Inventory methods for trees in nonforest areas in the Great Plains States

Area of Science:

• Forestry
• Ecology
• Environmental Science

Background:

• The US Forest Service's Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program excludes trees in nonforest areas, leading to knowledge gaps, particularly in the Great Plains.
• Concerns exist regarding invasive pests, like the emerald ash borer, and their impact on these uninventoried tree resources.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and implement a survey of trees in nonforest areas of the Great Plains.
• To characterize the nonforest tree resource using methods compatible with FIA.
• To integrate data from nonforest and forest inventories for a holistic understanding.

Main Methods:

• Developed a project called the Great Plains Initiative in partnership with state cooperators.
• Designed plot and sample strategies for inventorying trees in nonforest areas.
• Created a reporting tool to present example results.

Main Results:

• The paper describes the design and implementation process for the Great Plains Initiative survey.
• Example results from a developed reporting tool are presented.
• The study lays the groundwork for a comprehensive understanding of Great Plains tree resources.

Conclusions:

• The Great Plains Initiative addresses a critical data gap in nonforest tree resources.
• Compatible inventory methods allow for integrated analysis with existing FIA data.
• This research provides a foundation for managing and protecting Great Plains tree populations.