DATA & ANALYSIS

  • FOREST ECONOMICS AND RESOURCE ANALYSIS: RESOURCE ANALYSIS FAQS

     

    Select a question below to read more.

     


     + What services are provided by resource analysis?

    There are several analyses that we conduct on a regular and ongoing basis. Harvest Trends, where we annually estimate industrial timber harvest and production of wood products, is one example. Other analyses arise because of events like hurricanes, fire or drought. These analyses are driven by the basic need to understand impacts on forest resources. In the case of hurricanes and large fires, (within a few days of the event), we conduct rapid damage assessments to estimate the area, number, volume, biomass, debris and/or value of forest resources impacted.

     

     + What is the difference between resource analysis and forest inventory and analysis?
    The Forest Inventory and Analysis Program is primarily concerned with the field part of the inventory - contacting landowners, measuring trees in the field and processing of the data. 

     

    The Resource Analysis Program is focused on turning the data collected in the field into useful information - estimating numbers, area, volume, biomass, growth, mortality and removal.

     

    FIA data are central to nearly all resource analyses that we prepare.

     

     + How many trees were killed by the 2011 Texas drought?

    We estimated that 301 million trees died on forestland in Texas. We measured tree mortality at hundreds of locations and combined this data with satellite imagery to estimate mortality across the state. Through FIA we estimate there were approximately 4.9 billion trees prior to the drought, so about 1 in 16 trees died as a result of the drought.

     

     + What is the timber supply situation within 75 miles of a specified location?

    This is a question we receive on a regular basis and is one that we have built an online tool called Timber Supply Analysis at TexasForestInfo.com to answer. The tool allows the user to input a location and specify a 50-, 75-, and 100-radius. A report specifying forest area, volume and growth/drain is then prepared and available for viewing and downloading.

     
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