Determining stocking, forest type and stand-size class from forest inventory data

This paper describes the procedures used by North Central Forest Experiment Station's Forest Inventory and Analysis Work Unit (NCFIA) in determining stocking, forest type, and stand-size class. The stocking procedure assigns a portion of the stocking to individual trees measured on NCFIA 10-point field plots. Stand size and forest type are determined as functions of the stocking, size, and species of these trees and the physiographic classification of the site. One stand-size classification algorithm used in all states inventoried by NCFIA is described. Three separate forest type classification algorithms used in the Lake States (MI, MN, and WI), Plains States (KS, NE, ND, and SD) and Central States (IA, IL, IN, and MO) are presented.