Forest inventory viewer

The forest inventory viewer is a Web application that provides interactive, map based access to a variety of DNR Forestry geographic data sets. This includes stand-based, forest inventory data for state-administered lands with access to detailed information for each inventoried stand. This information includes site attributes, stand attributes and stand composition. DNR Foresters use this data to plan management activities, calculate sustainable harvests of timber and monitor the growth of forests or regeneration. Forest inventory information is collected by foresters using a method called the Cooperative stand assessment (CSA). Utilizing this standard ensures that data is collected using a reliable and consistent process for entry into the database. DNR Forestry is responsible for updating and keeping current forest inventory information for state-administered lands. The stand information displayed in this map that is updated, is published on a weekly basis. Forest Inventory Viewer can be useful and informative for hunters looking for specific game habitat, hikers seeking out remote parcels for dispersed camping, or the naturalist checking up on their favorite piece of woods. The detailed information available from the Forest Inventory Viewer is described below.

Site attributes

  • County Location
  • Forest Management Area
  • Site Index
  • Topography
  • Stand Acres
  • Managment Status

Stand attributes

  • Cover Type
  • Year of inventory
  • Age at inventory
  • Average diameter class
  • Density class
  • Condition class

Stand composition

  • Species
  • Average DBH
  • Volume per acre
  • Stand height

Cooperative stand assessment

CSA is the forest stand mapping and information system used by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to inventory the approximately 5 million acres owned and administered by the state. The basic premise of the CSA inventory system is to collect and record data that will describe the composition and condition of the stand at the time it is observed.

At its origin in 1952, CSA was based on pencil-drawn land use maps and a computer punch-card database. The system has matured into a geographic information system (GIS) database accessible online by DNR forest managers.

Stand maps and databases are periodically reviewed to assess the need for comprehensive remapping and new data collection. The Resource Assessment Program is responsible for the oversight of the CSA data collection.

Cooperative stand assessment (CSA) codes and terminology »

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