NIMAC Status

Chip Scott

Today’s TopicsNIMAC BackgroundNIMAC BackgroundStatesStatesNational Forest SystemNational Forest SystemInternationalInternationalToolkitToolkit

NIMAC BackgroundNational Inventory and Monitoring

Applications Center (NIMAC)Mission:

To develop leading-edge forest ecosystem monitoring methods and tools to help FIA and its customers monitor forests, resulting in compatible results across the landscape. Methods and software tools are designed for use by land managers and across ownerships at landscape to national scales, but will also provide added flexibility to FIA.

States: WisconsinContract crews are in the second Contract crews are in the second

panel of the second cycle of data panel of the second cycle of data collection on their 514,000 ac.collection on their 514,000 ac.

Data are processed by NIMAC and UNLV Data are processed by NIMAC and UNLV cooperatorscooperators

WisFIDO is operational, but waiting for FIA FIDO WisFIDO is operational, but waiting for FIA FIDO to be upgraded first before additional to be upgraded first before additional enhancements: enhancements: http://wiscfi.fiatools.us/fido/index.html

Data and estimates are being made available Data and estimates are being made available using PC EVALIDator, including some P3 data. using PC EVALIDator, including some P3 data.

States: IndianaState crews are completing the fifth panel on State crews are completing the fifth panel on

their 150,000 ac of state land. their 150,000 ac of state land. Plots are paneled by 1,000 ac compartments. We Plots are paneled by 1,000 ac compartments. We

are using this concept in the NFI of Peru.are using this concept in the NFI of Peru.IN DNR expanded the system to IN DNR expanded the system to

600,000 ac of private 600,000 ac of private conservation lands.conservation lands.

We prepared a PC version of We prepared a PC version of NIMS so they can process the NIMS so they can process the data themselves. data themselves.

NIMAC is training IN DNR on NIMAC is training IN DNR on processing the data for use in PC processing the data for use in PC EVALIDator. EVALIDator.

States: MissouriMissouri crews have finished the first Missouri crews have finished the first

season of fieldwork on 600,000 ac of State season of fieldwork on 600,000 ac of State Forest land. Fieldwork is done during the Forest land. Fieldwork is done during the “off season.”“off season.”

MDC is now adopting the Wisconsin MDC is now adopting the Wisconsin model of having NIMAC and UNLV do all model of having NIMAC and UNLV do all the processing with NIMS and provide the the processing with NIMS and provide the results using PC EVALIDator. results using PC EVALIDator.

States: KansasKansas has developed a proposal to intensify Kansas has developed a proposal to intensify

the sample in forest land and in nonforest the sample in forest land and in nonforest with trees in order to evaluate commercial with trees in order to evaluate commercial biomass production.biomass production.

National Forest SystemNIMAC worked with R9 so that the sample on all NIMAC worked with R9 so that the sample on all

Forests is intensified (2X or 3X). Forests is intensified (2X or 3X). Regions 8 and 9 funded a 1-year Term position Regions 8 and 9 funded a 1-year Term position

within NIMAC to provide analytical support for within NIMAC to provide analytical support for the two Regions. the two Regions.

NFS continues to fund the development of the NFS continues to fund the development of the Design and Analysis Toolkit for Inventory and Design and Analysis Toolkit for Inventory and Monitoring (DATIM).Monitoring (DATIM).

Cross-Deputy Inventory, Monitoring and Cross-Deputy Inventory, Monitoring and Assessment effort to make IM&A more cost-Assessment effort to make IM&A more cost-effective.effective.

International: Growing need for monitoring globallyPrimary factor is the financial incentives of REDD+

(Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation Plus)Forest Degradation Plus), but others include timber production and conservation of biodiversity.

USAID & State Dept. are funding the FS, USGS, NASA, Smithsonian Inst., and EPA to provide technical assistance to Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Viet Nam and Gabon

Goal is to reduce carbon emissions and to encourage sustainable use of forests to help keep them as forests.

What is FIA doing about it?FIA’s role is to provide technical assistance

and training, not to do the work. NIMAC coordinates the technical assistance

for the FS.Skills Roster – about 60 folks have signed up Skills Roster – about 60 folks have signed up

on the skills roster to provide technical on the skills roster to provide technical assistance. assistance.

Built an optimal plot design tool which Built an optimal plot design tool which factors in both cost and precision. factors in both cost and precision.

ToolkitDeveloped portable data recorder program (modern Developed portable data recorder program (modern

version of TALLY) which is being using in Honduras, version of TALLY) which is being using in Honduras, Peru and now Gabon. FAO is posting it for Peru and now Gabon. FAO is posting it for download.download.

DATIM is almost done with Phase 1 of development. DATIM is almost done with Phase 1 of development. Web version of the Design Tool for Inventory and Web version of the Design Tool for Inventory and

Monitoring (DTIM) and will include NFS Planning Monitoring (DTIM) and will include NFS Planning Rule and international modules.Rule and international modules.

The Analytical Tool for Inventory and Monitoring The Analytical Tool for Inventory and Monitoring (ATIM) and the Spatial Intersection Tool (SIT) are (ATIM) and the Spatial Intersection Tool (SIT) are integrated to facilitate spatial analyses.integrated to facilitate spatial analyses.

SummaryNIMAC’s role is growing, especially in the NIMAC’s role is growing, especially in the

international arena international arena States – don’t anticipate additional states. Focus States – don’t anticipate additional states. Focus

is on providing compilation and reporting tools.is on providing compilation and reporting tools.National Forest System – continue to partner National Forest System – continue to partner

with R8 and R9; work on the IM&A effort.with R8 and R9; work on the IM&A effort.International – develop documentation, training International – develop documentation, training

and toolsand toolsToolkit – DATIM testing will begin January 2013; Toolkit – DATIM testing will begin January 2013;

Phase 2 will be completed Fall 2013.Phase 2 will be completed Fall 2013.

Questions / CommentsChip Scott

FIA-NIMACUSDA Forest Service11 Campus Blvd., Suite 200Newtown Square, PA [email protected]