Forest Inventory and Analysis database

The Forest and Inventory database (FIADB) can be used to produce information on a wide variety of forest statistics including forest area, numbers of trees, tree biomass, tree volume, volume of growth, volume of mortality, and volume harvested. These statistics can be categorized by different data elements. The area estimates, for example, can be categorized by county, forest type, ownership, and stand-size, while estimates for numbers of trees, biomass, and volume can additionally be categorized by tree species, and tree diameter. The FIADB structure was developed to provide users with as much data as possible in a consistent manner among States. Frequency of data collection for individual states has varied over time. Annual inventories use a common plot design and common data collection procedures nationwide, resulting in greater consistency among FIA work units than earlier inventories. Many inventories conducted prior to the implementation of the annual inventory are available in the FIADB - the earliest dating back to 1968. However, various data attributes may be nulled or the items may have been collected or computed differently. Data are distributed via the FIA DataMart in the FIADB structure as well as a number of derived structures, reflecting pre-defined subsets of FIADB. Links to field collection manuals and the FIADB user's manual are provided in this metadata document.
The Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) research program has been in existence since mandated by Congress in 1928. FIA’s primary objective is to determine the extent, condition, volume, growth, and depletion of timber on the Nation’s forest land. Before 1999, all inventories were conducted on a periodic basis. The 1998 Farm Bill required FIA to collect data annually on plots within each State. This kind of up-to-date information is essential to frame realistic forest policies and programs. In addition to the data, summary reports for individual States are published.
To protect the integrity of the FIA sample, the exact coordinates of our sample plot locations are kept confidential. This protects the privacy of landowners who allow FIA field crews on their land, as well as protects the plots from any tampering. This policy of location confidentiality is incorporated into law through the Fiscal Year 2000 Consolidated Appropriations Bill (PL 106-113) which amended the Food Security Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 2276(d)) to include FIA data to the list of items that require confidential treatment. The original date for this metadata document is 07/18/2019. On 07/29/2022 minor metadata updates were made, which included the correction of old URLs where possible.