Northern Research Station
11 Campus Blvd., Suite 200
Newtown Square, PA 19073
(610) 557-4017
(610) 557-4132 TTY/TDD
Jim Westfall
Title: Research Forester
Unit: Forest Inventory & Analysis, National Inventory & Monitoring Applications Center
Previous Unit: Forest Inventory & Analysis
Address: Northern Research Station
11 Campus Blvd., Suite 200
Newtown Square, PA 19073
Phone: 610-557-4043
E-mail: Contact Jim Westfall
Education
- Ph.D., Forestry, 2001, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA
- M.S., Statistics, 2001, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA
- M.S., Forestry, 1998, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA
- B.S., Natural Resources, 1996, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
- A.A.S., Forest Technology, 1993, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry Ranger School, Wanakena, NY
Civic & Professional Affiliations
- Society of American Foresters (2001-present)
- Southern Mensurationists (2005-present)
- Northeastern Mensurationists Organization (2004-present)
Current Research
Forest monitoring methods to assist in planning and implementation of scientifically-credible monitoring programs. Improving field work efficiency and data quality via quantitative analyses for forest inventory.
Why is This Important
Increasing accountability for managing resources in a sustainable manner has resulted in an emergent need for monitoring status and trends on both public and private lands. These monitoring efforts occur at various scales, from relatively small forest holdings to large National Parks and National Forests. Conducting research on monitoring methods and developing an integrated suite of tools will assist in planning and implementation of scientifically-credible monitoring programs.
Data collection is often the most costly aspect of conducting a forest inventory. Research on methods that improve field-work efficiency and maximize the quality and use of the data may result in significant opportunities to reduce data collection costs and/or enhance the amount of information provided. Ultimately, this type of research strives to provide the maximum amount of analytical information at the least possible cost
Future Research
- Development of taper equations for the NRS-FIA region (24 states). Upon completion, this project will reduce field work, improve consistency, and advance analytical flexibility.
- Estimation methods for utilize both stand-level information and data from sample plots.
Featured Publications
- Woodall, C.W.; Oswalt, C.M.; Westfall, J.A.; Perry, C.H.; Nelson, M.D.; Finley, A.O. 2009. An indicator of tree migration in forests of the eastern United States
- Woodall, C.W.; Westfall, J.A. 2008. Controlling coarse woody debris inventory quality: taper and relative size methods
- Woodall, C.W.; Westfall, J.A.; Lutes, D.C.; Oswalt, S.N. 2008. End-point diameter and total length coarse woody debris models for the United States
- Walker, Wayne S.; Kellndorfer, Josef M.; LaPoint, Elizabeth; Hoppus, Michael; Westfall, James. 2007. An empirical InSAR-optical fusion approach to mapping vegetation canopy height
- Westfall, J.A.; Woodall, C.W. 2007. Measurement repeatability of a large-scale inventory of forest fuels
Additional Online Publications
- 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
- Westfall, James A.; Laustsen, Kenneth M. 2006. A merchantable and total height model for tree species in Maine
- Westfall, James A. 2006. Modifying Taper-Derived Merchantable Height Estimates to Account for Tree Characteristics
- Westfall, James A. 2006. Predicting past and future diameter growth for trees in the northeastern United States
- Pollard, James E.; Westfall, James A.; Patterson, Paul A.; Gartner, David L. 2005. FIA Quality Assurance Program: Evaluation of a Tree Matching Algorithm for Paired Forest Inventory Data
- McWilliams, William H.; Bowersox, Todd W.; Brose, Patrick H.; Devlin, Daniel A.; Finley, James C.; Gottschalk, Kurt W.; Horsley, Steve; King, Susan L.; LaPoint, Brian M.; Lister, Tonya W.; McCormick, Larry H.; Miller, Gary W.; Scott, Charles T.; Steele, Harry; Steiner, Kim C.; Stout, Susan L.; Westfall, James A.; White , Robert L. 2005. Measuring Tree Seedlings and Associated Understory Vegetation in Pennsylvania's Forests
- Westfall, James A.; Scott, Charles T. 2005. Northeastern FIA Tree Taper Study: Current Status and Future Work
- Westfall, James A.; Hoppus, Michael. 2005. Sensitivity of FIA Volume Estimates to Changes in Stratum Weights and Number of Strata
- 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
- Lister, Andrew; Riemann, Rachel; Westfall, James; Hoppus, Mike. 2005. Variable Selection Strategies for Small-area Estimation Using FIA Plots and Remotely Sensed Data
- McWilliams, William H.; Alerich, Carol A.; Devlin, Daniel A.; Lister, Andrew J.; Lister, Tonya W.; Sterner, Stephen L.; Westfall, James A. 2004. Annual inventory report for Pennsylvania's forests: results from the first three years
- Arner, Stanford L.; Westfall, James A.; Scott, Charles T. 2004. Comparison of annual inventory designs using forest inventory and analysis data
- McWilliams, William H.; Bowersox, Todd W.; Brose, Patrick H.; Devlin, Daniel A.; Finley, James C.; Horsley, Steve; Gottschalk, Kurt W.; Lister, Tonya W.; McCormick, Larry H.; Miller, Gary W.; Steiner, Kim C.; Stout, Susan L.; Westfall, James A.; White, Robert L. 2004. Indicators of regenerative capacity for eastern hardwood forests
- Westfall, James A.; Burkhart, Harold E.; Allen, H. Lee. 2004. Young stand growth modeling for intensively-managed loblolly pine plantations in Southeastern U.S.
- McWilliams, William H.; Bowersox, Todd W.; Brose, Patrick H.; Devlin, Daniel A.; Finley, James C.; Horsley, Steve; Gottschalk, Kurt W.; King, Susan L.; Lister, Tonya W.; McCormick, Larry H.; Miller, Gary W.; Scott, Charles T.; Steiner, Kim C.; Stout, Susan L.; Westfall, James A.; White, Robert L. 2003. Indicators of regenerative capacity for native broadleaf forests: a case study of ungulate overpopulation in the Eastern United States
- McWilliams, William H.; Alerich, Carol A.; Devlin, Daniel A.; Lister, Tonya W.; Sterner, Stephen L.; Westfall, James A. 2002. Annual inventory report for Pennsylvania's forests: results from the first two years.
Last Modified: 11/19/2008