Title: Forest inventory and analysis in the United States: remote sensing and geospatial activities

Author: Nelson, Mark; Moisen, Gretchen; Finco, Mark; Brewer, Ken

Year: 2007

Publication: Photogrammetric Engineering & Remote Sensing. July: 729-732.

Abstract: Our Nation's forests provide a wealth of ecological, social, and economic resources. These forest lands cover over 300 million hectares of the United States, or about one third of the total land area. Accurate and timely information about them is essential to their wise management and use. The mission of the Forest Service's Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program is to "...improve the understanding and management of our Nation's forests." Remote sensing-based maps and geospatial datasets are playing an increasing role in improving that understanding.