The Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program, managed by the USDA Forest Service, is a nationwide initiative that provides comprehensive data on the status, trends, and health of the nation’s forests. This program is instrumental in monitoring forest conditions, which supports sustainable forest management and informs policy decisions.
In Texas, we carry out the program through an agreement with the US Forest Service’s Southern Research Station. Data is collected from about 29,000 randomly located, permanently established plots across the state, covering all forestland ownerships. Plots are measured every five to 10 years. In East Texas, 20 percent of plots are measured annually, while 10 percent are measured annually in the rest of the state. Each plot is 1/6 of an acre and represents 6,000 acres in the state. Over 100 variables are measured on each plot.
Our FIA crews, consisting of one to three certified professionals, visit plots to collect data after obtaining landowner permission. Data collection takes 1-4 hours depending on conditions. All data collected is reported on a county, regional and statewide basis, ensuring the confidentiality of individual landowner information. Key data includes tree mortality, harvest removals, wood production rates, forestland ownership, species distribution, tree size, health, and total growth.
A critical part of the FIA Program is evaluation of forest health. This includes monitoring tree mortality, damage from pests and diseases, and the impacts of environmental stressors such as drought. In Texas, where forests face threats from invasive species like the emerald ash borer and extreme weather events, these health assessments are vital for developing strategies to mitigate adverse effects and promote forest resilience.
Tools
FIA data is available to the public, researchers, land managers, and policymakers through various reports and tools:
