Title: Fragmentation statistics for FIA: designing an approach

Author: Riemann, Rachel; Lister, Andrew; Hoppus, Michael; Lister, Tonya

Year: 2002

Publication: In: McRoberts, Ronald E.; Reams, Gregory A.; Van Deusen, Paul C.; Moser, John W., eds. Proceedings of the Thrid Annual Forest Inventory and Analysis Symposium; Gen. Tech. Rep. NC-230. St. Paul, MN: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Research Station: 146-155

Abstract: The USDA Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program collects data on the amount of forest, as well as on characteristics such as forest type, tree volume, species composition, and size and age classes. However, little data are obtained nationwide on forest fragmentation-how that forest is distributed and in what land use/land cover context-factors that can substantially affect forest composition and health, wildlife, water quality, and forest management. In this paper we examine which fragmentation and context metrics should be linked with FIA plot data and monitored over time, and we identify possible sources of land use/land cover data from which to calculate this information. Emphasis is placed on those metrics that have been observed to be indicators of change in forested ecosystems. Using a complete set of photointerpreted land use/cover data in Massachusetts as the "truth," we examine one possible source, the 1992 National Land Cover Dataset (NLCD) for its "fragmentation accuracy." With accurate, relevant, and consistent fragmentation and context information, FIA will be able to better understand, interpret, and report on the state of the forest.