Forest Inventory & Analysis (FIA)
The Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC), in coordination with the USDA Forest Service, is currently conducting ongoing forest inventory data research throughout Georgia. The purpose of this research is to periodically gather land and forest resource data from a series of permanent sample plots in order to assess the current situation and trends concerning future forest resources within Georgia.
Sample plots were established in the 1930s by the USDA Forest Service. These plots were selected randomly, without regard to current land use, ownership, location, or land use changes which may have occurred since the previous inventory.
An effort is made to contact and secure landowner permission prior to plot access by the 2-person
FIA Team. In some cases, prior landowner contact cannot be made.
- Data is collected every five years on each sample plot.
- Data includes species composition & diversity, forest growth and health, insect and disease impact, past natural and man-caused disturbances, land use changes (i.e. conversion of land areas from forest to non-forest and vice versa), and many other types of data.
- Data collected is compiled into county, regional, and state summaries.
- Data will be utilized by resource management agencies & organizations, academic
institutions, and private forestry concerns.
Landowner cooperation for our data collection is greatly appreciated. Data collection does not affect property taxes, nor will it limit in any way, the land use options of the landowner.
To receive literature or to ask questions please contact Georgia Forestry Commission's FIA Coordinator David Dickinson at ddickinson@gfc.state.ga.us or 1-800-GA-TREES (1-800-428-7337) or 770-830-7260.
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