Title: Forest Resources of the United States, 2002

Author: Smith, W. Brad; Miles, Patrick D.; Vissage, John S.; Pugh, Scott A.

Year: 2004

Publication: General Technical Report NC-241. St. Paul, MN: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Research Station

Abstract: Forest resource growth, harvests, and land use conversion can change inventories within States, among regions, and even among countries, and can significantly influence the future performance of resources. This could affect the State, regional, and national economies that depend on the affected resources, as well as the resource environments. Periodic surveys provide information needed to assess the current status and performance of resources, and to estimate their future condition. As required by the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 (RPA), P.L. 93-378, 88 Stat. 4765, as amended, this report updates information on the Nation?s forest resource. This report updates resource statistics published by Smith et al. (2001). For brevity and balance in presenting reporting periods in tabular outputs, RPA Assessment data for 1963, 1970, and 1992 have been omitted from this report. To provide a context for evaluating and interpreting changes in the forest resource, data for 1953, 1963 (some tables), 1977, 1987, and 1997 are included. A forest type map produced from satellite imagery displaying the area and location of forest land in the United States is available on the Internet at http://www.nationalatlas.gov. A compact disk (CD) is provided in a pocket at the back of this publication that contains the data used for this report and an interactive computer tool for accessing and displaying the data in tables and maps. A user manual with tutorials is provided on the CD.