National Resources Inventory by Robert N. Jones State Conservationist USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service

Seven Decades of Resource Inventories National Erosion Reconnaissance Survey of 1934 National Erosion Reconnaissance Survey of 1934 Aerial photography is used to collect NRI data in modern surveys. Aerial photography is used to collect NRI data in modern surveys.

The National Resources Inventory Statistical survey Statistical survey Conducted by Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Conducted by Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)

About the Inventory Process NRI data are collected at selected sample sites NRI data are collected at selected sample sites Sample sites are located in all counties Sample sites are located in all counties Data are collected using photo- interpretation and other remote sensing methods Data are collected using photo- interpretation and other remote sensing methods Results produce estimates Results produce estimates

Alabama Land Use 29 Million Acres – Non Federal Rural Land 73% Forest 73% Forest 12% Pasture 12% Pasture 10% Cropland 10% Cropland 2% CRP 2% CRP 1% Range land 1% Range land 2% Other rural 2% Other rural

Cropland  1,591,400 Cropland  1,591,400 Pastureland  221,000 Pastureland  221,000 Rangeland  16,000 Rangeland  16,000 Developed land  766,200 Developed land  766,200 CRP  521,900 CRP  521,900 Forestland  302,300 Forestland  302,300

Urbanization and Development Alabama Developed land in 1997– 2,409,000 acres (8%) Alabama Developed land in 1997– 2,409,000 acres (8%) However, from more land was developed (445,300 acres) than during (320,000 acres)

Forest Land Over 21 million acres Over 21 million acres Between 1982 and 1997, increased by 302,300 Between 1982 and 1997, increased by 302,300

What to Look for in the Future To build a database To build a database To increase the breadth of analyses supported by the NRI To increase the breadth of analyses supported by the NRI

2001 Key Findings In Million Acres Cropland Cropland Pastureland Pastureland Rangeland Rangeland Forestland4851 Forestland4851 Developed73108 Developed73108

More Key Findings Control of erosion rates sustained Control of erosion rates sustained Erosion on cropland  Erosion on cropland  Erosion per acre  Erosion per acre  HEL  HEL 

Summary Statistical survey Statistical survey Provides nationally consistent statistical data Provides nationally consistent statistical data Culminates in a variety of databases, assessments, publications Culminates in a variety of databases, assessments, publications Useful for many purposes and at many levels Useful for many purposes and at many levels

Reference National Resources Inventory website: National Resources Inventory website: