Forest Inventory and Analysis Data Inform Insect Invasion Research
The Forest Service Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program represents the longest-running and most comprehensive survey of forested land in the United States. Historically focused on timber resources, FIA now also collects information on many forest attributes, including invasive plant species, lichens, soil properties, and carbon storage. These data help scientists and managers understand plant distribution and abundance--useful knowledge for many aspects of preventing, detecting, and managing non-native insect invasions and their aftermath. Eastern Threat Center research ecologist Frank Koch and Southern Research Station FIA deputy program manager James Vogt recently published an article in American Entomologist outlining the important role of FIA data in invasive insect research. Read more in CompassLive...
