 2006/001. In: Steiner, K.C. ; Carlson, J.E., eds., Restoration of American chestnut to forest lands, Proceedings of a conference and workshop; May 4-6, 2004; Asheville, NC. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service: 31-39.
  • Morin, Randall S.; Liebhold, Andrew M.; Gottschalk, Kurt.W.; Woodall, Chris W.; Twardus, Daniel B.; White, Robert L.; Horsley, Stephen B.; Ristau, Todd E. 2006. Analysis of forest health monitoring surveys on the Allegheny National Forest (1998-2001). Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-339. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station. 102 p.
  • Woodall, C.; Johnson, D.; Galleon, J.; Butler, B.J.; Piva, R.; Jepsen, E.; Nowak, D.; Marshall, P. 2005. Indiana's forests 1999-2003 (Part A). Resour. Bull. NC-253A. St. Paul, MN: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Research Station. 94 p.


Progress 10/01/04 to 09/30/05

Outputs
The primary role of Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program of the Northeastern Research Station (NE) is to assess the status and trends in the forest resources of the 13 Northeastern states. The 5-year report for Maine was produced in early 2005. It is the first 5-year report to be developed in the northeast as required by the 1998 Farm Bill (1999 National FIA strategic plan). It is the first comprehensive analytical report in the Northeast to explore the key of forest resource issues based on the annual inventory. We have completed a full cycle of the annual inventory in Pennsylvania and have begun writing the comprehensive report. The annual survey was continued in all 13 Northeastern states enabling us to meet another requirement of the FIA strategic plan. More importantly, we are beginning to realize the promise of an annual survey, primarily shortened data collection cycles and more frequent release of updated data to the public. The National Woodland Owner Survey completed data collection for 2005. Preliminary results from the data collected in 2004 have been released.

Impacts
Policies for the management of the forest resources in the northeastern United States are developed using FIA data, particularly in the context of increased forest fragmentation, and changes in ownership and ownership values. The results from the FIA surveys also have been vital in evaluating the forest resources available to new or existing mills.

Publications

  • Butler, B.J. 2005. The new face of forest owners in the United States. In: Mizaras, S., ed. Small-scale forestry in a changing environment, proceedings of the international symposium IUFRO Working Group 3.08.00, small-scale forestry; 2005 May 30 - June 4; Vilnius, Lithuania. Vilnius, Lithuania: Lithuanian Forestry Research Institute: 95.
  • Butler, B.J. 2005. The timber harvesting behavior of family forest owners. Corvallis, OR: Oregon State University, Department of Forest Science. 130 p. Ph.D. dissertation.
  • Butler, B.J.; Leatherberry, E.C. 2004. America's family forest owners. Journal of Forestry. 102(7): 4-9.
  • Butler, Brett J.; Leatherberry, Earl C.; Williams, Michael S. 2005. Design, implementation, and analysis methods for the National Woodland Owner Survey. Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-336. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station. 43 p.
  • McRoberts, R.E.; Bechtold, W.A.; Patterson, P.L.; Scott, C.T.; Reams, G.A. 2005. The enhanced Forest Inventory and Analysis Program of the USDA Forest Service: historical perspective and announcement of statistical documentation. Journal of Forestry. 103(6): 304-308.
  • McWilliams, W.H.; Bowersox, T.W.; Brose, P.H.; Devlin, D.A.; Finley, J.C.; Gottschalk, K.W.; Horsley, S.; King, S.L.; LaPoint, B.M.; Lister, T.W.; McCormick, L.H.; Miller, G.W.; Scott, C.T.; Steele, H.; Steiner, K.C.; Stout, S.L.; Westfall, J.A.; White, R.L. 2005. Measuring tree seedlings and associated understory vegetation in Pennsylvania's forests. In: McRoberts, R.E.; Reams, G.A.; Van Deusen, P.C.; McWilliams, W.H.; Cieszewski, C.J., eds. Proceedings of the fourth forest inventory and analysis symposium; 2002 November 19-21; New Orleans, LA. Gen. Tech. Rep. NC-252. St. Paul, MN: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Research Station: 21-26.
  • Morin, Randall S.; Liebhold, Andrew M.; Luzader, Eugene R.; Lister, Andrew J.; Gottschalk, Kurt W.; Twardus, Daniel B. 2005. Mapping host-species abundance of three major exotic forest pests. Res. Pap. NE-726. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station. 11 p.
  • Moser, W.K., Leatherberry, E.C., Hansen, M.H., and Butler, B.J. 2005. Farmers and woods: a look at woodlands and woodland-owner intentions in the heartland. In: Brooks, K.N.; Ffolliott, P.F., eds. Moving agroforestry into the mainstream: proceedings of the 9th North American agroforestry conference; 2005 June 12-15; Rochester, MN. St. Paul, MN: University of Minneota, Department of Forest Resources. [CD-ROM].
  • Scott, C.T.; Bechtold, W.A.; Reams, G.A.; Smith, W.D.; Westfall, J.A.; Hansen, M.H.; Moisen, G.G. 2005. Sample-based estimators used by the Forest Inventory and Analysis National Information Management System. In: Bechtold, W.A.; Patterson, P.L., eds. The enhanced Forest Inventory and Analysis program--national sampling design and estimation procedures. Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS-80. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station: 43-67.
  • Widmann, R.H. and Griffith, D.M. 2004. Forest resource statistics for the Monongehela National Forest: 2000. Resour. Bull. NE-161. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station. 46 p.
  • Widmann, Richard H. 2005. Forests of the Garden State. Resour. Bull. NE-162. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station. 20 p.
  • Bechtold, W.A.; Scott, C.T. 2005. The forest inventory and analysis plot design. In: Bechtold, W.A.; Patterson, P.L., eds. The enhanced forest inventory and analysis program--national sampling design and estimation procedures. Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS-80. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station: 27-42.


Progress 10/01/03 to 09/30/04

Outputs
The primary role of Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program of the Northeastern Research Station (NE) is to assess the status and trends in the forest resources of the 13 Northeastern states. The draft of a 5-year report for Maine has been written with publication expected in early 2005. This is significant because it is the first 5-year report to be developed in the northeast as required by the 1998 Farm Bill (1999 National FIA strategic plan). Although it follows four annual statistical reports, it is the first comprehensive analytical report in the Northeast to explore the key of forest resource issues based on the annual inventory. The implementation of the annual FIA survey was completed in the northeastern United States. The annual survey was continued in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont. The annual survey was begun in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey and West Virginia. Now that fieldwork has begun in all northeastern states, we have met one requirement of the FIA strategic plan. More importantly, we are beginning to realize the promise of an annual survey, primarily shortened data collection cycles and more frequent release of updated data to the public. The National Woodland Owner Survey completed data collection for 2004. Preliminary results from the data collected in 2003 have been released.

Impacts
The results from the FIA surveys have been vital in evaluating the forest resources available to new or existing mills. Policies for the management of the forest resources in the northeastern United States are developed using FIA data, particularly in the context of increased urbanization. Others include assessment of deer management policies in Pennsylvania which result in inadequate tree regeneration.

Publications

  • McRoberts, R.E.; McWilliams, W.H.; Reams, G.A.; Schmidt, T.L.; Jenkins, J.C.; O'Neill, K.P.; Miles, P.D.; Brand, G.J. 2004. Assessing sustainability using data from the forest inventory and analysis program of the United States Forest Service. Journal of Sustainable Forestry. 18(1): 23-46.
  • McWilliams, W.H.; Bowersox, T.W.; Brose, P.H.; Devlin, D.A.; Finley, J.C.; Horsley, S.; Gottschalk, K.W.; King, S.L.; Lister, T.W.; McCormick, L.H.; Miller, G.W.; Scott, C.T.; Steiner, K.C.; Stout, S.L.; Westfall, J.A.; White, R.L. 2003. Indicators of regenerative capacity for native broadleaf forests: a case study of ungulate overpopulation in the Eastern United States. In: Proceedings of the IUFRO XII World Forestry Congress: Area B -- Forests for the planet; 2003 September 21-28; Quebec City, PQ. Available at: http://www.fao.org/forestry/site/5388/en
  • McWilliams, W.H.; Bowersox, T.W.; Brose, P.H.; Devlin, D.A.; Finley, J.C.; Horsley, S.; Gottschalk, K.W.; King, S.L.; Lister, T.W.; McCormick, L.H.; Miller, G.W.; Scott, C.T.; Steiner, K.C.; Stout, S.L.; Westfall, J.A.; White, R.L. 2003. Indicators of regenerative capacity for eastern hardwood forest. In: Proceedings, Society of American Foresters national convention; 2003 October 25-29; Buffalo, NY. Bethesda, MD: Society of American Foresters: 136-141.
  • Schmidt, T.L.; McWilliams, W.H. 2003. Shifts and future trends in the forest resources of the central hardwood region. In: In: Van Sambeek, Jerry W.; Dawson, Jeffrey O.; Ponder, Felix, Jr.; Loewenstein, Edward F.; Fralish, James S., eds. Proceedings, 13th central hardwood forest conference; 2002 April 1-3; Urbana, IL. Gen. Tech. Rep. NC-234. St. Paul, MN: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Research Station: 21-31.
  • Solari, K.; Stein, S.; Butler, B.J. 2004. Wildland waters: private forests on the frontline. FS-790. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. 24 p.
  • Widmann, R.H. 2004. The Mountain State: forest trends in the resource. Inf. Brochure NE-INF-152-04. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station. 4 p.
  • Widmann, R.H.; McWilliams, W.H. 2003. An overview of the white pine resource in New England using forest inventory and analysis data. In: Proceedings, managing white pine in a new millennium; 2003 October 9-10; Hillsborough, NH. Durham, NH: University of New Hampshire, Cooperative Extension: 1-8.
  • Alig, R.J.; Butler, B.J. 2004. Projecting large-scale area changes in land use and land cover for terrestrial carbon analyses. Environmental Management. 33(4): 443-456.
  • Alig, R.J.; Butler, B.J. 2004. Area changes for forest cover types in the United States, 1952 to 1997, with projections to 2050. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-613. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 106 p.
  • Butler, B.J.; Swenson, J.J.; Alig, R.J. 2004. Forest fragmentation in the Pacific Northwest: quantification and correlations. Forest Ecology and Management. 189: 363-373.


Progress 10/01/02 to 09/30/03

Outputs
The primary role of Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program of the Northeastern Research Station (NERS) is to assess the status and trends in the forest resources of the 13 Northeastern states. The statistical report for the final periodic survey in West Virginia was published. Analytical reports in the form of informational brochures were published for Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Rhode Island. These reports highlighted significant findings from the most recent periodic surveys in those states. The forests have been maturing with sawtimber stands predominating and with far fewer acres of seedling and sapling stands. The total forest area is remaining stable in many areas. Losses of forest land to urbanization are generally offset by reversion of farmland to forests. The volume of timber removed is primarily the result of land use change rather that harvesting for timber. Results, for data collected between 1996 and 1999 for the Forest Health Monitoring program, were published for 4 states, providing information on the health of the Northeast's forests, focusing on the health of tree crowns. The implementation of the annual FIA survey continued to expand in the northeastern United States. The annual survey was continued in Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. The annual survey was begun in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Vermont. In partnership with the Maine Forest Service, the results of the annual surveys, conducted in Maine through 2002, were published. In addition, the report including the second panel of data for Pennsylvania was published. Summary data tables from the first panel for Ohio were also released. The National Woodland Owner Survey completed data collection for 2003. Preliminary results from the data collected in 2002 have been released.

Impacts
The results from the FIA surveys have been vital in evaluating the forest resources available to new or existing mills. Policies for the management of the forest resources in the northeastern United States are developed using FIA data, particularly in the context of increased urbanization. Others include assessment of deer management policies in Pennsylvania which result in inadequate tree regeneration.

Publications

  • Adams, D.M.; Ince, P.J.; Alig, R.J.; Butler, B.J.; Mills, J.R.; Brooks, D.J.; Haynes, R.W.; Skog, K.E.; Zhou, X. 2003. Chapter 2: Assumptions and methods used in projections. In: Haynes, R.W., ed. An analysis of the timber situation in the United States: 1952 to 2050. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-560. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station: 10-54.
  • Adams, D.M.; Haynes, R.W.; Butler, B.J.; Alig, R.J.; Skog, K.E.; Mills, J.R.; Ince, P.J.; Brooks, D.J.; Zhou, X. 2003. Chapter 5: Management implications. In: Haynes, R.W., ed. An analysis of the timber situation in the United States: 1952 to 2050. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-560. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station: 145-186.
  • Alig, R.J.; Adams, D.M.; Mills, J.R.; Butler, B.J.; Moulton, R.J. 2003. Private forest management and investment in the U.S. south: alternative future scenarios. In: Teeter, L.; Cashore, B.; Zhang, D., eds. Forest policy for private forestry. Wallingford, UK: CABI Publishing: 149-164.
  • Butler, B.J. 2003. Who owns the forests of the Untied States? In: Proceedings of the 2001 global initiatives and public policies conference; 2001 March 25-27; Atlanta, GA. Auburn, AL: Auburn University, Forest Policy Center: 271. Abstract.
  • Butler, B.J. 2002. Nonindustrial private landowners of the northern forest. In: Wagner, Robert G., comp. Proceedings of the eastern CANUSA forest science conference; 2002 October 19-20; Orono, ME. Orono, ME: University of Maine: 40. Abstract.
  • Griffith, Douglas M.; Widmann, Richard H. 2003. Forest statistics of West Virginia: 1989 and 2000. Res. Bull. NE-157. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station. 119 p.
  • McWilliams, William H.; Alerich, Carol A.; Westfall, James; Devlin, Daniel A. 2003. Current status of the Pennsylvania forest inventory. Allegheny News 12(2): 24-25.
  • Northeastern Research Station. 2003. Forest health monitoring in Maryland 1996-1999. NE-INF-160-03. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station. 7 p.
  • Northeastern Research Station. 2003. Forest health monitoring in New Jersey 1996-1999. NE-INF-161-03. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station. 7 p.
  • Northeastern Research Station. 2003. Forest health monitoring in Delaware 1996-1999. NE-INF-162-03. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station. 7 p.
  • Widmann, Richard. 2003. Forest inventory and analysis at the Northeastern Research Station: tracking the diverse and dynamic forests in the Northeastern States. NE-INF-163-03. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station. 9 p.


Progress 10/01/01 to 09/30/02

Outputs
The primary role of Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program of the Northeastern Research Station (NERS) is to assess the status and trends in the forest resources of the 13 Northeastern states. Analytical reports in the form of informational brochures were published for Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Rhode Island. These reports highlighted significant findings from the most recent periodic surveys in those states. The forests have been maturing with sawtimber stands predominating and with far fewer acres of seedling and sapling stands. The total forest area is remaining stable in many areas. Losses of forest land to urbanization are generally offset by reversion of farmland to forests. The volume of timber removed is primarily the result of land use change rather that harvesting for timber. Results, for data collected between 1996 and 1999 for the Forest Health Monitoring program, were published for 9 states, providing information on the health of the Northeast's forests, focusing on the health of tree crowns. The implementation of the annual FIA survey continued to expand in the northeastern United States. The annual survey was continued in Maine, Ohio, and Pennsylvania and was begun in New Hampshire and New York. In partnership with the Maine Forest Service, the results of the annual surveys, conducted in Maine through 2001, were published. The National Woodland Owner Survey was initiated under the leadership of NE-FIA. This survey assesses owner values and intentions. It will now be conducted on an annual basis, much like the resource survey. Timber Product Output (TPO) studies were completed for West Virginia sawmills as well as for all northeastern pulpwood and engineered products. Other TPO studies were initiated in Maryland, New Jersey, and Connecticut with cooperation from individual state forestry personnel. In addition, information from a survey conducted in Massachusetts by the state and the University of Massachusetts will be incorporated into the Northeastern TPO database when follow-up of non-respondents is completed. Planning began for similar studies to be conducted in Pennsylvania and Ohio.

Impacts
The results from the FIA surveys have been vital in evaluating the forest resources available to new or existing mills and in the development of policies for the management of the forest resources in the northeastern United States, particularly in the context of increased urbanization.

Publications

  • Birch, Thomas W.; Butler, Brett J. 2001. Private forest-land owners of New York: 1980 and 1994. Res. Bull. NE-153. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station. 75 p.
  • Irland, Lloyd C.; Sendak, Paul E.; Widmann, Richard, H. 2001. Hardwood pulpwood stumpage price trends in the Northeast. Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-286. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station. 23 p.
  • Kline, Jeffrey D.; Butler, Brett J.; Alig, Ralph J. 2002. Tree planting in the south: what does the future hold? Southern Journal of Applied Forestry. 26(2): 99-107.
  • McWilliams, William H.; O'Brien, Renee A.; Reese, Gordon C.; Waddell, Karen L. 2002. Distribution and abundance of oaks in North America. In: McShea, William J.; Healy, William M., eds. Oak forest ecosystems, ecology and management for wildlife. Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press: 13-33.
  • McWilliams, William H.; Birdsey, Richard A.; Heath, Linda S.; Hom, John L.; Gottschalk, Kurt W.; Hoppus, Michael L.; Murdoch, Peter S. 2002. Reporting on FIA's forest-land indicators for the northeastern U.S. In: FHM national workshop poster session abstracts; 2002 March 11-14; Las Vegas, NV. Washington, D.C: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, State and Private Forestry: 13-36. http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/fhm/posters/posters02/posters02.htm
  • Scott, C.T.; Gove, J.H. 2002. Forest inventory. In: El-Shaarawi, A.H.; Piegorsch, W.W., eds. Encyclopedia of Environmetrics. West Sussex, UK: John Wiley & Sons: 814-820.
  • Sendak, Paul E.; Irland, Lloyd C.; Widmann, Richard. 2002. Pulpwood stumpage price trends in five northern states. Northern Logger. February: 12-15.
  • Wharton, Eric H.; Widmann, Richard, H. 2001. The northeast region. In: United States timber industry -- an assessment of timber product output and use, 1996. Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS-45. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station: 17-22.
  • Widmann, Richard H. 2002. Trends in Rhode Island forests: a half century of change. NE-INF-144-02. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station. 4 p.
  • Widmann, Richard H. 2002. New Jersey forests. NE-INF-148-02. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station. 4 p.
  • Widmann, Richard H. 2002. Trends in Delaware's forests. NE-INF-150-02. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station. 4 p.
  • Widmann, Richard H. 2002. Trends in Maryland's forests. NE-INF-152-02. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station. 4 p.
  • Widmann, Richard H. 2002. Trends in Massachusetts forests: a half century of change. NE-INF-154-02. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station. 16 p.
  • Barnett, Chuck. 2002. Forest health monitoring in Rhode Island 1996-1999. NE-INF-156-02. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station. 4 p.
  • Alig, Ralph; Mills, John; Butler, Brett. 2002. Private timberlands growing demands, shrinking land use. Journal of Forestry. 100(2): 32-37.
  • Barnett, Charles J.; Butler, Brett J.; Dolan, Paul; Dupree, Thomas A.; Emery, Marla; Lister, Andrew; Lister, Tonya; Ricard, Paul; Sparks, Catherine; Wharton, Eric H.; Widmann, Richard H. 2002. The forests of Rhode Island. NE-INF-155-02. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station. 24 p.
  • Barnett, Chuck. 2002. Forest health monitoring in Maine 1996-1999. NE-INF-145-02. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station. 6 p.
  • Barnett, Chuck. 2002. Forest health monitoring in New Hampshire 1996-1999. NE-INF-146-02. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station. 6 p.
  • Barnett, Chuck. 2002. Forest health monitoring in Vermont 1996-1999. NE-INF-147-02. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station. 7 p.
  • Barnett, Chuck. 2002. Forest health monitoring in Massachusetts 1996-1999. NE-INF-149-02. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station. 7 p.
  • Barnett, Chuck. 2002. Forest health monitoring in New York 1996-1999. NE-INF-151-02. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station. 7 p.
  • Barnett, Chuck. 2002. Forest health monitoring in Connecticut 1996-1999. NE-INF-153-02. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station. 7 p.
  • Barnett, Chuck. 2002. Forest health monitoring in Pennsylvania 1998-1999. NE-INF-158-02. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station. 7 p.
  • Barnett, Chuck. 2002. Forest health monitoring in West Virginia 1996-1999. NE-INF-159-02. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station. 7 p.