National Algorithms for Determining Stocking Class, Stand Size Class, and Forest Type for Forest Inventory and Analysis Plots

Procedures to assign stocking values to individual trees, and forest type, stand size, and stocking class to all Forest Inventory and Analysis plots nationwide are presented. The stocking values are assigned using species specific functions of diameter developed from normal yield tables and stocking charts. These algorithms will be included as part of the set of standardized procedures being developed by Forest Inventory and Analysis that will result in consistent estimates without regard to political boundaries.