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Data Sources

The FIA data discussed in this chapter are from published reports and from extensive databases residing at the Southern Research Station's FIA Work Units in Knoxville, TN, and Starkville, MS. Additional data come from the 2001 RPA report (Smith and others 2001). Decadal RPA assessments, based on data collected by FIA units, have been published since the 1970s and provide trends and current status in key resource variables. Data from the South's Fourth Forest (U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service 1988) report also were used to describe past use and management and track more recent trends in southern forest resources. Additional information was gathered from published literature that is cited appropriately.

In an attempt to use the latest data available, any additional statewide inventories completed and published during the analysis phase of the study also will be included. It will not be possible to include these data in the tables and graphics for this chapter; however, they will be used to analyze the latest changes and trends at the State level in the applicable States.