1. What Do NGOs Do With FIA Data? (Preview: a lot!) Christine Negra The Heinz Center for Science, Economics and the Environment March 2009 SAF National FIA User Group

2. FIA and Heinz Center Projects – I. Observation & Understanding  The State of the Nation’s Ecosystems Indicators of condition and use of ecosystems  Air Quality Indicators of ecological effects of air pollution

3. Process:  Industry, NGOs, federal- state-local government, and academics  Data from many monitoring programs Audiences:  Public/ private resource (and budget) managers, e.g., Fiber, wood products Air/water quality protection Species conservation Biofuels, carbon credits

4. SNE 2008 – Forest cover types USFS. All 50 states. 1963 to 2006: Up and down trends for different forest types (increase in oak-hickory)

5. SNE 2008 – Forest disturbance Since 1997, continuous tree mortality has been observed in an increasing number of forest acres. USFS-FHM. All 50 states. 1979-1996: 5 major insects. Million acres

6. SNE 2008 – Forest Productivity Growth > harvest on timberlands nationally Growth  harvest on private timberlands in Pacific Coast and Interior West (2005) USFS. All 50 states.

7. SNE 2008 – Forest carbon 1995-2005: 150 MMt gained annually 62% of forest acres increased in carbon density USFS/NREL. Lower 48 states.

8. SNE 2008 – Forest carbon Since 1953, 43% increase in carbon in live trees. Since 1990, 4-8% increases in other pools. Northern forests store the most, Interior West forests store the least. USFS-FHM. All 50 states. 1979-1996: 5 major insects.

9. Monitoring programs are widely dispersed Data is often not consistent, comparable Demands growing – resources flat No system for coordinated data integration or priority- setting Observations about the data system

10. Recommendations for improving “the system”  Congress establish national indicator system  Early executive branch action  Increased funding  Increased state-level integration activities

11. FIA and Air Quality Indicators  Acidification of soils and surface waters –Soils: % base saturation, C:N ratio –Waters: ANC, nitrate  Ozone impacts on plants –Biosite Index, decline in ozone-sensitive species  Mercury accumulation in food webs –Hg in YOY fish

12. FIA and Heinz Center Projects II. Climate Change Adaptation  Downscaling projects Engage stakeholders Downscaling models (FIA data for baselines, calibration / verification) Adaptation planning  Wildlife outcome & performance metrics Measuring results of wildlife management (e.g., state wildlife plans)

13. FIA Data in Wildlife Monitoring Programs States need to include data on ecosystem condition, not just wildlife population status and trends Data of interest: Extent of forest cover; change in coverage of particular forest types of benefit to wildlife Contact Jonathan Mawdsley mawdsley@heinzctr.org for more information mawdsley@heinzctr.org

14. FIA and Heinz Center Projects – III. Climate Change Mitigation  Terrestrial Carbon projects REDD and MRV REDD & Biodiversity Research needs  Energy projects Forests and Bioenergy stakeholder meetings Global Energy Assessment: US support office

15. FIA and Forest Bioenergy project Need realistic assessment of: 1.overall forest bioenergy resource –how much biomass of what types (trees/slash/residue) –by region, fine-scale (sourcing: 50-100 mile radius) 2.“Supply” – what feedstock buyers can expect (based on technology for harvest, landowner plans, etc.) FIA: provide data and facilitate analyses joint regional assessments with NRCS, etc. (forest plus ag) – many technologies can use multiple feedstocks Contact Robin O’Malley (omalley@heinzctr.org)

16. Ecological changes of unusual and increasing rapidity and uncertainty  need adequate information to respond: Multiple scales, multiple users Timely information tailored to managers’ needs E.g., baselines; predictions Climate change and the data system

17. Thank you www.heinzcenter.org

19. SNE 2008 – Extent of forests Since 1953, forest area has decreased significantly in the South and Pacific Coast and increased significantly in the North. Nationally the amount of forest area has changed little. USFS. All 50 states.

20. SNE 2008 – Forest disturbance 1979-2006: slight but significant increase in area disturbed by fire USFS/NIFC. All 50 states. Includes forests, grass/shrublands.

21. SNE 2008 – Forest populations One-fifth of native U.S. forest animal species are at risk of extinction State-level percentages are highly variable NatureServe. All 50 states.

22. SNE 2008 – Air quality in forests 66% of U.S. had ozone levels >0.06 ppm for >10 hours 4% for >30 hours (2005) EPA (analysis by USFS). Lower 48 states. 12-hour, 3-month SUM06. CO 2 levels are 20% higher than in 1950s and 36% higher than preindustrial times.

23. ‘Cross-cutting’ topical factsheets Climate change Nitrogen Wildlife Contaminants Beyond the report…

24. SNE 2008 – Land cover in forests Greater % of Interior West and Pacific Coast forest lands have core patches >100 square miles in size, while patches in nearly all southern forests were <100 square miles. NLCD/ESRI (analysis by USFS, EPA). Lower 48 states.