What type of forest or woodlands is present in Oklahoma? What tree species are in the state’s counties? Is our forest healthy?
These and many other questions will be answered as a Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) crew from Oklahoma Forestry Services begins collecting data on plots in Craig, Nowata, Rogers, Tulsa, Wagoner, and Washington counties.
Foresters began this important data collection in 2009. Each subsequent year, foresters continue gathering information about the amount of land under forest cover, the type of forests and tree species that are present, tree size, invasive species and forest health issues.
“Healthy forests and woodlands provide Oklahoma with many valuable goods and services,” said George Geissler, Oklahoma Forestry Services director and State Forester. “We are collecting information about our forests in all 77 counties, which will improve our planning and management strategies and ensure our citizens receive the greatest benefit possible.”
The analysis is conducted on randomly located plots across private, industrial, and public lands and includes both forested and non-forested areas. Private landowners are contacted directly by mail if a plot falls on their land. The information gathered from this analysis determines the status of the local forest resources and shows trends seen in the forests of Oklahoma. This data also contributes to similar nationwide efforts of the USDA Forest Service.
From Morning Ag Clips: https://www.morningagclips.com/ofs-conducting-forest-inventory-2/