Pacific Northwest Research Station

Title: Vegetation Inventory Data: How Much is Enough?

Author: Schulz, Bethany; Oswalt, Sonja; Moser, W. Keith

Date: 2008

Source: In: McWilliams, Will; Moisen, Gretchen; Czaplewski, Ray; comps. 2008. 2008 Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) Symposium; October 21-23, 2008; Park City, UT. Proc. RMRS-P-56CD. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 1 CD.

Description: Recognition of the value of forest vegetation data has increased in recent years, especially when it is collected using consistent methods over many forest types. Because the cost of collecting large datasets is substantial, managers must balance the cost of collection with the utility of the conclusions that may be drawn from the data analyses. There is no single standard for collecting vegetation data; sampling protocols should be developed to address clearly defined analysis objectives. We compare the utility of the established Phase 3 Vegetation Diversity and Structure Indicator data with the proposed vegetation data to be collected with the Forest Inventory and Analysis Program's Phase 2 Vegetation Profile.

Keywords: biomass, carbon pools, wildlife habitat potential, fuel characterization, diversity, species distribution, plant community classification, spatial scale

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Citation

Schulz, Bethany; Oswalt, Sonja; Moser, W. Keith  2008.  Vegetation Inventory Data: How Much is Enough?.   In: McWilliams, Will; Moisen, Gretchen; Czaplewski, Ray; comps. 2008. 2008 Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) Symposium; October 21-23, 2008; Park City, UT. Proc. RMRS-P-56CD. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 1 CD..