rFIA: An R package for estimation of forest attributes with the Forest Inventory and Analysis Database

TL;DR

rFIA is an R package that simplifies access to and estimation of forest attributes from the complex FIA database, enabling users to analyze forest changes across space and time with validated estimators.

Contribution

The paper introduces rFIA, a novel R package that enhances accessibility and analysis of FIA data through space-time summaries and multiple estimators.

Findings

Validated against official FIA estimates and errors.

Demonstrated in assessing ash population changes post-emerald ash borer.

Facilitates monitoring of forest dynamics across the US.

Abstract

Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) is a US Department of Agriculture Forest Service program that aims to monitor changes in forests across the US. FIA hosts one of the largest ecological datasets in the world, though its complexity limits access for many potential users. rFIA is an R package designed to simplify the estimation of forest attributes using data collected by the FIA Program. Specifically, rFIA improves access to the spatio-temporal estimation capacity of the FIA Database via space-time indexed summaries of forest variables within user-defined population boundaries (e.g., geographic, temporal, biophysical). The package implements multiple design-based estimators, and has been validated against official estimates and sampling errors produced by the FIA Program. We demonstrate the utility of rFIA by assessing changes in abundance and mortality rates of ash (Fraxinus spp.) populations in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan following the establishment of emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis).