United States

Department of 

Agriculture

Forest Service

Northern 

Research Station

General Technical

Report NRS-61

The Forest Inventory and 

Analysis Database Version 4.0: 

Database Description and 

Users Manual for Phase 3

Christopher W. Woodall Charles H. Perry

Barbara L. Conkling Beth Schulz

Michael C. Amacher Gretchen C. Smith

John W. Coulston Susan Will-Wolf

Sarah Jovan 
Visit our homepage at: http://www.nrs.fs.fed.us/

Published by: For additional copies:

U.S. FOREST SERVICE U.S. Forest Service

11 CAMPUS BLVD SUITE 200 Publications Distribution

NEWTOWN SQUARE PA 19073-3294 359 Main Road

 Delaware, OH 43015-8640

April 2010 Fax: (740)368-0152

Abstract

Describes the structure of the Forest Inventory and Analysis Database (FIADB) 

4.0 for phase 3 indicators. The FIADB structure provides a consistent framework 

for storing forest health monitoring data across all ownerships for the entire United 

States. These data are available to the public.

Manuscript received for publication 22 October 2009
The Forest Inventory and Analysis 

Database Version 4.0: 

Database Description and Users Manual for Phase 3

Christopher W. Woodall, Research Forester, 

U.S. Forest Service, St. Paul, MN

Barbara L. Conkling, Research Assistant Professor, 

North Carolina State University, Research Triangle Park, NC

Michael C. Amacher, Research Soil Scientist, 

U.S. Forest Service, Logan, UT

John W. Coulston, Supervisory Research Forester, 

U.S. Forest Service, Knoxville, TN

Sarah Jovan, Research Ecologist, 

U.S. Forest Service, Portland, OR

Charles H. Perry, Research Soil Scientist, 

U.S. Forest Service, St. Paul, MN

Beth Schulz, Research Ecologist, 

U.S. Forest Service, Anchorage, AK

Gretchen C. Smith, Plant Pathologist, 

University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA

Susan Will-Wolf, Professor, 

University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI

Note: Given the depth and breadth of information in this document, many individuals 

contributed directly and indirectly to its creation. Special thanks are extended to all the 

field crew, trainers, database programmers, analysts, state partners, and Forest Health 

Monitoring personnel that contributed to the development of FIA’s phase 3 indicator 

program for over a decade. There has been no intentional omission of authorship in this 

document; rather, authorship has been granted to national lead coordinators of each forest 

health indicator along with affiliated staff that pulled together all database documentation.
contents

Chapter 1 — Introduction .....................................................................................................................................................1

Chapter 2 — Database Structure .........................................................................................................................................4

Ozone Bioindicator General Introduction.........................................................................................................................6

Ozone Plot Table (Oracle table name is OZONE_PLOT)................................................................................................8

Ozone Visit Table (Oracle table name is OZONE_VISIT) .............................................................................................13

Ozone Validation Table (Oracle table name is OZONE_VALIDATION) ............................................................................20

Ozone Biosite Summary Table (Oracle table name is OZONE_BIOSITE_SUMMARY) ...............................................25

Ozone Plot Summary Table (Oracle table name is OZONE_PLOT_SUMMARY).........................................................32

Ozone Species Summary Table (Oracle table name is OZONE_SPECIES_SUMMARY)............................................39

Lichen Visit Table (Oracle table name is LICHEN_VISIT).............................................................................................47

Lichen Lab Table (Oracle table name is LICHEN_LAB)................................................................................................54

Lichen Plot Summary Table (Oracle table name is LICHEN_PLOT_SUMMARY) ........................................................58

Lichen Species Summary Table (Oracle table name is LICHEN_SPECIES_SUMMARY)............................................61

Lichen Species Reference Table (Oracle table name is REF_LICHEN_SPECIES)......................................................65

Lichen Species Comments Table (Oracle table name is REF_LICHEN_SPP_COMMENTS) ......................................68

Soils Visit Table (Oracle table name is SOILS_VISIT) ..................................................................................................72

Soils Erosion Table (Oracle table name is SOILS_EROSION) .....................................................................................75

Soils Sample Location Table (Oracle table name is SOILS_SAMPLE_LOC) ...............................................................80

Soils Lab Table (Oracle table name is SOILS_LAB) .....................................................................................................87

Vegetation Visit Table (Oracle table name is VEG_VISIT) ..................................................................................93

Vegetation Plot Species Table (Oracle table name is VEG_PLOT_SPECIES).............................................................98

Vegetation Subplot Table (Oracle table name is VEG_SUBPLOT).............................................................................103

Vegetation Quadrat Table (Oracle table name is VEG_QUADRAT) ...........................................................................112

Vegetation Subplot Species Table (Oracle table name is VEG_SUBPLOT_SPP)......................................................117

Reference Plant Dictionary (Oracle table name is REF_PLANT_DICTIONARY)........................................................124

Down Woody Material Visit Table (Oracle table name is DWM_VISIT).......................................................................129

Down Woody Material Coarse Woody Debris Table (Oracle table name is DWM_COARSE_WOODY_DEBRIS) ......133

Down Woody Material Duff, Litter, Fuel Table (Oracle table name is DWM_DUFF_LITTER_FUEL)..........................138

Down Woody Material Fine Woody Debris Table (Oracle table name is DWM_FINE_WOODY_DEBRIS) ................142

Down Woody Material Microplot Fuel Table (Oracle table name is DWM_MICROPLOT_FUEL) ...............................146

Down Woody Material Residual Pile Table (Oracle table name is DWM_RESIDUAL_PILE)......................................151

Down Woody Material Transect Segment Table (Oracle table name is DWM_TRANSECT_SEGMENT)..................156

Chapter 3 — Views...........................................................................................................................................................160

Acknowledgments ............................................................................................................................................................162

Literature Cited.................................................................................................................................................................162

Appendix A — Index of Column Names...........................................................................................................................164
1

Chapter 1 — Introduction

This manual is the definitive guide to the Forest Inventory and Analysis database (FIADB) for 

phase 3 (P3) indicators, which can be accessed online at the FIA Datamart: http://fiatools.fs.fed.

us. This document is a companion to The Forest Inventory and Analysis Database: Database 

Description and Users Manual, Version 4.0 for P2. To use the Forest Inventory and Analysis 

Database (FIADB) effectively, users should acquire a basic understanding of Forest Inventory 

and Analysis (FIA) sampling and estimation procedures. Generally described, FIA uses a threephase sampling scheme. Phase 1 (P1) is used for stratification, while phase 2 (P2) consists of 

plots that are visited or photo-interpreted. A subset of P2 plots are designated as phase 3 (P3) 

plots, which were formerly known as Forest Health Monitoring (FHM) plots, where additional 

health indicator attributes are collected. Phase 3 is described in this chapter, but phases 1 and 

2 are described in a separate users manual (U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service 

2010). The exception is P3 crown attributes, which are described in the TREE table of the P2 

document (available online at www.fia.fs.fed.us.)

Although the FIADB is used widely within the FIA program, much if not most of the intended 

audience includes those outside FIA who are interested in using FIA data for their own analyses. 

Awareness of the potential uses of FIA data by users outside the FIA community is growing, 

and the data become increasingly useful as additional data are collected. However, as is the case 

with any data source, the user needs to understand not only the data definitions and acquisition 

methods, but also the context in which the data were collected. This manual is intended to help 

current and potential users understand the necessary details of the FIADB.

For specific questions about the data from a particular P3 indicator, please contact the following 

individuals:

Phase 3 Indicator Phase 3 Contacts Phone Email

Crowns (in P2 user manual) William Bechtold

KaDonna Randolph

828-257-4357

865-862-2024

wabechtold@fs.fed.us

krandolph@fs.fed.us

Ozone Bioindicator John Coulston 865-862-2008 jcoulston@fs.fed.us

Lichen Sarah Jovan 503-808-2070 sjovan@fs.fed.us

Soils Charles Perry

Michael Amacher

651-649-5191

435-755-3560

charleshperry@fs.fed.us

mamacher@fs.fed.us

Vegetation Structure Beth Schulz 907-743-9424 bschulz@fs.fed.us

Down Woody Material Christopher Woodall 651-649-5141 cwoodall@fs.fed.us
2

Additional information about the P3 indicators is also available in the following publications:

•	 Crown condition classification: a guide to data collection and analysis (Schomaker 

et al. 2007)

•	 Ozone bioindicator: sampling and estimation (Smith et al. 2007); data analysis and 

interpretation (Smith et al. 2008)

•	 Soils as an indicator of forest health: a guide to the collection, analysis, and 

interpretation of soil indicator data in the Forest Inventory and Analysis Program 

(O’Neill et al. 2005)

•	 Sampling protocols, estimation procedures, and analytical guidelines for the down 

woody materials indicator of the Forest Inventory and Analysis Program, 2nd edition 

(Woodall and Monleon 2008)

•	 Sampling and estimation procedures for the vegetation diversity and structure indicator 

(Schulz et al. 2009)

Plot Location

The FIADB includes coordinates for every plot location in the database, whether it is forested 

or not, but these are not the precise locations of the plot centers. In an amendment to the 

Food Security Act of 1985 (reference 7 USC 2276 § 1770), Congress directed FIA to ensure 

the privacy of private landowners. Exact plot coordinates could be used in conjunction with 

other publicly available data to link plot data to specific landowners, in violation of the new 

requirements set by Congress. In addition to the issue of private landowner privacy, the FIA 

program had concerns about plot integrity and vandalism of plot locations on public lands. 

Because of these concerns, FIA temporarily stopped providing public access to plot coordinates. 

However, a revised policy has been implemented and new methods have been developed for 

making approximate coordinates available for all plots. These methods are collectively known as 

“fuzzing and swapping” (Lister et al. 2005).

In the past, FIA provided approximate coordinates for its periodic data in the FIADB. These 

coordinates were within 1.0 mile of the exact plot location (this is called fuzzing). However, 

because some private individuals own extensive amounts of land in certain counties, the data 

could still be linked to these owners. To maintain the privacy requirements specified in the 

amendments to the Food Security Act of 1985, up to 20 percent of the private plot coordinates 

are swapped with another similar private plot within the same county (this is called swapping). 

This method creates sufficient uncertainty at the scale of the individual landowner to meet 

privacy requirements. It also ensures that county summaries and any breakdowns by categories, 

such as ownership class, will be the same as when using the true plot locations because only the 

coordinates of the plot are swapped – all the other plot characteristics remain the same. The 

only difference will occur when users want to subdivide a county using a polygon. Even then, 

results will be similar because swapped plots are chosen to be similar based on attributes such as 

forest type, stand-size class, latitude, and longitude (each FIA unit has chosen its own attributes 

for defining similarity).
3

For plot data collected under the new annual system, plot numbers are reassigned to sever 

the link to other coordinates stored in the FIADB before the change in the law. Private plots 

are also swapped using the method described above – remeasured annual plots are swapped 

independently of the periodic data. All annual plot coordinates are fuzzed, but less than before: 

within 0.5 miles for most plots and up to 1.0 mile on a small subset of them. This makes it 

difficult to locate the plot on the ground, while maintaining a good correlation between the plot 

data and map-based characteristics.

For most user applications, such as woodbasket analyses and estimates of other large areas, 

fuzzed and swapped coordinates provide a sufficient level of accuracy. However, some FIA 

customers require more precision of plot locations for performing analyses by user-defined 

polygons and for relating FIA plot data to other map-based information, such as soils maps and 

satellite imagery. To accommodate this need, FIA provides spatial data services that allow most 

of the desired analyses while meeting privacy requirements. The possibilities and limitations for 

these types of analyses are case-specific, so interested users should contact their local FIA work 

unit for more information.
4

Chapter 2 — Database Structure

Keys Presented with the Tables

Each summarized table in this chapter has a list of keys just below the bottom of the table. 

These keys are used to join data from different tables. The following provides a general 

definition of each kind of key.

Primary Key

A single column in a table whose values uniquely identify each row in an Oracle1 table.

The primary key in each FIADB 4.0 table is the CN column. 

The name of the primary key for each table is listed in the table description. It follows the 

nomenclature of TABLEABBREVIATION_PK. The table abbreviations are:

Table Name Table Abbreviation

OZONE_PLOT NOP

OZONE_VISIT OVT

OZONE_VALIDATION OVN

OZONE_BIOSITE_SUMMARY OBS

OZONE_PLOT_SUMMARY OPS

OZONE_SPECIES_SUMMARY OSY

LICHEN_VISIT LVT

LICHEN_LAB LCH

LICHEN_PLOT_SUMMARY LPS

LICHEN_SPECIES_SUMMARY LSY

REF_LICHEN SPECIES LNS

REF_LICHEN_SPP_COMMENTS LCM

SOILS_VISIT SVT

SOILS_EROSION SEN

SOILS_SAMPLE_LOC SSL

SOILS_LAB SLB

VEG_VISIT VVT

VEG_PLOT_SPECIES VPS

VEG_SUBPLOT VSB

VEG_QUADRAT VQT

VEG_SUBPLOT_SPP VSS

REF_PLANT_DICTIONARY RPD

DWM_VISIT DVT

DWM_COARSE_WOODY_DEBRIS DCW

DWM_DUFF_LITTER_FUEL DDL

DWM_FINE_WOODY_DEBRIS DFW

DWM_MICROPLOT_FUEL DMF

DWM_RESIDUAL_PILE DRP

DWM_TRANSECT_SEGMENT DTS

1The use of trade or firm names in this publication is for reader information only and does 

not imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture of any product or service.
5

Unique Key

Multiple columns in a table whose values uniquely identify each row in an Oracle table. 

There can be only one row for each unique key value.

The unique key varies for each FIADB 4.0 table. The unique key for the OZONE_

PLOT table is STATECD, COUNTYCD, O3PLOT, and INVYR. The unique key for 

the OZONE_VALIDATION table is PLT_CN and BIOSPCD.

The name of the unique key for each table is listed in the table description. It follows 

the nomenclature of TABLEABBREVIATION_UK.

Natural Key

A unique key made from existing attributes in the table.

Not all FIADB 4.0 tables have a natural key. For example, there is no natural key in the 

OZONE_PLOT table; rather, the natural key and the unique key are the same.

The name of the natural key for each table is listed in the table description. It follows 

the nomenclature of TABLEABBREVIATION_NAT_I.

Foreign Key

A column in a table that is used as a link to a matching column in another Oracle table.

A foreign key connects a record in one table to only one record in another table. 

Foreign keys are used both to link records between data tables and as a check (or 

constraint) to prevent “unrepresented data.” For example, if there are rows of data in 

the LICHEN_VISIT table for a specific plot, there needs to be a corresponding data 

row for that same plot in the PLOT table (P2). The foreign key in the LICHEN_

VISIT table is the attribute PLT_CN, which links specific rows in the LICHEN_

VISIT table to one record in the PLOT table using the plot attribute CN.

The name of the foreign key for each table is listed in the table description. 

It follows the nomenclature of SOURCETABLEABBREVIATION_

MATCHINGTABLEABBREVIATION_FK, where the source table is the table 

containing the foreign key and the matching table is the table the foreign key matches. 

The foreign key usually matches the CN column of the matching table.

Some tables in FIADB 4.0 have only one foreign key, but tables can have multiple 

foreign keys.
6

Ozone Bioindicator General Introduction

Unlike other FIA data where only a portion of the plots are sampled each year, every ozone site 

is sampled annually. Therefore, the ozone bioindicator data provide annual statistics that can 

be used to report on regional trends in ozone stress. The terms biosite or ozone biomonitoring 

site are used to refer to the ozone plot or ground location where ozone data are collected. The 

biosite summary table (OZONE_BIOSITE_SUMMARY) provides ozone summary statistics 

for each ozone plot or biosite. The plot summary table (OZONE_PLOT_SUMMARY) 

provides summary statistics for each ground location. Ground location differs from biosite when 

the data from two nearby locations are combined for a given biosite to meet the site selection 

requirements for the ozone indicator. The species summary table (OZONE_SPECIES_

SUMMARY) provides summary statistics by species, at each ground location. The validation 

table (OZONE_VALIDATION) contains the results of the expert review of the leaf voucher 

samples. The ozone visit table (OZONE_VISIT) includes a record of plot (a single location) 

characteristics and measurement status. For each table, the attribute codes, computation 

specifications, and definitions are fully described. General guidelines for data use are presented 

at the beginning of each table. Annual summary statistics may be compiled by species or by 

biosite and reported by county, state, region, or ecoregion.

For most analyses, the biosite-level ozone injury index (BI) or BIOSITE_INDEX is the 

calculated attribute that is the most useful. The biosite index is derived each year from the 

validated crew data and presented in the biosite summary table. The annual BI provides an 

indication of ozone stress for a given year, but should not be used alone to make definitive 

statements about ozone air quality. An examination of regional trends in ozone stress should 

be based on a 5-year rolling average of the biosite index. For a given 5-year period, ambient 

ozone concentrations may fluctuate from above normal to below normal. Calculating an 

average biosite index for a multi-year period ensures that the injury index used to describe plant 

response to ozone is a truly representative value.

In addition to the summary tables, two map products are made available annually to FIA 

analysts and other users. The map products are derived from weighted data that are not readily 

available (contact the National Ozone Indicator Advisor for more information), and true 

plot locations that are not in the public domain. The first map product is the national ozone 

risk map. Every year, geostatistical procedures are applied to the 5-year rolling average of the 

biosite index to interpolate a surface of biological response to ozone across the landscape. The 

resulting ozone risk map can be used to assign an estimated biosite index value to any mapped 

surface, including the FIA P2 (P2) sample. The second map product is an interpolated surface 

of ambient ozone concentrations (e.g., SUM06 data, which are hourly ozone concentrations 

greater than or equal to 0.06 parts per million O3). Regional analysts can clip their area of 

interest (e.g., state, region, or ecoregion) from these two map products, and use the procedures 

outlined in the ozone estimation document (Smith et al. 2007) and user guide (Smith et al. 

2008) to calculate and interpret population metrics for the ozone indicator. Population metrics 

for the ozone indicator include, but are not limited to (1) the acres of forest land at low, 
7

moderate, and high risk of ozone injury, and (2) the volume of ozone susceptible species at low, 

moderate, and high risk of ozone injury.

The FIA Spatial Data Services group uses the national ozone risk map to generate an estimated 

BI value for forested ground plots on the FIA P2 grid. Using the map surface and the 

interpolated biosite index, any user can examine relationships between the ozone indicator and 

other FIA indicators of tree growth, forest health, and forest condition. Similarly, the national 

ozone risk map (first map product) can be used in conjunction with the interpolated surface of 

ambient ozone concentrations (second map product) to help interpret FIA findings. Overlays 

are also possible with other external databases or map surfaces such as climate or seasonal 

drought. The goal is to ensure national consistency in published map products and interpretive 

reports on the ozone indicator.

Two general technical reports published by FIA include detailed information on historical 

changes to the ozone grid sample and specific guidance on analyzing and interpreting ozone 

indicator variables and associated databases (Smith et al. 2007, 2008). A peer-reviewed 

publication gives an example of how to use the BI data to assess regionwide ozone effects on 

ozone-sensitive tree species (Coulston et al. 2003). To download these and other documents 

relevant to the ozone indicator, go to: http://fia.fs.fed.us, and click on Program Features, Forest 

Health Indicators, Ozone, Ozone Indicator Website (bottom of page) and then click on the 

publications link on the right side of the page.
8

Ozone Plot Table (Oracle table name is OZONE_PLOT)

Column Name Descriptive Name Oracle data type

1 CN Sequence number VARCHAR2(34)

2 SRV_CN Survey sequence number VARCHAR2(34)

3 CTY_CN County sequence number VARCHAR2(34)

4 INVYR Inventory year NUMBER(4)

5 STATECD State code NUMBER(4)

6 UNITCD Unit code NUMBER(2)

7 COUNTYCD County code NUMBER(3)

8 O3PLOT Ozone plot NUMBER

9 FIELD_ID Field identification number NUMBER(7)

10 SPLIT_PLOTID Split plot identification NUMBER(1)

11 MEASYEAR Measurement year NUMBER(4)

12 MEASMON Measurement month NUMBER(2)

13 MEASDAY Measurement day NUMBER(2)

14 LAT Latitude NUMBER(8,6)

15 LON Longitude NUMBER(9,6)

16 ELEVATION Elevation NUMBER

17 MANUAL Field guide (manual) version number NUMBER(3,1)

18 QA_STATUS Quality assurance status NUMBER(1)

19 CREATED_BY Created by VARCHAR2(30)

20 CREATED_DATE Created date DATE

21 CREATED_IN_INSTANCE Created in instance VARCHAR2(6)

22 MODIFIED_BY Modified by VARCHAR2(30)

23 MODIFIED_DATE Modified date DATE

24 MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE Modified in instance VARCHAR2(6)

25 CYCLE Inventory cycle number NUMBER(2)

26 SUBCYCLE Inventory subcycle number NUMBER(2)

Type of Key Column(s) order Tables to link Abbreviated notation

Primary (CN) N/A NOP_PK

Unique (STATECD, INVYR, 

COUNTYCD, O3PLOT, 

FIELD_ID, SPLIT_

PLOTID)

N/A NOP_UK

Foreign (SRV_CN) OZONE_PLOT to SURVEY NOP_SRV_FK

(CTY_CN) OZONE_PLOT to COUNTY NOP_CTY_FK
9

1. CN Sequence number. A unique sequence number used to identify an 

ozone plot record.

2. SRV_CN Survey sequence number. Foreign key linking the plot record to the 

survey record.

3. CTY_CN County sequence number. Foreign key linking the ozone plot record 

to the county record. The COUNTY table is described in the P2 

document (The Forest Inventory and Analysis Database: Database 

Description and Users Manual Version 4.0 for P2, available at: http://

www.fia.fs.fed.us/library/database-documentation/)

4. INVYR Inventory year. The year in which ozone data were collected. All the 

plots on the ozone grid are measured every year.

5. STATECD State code. Bureau of the Census Federal Information Processing 

Standards (FIPS) two-digit code for each state. Refer to Appendix C 

in the P2 document (The Forest Inventory and Analysis Database: 

Database Description and Users Manual Version 4.0 for P2, available 

at: http://www.fia.fs.fed.us/library/database-documentation/)

6. UNITCD Survey unit code. Forest Inventory and Analysis survey unit 

identification number. Survey units are usually groups of counties 

within each state. For periodic inventories, survey units may be made 

up of lands of particular owners. Refer to Appendix C in the P2 

document for codes (The Forest Inventory and Analysis Database: 

Database Description and Users Manual Version 4.0 for P2, available 

at: http://www.fia.fs.fed.us/library/database-documentation/)

7. COUNTYCD County code. The identification number for a county, parish, 

watershed, borough, or similar governmental unit in a state. FIPS 

codes from the Bureau of the Census, 1990, are used. Refer to 

Appendix C in the P2 document for codes (The Forest Inventory and 

Analysis Database: Database Description and Users Manual Version 

4.0 for P2, available at: http://www.fia.fs.fed.us/library/databasedocumentation/)

8. O3PLOT Ozone plot. A unique identifier for an ozone biosite that is a 

concatenation of FIELD_ID and SPLIT_PLOTID. It can be used in 

combination with STATECD, COUNTYCD, and INVYR to identify 

an ozone biomonitoring site. When a biosite is split, O3PLOT is the 

same for both locations, except for the last digit, which will be a 1 or 2.
10

9. FIELD_ID Field identification number. A system-generated number used to 

identify a biosite. There will be more than one record with a given 

FIELD_ID value when two locations are sampled for one biosite.

10. SPLIT_PLOTID Split plot identification. A number used to identify the distinct 

locations sampled for a particular biosite. SPLIT_PLOTID = 1 

identifies either a single location biosite or the first location of a 

biosite split between two locations. SPLIT_PLOTID = 2 identifies the 

second location of a biosite split between two locations. The second 

location is added by the field crew to increase species and plant counts 

for an ozone biosite.

11. MEASYEAR Measurement year. The year in which the plot was completed. For the 

ozone indicator, MEASYEAR is always the same as INVYR.

12. MEASMON Measurement month. The month in which the plot was completed.

Code Month Code Month

01 January 07 July

02 February 08 August

03 March 09 September

04 April 10 October

05 May 11 November

06 June 12 December

13. MEASDAY Measurement day. The day of the month on which the plot was 

completed.

14. LAT Latitude. The approximate latitude of the plot in decimal degrees 

using NAD 83 datum. Actual plot coordinates cannot be released 

because of a privacy provision enacted by Congress in the Food 

Security Act of 1985. Therefore, this attribute is within +/- 8.5 miles 

of the actual latitude and longitude, and the attribute is in the correct 

county.

15. LON Longitude. The approximate longitude of the plot in decimal degrees 

using NAD 83 datum. Actual plot coordinates cannot be released 

because of a privacy provision enacted by Congress in the Food 

Security Act of 1985. Therefore, this attribute is within +/- 8.5 miles 

of the actual latitude and longitude, and the attribute is in the correct 

county.

16. ELEVATION Elevation. Elevation data are obtained either by using a global 

positioning system (GPS) unit or a USGS topographic map (generally 

the 71⁄2 minute series quadrangle). Field crews locate the area where 
11

most of the bioindicator species are growing and record elevation to 

the nearest foot.

17. MANUAL Manual (field guide) version number. Version number of the field 

guide used to describe procedures for collecting data on the plot.

18. QA_STATUS QA status. A code indicating the type of plot data collected. 

Production plots have QA_STATUS = 1 or 7.

Code Quality assurance status

1 Standard ozone plot

2 Cold check

4 Training/practice plot (off grid)

5 Botched plot file

6 Blind check

7 Production plot (hot check)

19. CREATED_BY Created by. The employee who created the record. This attribute is 

intentionally left blank in download files. It will be dropped in version 

5.0.

20. CREATED_DATE

 Created date. The date on which the record was created. Date will be 

in the form DD-MON-YYYY.

21. CREATED_IN_INSTANCE

 Created in instance. The database instance in which the record was 

created. Each computer system has a unique database instance code, 

and this attribute stores that information to determine on which 

computer the record was created.

22. MODIFIED_BY Modified by. The employee who modified the record. This field 

will be null if the data have not been modified since initial creation. 

This attribute is intentionally left blank in download files. It will be 

dropped in version 5.0.

23. MODIFIED_DATE

 Modified date. The date on which the record was last modified. 

This field will be null if the data have not been modified since initial 

creation. Date will be in the form DD-MON-YYYY.

24. MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE

 Modified in instance. The database instance in which the record was 

modified. This field will be null if the data have not been modified 

since initial creation.
12

25. CYCLE Inventory cycle number. A number assigned to a set of plots, 

measured over a particular period of time from which a state estimate 

using all possible plots is obtained. A cycle number greater than 1 does 

not necessarily mean that information for previous cycles resides in the 

database.

26. SUBCYCLE Inventory subcycle number. For an annual inventory that takes n years 

to measure all plots, subcycle shows in which of the n years of the 

cycle the data were measured. Subcycle is 0 for a periodic inventory. 

Subcycle 99 may be used for plots that are not included in the 

estimation process.
13

Ozone Visit Table (Oracle table name is OZONE_VISIT)

The attributes in this table identify characteristics of the biosite with respect to site conditions 

evaluated by the field crew and indicates whether the data are part of the production sample or 

quality assurance sample. Most ozone biosites consist of a single ground location. Occasionally, 

two locations are used to increase species and plant counts for an ozone biosite. If two locations 

are used, they are within 3 miles of each other. The field identification number (FIELD_ID) is 

the same for both locations, but they have different split plot identification (SPLIT_PLOTID) 

numbers. O3PLOT is a concatenation of FIELD_ID and SPLIT_PLOTID that can be used 

in combination with STATECD, COUNTYCD, and INVYR to uniquely identify each 

plot or ground location. For each ground location, coded site characteristics include plot size 

(PLTSIZE), aspect (ASPECT), terrain position (TERRPOS), soil depth (SOILDPTH), soil 

drainage (SOILDRN), plot wetness (PLOTWET), and plot disturbance (PLTDSTRB). These 

site attributes are defined below. The injury check (INJCHECK) attribute indicates whether or 

not ozone injury was observed on non-tallied plants or species. For example, the field crew may 

observe ozone injury on a species after 30 records of no injury (zero values) have already been 

observed for that species. This attribute allows a biosite to be identified as impacted by ozone 

(i.e., injury detected on non-tallied plants) even though there are no quantitative data on injury 

amount or injury severity for trend analyses.

The grid density (GRIDDEN) and sample kind (SMPKNDCD) attributes are artifacts of the 

conversion from the P3 grid to the 2002 Ozone Grid. They provide information on whether or 

not the biosite is newly established, and whether or not there is more than one biosite within 

the boundaries of a given ozone grid polygon. The application of the SMPKNDCD attribute 

was modified in 2006 so that it could be used in conjunction with geographical coordinates 

entered by the field crew to signal whether or not new fuzzed coordinates are needed for the 

FIADB. Field crews are trained to replace sites that become overgrown or disturbed. When 

SMPKNDCD indicates site replacement and the distance between the previous ground 

location and the new ground location exceeds 3 miles, new fuzzed coordinates are needed. The 

distance of 3 miles reflects the area within which it is reasonable to assume a stable air quality 

regime. Biosites in the southern states, where open areas tend to become rapidly overgrown, are 

relocated more frequently than in any other region. Changes in ground location are represented 

by the OZONE_BIOSITE_SUMMARY.GROUND_LOC_CD, which tracks the number of 

times the biosite has moved and, in combination with INVYR, tracks the years in which data 

were collected at each location.
14

Column Name Descriptive Name Oracle data type

1 CN Sequence number VARCHAR2(34)

2 PLT_CN Plot sequence number VARCHAR2(34)

3 INVYR Inventory year NUMBER(4)

4 STATECD State code NUMBER(4)

5 COUNTYCD County code NUMBER(3)

6 O3PLOT Ozone plot NUMBER

7 FIELD_ID Field identification number NUMBER(7)

8 SPLIT_PLOTID Split plot identification NUMBER(1)

9 SMPKNDCD Ozone sample kind code NUMBER(2)

10 MEASDAY Measurement day NUMBER(2)

11 MEASMON Measurement month NUMBER(2)

12 MEASYEAR Measurement year NUMBER(4)

13 PLTSIZE Plot size NUMBER

14 ASPECT Aspect NUMBER(3)

15 TERRPOS Terrain position NUMBER

16 SOILDPTH Soil depth NUMBER

17 SOILDRN Soil drainage NUMBER

18 PLTDSTRB Plot disturbance NUMBER

19 CRWTYPCD Crew type code NUMBER(1)

20 PLOTWET Plot wetness NUMBER

21 INJCHECK Injury check NUMBER(2)

22 GRIDDEN Ozone grid density NUMBER(1)

23 CREATED_BY Created by VARCHAR2(30)

24 CREATED_DATE Created date DATE

25 CREATED_IN_INSTANCE Created in instance VARCHAR2(6)

26 MODIFIED_BY Modified by VARCHAR2(30)

27 MODIFIED_DATE Modified date DATE

28 MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE Modified in instance VARCHAR2(6)

Type of Key Column(s) order Tables to link Abbreviated 

notation

Primary (CN) N/A OVT_PK

Unique (PLT_CN) N/A OVT_UK

Natural (STATECD, INVYR, 

COUNTYCD, O3PLOT, 

FIELD_ID, SPLIT_

PLOTID)

N/A OVT_NAT_I

Foreign (PLT_CN) OZONE_VISIT to OZONE_PLOT OVT_NOP_FK

1. CN Sequence number. A unique sequence number used to identify an 

ozone visit record.

2. PLT_CN Plot sequence number. A unique sequence number used to relate the 

ozone visit record to the ozone plot record.
15

3. INVYR Inventory year. The year in which the ozone data were collected. All 

the plots in the ozone grid are measured every year.

4. STATECD State code. Bureau of the Census Federal Information Processing 

Standards (FIPS) two-digit code for each state. Refer to Appendix C 

in the P2 document (The Forest Inventory and Analysis Database: 

Database Description and Users Manual Version 4.0 for P2, available 

at: http://www.fia.fs.fed.us/library/database-documentation/)

5. COUNTYCD County code. The identification number for a county, parish, 

watershed, borough, or similar governmental unit in a state. FIPS 

codes from the Bureau of the Census, 1990, are used. Refer to 

Appendix C in the P2 document for codes (The Forest Inventory and 

Analysis Database: Database Description and Users Manual Version 

4.0 for P2, available at: http://www.fia.fs.fed.us/library/databasedocumentation/)

6. O3PLOT Ozone plot. A unique identifier for an ozone biosite that is a 

concatenation of FIELD_ID and SPLIT_PLOTID. It can be used 

in combination with STATECD, COUNTYCD, and INVYR 

to identify an ozone biomonitoring site. When a biosite is split, 

O3PLOT is the same for both locations except for the last digit, 

which will be a 1 or 2.

7. FIELD_ID Field identification number. A system-generated number used to 

identify a biosite. There will be more than one record with a given 

FIELD_ID value when two locations are sampled for one biosite.

8. SPLIT_PLOTID Split plot identification. A number used to identify the distinct 

locations sampled for a particular biosite. SPLIT_PLOTID = 1 

identifies either a single location biosite or the first location of a 

biosite split between two locations. SPLIT_PLOTID = 2 identifies the 

second location of a biosite split between two locations. The second 

location is added by the field crew to increase species and plant counts 

for an ozone biosite.

9. SMPKNDCD Ozone sample kind code. A code indicating the kind of sample 

being taken. SMPKNDCD has a value of 1 when an ozone plot is 

established in a previously empty polygon. SMPKNDCD has a value 

of 2 when remeasurement occurs at the same location, or when the 

replacement plot is within 3 miles of the previously established plot. 

SMPKNDCD has a value of 3 when the replacement plot is more 

than 3 miles away from the previously established plot.
16

Code Ozone sample kind

1 Initial biosite establishment on the base grid or on a newly 

intensified grid

2 Remeasurement of a previously established biosite or 

replacement biosite within 3 miles of the previously established 

plot

3 Replacement biosite; used when the replacement biosite is 

more than 3 miles from the previously established plot

10. MEASDAY Measurement day. The day of the month on which the plot was 

completed.

11. MEASMON Measurement month. The month in which the plot was completed.

Code Month Code Month

01 January 07 July

02 February 08 August

03 March 09 September

04 April 10 October

05 May 11 November

06 June 12 December

12. MEASYEAR Measurement year. The year in which the plot was completed. For the 

ozone indicator, MEASYEAR is always the same as INVYR.

13. PLTSIZE Plot size. A code indicating the size of the opening used for 

biomonitoring. Open areas that are more than 3 acres in size are ideal 

because they optimize ozone air mixture. Uniform, open areas with 

a wide selection of bioindicator species are relatively easy to find in 

eastern FIA regions, but more difficult to find in western FIA regions. 

For data from 2002 to the present, the PLTSIZE codes are:

Code Plot size

1 Greater than three acres

2 Greater than one acre, but less than three acres

 For data before 2002, the PLTSIZE codes are:

Code Plot size

1 Greater than three acres

2 One half to three acres

3 Less than half an acre

4 Under forest canopy, no opening

14. ASPECT Aspect. The direction of slope, to the nearest degree, for most of 

the condition. North is recorded as 360. When slope is less than 5 

percent, there is no aspect and ASPECT is set to zero. The majority 
17

of biosites in eastern regions have no aspect whereas conditions in 

western regions are more variable. There are no published reports that 

suggest the direction of slope has a significant bearing on the ozone 

indicator. However, in western regions, north- or east-facing slopes 

indicate drier plot moisture conditions than south- or west-facing 

slopes, and plot moisture can have a significant influence on plant 

response to ozone.

15. TERRPOS Terrain position. A code indicating the position of the biosite in 

relation to the surrounding topography. Eastern biosites are often 

located on flatland. In the west, the terrain may be more varied.

Code Terrain position

1 Ridge top or upper slope

2 Bench or level area along a slope

3 Lower slope

4 Flat land unrelated to slope

5 Bottom land with occasional flooding

16. SOILDPTH Soil depth. A code indicating the general depth of the soil where most of 

the bioindicator species are growing. Soil that is generally shallow may 

be subject to more frequent and severe drought, thereby mitigating 

the response of bioindicator species to ambient ozone exposures.

Code Soil depth

1 Bedrock is not exposed

2 Bedrock is exposed; soil is generally shallow

17. SOILDRN Soil drainage. A code indicating the general soil drainage conditions 

where most of the bioindicator species are growing. The response of 

bioindicator species to ambient ozone exposures is optimized on soils 

that are well drained. This attribute is used for eastern FIA regions.

Code Soil drainage

1 Soil is well drained

2 Soil is excessively wet

3 Soil is excessively dry

18. PLTDSTRB Plot disturbance. A code indicating the presence and kind of 

disturbance where most of the bioindicator species are growing. 

The response of bioindicator species to ambient ozone exposures is 

optimized on sites with no recent or significant disturbance. The area 

affected by any human-caused or natural disturbance must be clearly 

visible and recent enough to influence plant health and condition. 

Disturbance that results in significant soil compaction may mitigate 

the response of bioindicator species to ambient ozone exposures and is 
18

considered especially significant. Crews are trained to replace biosites 

that have been disturbed.

Code Plot disturbance

0 No recent or significant disturbance

1 Evidence of overuse; human activity causing obvious soil 

compaction or erosion

2 Evidence of natural disturbance including fire, wind, flooding, 

grazing, pests, etc.

19. CRWTYPCD Crew type code. A code indicating the type of crew measuring the 

plot. If the data collected by the crew are not intended for quality 

assurance purposes, then the crew is specified as a regular field crew. 

If the biosite is revisited for quality assurance purposes, then the field 

crew is specified as a QA field crew.

Code Crew type

1 Regular field crew

2 QA field crew

20. PLOTWET Plot wetness. A code indicating the degree of wetness where most 

of the bioindicator species are growing. Very dry or exposed sites 

may mitigate the response of bioindicator species to ambient ozone 

exposures. This attribute is used for western FIA regions.

Code Plot wetness

1 Wet or damp (riparian zones, damp areas along a stream or 

meadow)

2 Moderately dry (grassland, meadow, or east-facing slopes)

3 Very dry (exposed rocky ledges, desert, and some alpine areas)

21. INJCHECK Injury check. A code indicating whether or not ozone injury was 

observed on non-tallied plants or species. For example, the field 

crew may observe ozone injury on a species after 30 records of no 

injury (i.e., zero values) have been recorded. This attribute allows a 

biosite to be identified as impacted by ozone even though there are 

no quantitative data on injury amount or injury severity for trend 

analyses. A leaf voucher must be collected from the non-tallied plant 

to validate the injury. The data can be used to map or tabulate the 

number and distribution of biosites with and without injury across a 

state or region.

Code Injury check

0 No injury was observed on non-tallied plants or species

1 Ozone injury was observed on non-tallied plants or species and 

a leaf voucher collected
19

22. GRIDDEN Ozone grid density. A code indicating whether or not the biosite is 

on the base ozone grid or on an intensified ozone grid. If the grid is 

intensified, then there is more than one biosite (O3PLOT) in a given 

polygon on the ozone grid.

Code Ozone grid density

1 Unique ozone biosite within a polygon (1 biosite:1 polygon)

2 One of two or more ozone biosites within the same polygon

23. CREATED_BY Created by. The employee who created the record. This attribute is 

intentionally left blank in download files. It will be dropped in version 

5.0.

24. CREATED_DATE

 Created date. The date on which the record was created. Date will be 

in the form DD-MON-YYYY.

25. CREATED_IN_INSTANCE

 Created in instance. The database instance in which the record was 

created. Each computer system has a unique database instance code, 

and this attribute stores that information to determine on which 

computer the record was created.

26. MODIFIED_BY Modified by. The employee who modified the record. This field 

will be null if the data have not been modified since initial creation. 

This attribute is intentionally left blank in download files. It will be 

dropped in version 5.0.

27. MODIFIED_DATE

 Modified date. The date on which the record was last modified. 

This field will be null if the data have not been modified since initial 

creation. Date will be in the form DD-MON-YYYY.

28. MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE

 Modified in instance. The database instance in which the record was 

modified. This field will be null if the data have not been modified 

since initial creation.
20

Ozone Validation Table (Oracle table name is OZONE_VALIDATION)

The attributes in this table are part of the validation file used by the FIA data processor in each 

region to edit the ozone data files before they are loaded into the ozone summary tables. The 

biosite summary statistics do not load properly unless the validation table is complete and 

in accord with the raw data files entered by the field crews. The following steps describe the 

process. The field crew collects a leaf voucher for every species at every location where ozone 

injury is recorded. The leaf vouchers are mailed to an expert ozone diagnostician who reviews 

them, generates the ozone validation file, and returns the validation table to each region for data 

processing. The ozone validation table (OZONE_VALIDATION) provides a record of whether 

or not the ozone injury rated by the field crews was validated for every species (BIOSPCD) at 

every ground location. O3PLOT is used in combination with STATECD, COUNTYCD, and 

INVYR to uniquely identify each ground location. In some cases the leaf voucher is missing. 

If the injury is not validated or is missing, the crew data file is modified to reflect this fact. 

Occasionally, the field crew submits leaf vouchers for plants or species that are not included in 

the injury data file. These are considered non-tallied leaf vouchers as defined by the OZONE_

VISIT.INJCHECK attribute. If injury on non-tallied plants or species is validated, this is 

reflected in the validation file. Injury to non-tallied plants or species can be used only to indicate 

or map presence or absence of ozone injury. Only validated data from tallied plants and species 

are used in the computation of ozone summary statistics and other risk assessment analyses such 

as the national ozone risk map.

Column Name Descriptive Name Oracle data type

1 CN Sequence number VARCHAR2(34)

2 PLT_CN Plot sequence number VARCHAR2(34)

3 INVYR Inventory year NUMBER(4)

4 STATECD State code NUMBER(4)

5 COUNTYCD County code NUMBER(3)

6 O3PLOT Ozone plot NUMBER

7 FIELD_ID Field identification number NUMBER(7)

8 SPLIT_PLOTID Split plot identification NUMBER(1)

9 BIOSPCD Bioindicator species code NUMBER

10 QASTATCD Quality assurance status code NUMBER(1)

11 CRWTYPCD Crew type code NUMBER(1)

12 LEAFVCHR Leaf voucher NUMBER

13 INJVALID Injury validation NUMBER

14 O3_STATCD Ozone status code NUMBER

15 MEASYEAR Measurement year NUMBER(4)

16 CREATED_BY Created by VARCHAR2(30)

17 CREATED_DATE Created date DATE

18 CREATED_IN_INSTANCE Created in instance VARCHAR2(6)

19 MODIFIED_BY Modified by VARCHAR2(30)

20 MODIFIED_DATE Modified date DATE

21 MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE Modified in instance VARCHAR2(6)
21

Type of Key Column(s) order Tables to link Abbreviated notation

Primary (CN) N/A OVN_PK

Unique (PLT_CN, BIOSPCD) N/A OVN_UK

Natural (STATECD, INVYR, COUNTYCD, 

O3PLOT, FIELD_ID, SPLIT_PLOTID, 

BIOSPCD)

N/A OVN_NAT_I

1. CN Sequence number. A unique sequence number used to identify an 

ozone validation record.

2. PLT_CN Plot sequence number. A unique sequence number used to relate the 

ozone validation record to the ozone plot record.

3. INVYR Inventory year. The year in which the ozone data were collected. All 

the plots in the ozone grid are measured every year.

4. STATECD State code. Bureau of the Census Federal Information Processing 

Standards (FIPS) two-digit code for each state. Refer to Appendix C 

in the P2 document (The Forest Inventory and Analysis Database: 

Database Description and Users Manual Version 4.0 for P2, available 

at: http://www.fia.fs.fed.us/library/database-documentation/)

5. COUNTYCD County code. The identification number for a county, parish, 

watershed, borough, or similar governmental unit in a state. FIPS 

codes from the Bureau of the Census, 1990, are used. Refer to 

Appendix C in the P2 document for codes (The Forest Inventory and 

Analysis Database: Database Description and Users Manual Version 

4.0 for P2, available at: http://www.fia.fs.fed.us/library/databasedocumentation/)

6. O3PLOT Ozone plot. A unique identifier for an ozone biosite that is a 

concatenation of FIELD_ID and SPLIT_PLOTID. It can be used 

in combination with STATECD, COUNTYCD, and INVYR 

to identify an ozone biomonitoring site. When a biosite is split, 

O3PLOT is the same for both locations except for the last digit, 

which will be a 1 or 2.

7. FIELD_ID Field identification number. A system-generated number used to 

identify a biosite. There will be more than one record with a given 

FIELD_ID value when two locations are sampled for one biosite.

8. SPLIT_PLOTID Split plot identification. A number used to identify the distinct 

locations sampled for a particular biosite. SPLIT_PLOTID = 1 

identifies either a single location biosite or the first location of a 

biosite split between two locations. SPLIT_PLOTID = 2 identifies the 
22

second location of a biosite split between two locations. The second 

location is added by the field crew to increase species and plant counts 

for an ozone biosite.

9. BIOSPCD Bioindicator species code. A code indicating the bioindicator species 

on the biosite. Bioindicator species may be a tree, a woody shrub, or a 

non-woody herb species. All of the species selected for use respond to 

ambient levels of ozone pollution with distinct visible foliar symptoms 

that are easy to diagnose.

10. QASTATCD Quality assurance status code. A code indicating the type of data 

collected at the biosite and whether or not the data are intended for 

quality assurance purposes. Each year, 10 biosites in each region are 

revisited for quality assurance purposes.

Code Quality assurance status

1 Standard field plot; data not intended for quality assurance 

purposes

6 QA field plot; data intended for quality assurance purposes

11. CRWTYPCD Crew type code. A code indicating the type of crew measuring the 

plot. If the data collected by the crew are not intended for quality 

assurance purposes, then the crew is specified as a regular field crew. 

If the biosite is revisited for quality assurance purposes, then the field 

crew collecting the remeasurement data is specified as a QA field crew. 

Code Crew type

1 Standard field crew

2 QA field crew

12. LEAFVCHR Leaf voucher. A code indicating whether or not the field crew followed 

the voucher preparation and mailing procedures outlined in the field 

guide. If procedures are not followed such that the voucher is missing 

or compromised by mishandling, the injury ratings for that species 

and site are discounted.

Code Leaf voucher

1 The field crew followed procedures and mailed in a readable 

voucher

2 The leaf voucher is missing and the data indicate the crew 

found injury

3 The crew did not find injury and the crew mailed in a clean 

voucher to verify this finding

13. INJVALID Injury validation. A code indicating the validation status of the leaf 

voucher. The leaf samples are examined microscopically and subject 

to additional diagnostic tests to validate the ozone injury symptom. 
23

The results of the diagnosis are documented on the voucher data 

sheet, entered in an electronic file, and returned to the regions for data 

processing and edit checks.

Code Injury validation

1 Ozone injury was validated by an expert either by voucher or with 

an on-site visit

2 Ozone injury was not validated because the symptoms are 

clearly not attributable to ozone or because the condition of the 

leaf sample makes validation questionable

3 Ozone injury was not validated because the voucher was missing

4 Ozone injury was not validated because the crew did not find 

injury and the leaf sample voucher sent in was uninjured

14. O3_STATCD Ozone status code. A code indicating whether the voucher leaf 

samples for this biospecies were verified as positive (i.e., injury is 

due to ozone exposure) or negative (i.e., injury is due to something 

other than ozone exposure) for ozone injury. Codes 4 and 5 apply to 

vouchers from non-tallied plants (see OZONE_VISIT.INJCHECK)

Code Ozone status

1 Injury is due to ozone exposure

2 Injury is not due to ozone exposure

3 There is insufficient information to determine whether injury 

is due to ozone exposure (e.g., voucher leaf sample may be 

compromised or missing)

4 Injury is due to ozone exposure, but no injury data (>0) were 

recorded for this species

5 Injury is not due to ozone exposure, but no injury data (>0) were 

recorded for this species

 If O3_STATCD = 1, then the field data are included in summary 

calculations and trend analysis. If O3_STATCD = 2, then the field 

data are included in summary calculations and analysis after the injury 

amount is set to zero and the injury severity to null for each individual 

of the given species on the biosite. If O3_STATCD = 3, then the 

tallied field data for a given species and location are not included in 

summary calculations and trend analysis. If O3_STATCD = 4, then 

OZONE_VISIT.INJCHECK is set to 1 and all tallied field data are 

included in summary calculations and trend analysis. If O3_STATCD 

= 5, then OZONE_VISIT.INJCHECK is set to zero and all tallied 

field data are included in summary calculations and trend analysis.

15. MEASYEAR Measurement year. The year in which the plot was completed. For the 

ozone indicator, MEASYEAR is always the same as INVYR.
24

16. CREATED_BY Created by. The employee who created the record. This attribute is 

intentionally left blank in download files. It will be dropped in version 

5.0.

17. CREATED_DATE

 Created date. The date on which the record was created. Date will be 

in the form DD-MON-YYYY.

18. CREATED_IN_INSTANCE

 Created in instance. The database instance in which the record was 

created. Each computer system has a unique database instance code, 

and this attribute stores that information to determine on which 

computer the record was created.

19. MODIFIED_BY Modified by. The employee who modified the record. This field 

will be null if the data have not been modified since initial creation. 

This attribute is intentionally left blank in download files. It will be 

dropped in version 5.0.

20. MODIFIED_DATE

 Modified date. The date on which the record was last modified. 

This field will be null if the data have not been modified since initial 

creation. Date will be in the form DD-MON-YYYY.

21. MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE

 Modified in instance. The database instance in which the record was 

modified. This field will be null if the data have not been modified 

since initial creation.
25

Ozone Biosite Summary Table 

(Oracle table name is OZONE_BIOSITE_SUMMARY)

The attributes in this table summarize ozone indicator data by biosite and year. FIELD_ID 

is a system-generated number assigned to a biosite. O3PLOT is a unique identifier used in 

combination with STATECD, COUNTCD, and INVYR to identify a biosite. O3PLOT is 

the same as FIELD_ID except the last digit of O3PLOT equals 1 when the biosite consists 

of one location, or 2 when the biosite consists of two locations. When two locations are used, 

the data from both locations are combined for the biosite summary attributes. Each biosite 

(O3PLOT) is associated with a location count (LOCATION_CNT) and a ground location 

(GROUND_LOC_CD) attribute. LOCATION_CNT has a value of 1 or 2 depending on 

whether the data were collected from one or two locations. GROUND_LOC_CD has a value 

of 1 or more depending on whether the ground location for a biosite has remained the same, 

or changed from one year to the next. Ground locations change when the open areas used for 

biomonitoring become overgrown or disturbed and must be replaced.

For each biosite, summary values are tabulated for the total number of species evaluated 

(SPECIES_EVAL_CNT), the total number of plants evaluated (PLANT_EVAL_CNT), 

the total number of plants injured (PLANT_INJ_CNT), the ratio of injured to evaluated 

plants (PLANT_RATIO), the percent of sampled plants in each injury severity class 

(SVRTY_CLASS_ZERO to SVRTY_CLASS_FIVE), and the biosite-level ozone injury index 

(BIOSITE_INDEX). These summary statistics may be used in an annual report to list how 

many biosites were visited, how many plants were evaluated, and how many (or percent) of the 

total plots and plants sustained ozone injury. Over time, these summary statistics can be used 

to report on regional trends in ozone stress in terms of significant changes in the number and 

distribution of biomonitoring plots with ozone injury, changes in injury severity classifications, 

and increases or decreases in the ozone injury index.

Severity classifications are based on a modified Horsfall-Barrett (HB) scale with breakpoints at 

6, 25, 50, 75, and 100 percent (Horsfall and Cowling 1978). Injury severity is an estimate of 

the mean severity of symptoms on injured foliage as recorded by FIA field crews for individual 

plant samples. Calculated percents are rounded to the nearest whole number. Severity class zero 

= no injury; class one = 1-6 percent injury; class two = 7-25 percent; class three = 26-50 percent; 

class four = 51-75 percent; class 5 = more than 75 percent injury. Providing a table for each FIA 

reporting unit (e.g., state, ecoregion) and year that displays the number of biosites evaluated, the 

number of plants sampled, and the percent of sampled plants in each injury severity category is 

a highly defensible way to present ozone summary statistics.

Guidelines for interpreting the biosite-level ozone injury index are listed in the description of 

BIOSITE_INDEX. BIOSITE_INDEX is formulated from the injury amount and severity 

ratings recorded for each plant and the numbers of plants and species evaluated at each site. The 

BIOSITE_INDEX gives a precise estimate of plant response and the opportunity to calculate 

thresholds of concern for the ozone indicator.
26

Ozone cannot injure plants unless it enters the leaves through open stomata. Therefore, visible 

injury on bioindicator species (BIOSITE_INDEX > 0) provides a biological record of both 

high ozone and favorable conditions for ozone flux including adequate light, nutrition, and 

soil moisture. For this reason, the measured response of bioindicator plants to ambient ozone 

exposures is a more meaningful indicator of ozone stress and probable impact than ambient 

ozone concentration data obtained from physical air quality monitoring stations.

Column Name Descriptive Name Oracle data type

1 CN Sequence number VARCHAR2(34)

2 INVYR Inventory Year NUMBER(4)

3 STATECD State code NUMBER(4)

4 COUNTYCD County code NUMBER(3)

5 O3PLOT Ozone plot NUMBER

6 FIELD_ID Field identification number NUMBER(7)

7 LOCATION_CNT Location count NUMBER

8 GROUND_LOC_CD Ground location code NUMBER(1)

9 MEASYEAR Measurement year NUMBER(4)

10 PLANT_INJ_CNT Plant injury count NUMBER

11 PLANT_EVAL_CNT Plant evaluation count NUMBER

12 PLANT_RATIO Plant ratio NUMBER

13 SPECIES_EVAL_CNT Species evaluation count NUMBER

14 BIOSITE_INDEX Biosite index NUMBER

15 BIOSITE_INDEX_MULTIPLIER Biosite index multiplier NUMBER

16 SVRTY_CLASS_ZERO Severity class zero NUMBER

17 SVRTY_CLASS_ONE Severity class one NUMBER

18 SVRTY_CLASS_TWO Severity class two NUMBER

19 SVRTY_CLASS_THREE Severity class three NUMBER

20 SVRTY_CLASS_FOUR Severity class four NUMBER

21 SVRTY_CLASS_FIVE Severity class five NUMBER

22 CREATED_BY Created by VARCHAR2(30)

23 CREATED_DATE Created date DATE

24 CREATED_IN_INSTANCE Created in instance VARCHAR2(6)

25 MODIFIED_BY Modified by VARCHAR2(30)

26 MODIFIED_DATE Modified date DATE

27 MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE Modified in instance VARCHAR2(6)

Type of Key Column(s) order Tables to link Abbreviated notation

Primary (CN) N/A OBS_PK

Unique (STATECD, INVYR, COUNTYCD, 

O3PLOT, FIELD_ID)

N/A OBS_UK

1. CN Sequence number. A unique sequence number used to identify an 

ozone biosite summary record.

2. INVYR Inventory year. The year in which the ozone data were collected. All 

the plots in the ozone grid are measured every year.
27

3. STATECD State code. Bureau of the Census Federal Information Processing 

Standards (FIPS) two-digit code for each state. Refer to Appendix C 

in the P2 document (The Forest Inventory and Analysis Database: 

Database Description and Users Manual Version 4.0 for P2, available 

at: http://www.fia.fs.fed.us/library/database-documentation/)

4. COUNTYCD County code. The identification number for a county, parish, 

watershed, borough, or similar governmental unit in a state. FIPS 

codes from the Bureau of the Census, 1990, are used. Refer to 

Appendix C in the P2 document for codes (The Forest Inventory and 

Analysis Database: Database Description and Users Manual Version 

4.0 for P2, available at: http://www.fia.fs.fed.us/library/databasedocumentation/)

5. O3PLOT Ozone plot. A unique identifier used in combination with 

STATECD, COUNTYCD, and INVYR to identify an ozone biosite. 

The last digit of O3PLOT will equal 1 when the biosite consists of 

one location or 2 when the biosite consists of two locations.

6. FIELD_ID Field identification number. A system-generated number used to 

identify a biosite. There is only one record with a particular FIELD_

ID value because data from multiple locations have been summarized 

to represent one biosite.

7. LOCATION_CNT

 Location count. A number indicating how many locations were 

sampled for a particular biosite. This attribute equals either 1 or 2. A 

value of 1 means that the plant count and injury data were collected 

from a single location and a value of 2 means data were collected 

from two locations. When two locations are used, the data from both 

locations are combined in the biosite summary values.

8. GROUND_LOC_CD

 Ground location code. A code indicating the number of times the 

biosite location has been moved more than 3 miles. The first ground 

location is coded GROUND_LOC_CD = 1. Whenever an ozone 

biosite location moves to more than 3 miles from the initial location, 

the GROUND_LOC_CD is increased (i.e., incremented) by 1.

9. MEASYEAR Measurement year. The year in which the plot was completed. For the 

ozone indicator, MEASYEAR is always the same as INVYR.
28

10. PLANT_INJ_CNT

 Plant injury count. The number of injured plants at a biosite equals 

the number of plants that have injury amounts greater than zero. This 

value is combined across all species. Sensitivity to ozone is strongly 

influenced by genotype and microhabitat such that neighboring plants 

of the same species show very different responses to ozone exposure. 

At any one location, around 10 percent of a sensitive population will 

show a visible response to phytotoxic ozone concentrations.

 PLANT_INJ_CNT = count (plants at an ozone plot that have an 

injury amount greater than zero)

11. PLANT_EVAL_CNT

 Plant evaluation count. The number of plants evaluated equals the 

total number of plants examined at a biosite. This value is combined 

across all species. Field crews are trained to evaluate up to 30 plants 

of two or more species. The average number of evaluated plants at 

western biosites is 75. The average count for eastern biosites is 100, 

although many have 150 evaluated plants. It takes injury to only one 

plant of one species to document the occurrence of plant-damaging 

ozone concentrations. However, the assessment of risk to the 

surrounding forest is more robust when many plants of more than one 

species show an ozone injury response.

 PLANT_EVAL_CNT = count (all plants evaluated at an ozone plot)

12. PLANT_RATIO Plant ratio. The plants ratio is the ratio of the number of plants 

injured to the number of plants evaluated. That is, the plants ratio 

equals the number of plants injured divided by the number of plants 

evaluated. Using a ratio allows a direct comparison between biosites, 

states, or regions that have different sample counts. Examining the 

relationship between the percent injured plants and the biosite index 

also provides insight into whether a high injury index is the result of 

an acute exposure (severe injury to relatively few plants) or the result 

of moderate injury to a larger sample of the sensitive population.

 PLANT_RATIO = PLANTS_INJ_CNT / PLANTS_EVAL_CNT

13. SPECIES_EVAL_CNT

 Species evaluation count. The species evaluation count equals the 

number of species evaluated at a biosite. Typically the number 

of species evaluated is 2 in the West and 3 to 5 in the East. The 

information obtained from different species is combined to make the 

biosite index a representative value for a given biosite. Furthermore, 
29

certain species are good bioindicators of elevated ozone concentrations 

in growing seasons with above average rainfall and others are good 

bioindicators in dry seasons. The goal is to maximize the opportunity 

to capture the ozone stress signal by evaluating as many species and 

plants as possible in areas close to the forests and subject to the same 

ozone air quality regime.

 SPECIES_EVAL_CNT = count (the unique species evaluated at an 

ozone plot)

14. BIOSITE_INDEX

 Biosite index. The biosite index (BIOSITE_INDEX) equals the sum 

of the species index (BIOSPCD_INDEX) divided by the species 

evaluation count (SPECIES_EVAL_CNT). The information obtained 

from different species is combined into one injury index to make the 

BIOSITE_INDEX a representative value for a given biosite. The index 

is not intended to be used as a measurement of harm. Rather, it provides 

a relative value, a gradation of response that quantifies the degree of 

ozone injury conditions on the FIA detection monitoring plots. In the 

following table, the BIOSITE_INDEX is classified into four categories 

of risk designed to capture differences in plant damage to ozone-sensitive 

tree species in areas of none, low, moderate, and high ozone stress where 

stress is defined as the confluence of interacting factors (e.g., plant 

properties and external growth conditions) that determine ozone flux. 

The assumption of risk assigned to each category represents a relative 

measure of probable impacts from ambient ozone exposure or a relative 

measure of ozone air quality with respect to forest health.

 BIOSITE_INDEX = summation (BIOSPCD_INDEX) / SPECIES_

EVAL_CNT

Biosite Index Bioindicator 

response

Assumption 

of risk

Possible impact Relative air 

quality

0 to 4.9 Little or no foliar 

injury

None Visible injury to highly sensitive 

species, e.g., black cherry

Good

5.0 to 14.9 Light to moderate 

foliar injury

Low Visible injury to moderately 

sensitive species, e.g., tulip 

poplar

Moderate

15.0 to 24.9 Moderate to severe 

foliar injury

Moderate Visible and invisible injury;

tree-level response

Unhealthy for 

sensitive species

≥ 25 Severe foliar injury High Visible and invisible injury;

ecosystem-level response

Unhealthy

15. BIOSITE_INDEX_MULTIPLIER

 Biosite index multiplier. The biosite index multiplier is the biosite 

index (BIOSITE_INDEX) multiplied by 1000 to allow the ozone risk 
30

categories to be defined by integers. Use this value in reports rather 

than the calculated biosite index.

 BIOSITE_INDEX_MULTIPLIER = BIOSITE_INDEX * 1000

16. SVRTY_CLASS_ZERO

 Severity class zero. The percent of all evaluated plants at a given biosite 

that have no symptoms of ozone-induced foliar injury. SVRTY_

CLASS_ZERO = count (all plants with injury severity equal to zero) * 

100/count (all plants evaluated at an ozone plot, i.e., PLANT_EVAL_

CNT)

17. SVRTY_CLASS_ONE

 Severity class one. The percent of all plants evaluated with an injury 

severity rating of 1. Injury class one may be considered slight injury. 

SVRTY_CLASS_ONE = count (all plants with injury severity equal 

to 1) * 100/count (all plants evaluated at an ozone plot, i.e., PLANT_

EVAL_CNT). A severity rating of 1 is assigned when, on average, 1 

to 6 percent of the leaf area of the injured leaves has ozone damage 

symptoms.

18. SVRTY_CLASS_TWO

 Severity class two. The percent of all plants evaluated with a severity 

rating of 2. Injury class two may be considered low to moderate ozone 

injury. SVRTY_CLASS_TWO = count (all plants with injury severity 

equal to 2) * 100/count (all plants evaluated at an ozone plot, i.e., 

PLANT_EVAL_CNT). A severity rating of 2 is assigned when, on 

average, 7 to 25 percent of the leaf area of the injured leaves has ozone 

damage symptoms.

19. SVRTY_CLASS_THREE

 Severity class three. The percent of all plants evaluated with an injury 

severity rating of 3. Injury class three may be considered moderate 

ozone injury. SVRTY_CLASS_THREE = count (all plants with 

injury severity equal to 3) * 100/count (all plants evaluated at an 

ozone plot, i.e., PLANT_EVAL_CNT). A severity rating of 3 is 

assigned when, on average, 26 to 50 percent of the leaf area of the 

injured leaves has ozone damage symptoms.

20. SVRTY_CLASS_FOUR

 Severity class four. The percent of all plants evaluated with an injury 

severity rating of 4. Injury class four may be considered moderate 

to severe ozone injury. SVRTY_CLASS_FOUR = count (all plants 
31

with injury severity equal to 4) * 100/count (all plants evaluated at 

an ozone plot, i.e., PLANT_EVAL_CNT). A severity rating of 4 is 

assigned when, on average, 51 to 75 percent of the leaf area of the 

injured leaves has ozone damage symptoms.

21. SVRTY_CLASS_FIVE

 Severity class five. The percent of all plants evaluated with an injury 

severity rating of 5. Injury class five may be considered severe ozone 

injury. SVRTY_CLASS_FIVE = count (all plants with injury severity 

equal to 5) * 100/count (all plants evaluated at an ozone plot, i.e., 

PLANT_EVAL_CNT). A severity rating of 5 is assigned when, on 

average, greater than 75 percent of the leaf area of the injured leaves 

has ozone damage symptoms.

22. CREATED_BY Created by. The employee who created the record. This attribute is 

intentionally left blank in download files. It will be dropped in version 

5.0.

23. CREATED_DATE

 Created date. The date on which the record was created. Date will be 

in the form DD-MON-YYYY.

24. CREATED_IN_INSTANCE

 Created in instance. The database instance in which the record was 

created. Each computer system has a unique database instance code, 

and this attribute stores that information to determine on which 

computer the record was created.

25. MODIFIED_BY Modified by. The employee who modified the record. This field 

will be null if the data have not been modified since initial creation. 

This attribute is intentionally left blank in download files. It will be 

dropped in version 5.0.

26. MODIFIED_DATE

 Modified date. The date on which the record was last modified. 

This field will be null if the data have not been modified since initial 

creation. Date will be in the form DD-MON-YYYY.

27. MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE

 Modified in instance. The database instance in which the record was 

modified. This field will be null if the data have not been modified 

since initial creation.
32

Ozone Plot Summary Table 

(Oracle table name is OZONE_PLOT_SUMMARY)

This table provides location-specific information recorded in the field or derived from the field 

data. The attributes in this table summarize ozone injury, species counts, and site characteristics 

for each ground location visited by the field crews. Ground location differs from ozone biosite 

because a small number of ozone biosites consist of two ground locations. Ozone biosites 

that consist of two locations are referred to as split plots. Two locations are used to increase 

species and plant counts for a single ozone biosite. If two locations are used, they are within 

3 miles of each other. FIELD_ID is the same for both locations, but they have different split 

plot identification numbers (SPLIT_PLOTID). O3PLOT is a concatenation of FIELD_ID 

and SPLIT_PLOTID and can be used in combination with STATECD, INVYR, and 

COUNTYCD to uniquely identify each ground location. For each ground location, coded 

site characteristics include plot size (PLTSIZE), elevation (ELEV), aspect (ASPECT), terrain 

position (TERRPOS), soil depth (SOILDPTH), soil drainage (SOILDRN), plot wetness 

(PLOTWET), and plot disturbance (PLTDSTRB).

Ozone plots vary in size and do not have set boundaries. Crews specify the predominant site 

characteristics where most of the plant species are located. If conditions vary markedly across 

the site or by species, then this is described in the plot notes or on the site map. Elevation, 

aspect, terrain position, soil depth, soil drainage, plot wetness, and disturbance are specified for 

the highest priority species listed in the field guide. The soil depth, soil drainage, plot wetness, 

and disturbance attributes are intended to describe general conditions on the plot and are not 

based on actual measurements. Geographical coordinates that have been fuzzed (LAT and 

LON) are provided for each ground location. Analysts should review the OZONE_VISIT table 

for additional information (SMPKNDCD, CRWTYPCD, and INJCHECK) on each ground 

location.

The location-specific attributes in this table provide the opportunity to examine certain site 

characteristics (e.g., elevation, plot size) more closely. However, for the purposes of detection 

monitoring reports, the preferred summary statistic is the biosite-level injury index (OZONE_

BIOSITE_SUMMARY.BIOSITE_INDEX).
33

Column Name Descriptive Name Oracle data type

1 CN Sequence number VARCHAR2(34)

2 INVYR Inventory year NUMBER(4)

3 STATECD State code NUMBER(4)

4 COUNTYCD County code NUMBER(3)

5 O3PLOT Ozone plot NUMBER

6 FIELD_ID Field identification number NUMBER(7)

7 SPLIT_PLOTID Split plot identification NUMBER(1)

8 MEASYEAR Measurement year NUMBER(4)

9 SPECIES_EVAL_CNT Species evaluation count NUMBER

10 BIOSITE_INDEX Biosite index NUMBER

11 ELEV Elevation NUMBER(5)

12 PLTSIZE Plot size NUMBER

13 ASPECT Aspect NUMBER(3)

14 TERRPOS Terrain position NUMBER

15 SOILDPTH Soil depth NUMBER

16 SOILDRN Soil drainage NUMBER

17 PLOTWET Plot wetness NUMBER

18 PLTDSTRB Plot disturbance NUMBER

19 BIOSITE_INDEX_MULTIPLIERBiosite index multiplier NUMBER

20 LAT Latitude NUMBER(8,6)

21 LON Longitude NUMBER(9,6)

22 CREATED_BY Created by VARCHAR2(30)

23 CREATED_DATE Created date DATE

24 CREATED_IN_INSTANCE Created in instance VARCHAR2(6)

25 MODIFIED_BY Modified by VARCHAR2(30)

26 MODIFIED_DATE Modified date DATE

27 MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE Modified in instance VARCHAR2(6)

Type of Key Column(s) order Tables to link Abbreviated notation

Primary (CN) N/A OPS_PK

Unique (STATECD, INVYR, COUNTYCD, 

O3PLOT, FIELD_ID, SPLIT_

PLOTID)

N/A OPS_UK

1. CN Sequence number. A unique sequence number used to identify an 

ozone plot summary record.

2. INVR Inventory year. The year in which ozone data were collected. All the 

plots in the ozone grid are measured every year.

3. STATECD State code. Bureau of the Census Federal Information Processing 

Standards (FIPS) two-digit code for each state. Refer to Appendix C 

in the P2 document (The Forest Inventory and Analysis Database: 

Database Description and Users Manual Version 4.0 for P2, available 

at: http://www.fia.fs.fed.us/library/database-documentation/)
34

4. COUNTYCD County code. The identification number for a county, parish, 

watershed, borough, or similar governmental unit in a state. FIPS 

codes from the Bureau of the Census, 1990, are used. Refer to 

Appendix C in the P2 document for codes (The Forest Inventory and 

Analysis Database: Database Description and Users Manual Version 

4.0 for P2, available at: http://www.fia.fs.fed.us/library/databasedocumentation/)

5. O3PLOT Ozone plot. A unique identifier for an ozone biosite that is a 

concatenation of FIELD_ID and SPLIT_PLOTID. It can be used 

in combination with STATECD, COUNTYCD, and INVYR to 

identify an ozone biosite. When a biosite is split, O3PLOT is the 

same for both locations except for the last digit, which will be a 1 or a 

2.

6. FIELD_ID Field identification number. A system-generated number used to 

identify a biosite. There will be more than one record with a given 

FIELD_ID value when two locations are sampled for one biosite.

7. SPLIT_PLOTID Split plot identification. A number used to identify the distinct locations 

sampled for a particular biosite. SPLIT_PLOTID = 1 identifies either 

a single location biosite or the first location of a biosite split between 

two locations. SPLIT_PLOTID = 2 identifies the second location of 

a biosite split between two locations. The second location is added by 

the field crew to increase species and plant counts for a biosite.

8. MEASYEAR Measurement year. The year in which the plot was completed. For the 

ozone indicator, MEASYEAR is always the same as INVYR.

9. SPECIES_EVAL_CNT

 Species evaluation count. The species evaluation count equals the 

number of species evaluated at each ground location visited by the 

field crews. Typically the number of species evaluated is 2 in the West 

and 3 to 5 in the East. When the biosite is split between two locations, 

the number of species evaluated at any one location may be 1. 

 SPECIES_EVAL_CNT = count (the unique species evaluated at a 

ground location)

10. BIOSITE_INDEX

 Biosite index. The biosite index (BIOSITE_INDEX) equals the 

sum of the species index (BIOSPCD_INDEX) divided by the 

species evaluation count (SPECIES_EVAL_CNT). The information 

obtained from different species is combined into one injury index 
35

to make the BIOSITE_INDEX a representative value for a given 

biosite. The index is not intended to be used as a measurement of 

harm. Rather, it provides a relative value, a gradation of response that 

quantifies the degree of ozone injury conditions on the FIA detection 

monitoring plots. In the following table, the BIOSITE_INDEX is 

classified into four categories of risk designed to capture differences 

in plant damage to ozone-sensitive tree species in areas of none, 

low, moderate, and high ozone stress where stress is defined as the 

confluence of interacting factors (e.g., plant properties and external 

growth conditions) that determine ozone flux. The assumption of risk 

assigned to each category represents a relative measure of probable 

impacts from ambient ozone exposure, or a relative measure of ozone 

air quality with respect to forest health.

 BIOSITE_INDEX = summation (BIOSPCD_INDEX) / SPECIES_

EVAL_CNT

Biosite Index Bioindicator 

response

Assumption 

of risk

Possible impact Relative air 

quality

0 to 4.9 Little or no foliar 

injury

None Visible injury to highly sensitive 

species, e.g., black cherry

Good

5.0 to 14.9 Light to moderate 

foliar injury

Low Visible injury to moderately 

sensitive species, e.g., tulip 

poplar

Moderate

15.0 to 24.9 Moderate to severe 

foliar injury

Moderate Visible and invisible injury;

tree-level response

Unhealthy for 

sensitive species

≥ 25 Severe foliar injury High Visible and invisible injury;

ecosystem-level response

Unhealthy

11. ELEV Elevation. Elevation data are obtained either by using a global 

positioning system (GPS) unit or USGS topographic maps (generally 

the 71⁄2 minute series quadrangle). Field crews locate the area where 

most of the bioindicator species are growing and record elevation to 

the nearest foot.

12. PLTSIZE Plot size. A code indicating the size of the opening used for 

biomonitoring. Open areas that are more than 3 acres in size are ideal 

because they optimize ozone air mixture. Uniform, open areas with 

a wide selection of bioindicator species are relatively easy to find in 

eastern FIA regions, more difficult to find in western FIA regions. For 

data from 2002 to the present, the PLTSIZE codes are: 

Code Plot size

1 Greater than three acres

2 Greater than one acre, but less than three acres
36

 For data prior to 2002, the PLTSIZE codes are: 

Code Plot size

1 Greater than three acres

2 One half to three acres

3 Less than half an acre

4 Under forest canopy; no opening

13. ASPECT Aspect. The aspect attribute identifies the direction of slope for land 

surfaces with at least 5 percent slope as measured with a hand compass 

to the nearest degree (0° to 360°). The majority of biosites in eastern 

regions have no aspect whereas conditions in western regions are more 

variable. There are no published reports that suggest the direction 

of slope has a significant bearing on the ozone indicator. However, 

in western regions, north- or east-facing slopes indicate drier plot 

moisture conditions than south- or west-facing slopes, and plot 

moisture can have a significant influence on plant response to ozone.

14. TERRPOS Terrain position. A code indicating the position of the biosite in 

relation to the surrounding topography. Eastern biosites are often 

located on flat land. In the west, the terrain may be more varied. 

Code Terrain position

1 Ridge top or upper slope

2 Bench or level area along a slope

3 Lower slope

4 Flat land unrelated to slope

5 Bottom land with occasional flooding

15. SOILDPTH Soil depth. A code indicating the general depth of the soil where most of 

the bioindicator species are growing. Soil that is generally shallow may 

be subject to more frequent and severe drought, thereby mitigating the 

response of bioindicator species to ambient ozone exposures.

Code Soil depth

1 Bedrock not exposed

2 Bedrock exposed; soil generally shallow

16. SOILDRN Soil drainage. A code indicating the general soil drainage conditions 

where most of the bioindicator species are growing. The response of 

bioindicator species to ambient ozone exposures is optimized on soils 

that are well drained. This attribute is used for eastern FIA regions.

Code Soil drainage

1 Soil is well drained

2 Soil is generally wet

3 Soil is excessively dry
37

17. PLOTWET Plot wetness. A code indicating the degree of wetness where most 

of the bioindicator species are growing. Very dry or exposed sites 

may mitigate the response of bioindicator species to ambient ozone 

exposures. This attribute is used for western FIA regions.

Code Plot wetness

1 Wet or damp (riparian zones, damp areas along a stream or 

meadow

2 Moderately dry (grassland, meadow, or east-facing slopes)

3 Very dry (exposed rocky ledges, desert, and some alpine areas)

18. PLTDSTRB Plot disturbance. A code indicating the presence and kind of 

disturbance where most of the bioindicator species are growing. 

The response of bioindicator species to ambient ozone exposures is 

optimized on sites with no recent or significant disturbance. The area 

affected by any human-caused or natural disturbance must be clearly 

visible and recent enough to influence plant health and condition. 

Disturbance that results in significant soil compaction may mitigate 

the response of bioindicator species to ambient ozone exposures and is 

considered especially significant. Crews are trained to replace biosites 

that have been disturbed.

Code Plot disturbance

0 No recent or significant disturbance

1 Evidence of overuse; human activity causing obvious soil 

compaction or erosion

2 Evidence of natural disturbance including fire, wind, flooding, 

grazing, pests, etc.

19. BIOSITE_INDEX_MULTIPLIER

 Biosite index multiplier. The biosite index multiplier is the biosite 

index (BIOSITE_INDEX) multiplied by 1000 to allow the ozone risk 

categories to be defined by integers. Use this value in reports rather 

than the calculated biosite index. 

 BIOSITE_INDEX_MULTIPLIER = BIOSITE_INDEX * (1000)

20. LAT Latitude. The approximate latitude of the plot in decimal degrees 

using NAD 83 datum. Actual plot coordinates cannot be released 

because of a privacy provision enacted by Congress in the Food 

Security Act of 1985. Therefore, this attribute is within +/- 8.5 miles 

of the actual latitude and longitude, and the attribute is in the correct 

county.

21. LON Longitude. The approximate longitude of the plot in decimal degrees 

using NAD 83 datum. Actual plot coordinates cannot be released 
38

because of a privacy provision enacted by Congress in the Food 

Security Act of 1985. Therefore, this attribute is within +/- 8.5 miles 

of the actual latitude and longitude, and the attribute is in the correct 

county.

22. CREATED_BY Created by. The employee who created the record. This attribute is 

intentionally left blank in download files. It will be dropped in version 

5.0.

23. CREATED_DATE

 Created date. The date on which the record was created. Date will be 

in the form DD-MON-YYYY.

24. CREATED_IN_INSTANCE

 Created in instance. The database instance in which the record was 

created. Each computer system has a unique database instance code, 

and this attribute stores that information to determine on which 

computer the record was created.

25 MODIFIED_BY Modified by. The employee who modified the record. This field 

will be null if the data have not been modified since initial creation. 

This attribute is intentionally left blank in download files. It will be 

dropped in version 5.0.

26. MODIFIED_DATE

 Modified date. The date on which the record was last modified. 

This field will be null if the data have not been modified since initial 

creation. Date will be in the form DD-MON-YYYY.

27. MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE

 Modified in instance. The database instance in which the record was 

modified. This field will be null if the data have not been modified 

since initial creation.
39

Ozone Species Summary Table 

(Oracle table name is OZONE_SPECIES_SUMMARY)

The attributes in this table summarize ozone injury and site characteristics for each bioindicator 

species (BIOSPCD) evaluated at each ground location. Ground location differs from ozone 

biosite because a small number of ozone biosites consist of two ground locations. Ozone biosites 

that consist of two locations are referred to as split plots. Two locations are used to increase 

species and plant counts for a single ozone biosite. If two locations are used, they are within 3 

miles of each other. The field identification number (FIELD_ID) is the same for both locations, 

but they have different split plot identification (SPLIT_PLOTID) numbers. O3PLOT is a 

concatenation of FIELD_ID and SPLIT_PLOTID and can be used in combination with 

STATECD, COUNTYCD, and INVYR to uniquely identify each ground location. When two 

locations are used, the same species (BIOSPCD) may be evaluated at both locations.

Each plant evaluated by the field crews is rated for amount (AMNT) and severity (SVRTY) 

of ozone injury. The maximum (AMNT_MAX, SVRTY_MAX), minimum (AMNT_MIN, 

SVRTY_MIN), and mean (AMNT_MEAN, SVRTY_MEAN) values for these two indices 

are summarized by species (BIOSPCD). Injury amount is an estimate of the percent injured 

leaves on each plant. Injury severity is an estimate of the mean severity of symptoms on 

injured foliage. Both attributes should be considered. Some plants may have slight to moderate 

injury on all leaves; others may have severe injury on a small number of leaves. The injury 

pattern may be species specific or may relate to the stage of development at the time of ozone 

exposure. Injury may also depend on site characteristics (e.g., soil depth, size of opening) that 

have a greater or lesser influence on amount and severity of injury depending on the species. 

However, the degree to which site characteristics influence injury amount and severity may 

also be species dependent. Site characteristics presented by species (BIOSPCD) at each ground 

location include plot size (PLTSIZE), elevation (ELEV), aspect (ASPECT), terrain position 

(TERRPOS), soil depth (SOILDPTH), soil drainage (SOILDRN), plot wetness (PLOTWET), 

and plot disturbance (PLTDSTRB).

A species-level ozone injury index (BIOSPCD_INDEX) is also presented. This provides an 

opportunity to make comparisons among biosites using indices derived from the same species. 

A species-specific analysis may be appropriate for certain studies. However, for the purpose of 

many monitoring reports, the preferred summary statistic is the biosite-level ozone injury index 

(OZONE_BIOSITE_SUMMARY.BIOSITE_INDEX).
40

Column Name Descriptive Name Oracle data type

1 CN Sequence number VARCHAR2(34)

2 INVYR Inventory year NUMBER(4)

3 STATECD State code NUMBER(4)

4 COUNTYCD County code NUMBER(3)

5 O3PLOT Ozone plot NUMBER

6 FIELD_ID Field identification number NUMBER(7)

7 SPLIT_PLOTID Split plot identification NUMBER(1)

8 GROUND_LOC_CD Ground location code NUMBER(1)

9 MEASYEAR Measurement year NUMBER(4)

10 BIOSPCD Bioindicator species code NUMBER

11 AMNT_MAX Amount maximum NUMBER

12 AMNT_MIN Amount minimum NUMBER

13 AMNT_MEAN Amount mean NUMBER

14 SVRTY_MAX Severity maximum NUMBER

15 SVRTY_MIN Severity minimum NUMBER

16 SVRTY_MEAN Severity mean NUMBER

17 PLANT_INJ_CNT Plant injury count NUMBER

18 PLANT_EVAL_CNT Plant evaluation count NUMBER

19 PLANT_RATIO Plant ratio NUMBER

20 BIOSPCD_SUM Bioindicator species sum NUMBER

21 BIOSPCD_INDEX Bioindicator species index NUMBER

22 ELEV Elevation NUMBER(5)

23 PLTSIZE Plot size NUMBER

24 ASPECT Aspect NUMBER(3)

25 TERRPOS Terrain position NUMBER

26 SOILDPTH Soil depth NUMBER

27 SOILDRN Soil drainage NUMBER

28 PLOTWET Plot wetness NUMBER

29 PLTDSTRB Plot disturbance NUMBER

30 CREATED_BY Created by VARCHAR2(30)

31 CREATED_DATE Created date DATE

32 CREATED_IN_INSTANCE Created in instance VARCHAR2(6)

33 MODIFIED_BY Modified by VARCHAR2(30)

34 MODIFIED_DATE Modified date DATE

35 MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE Modified in instance VARCHAR2(6)

Type of Key Column(s) order Tables to link Abbreviated notation

Primary (CN) N/A OSY_PK

Unique (STATECD, INVYR, COUNTYCD, 

O3PLOT, BIOSPCD)

N/A OSY_UK

1. CN Sequence number. A unique sequence number used to identify an 

ozone species summary record.
41

2. INVYR Inventory year. The year in which ozone data were collected. All the 

plots in the ozone grid are measured every year.

3. STATECD State code. Bureau of the Census Federal Information Processing 

Standards (FIPS) two-digit code for each state. Refer to Appendix C 

in the P2 document (The Forest Inventory and Analysis Database: 

Database Description and Users Manual Version 4.0 for P2, available 

at: http://www.fia.fs.fed.us/library/database-documentation/)

4. COUNTYCD County code. The identification number for a county, parish, 

watershed, borough, or similar governmental unit in a state. FIPS 

codes from the Bureau of the Census, 1990, are used. Refer to 

Appendix C in the P2 document for codes (The Forest Inventory and 

Analysis Database: Database Description and Users Manual Version 

4.0 for P2, available at: http://www.fia.fs.fed.us/library/databasedocumentation/)

5. O3PLOT Ozone plot. A unique identifier for an ozone biosite that is a 

concatenation of FIELD_ID and SPLIT_PLOTID. It can be used in 

combination with STATECD, COUNTYCD, and INVYR to identify 

an ozone biomonitoring site. When a biosite is split, O3PLOT is the 

same for both locations except for the last digit, which will be a 1 or 2. 

6. FIELD_ID Field identification number. A system-generated number used to 

identify a biosite. There will be more than one record with a given 

FIELD_ID value when two locations are sampled for one biosite.

7. SPLIT_PLOTID Split plot identification. A number used to identify the distinct 

locations sampled for a particular biosite. SPLIT_PLOTID = 1 

identifies either a single location biosite or the first location of a biosite 

split between two locations. SPLIT_PLOTID = 2 identifies the second 

location of a biosite split between two locations. The second location 

is added by the field crew to increase species and plant counts for a 

biosite.

8. GROUND_LOC_CD

 Ground location code. A code indicating the number of times the 

biosite location has been moved more than 3 miles. The first ground 

location will be coded GROUND_LOC_CD = 1. Whenever an ozone 

biosite location moves to more than 3 miles from the initial location, 

GROUND_LOC_CD is increased (i.e., incremented) by 1.

9. MEASYEAR Measurement year. The year in which the plot was completed. For the 

ozone indicator, MEASYEAR is always the same as INVYR.
42

10. BIOSPCD Bioindicator species code. A code indicating the bioindicator species 

on the biosite. Bioindicator species may be a tree, a woody shrub, or a 

non-woody herb species. All of the species selected for use respond to 

ambient levels of ozone pollution with distinct visible foliar symptoms 

that are easy to diagnose.

11. AMNT_MAX Amount maximum. The maximum amount of injury for a given 

bioindicator species (BIOSPCD) at an ozone plot equals the 

maximum value of all the injury amounts for that species. If there are 

no injured plants within the species, the maximum amount of injury 

for the species equals zero. 

 AMNT_MAX = maximum (injury amounts for a given species at an 

ozone plot)

12. AMNT_MIN Amount minimum. The minimum amount of injury for a given 

bioindicator species (BIOSPCD) at an ozone plot equals the 

minimum value of all the injury amounts for that species. If there are 

no injured plants within the species, the minimum amount of injury 

for the species equals zero. 

 AMNT_MIN = minimum (injury amounts for a given species at an 

ozone plot)

13. AMNT_MEAN Amount mean. The mean amount of injury for a given bioindicator 

species (BIOSPCD) at an ozone plot equals the arithmetic mean of 

all the injury amounts greater than zero. If there are no injured plants 

within the species, the mean amount of injury for the species equals 

zero. 

 AMNT_MEAN = summation (injury amounts for a given species at an 

ozone plot that are greater than zero) / number of injured plants

14. SVRTY_MAX Severity maximum. The maximum amount of injury severity for a 

given bioindicator species (BIOSPCD) at an ozone plot equals the 

maximum value of all the injury severity amounts for that species. If 

there are no injured plants within the species, the maximum amount 

of injury severity for the species equals zero. 

 SVRTY_MAX = maximum (injury severity amounts for a given species 

at an ozone plot)

15. SVRTY_MIN Severity minimum. The minimum amount of injury severity for a 

given bioindicator species (BIOSPCD) at an ozone plot equals the 

minimum value of all the injury severity amounts for that species. If 
43

there are no injured plants within the species, the minimum amount 

of injury severity for the species equals zero. 

 SVRTY_MIN = minimum (injury severity amounts for a given species 

at an ozone plot)

16. SVRTY_MEAN Severity mean. The mean amount of injury severity for a given 

bioindicator species (BIOSPCD) at an ozone plot equals the arithmetic 

mean of all the injury severity amounts greater than zero. If there are no 

damaged plants (injury severity amount is null) within the species, the 

mean amount of injury severity for the species equals zero. 

 SVRTY_MEAN = summation (injury severity amounts for a given 

species at an ozone plot that are greater than zero) / number of injured 

plants

17. PLANT_INJ_CNT

 Plant injury count. The number of injured plants for a given 

bioindicator species (BIOSPCD) at an ozone plot equals the number 

of plants that have injury amounts greater than zero.

 PLANT_INJ_CNT = count (plants within a given species at an ozone 

plot that have an injury amount greater than zero)

18. PLANT_EVAL_CNT

 Plant evaluation count. The number of plants evaluated equals the 

total number of plants examined for a given bioindicator species 

(BIOSPCD) at an ozone plot.

 PLANT_EVAL_CNT = count (all plants evaluated for a given species 

at an ozone plot)

19. PLANT_RATIO Plant ratio. The plant ratio is the ratio of the number of plants injured 

to the number of plants evaluated for a given bioindicator species 

(BIOSPCD) at an ozone plot. That is, the plant ratio equals the 

number of plants injured divided by the number of plants evaluated.

 PLANT_RATIO = PLANT_INJ_CNT / PLANT_EVAL_CNT

20. BIOSPCD_SUM Bioindicator species sum. The biospecies sum for a given bioindicator 

species at an ozone plot equals the sum of the products of the plants’ 

injury amount and injury severity values divided by the number of 

plants injured. If there are no injured plants within the species, the 

species sum equals zero.

 BIOSPCD_SUM = summation ( ( plant’s injury amount ) * ( plant’s 

injury severity ) ) / PLANT_INJ_CNT
44

21. BIOSPCD_INDEX

 Bioindicator species index. The biospecies index for a given 

bioindicator species at an ozone plot equals the product of the plant 

ratio and the biospecies sum. This species-level ozone injury index 

(BIOSPCD_INDEX) provides an opportunity to make comparisons 

among plots or regions using an injury index derived from the 

same species or group of species. A species-specific analysis may be 

appropriate for certain evaluation monitoring studies.

 BIOSPCD_INDEX = PLANT_RATIO * BIOSPCD_SUM

22. ELEV Elevation. Elevation data are obtained from USGS topographic maps, 

generally the 71⁄2 minute series quadrangle. Field crews locate the 

area where most of the bioindicator species are growing and record 

elevation to the nearest foot. If available, a global positioning system 

(GPS) unit is used to determine the plot elevation.

23. PLTSIZE Plot size. A code indicating the size of the opening used for 

biomonitoring. Open areas that are more than 3 acres in size are ideal 

because they optimize ozone air mixture. Crews are trained to replace 

sites that are overgrown. For data from 2002 to the present, the 

PLTSIZE codes are:

Code Plot size

1 Greater than three acres

2 Greater than one acre, but less than three acres

 For data prior to 2002, the PLTSIZE codes are 

Code Plot size

1 Greater than three acres

2 One half to three acres

3 Less than half an acre

4 Under forest canopy; no opening

24. ASPECT Aspect. The aspect attribute identifies the direction of slope for 

land surfaces with at least 5 percent slope as measured with a hand 

compass to the nearest degree (0° to 360°). The majority of plots in 

eastern regions have no aspect whereas conditions in western regions 

are more variable. There are no published reports that suggest the 

direction of slope has a significant bearing on the ozone indicator. 

However, in western regions, north- or east-facing slopes indicate drier 

plot moisture conditions than south- or west-facing slopes, and plot 

moisture can have a significant influence on plant response to ozone.
45

25. TERRPOS Terrain position. A code indicating the position of the biosite in 

relation to the surrounding topography. Eastern biosites are often 

located on flat land. In the West, the terrain may be more varied.

Code Terrain position

1 Ridge top or upper slope

2 Bench or level area along a slope

3 Lower slope

4 Flat land unrelated to slope

5 Bottom land with occasional flooding

26. SOILDPTH Soil depth. A code indicating the general depth of the soil where most of 

the bioindicator species are growing. Soil that is generally shallow may 

be subject to more frequent and severe drought, thereby mitigating the 

response of bioindicator species to ambient ozone exposures.

Code Soil depth

1 Bedrock not exposed

2 Bedrock exposed; soil is generally shallow

27. SOILDRN Soil drainage. A code indicating the general soil drainage conditions 

where most of the bioindicator species are growing. The response of 

bioindicator species to ambient ozone exposures is optimized on soils 

that are well drained. This attribute is used for eastern FIA regions.

Code Soil drainage

1 Soil well drained

2 Soil generally wet

3 Soil excessively dry

28. PLOTWET Plot wetness. A code indicating the degree of wetness where most 

of the bioindicator species are growing. Very dry or exposed sites 

may mitigate the response of bioindicator species to ambient ozone 

exposures. This attribute is used for western FIA regions.

Code Plot wetness

1 Plot is wet; riparian zone or bottom land

2 Plot is moderately dry; meadow or northeast-facing slope

3 Plot is very dry; exposed ledge, desert or alpine area

29. PLTDSTRB Plot disturbance. A code indicating the presence and kind of 

disturbance where most of the bioindicator species are growing. 

The response of bioindicator species to ambient ozone exposures is 

optimized on sites with no recent or significant disturbance. The area 

affected by any human-caused or natural disturbance must be clearly 

visible and recent enough to influence plant health and condition. 
46

Disturbance that results in significant soil compaction may mitigate 

the response of bioindicator species to ambient ozone exposures and is 

considered especially significant. Crews are trained to replace biosites 

that have been disturbed.

Code Plot disturbance

0 No recent or significant disturbance

1 Evidence of overuse; human activity causing obvious soil 

compaction or erosion

2 Evidence of natural disturbance including fire, wind, flooding, 

grazing, pests, etc.

30. CREATED_BY Created by. The employee who created the record. This attribute is 

intentionally left blank in download files. It will be dropped in version 

5.0.

31. CREATED_DATE

 Created date. The date on which the record was created. Date will be 

in the form DD-MON-YYYY.

32. CREATED_IN_INSTANCE

 Created in instance. The database instance in which the record was 

created. Each computer system has a unique database instance code, 

and this attribute stores that information to determine on which 

computer the record was created.

33. MODIFIED_BY Modified by. The employee who modified the record. This field 

will be null if the data have not been modified since initial creation. 

This attribute is intentionally left blank in download files. It will be 

dropped in version 5.0.

34. MODIFIED_DATE

 Modified date. The date on which the record was last modified. 

This field will be null if the data have not been modified since initial 

creation. Date will be in the form DD-MON-YYYY.

35. MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE

 Modified in instance. The database instance in which the record was 

modified. This field will be null if the data have not been modified 

since initial creation.
47

Lichen Visit Table (Oracle table name is LICHEN_VISIT)

Column Name Descriptive Name Oracle data type

1 CN Sequence number VARCHAR2(34)

2 PLT_CN Plot sequence number VARCHAR2(34)

3 INVYR Inventory year NUMBER(4)

4 STATECD State code NUMBER(4)

5 COUNTYCD County code NUMBER(3)

6 PLOT Phase 2 plot number NUMBER(5)

7 MEASDAY Measurement day NUMBER(2)

8 MEASMON Measurement month NUMBER(2)

9 MEASYEAR Measurement year NUMBER(4)

10 LICHEN_STATCD Lichen status code NUMBER(2)

11 LIPROJCD Lichen project code NUMBER(2)

12 SMPLSTRT Sample start time NUMBER(4)

13 SMPLSTP Sample stop time NUMBER(4)

14 SMPLTIME Sample time NUMBER(4)

15 SFTWDPCT Softwood percent (percent conifers) NUMBER(3)

16 HRDWDPCT Hardwood percent NUMBER(3)

17 SHRUBPCT Shrub percent NUMBER(3)

18 GAPPCT Gap percent NUMBER(3)

19 GAPRCNT Gap recent NUMBER(2)

20 TALLSHRB Tall shrubs NUMBER(2)

21 FTRCD1 Feature code 1 NUMBER

22 FTRCD2 Feature code 2 NUMBER

23 FTRCD3 Feature code 3 NUMBER

24 FTRCD4 Feature code 4 NUMBER

25 ISSUECD1 Issue code 1 NUMBER

26 ISSUECD2 Issue code 2 NUMBER

27 ISSUECD3 Issue code 3 NUMBER

28 ISSUECD4 Issue code 4 NUMBER

29 SZCLSCD1 Size class code 1 NUMBER(2)

30 SZCLSCD2 Size class code 2 NUMBER(2)

31 SZCLSCD3 Size class code 3 NUMBER(2)

32 CREATED_BY Created by VARCHAR2(30)

33 CREATED_DATE Created date DATE

34 CREATED_IN_INSTANCE Created in instance VARCHAR2(6)

35 MODIFIED_BY Modified by VARCHAR2(30)

36 MODIFIED_DATE Modified date DATE

37 MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE Modified in instance VARCHAR2(6)

Type of Key Column(s) order Tables to link Abbreviated notation

Primary (CN) N/A LVT_PK

Unique (PLT_CN) N/A LVT_UK

Natural (STATECD, INVYR, PLOT, 

COUNTYCD)

N/A LVT_NAT_I

Foreign (PLT_CN) LICHEN_VISIT to PLOT LVT_PLT_FK
48

1. CN Sequence number. A unique sequence number used to identify a 

lichen visit record.

2. PLT_CN Plot sequence number. Foreign key linking the lichen visit record to 

the plot record.

3. INVYR Inventory year. The year that best represents when the inventory data 

were collected. Under the annual inventory system, a group of plots 

is selected each year for sampling. The selection is based on a panel 

system. INVYR is the year in which the majority of plots in that 

group were collected (plots in the group have the same panel and, if 

applicable, subpanel). Under periodic inventory, a reporting inventory 

year was selected, usually based on the year in which the majority of 

the plots were collected or the mid-point of the years over which the 

inventory spanned. For either annual or periodic inventory, INVYR is 

not necessarily the same as MEASYEAR.

 Exceptions:

 INVYR = 9999. INVYR is set to 9999 to distinguish those 

Western P3 plots that are “off subpanel” because of differences in 

measurement intervals between P3 (measurement interval=5 years) 

and P2 (measurement interval=10 years) plots. Only users interested 

in performing certain P3 data analyses should access plots with this 

anomalous value in INVYR.

4. STATECD State code. Bureau of the Census Federal Information Processing 

Standards (FIPS) two-digit code for each state. Refer to Appendix C 

in the P2 document (The Forest Inventory and Analysis Database: 

Database Description and Users Manual Version 4.0 for P2, available 

at: http://www.fia.fs.fed.us/library/database-documentation/).

5. COUNTYCD County code. The identification number for a county, parish, watershed, 

borough, or similar governmental unit in a state. FIPS codes from the 

Bureau of the Census, 1990, are used. Refer to Appendix C in the 

P2 document for codes (The Forest Inventory and Analysis Database: 

Database Description and Users Manual Version 4.0 for P2, available 

at: http://www.fia.fs.fed.us/library/database-documentation/)

6. PLOT P2 plot number. An identifier for a plot. Along with STATECD, 

INVYR, and COUNTYCD, PLOT may be used to uniquely identify 

a plot.

7. MEASDAY Measurement day. The day on which the lichen plot was surveyed to 

provide the data presented.
49

8. MEASMON Measurement month. The month in which the lichen plot was 

surveyed to provide the data presented.

9. MEASYEAR Measurement year. The year in which the lichen plot was surveyed to 

provide the data presented. MEASYEAR may differ from INVYR.

10. LICHEN_STATCD

 Lichen status code. A code indicating whether or not lichens were 

collected and, if not collected, why not.

Code Lichen status

1 Lichens collected

2 Plot searched, no lichens found

3 Not collected – no measurements taken - plot harvested

4 Not collected – no measurements taken – plot dangerous

5 Not collected – ran out of time

6 Not collected – rain/storm

7 Not collected – left plot for emergency

8 Lichens not scheduled for collection on the plot

9 Not collected for other reason

11. LIPROJCD Lichen project code. A code indicating the type of lichen project for 

which these data are collected. 

Code Lichen project

1 Standard production plot

2 Special study

3 Gradient study

4 Evaluation Monitoring

12. SMPLSTRT Sample start time. The time lichen sampling began entered as 

HHMM, where HH is hour and MM is minutes. Military time is 

used (e.g., 1:45 pm is 1345).

13. SMPLSTP Sample stop time. The time lichen sampling ended entered as 

HHMM, where HH is hour and MM is minutes. Military time is 

used (e.g., 1:45 pm is 1345).

14. SMPLTIME Sample time. The total time used for sampling calculated as 

SMPLSTP minus SMPLSTRT, reported as HHMM, where HH is 

hour and MM is minutes (e.g., 0145 is total elapsed time of 1 hour 

and 45 minutes).

15. SFTWDPCT Softwood percent (percent conifer). Percent canopy cover of the lichen 

plot in overstory conifers (not of lichens) estimated (not measured) in 

5-percent classes.
50

16. HRDWDPCT Hardwood percent. Percent canopy cover of the lichen plot in 

overstory hardwoods (not of lichens) estimated (not measured) in 

5-percent classes.

17. SHRUBPCT Shrub percent. Percent of the lichen plot with shrubs estimated (not 

measured) in 5-percent classes.

18. GAPPCT Gap percent. Percent gap recorded in 5-percent classes. To be a gap, 

there must be markedly different terrestrial vegetation than on forest 

floor; lack of trees on at least 3 to 5 percent of plot; and canopy 

opening whose length or width is at least one tree length. Note: gaps 

are caused by disturbance, not just low density of tree establishment.

19. GAPRCNT Gap recent. A code indicating whether or not the gap appeared to be 

less than 5 years old (e.g., caused by recent disturbance).

Code Gap recent

0 > 5 yr old

1 < 5 yr old

20. TALLSHRB Tall shrubs. A code indicating whether or not the gap had > 40 

percent cover of tall shrubs (i.e., > 3.3 ft (1 m) tall). Broadleaf shrubs 

in gaps of conifer forest are often especially rich areas for lichen 

diversity.

Code Tall shrubs

0 No tall shrubs

1 Tall shrubs present

21. FTRCD1 Feature code 1. A code indicating important plot features such as 

substrate species or conditions that had the most impact on lichen 

diversity of the plot (e.g., recently clearcut, riparian with large 

hardwoods, old growth). If any FTRCDx = 00, no other values will be 

retained.

Code Feature

00 No significant features

 High Diversity:

01 Stand appears relatively old for its forest type

02 Old remnant trees in otherwise young stand

03 Riparian

04 Gap in forest

05 Moist areas on plot with open structure and high light

06 Abundance of tall shrubs hosting high lichen diversity

07 Hardwoods within conifer forest had high diversity and/or 

different species
51

08 Conifers within hardwood forest had high diversity and/or 

different species

09 Presence of exceptionally good lichen substrate species 

(differs by region)

10 Other

 Low Diversity:

11 Very young forest or recently regenerating clearcut

12 Clearcut

13 Recently burned – lichens apparently removed by fire

14 Too dry for good lichen growth

15 Too exposed or open for good lichen growth

16 Some of plot nonforest

17 Most of trees on plot were poor lichen substrates (differs by 

region)

18 Most of the diversity was on a few trees or less

19 Other

22. FTRCD2 Feature code 2. A code indicating important plot features such as 

substrate species or conditions that had the most impact on lichen 

diversity of the plot (e.g., recently clearcut, riparian with large 

hardwoods, old growth). If any FTRCDx = 00, no other values will be 

retained. See FTRCD1 for codes.

23. FTRCD3 Feature code 3. A code indicating important plot features such as 

substrate species or conditions that had the most impact on lichen 

diversity of the plot (e.g., recently clearcut, riparian with large 

hardwoods, old growth). If any FTRCDx = 00, no other values will be 

retained. See FTRCD1 for codes.

24. FTRCD4 Feature code 4. A code indicating important plot features such as 

substrate species or conditions that had the most impact on lichen 

diversity of the plot (e.g., recently clearcut, riparian with large 

hardwoods, old growth). If any FTRCDx = 00, no other values will be 

retained. See FTRCD1 for codes.

25. ISSUECD1 Issue code 1. A code indicating a major problem that negatively 

impacted the collection effort. If any ISSUECDx = 0, no other values 

will be retained.
52

Code Issue

0 No significant issues

1 Too wet to see lichens well

2 Too dark to see lichens well

3 Sampling compromised by heat

4 Sampling compromised by other extreme weather (e.g., hail, 

lightning, snow)

5 Very steep slope hindered thorough plot access

6 Access to some or all of plot blocked by natural obstacles 

(e.g., lingering snowpack, high water, landslide, large 

blowdowns)

7 Other

26. ISSUECD2 Issue code 2. A code indicating a major problem that negatively 

impacted the collection effort. If any ISSUECDx = 0, no other values 

will be retained. See ISSUECD1 for codes.

27. ISSUECD3 Issue code 3. A code indicating a major problem that negatively 

impacted the collection effort. If any ISSUECDx = 0, no other values 

will be retained. See ISSUECD1 for codes.

28. ISSUECD4 Issue code 4. A code indicating a major problem that negatively 

impacted the collection effort. If any ISSUECDx = 0, no other values 

will be retained. See ISSUECD1 for codes.

29. SZCLSCD1 Size class code 1. A code indicating the size class of the first of the 

three largest trees on the entire lichen plot.

Code Size class (d.b.h., inches)

1 < 10

2 10-20

3 21-30

4 31-40

5 > 40

30. SZCLSCD2 Size class code 2. A code indicating the size class of the second of the 

three largest trees on the entire lichen plot. See SZCLSCD1 for codes.

31. SZCLSCD3 Size class code 3. A code indicating the size class of the third of the 

three largest trees on the entire lichen plot. See SZCLSCD1 for codes.

32. CREATED_BY Created by. The employee who created the record. This attribute is 

intentionally left blank in download files. It will be dropped in version 

5.0.
53

33. CREATED_DATE

 Created date. The date on which the record was created. Date will be 

in the form DD-MON-YYYY.

34. CREATED_IN_INSTANCE

 Created in instance. The database instance in which the record was 

created. Each computer system has a unique database instance code, 

and this attribute stores that information to determine on which 

computer the record was created.

35. MODIFIED_BY Modified by. The employee who modified the record. This field 

will be null if the data have not been modified since initial creation. 

This attribute is intentionally left blank in download files. It will be 

dropped in version 5.0.

36. MODIFIED_DATE

 Modified date. The date on which the record was last modified. 

This field will be null if the data have not been modified since initial 

creation. Date will be in the form DD-MON-YYYY.

37. MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE

 Modified in instance. The database instance in which the record was 

modified. This field will be null if the data have not been modified 

since initial creation.
54

Lichen Lab Table (Oracle table name is LICHEN_LAB)

Column Name Descriptive Name Oracle data type

1 CN Sequence number VARCHAR2(34)

2 PLT_CN Plot sequence number VARCHAR2(34)

3 INVYR Inventory year NUMBER(4)

4 STATECD State code NUMBER(4)

5 COUNTYCD County code NUMBER(3)

6 PLOT Phase 2 plot number NUMBER(5)

7 LICH_SPPCD Lichen species code NUMBER(5)

8 MEASYEAR Measurement year NUMBER(4)

9 ABUNDANCE_CLASS Abundance class NUMBER(4)

10 ORIGIN_FLAG Origin flag NUMBER(1)

11 SPP_COMMENTS Species comments VARCHAR2(2000)

12 CREATED_BY Created by VARCHAR2(30)

13 CREATED_DATE Created date DATE

14 CREATED_IN_INSTANCE Created in instance VARCHAR2(6)

15 MODIFIED_BY Modified by VARCHAR2(30)

16 MODIFIED_DATE Modified date DATE

17 MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE Modified in instance VARCHAR2(6)

Type of Key Column(s) order Tables to link Abbreviated 

notation

Primary (CN) N/A LCH_PK

Unique (PLT_CN, LICH_SPPCD) N/A LCH_UK

Natural (STATECD, INVYR, 

COUNTYCD, PLOT, LICH_

SPPCD)

N/A LCH_NAT_I

Foreign (PLT_CN) LICHEN_LAB to PLOT LCH_PLT_FK

1. CN Sequence number. A unique sequence number used to identify a 

lichen lab record.

2. PLT_CN Plot sequence number. Foreign key linking the lichen lab record to 

the plot record.

3. INVYR Inventory year. The year that best represents when the inventory data 

were collected. Under the annual inventory system, a group of plots 

is selected each year for sampling. The selection is based on a panel 

system. INVYR is the year in which the majority of plots in that 

group were collected (plots in the group have the same panel and, if 

applicable, subpanel). Under periodic inventory, a reporting inventory 

year was selected, usually based on the year in which the majority of 

the plots were collected or the mid-point of the years over which the 

inventory spanned. For either annual or periodic inventory, INVYR is 

not necessarily the same as MEASYEAR.
55

 Exceptions:

 INVYR = 9999. INVYR is set to 9999 to distinguish those 

Western P3 plots that are “off subpanel” because of differences in 

measurement intervals between P3 (measurement interval=5 years) 

and P2 (measurement interval=10 years) plots. Only users interested 

in performing certain P3 data analyses should access plots with this 

anomalous value in INVYR.

4. STATECD State code. Bureau of the Census Federal Information Processing 

Standards (FIPS) two-digit code for each state. Refer to Appendix C 

in the P2 document (The Forest Inventory and Analysis Database: 

Database Description and Users Manual Version 4.0 for P2, available 

at: http://www.fia.fs.fed.us/library/database-documentation/)

5. COUNTYCD County code. The identification number for a county, parish, 

watershed, borough, or similar governmental unit in a state. FIPS 

codes from the Bureau of the Census, 1990, are used. Refer to 

Appendix C in the P2 document for codes (The Forest Inventory and 

Analysis Database: Database Description and Users Manual Version 

4.0 for P2, available at: http://www.fia.fs.fed.us/library/databasedocumentation/)

6. PLOT P2 plot number. An identifier for a plot. Along with STATECD, 

INVYR, and COUNTYCD, PLOT may be used to uniquely identify 

a plot.

7. LICH_SPPCD Lichen species code. A numeric code used for a particular lichen 

taxon. To determine which species the code represents, this code 

should be linked with either the SPP_ACRONYM or a unique 

combination of GENUS and SPECIES in table REF_LICHEN_

SPECIES.

8. MEASYEAR Measurement year. The year in which the lichen plot samples were 

collected to provide the data presented. MEASYEAR may differ from 

INVYR.

9. ABUNDANCE_CLASS

 Abundance class. A code indicating the abundance class assigned to 

LICH_SPPCD in this sample. Abundance class is assigned in the field 

according to the following scheme:
56

Code Abundance

1 Rare (1-3 individuals in area)

2 Uncommon (4-10 individuals in area)

3 Common (> 10 individuals in area but less than half of the 

boles and branches have that species present)

4 Abundant (more than half of boles and branches have the 

subject species present). Note: this code is not frequently 

assigned, but is valid. Make sure that more than one out of 

every two boles, branches, and twigs host this species.

 Abundance class is modified in the lab if the taxon is represented by 

two or more field collections, according to the following scheme:

Recorded values Final abundance

1 + 1 2

1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 2

More than five 1s 3

1 + 2 2

2 + 2 2

1 + 1 + 2 2

1 + 1 + 1 + 2 3

1 + 2 + 2 3

3 + any others 3

4 + any others 4

0 + 1 3

0 + 2 3

0 + 3 3

0 + 4 4

0 (any number of 0s with no other values) 0.01

 Any sample with no assigned field abundance is assigned a lab 

abundance code of 0. If this species has no other abundance code 

>0, the lab enters the code 0.01. When data are uploaded to the FIA 

database, a default abundance code of 3 is entered into the database 

for a species with abundance code 0.01. When ORIGIN_FLAG is 

fully implemented, this code will signal that ORIGIN_FLAG is to be 

set to an as yet unassigned value for non-field origin of the abundance 

code.

10. ORIGIN_FLAG Origin flag. Flag denoting whether abundance class was assigned based 

on field designation (ORIGIN_FLAG value = 1) or was assigned a 

value in the lab because no abundance class was assigned in the field 

(ORIGIN_FLAG value as yet unassigned). Currently all records are 
57

assigned origin value = 1 when loaded, regardless of ABUNDANCE_

CLASS value at loading.

11. SPP_COMMENTS

 Species comments. Comments about this species on this plot by the 

lichen identification specialist. For instance ‘cf’ in the comment field 

means the identification was tentative. For a species identified only to 

genus, this field might list some morphological characters. Currently 

not implemented.

12. CREATED_BY Created by. The employee who created the record. This attribute is 

intentionally left blank in download files. It will be dropped in version 

5.0.

13. CREATED_DATE

 Created date. The date on which the record was created. Date will be 

in the form DD-MON-YYYY.

14. CREATED_IN_INSTANCE

 Created in instance. The database instance in which the record was 

created. Each computer system has a unique database instance code, 

and this attribute stores that information to determine on which 

computer the record was created.

15. MODIFIED_BY Modified by. The employee who modified the record. This field 

will be null if the data have not been modified since initial creation. 

This attribute is intentionally left blank in download files. It will be 

dropped in version 5.0.

16. MODIFIED_DATE

 Modified date. The date on which the record was last modified. 

This field will be null if the data have not been modified since initial 

creation. Date will be in the form DD-MON-YYYY.

17. MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE

 Modified in instance. The database instance in which the record was 

modified. This field will be null if the data have not been modified 

since initial creation.
58

Lichen Plot Summary Table 

(Oracle table name is LICHEN_PLOT_SUMMARY)

Column Name Descriptive Name Oracle data type

1 CN Sequence number VARCHAR2(34)

2 PLT_CN Plot sequence number VARCHAR2(34)

3 INVYR Inventory year NUMBER(4)

4 STATECD State code NUMBER(4)

5 COUNTYCD County code NUMBER(3)

6 PLOT Phase 2 plot number NUMBER(5)

7 MEASYEAR Measurement year NUMBER(4)

8 SUMMATION Summation NUMBER(7,4)

9 RICHNESS Richness NUMBER(2)

10 EVENNESS Evenness NUMBER(5,4)

11 DIVERSITY Diversity NUMBER(5,4)

12 CREATED_BY Created by VARCHAR2(30)

13 CREATED_DATE Created date DATE

14 CREATED_IN_INSTANCE Created in instance VARCHAR2(6)

15 MODIFIED_BY Modified by VARCHAR2(30)

16 MODIFIED_DATE Modified date DATE

17 MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE Modified in instance VARCHAR2(6)

Type of Key Column(s) order Tables to link Abbreviated 

notation

Primary (CN) N/A LPS_PK

Unique (PLT_CN) N/A LPS_UK

Natural (STATECD, INVYR, 

COUNTYCD, PLOT)

N/A LPS_NAT_I

Foreign (PLT_CN) LICHEN_PLOT_SUMMARY to PLOT LPS_PLT_FK

1. CN Sequence number. A unique sequence number used to identify a 

lichen plot summary record.

2. PLT_CN Plot sequence number. Foreign key linking the lichen plot summary 

record to the plot record.

3. INVYR Inventory year. The year that best represents when the inventory data 

were collected. Under the annual inventory system, a group of plots 

is selected each year for sampling. The selection is based on a panel 

system. INVYR is the year in which the majority of plots in that 

group were collected (plots in the group have the same panel and, if 

applicable, subpanel). Under periodic inventory, a reporting inventory 

year was selected, usually based on the year in which the majority of 

the plots were collected or the mid-point of the years over which the 

inventory spanned. For either annual or periodic inventory, INVYR is 

not necessarily the same as MEASYEAR.
59

 Exceptions:

 INVYR = 9999. INVYR is set to 9999 to distinguish those 

Western P3 plots that are “off subpanel” because of differences in 

measurement intervals between P3 (measurement interval=5 years) 

and P2 (measurement interval=10 years) plots. Only users interested 

in performing certain P3 data analyses should access plots with this 

anomalous value in INVYR.

4. STATECD State code. Bureau of the Census Federal Information Processing 

Standards (FIPS) two-digit code for each state. Refer to Appendix C 

in the P2 document (The Forest Inventory and Analysis Database: 

Database Description and Users Manual Version 4.0 for P2, available 

at: http://www.fia.fs.fed.us/library/database-documentation/)

5. COUNTYCD County code. The identification number for a county, parish, 

watershed, borough, or similar governmental unit in a state. FIPS 

codes from the Bureau of the Census, 1990, are used. Refer to 

Appendix C in the P2 document for codes (The Forest Inventory and 

Analysis Database: Database Description and Users Manual Version 

4.0 for P2, available at: http://www.fia.fs.fed.us/library/databasedocumentation/)

6. PLOT P2 plot number. An identifier for a plot. Along with STATECD, 

INVYR, and COUNTYCD, PLOT may be used to uniquely identify 

a plot.

7. MEASYEAR Measurement year. The year in which the lichen plot samples were 

collected to provide the data summarized. MEASYEAR may differ 

from INVYR.

8. SUMMATION Summation. Sum of abundance values for all lichen species on plot. 

Abundance values are 1 = 1-3 individuals; 2 = 4-10 individuals; 3 = 

>10 individuals but on less than half the available substrates (boles, 

branches, shrubs, saplings, snags); 4 = species found on more than half 

the available substrates.

9. RICHNESS Richness. The number of lichen species on a plot. Lichens identified 

only to genus are included in this count; a lichen listed by genus only 

is known to be different from any other species found on the plot.

10. EVENNESS Evenness. Evenness of species abundance. A measure of how evenly 

abundance is distributed among species, calculated as (DIVERSITY = 

H’ )/ ln (RICHNESS).
60

11. DIVERSITY Diversity. Diversity is the Shannon-Wiener Diversity Index: 

 H’ = - ∑(Pi*ln(Pi)) for all species 1 to i on a plot

 where Pi is the proportion of total abundance for species i on 

that plot. Pi = (ABUNDANCE for species i on that plot) / 

SUMMATION.

12. CREATED_BY Created by. The employee who created the record. This attribute is 

intentionally left blank in download files. It will be dropped in version 

5.0.

13. CREATED_DATE

 Created date. The date on which the record was created. Date will be 

in the form DD-MON-YYYY.

14. CREATED_IN_INSTANCE

 Created in instance. The database instance in which the record was 

created. Each computer system has a unique database instance code, 

and this attribute stores that information to determine on which 

computer the record was created.

15. MODIFIED_BY Modified by. The employee who modified the record. This field 

will be null if the data have not been modified since initial creation. 

This attribute is intentionally left blank in download files. It will be 

dropped in version 5.0.

16. MODIFIED_DATE

 Modified date. The date on which the record was last modified. 

This field will be null if the data have not been modified since initial 

creation. Date will be in the form DD-MON-YYYY.

17. MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE

 Modified in instance. The database instance in which the record was 

modified. This field will be null if the data have not been modified 

since initial creation.
61

Lichen Species Summary Table 

(Oracle table name is LICHEN_SPECIES_SUMMARY)

Column Name Descriptive Name Oracle data type

1 CN Sequence number VARCHAR2(34)

2 INVYR Inventory year NUMBER(4)

3 LICHEN_REGION Lichen region NUMBER(4)

4 LICH_SPPCD Lichen species code NUMBER(5)

5 MEASYEAR Measurement year NUMBER(4)

6 LICHEN_REGION_DESCR Lichen region description VARCHAR2(80)

7 SPP_ACRONYM Species acronym VARCHAR2(6)

8 GENUS Genus VARCHAR2(40)

9 SUM_ABUNDANCE Sum of abundance NUMBER(7,4)

10 FREQUENCY_PCT Frequency percent NUMBER(3)

11 SPECIES Species VARCHAR2(50)

12 PLOTS_IN_REGION Plots in region (number) NUMBER(4)

13 CREATED_BY Created by VARCHAR2(30)

14 CREATED_DATE Created date DATE

15 CREATED_IN_INSTANCE Created in instance VARCHAR2(6)

16 MODIFIED_BY Modified by VARCHAR2(30)

17 MODIFIED_DATE Modified date DATE

18 MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE Modified in instance VARCHAR2(6)

Type of Key Column(s) order Tables to link Abbreviated notation

Primary (CN) N/A LSY_PK

Unique (INVYR, LICHEN_REGION, 

LICH_SPPCD)

N/A LSY_UK

1. CN Sequence number. A unique sequence number used to identify a 

lichen species summary record.

2. INVYR Inventory year. The year that best represents when the inventory data 

were collected. Under the annual inventory system, a group of plots 

is selected each year for sampling. The selection is based on a panel 

system. INVYR is the year in which the majority of plots in that 

group were collected (plots in the group have the same panel and, if 

applicable, subpanel). Under periodic inventory, a reporting inventory 

year was selected, usually based on the year in which the majority of 

the plots were collected or the mid-point of the years over which the 

inventory spanned. For either annual or periodic inventory, INVYR is 

not necessarily the same as MEASYEAR.

 Exceptions:

 INVYR = 9999. INVYR is set to 9999 to distinguish those 

Western P3 plots that are “off subpanel” because of differences in 
62

measurement intervals between P3 (measurement interval=5 years) 

and P2 (measurement interval=10 years) plots. Only users interested 

in performing certain P3 data analyses should access plots with this 

anomalous value in INVYR.

3. LICHEN_REGION

 Lichen region. A code indicating the lichen region (see table below). 

The numerical code for the FIA region or subregion across which 

lichen species distribution is summarized; boundaries usually coincide 

with state boundaries. This region is not the same as a lichen gradient 

model.

Code Region name Included States

1 Northeastern STATECD = 9, 23, 25, 33, 36, 44, 50

2 Southeastern STATECD = 1, 12, 13, 21, 37, 45, 47, 51

3 Interior West STATECD = 4, 8, 16, 30, 32, 35, 49, 56

4 West Coast STATECD = 2, 6, 15, 41, 53

5 Mid-South STATECD = 5, 22, 28, 40, 48

6 Mid-Atlantic STATECD = 10, 24, 34, 39, 42, 54

7 North Central STATECD = 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 27, 29, 31, 

38, 46, 55

4. LICH_SPPCD Lichen species code. A numeric code used for a particular lichen 

taxon. To determine which species the code represents, this code 

should be linked with either the SPP_ACRONYM or a unique 

combination of GENUS and SPECIES in table REF_LICHEN_

SPECIES.

5. MEASYEAR Measurement year. The year in which the lichen plot samples were 

collected to provide the data summarized. MEASYEAR may differ 

from INVYR.

6. LICHEN_REGION_DESCR

 Lichen region description. The name (see table above) for the 

FIA region or subregion for which data are summarized (e.g., 

Northeastern, Mid-Atlantic, Southeastern).

7. SPP_ACRONYM Species acronym. Three- to six-letter acronym for lichen species. See 

table REF_LICHEN_SPECIES for a complete list of numerical codes, 

species acronyms, and species names used in the program, and see 

table REF_LICHEN_SPP_COMMENTS for a history of taxonomic 

usage in the program.

8. GENUS Genus. The lichen genus name. See table REF_LICHEN_SPECIES 

for a complete list of numerical codes, species acronyms, and species 
63

names used in the program, and see table REF_LICHEN_SPP_

COMMENTS for a history of taxonomic usage in the program.

9. SUM_ABUNDANCE

 Sum of abundance. Sum of abundance values on all plots in 

the region. Abundance values are 1 = 1-3 individuals; 2 = 4-10 

individuals; 3= >10 individuals but on less than half the available 

substrates (boles, branches, shrubs, saplings, snags); 4 = species found 

on more than half the available substrates.

10. FREQUENCY_PCT

 Frequency percent. Percent of searched plots in region with species 

present. This is calculated as 100 * (# plots with species present)/

PLOTS_IN_REGION. Note that plots searched and found to have 

no lichens are counted for the denominator.

11. SPECIES Species. The lichen species epithet (second part of Latin scientific 

specific name). May include subspecies, variety, or form if needed. A 

complete list of numerical codes, species acronyms, and species names 

used in the FIA program can be found in the table REF_LICHEN_

SPECIES. See table REF_LICHEN_SPP_COMMENTS for a history 

of taxonomic usage in the FIA program.

12. PLOTS_IN_REGION

 Plots in region. Number of plots in LICHEN_REGION searched for 

lichens. This is the number of plots searched for lichens in the region 

being summarized. Plots searched and found to have no lichens are 

included in this count. Plots not searched for lichens, for any reason, 

are not included in this count.

13. CREATED_BY Created by. The employee who created the record. This attribute is 

intentionally left blank in download files. It will be dropped in version 

5.0.

14. CREATED_DATE

 Created date. The date on which the record was created. Date will be 

in the form DD-MON-YYYY.

15. CREATED_IN_INSTANCE

 Created in instance. The database instance in which the record was 

created. Each computer system has a unique database instance code, 

and this attribute stores that information to determine on which 

computer the record was created.
64

16. MODIFIED_BY Modified by. The employee who modified the record. This field 

will be null if the data have not been modified since initial creation. 

This attribute is intentionally left blank in download files. It will be 

dropped in version 5.0.

17. MODIFIED_DATE

 Modified date. The date on which the record was last modified. 

This field will be null if the data have not been modified since initial 

creation. Date will be in the form DD-MON-YYYY.

18. MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE

 Modified in instance. The database instance in which the record was 

modified. This field will be null if the data have not been modified 

since initial creation.
65

Lichen Species Reference Table 

(Oracle table name is REF_LICHEN_SPECIES)

Column Name Descriptive Name Oracle data type

1 LICH_SPPCD Lichen species code NUMBER(5)

2 YEARSTART Year start NUMBER(4)

3 YEAREND Year end NUMBER(4)

4 SPP_ACRONYM Species acronym VARCHAR2(6)

5 GENUS Genus VARCHAR2(40)

6 SPECIES Species VARCHAR2(50)

7 CN Sequence number VARCHAR2(34)

8 CREATED_BY Created by VARCHAR2(30)

9 CREATED_DATE Created date DATE

10 CREATED_IN_INSTANCE Created in instance VARCHAR2(6)

11 MODIFIED_BY Modified by VARCHAR2(30)

12 MODIFIED_DATE Modified date DATE

13 MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE Modified in instance VARCHAR2(6)

Type of Key Column(s) Tables to link Abbreviated notation

Primary (CN) N/A LNS_PK

Unique (LICH_SPPCD, SPP_ACRONYM, 

GENUS, YEARSTART)

N/A LNS_UK

1. LICH_SPPCD Lichen species code. A unique numerical code for each lichen species 

name used in the program. Only one particular combination of 

LICH_SPPCD and SPP_ACRONYM with a GENUS and SPECIES 

is in use in the program at any one time. A taxon is tracked through 

time with LICH_SPPCD and SPP_ACRONYM; GENUS and 

SPECIES may change without interfering with tracking the taxon 

through time. LICH_SPPCD links this table with table REF_

LICHEN_SPP_COMMENTS that includes important notes about 

taxonomic usage and documents changes in taxonomic usage in the 

program.

2. YEARSTART Year start. The year a particular combination of LICH_SPPCD, 

SPP_ACRONYM, GENUS, and SPECIES was put into use. 

Default start year for most species is 1993. LICHEN_LAB entries 

with MEASYEAR = YEARSTART use that particular combination 

of LICH_SPPCD, SPP_ACRONYM, GENUS, and SPECIES as 

needed.

3. YEAREND Year end. The year a particular combination of LICH_SPPCD, 

SPP_ACRONYM, GENUS, and SPECIES was retired from use. 

LICHEN_LAB entries with MEASYEAR = YEAREND do not use 

that particular combination of LICH_SPPCD, SPP_ACRONYM, 
66

GENUS, and SPECIES. Records in this table with YEAREND not 

null should be deleted before matching this table with any LICHEN_

LAB table.

4. SPP_ACRONYM

 Species acronym. A unique three- to six-letter acronym for each lichen 

species used in the program. Only one particular combination of 

LICH_SPPCD and SPP_ACRONYM with a GENUS and SPECIES 

is in use in the program at any one time. A taxon is tracked through 

time with LICH_SPPCD and SPP_ACRONYM; GENUS and 

SPECIES may change without interfering with tracking the taxon 

through time. See table REF_LICHEN_SPP_COMMENTS for a 

history of taxonomic usage in the program.

5. GENUS Genus. The lichen genus name. Only one particular combination of 

LICH_SPPCD, SPP_ACRONYM, GENUS, and SPECIES is in use 

in the program at any one time. A taxon is tracked through time with 

LICH_SPPCD and SPP_ACRONYM; GENUS and SPECIES may 

change without interfering with tracking the taxon through time. See 

table REF_LICHEN_SPP_COMMENTS for a history of taxonomic 

usage in the program.

6. SPECIES Species. The lichen species name (including subspecies, variety, or 

form if needed). Only one particular combination of LICH_SPPCD, 

SPP_ACRONYM, GENUS, and SPECIES is in use in the program 

at any one time. A taxon is tracked through time with LICH_SPPCD 

and SPP_ACRONYM; GENUS and SPECIES may change without 

interfering with tracking the taxon through time. See table REF_

LICHEN_SPP_COMMENTS for a history of taxonomic usage in 

the program.

7. CN Sequence number. A unique sequence number used to identify a 

lichen reference lichen species record.

8. CREATED_BY Created by. The employee who created the record. This attribute is 

intentionally left blank in download files. It will be dropped in version 

5.0.

9. CREATED_DATE

 Created date. The date on which the record was created. Date will be 

in the form DD-MON-YYYY.
67

10. CREATED_IN_INSTANCE

 Created in instance. The database instance in which the record was 

created. Each computer system has a unique database instance code, 

and this attribute stores that information to determine on which 

computer the record was created.

11. MODIFIED_BY Modified by. The employee who modified the record. This field 

will be null if the data have not been modified since initial creation. 

This attribute is intentionally left blank in download files. It will be 

dropped in version 5.0.

12. MODIFIED_DATE

 Modified date. The date on which the record was last modified. 

This field will be null if the data have not been modified since initial 

creation. Date will be in the form DD-MON-YYYY.

13. MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE

 Modified in instance. The database instance in which the record was 

modified. This field will be null if the data have not been modified 

since initial creation.
68

Lichen Species Comments Table 

(Oracle table name is REF_LICHEN_SPP_COMMENTS)

Column Name Descriptive Name Oracle data type

1 LICH_SPPCD Lichen species code NUMBER(5)

2 SPP_NAME Species name VARCHAR2(80)

3 YEAREND Year end NUMBER(4)

4 YEARSTART Year start NUMBER(4)

5 SPP_COMMENTS Species comments VARCHAR2(2000)

6 CN Sequence number VARCHAR2(34)

7 CREATED_BY Created by VARCHAR2(30)

8 CREATED_DATE Created date DATE

9 CREATED_IN_INSTANCE Created in instance VARCHAR2(6)

10 MODIFIED_BY Modified by VARCHAR2(30)

11 MODIFIED_DATE Modified date DATE

12 MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE Modified in instance VARCHAR2(6)

Type of Key Column(s) Tables to link Abbreviated notation

Primary (CN) N/A LCM_PK

Unique (LICH_SPPCD, 

SPP_NAME, 

YEARSTART)

N/A LCM_UK

1. LICH_SPPCD Lichen species code. A unique numerical code for each lichen species 

name used in the program. Only one particular combination of 

LICH_SPPCD and REF_LICHEN_SPECIES.SPP_ACRONYM 

with a REF_LICHEN_SPECIES.GENUS and REF_LICHEN_

SPECIES.SPECIES is in use in the program at any one time. A taxon 

is tracked through time with LICH_SPPCD and REF_LICHEN_

SPECIES.SPP_ACRONYM; GENUS and SPECIES may change 

without interfering with tracking the taxon through time. LICH_

SPPCD links this table with table REF_LICHEN_SPECIES, a master 

list of all species codes and names used in the program.

2. SPP_NAME Species name. This field includes the full species name corresponding 

to LICH_SPPCD; it includes both REF_LICHEN_SPECIES.

GENUS and REF_LICHEN_SPECIES.SPECIES. Only one 

particular combination of LICH_SPPCD and REF_LICHEN_

SPECIES.SPP_ACRONYM with a REF_LICHEN_SPECIES.

GENUS and REF_LICHEN_SPECIES.SPECIES is in use in the 

program at any one time.

3. YEAREND Year end. The year a particular combination of LICH_SPPCD, REF_

LICHEN_SPECIES.SPP_ACRONYM, REF_LICHEN_SPECIES.

GENUS, and REF_LICHEN_SPECIES.SPECIES (the latter two 
69

represented in this table by SPP_NAME) was retired from use. 

LICHEN_LAB entries with MEASYEAR = YEAREND do not use 

that particular combination of LICH_SPPCD, REF_LICHEN_

SPECIES.SPP_ACRONYM, REF_LICHEN_SPECIES.GENUS, 

and REF_LICHEN_SPECIES.SPECIES.

4. YEARSTART Year start. The year a particular combination of LICH_SPPCD, 

REF_LICHEN_SPECIES.SPP_ACRONYM, REF_LICHEN_

SPECIES.GENUS, and REF_LICHEN_SPECIES.SPECIES (the 

latter two represented in this table by SPP_NAME) was put into use. 

Default start year for most species is 1993. LICHEN_LAB entries 

with MEASYEAR = YEARSTART use that particular combination 

of LICH_SPPCD, REF_LICHEN_SPECIES.SPP_ACRONYM, 

REF_LICHEN_SPECIES.GENUS, and REF_LICHEN_SPECIES.

SPECIES as needed.

5. SPP_COMMENTS

 Species comments. This field includes informational comments, 

explanations of changes in taxonomic usage between years, and 

actions to perform before analyzing data. For most changes (even 

those with action code 0 = no action), there are individual records 

for each unique combination of LICH_SPPCD, REF_LICHEN_

SPECIES.SPP_ACRONYM, REF_LICHEN_SPECIES.GENUS, 

and REF_LICHEN_SPECIES.SPECIES (the latter two represented 

in this table by SPP_NAME) involved in the change and/or action. 

FIA does not use thin layer chromatography (TLC) or examinations 

of thin sections for identification of lichen specimens. Lichen species 

whose identification requires these techniques are so noted; they are 

then grouped under the name of a look-alike species identifiable from 

morphology visible with a dissecting microscope, chemical spot tests, 

and/or examination with a long-wave UV (ultraviolet) lamp. Simple 

corrections to spelling of genus or species name are not represented by 

comments in this file, although they are recorded by REF_LICHEN_

SPECIES.YEARSTART and REF_LICHEN_SPECIES.YEAREND. 

If data from a single LICHEN_LAB.MEASYEAR are to be analyzed, 

action codes 1 and 2 apply, action codes 3 and 4 do not apply, and 

action codes 5, 6, and 7 should be checked to see if parts apply. If 

data from both the East and West are to be combined for analysis, 

the analyst should consult the Lichens Indicator Advisor for advice on 

how to reconcile actions between regions, for all taxa with action code 

5 listed.
70

 Action codes: 

 0 = no action 

 1 = exclude for most analysis 

 2 = always combine

 3 = ‘crossing [YEAR]’ conditional combine 

 4 = subset before or after [YEAR] conditional combine

 5 = region conditional combine

 6 = unique complicated combination of actions 1-5

 7 = complicated action not definable as a combination of other action 

codes.

 For year conditional combines, the phrase ‘crossing [YEAR]’ should be 

interpreted as ‘data with MEASYEAR=[YEAR] and/or later, compared 

to data with MEASYEAR=[YEAR]-1 and/or earlier.’ The phrase ‘before 

[YEAR]’ means data with MEASYEAR=[YEAR]-1 and/or earlier; 

‘after [YEAR]’ means data with MEASYEAR=[YEAR]+1 and/or later.

 For action codes 5 and 6, other action codes for specific regions or 

years are listed after that code. If a region conditional action is one 

of the actions under action code 6, action code 5 is listed just before 

action codes 0-4 for within a region.

 Region definitions: 

 East = Northern (N) and Southern (S) FIA Regions

 West = Interior West (IW) and Pacific Northwest (PNW) FIA Regions

 For any action (codes 2, 3, 4) that involves combining two or 

more taxa by LICH_SPPCD and REF_LICHEN_SPECIES.

SPP_ACRONYM, if more than one of these LICH_SPPCD or 

REF_LICHEN_SPECIES.SPP_ACRONYM occur on a single plot, 

then field abundances (LICHEN_LAB.ABUNDANCE_CLASS) for 

the original taxa must be combined by the following rules to become 

the abundance for the ‘combined into’ LICH_SPPCD and REF_

LICHEN_SPECIES.SPP_ACRONYM on that plot:

Abundances for 

individual taxa

Abundance for final 

combined taxon

1 + 1 2

1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 2

More than five 1s 3

1 + 2 2

2 + 2 2

1 + 1 + 2 2

1 + 1 + 1 + 2 3

1 + 2 + 2 3

3 + any others 3

4 + any others 4
71

6. CN Sequence number. A unique sequence number used to identify a 

lichen species comments record.

7. CREATED_BY Created by. The employee who created the record. This attribute is 

intentionally left blank in download files. It will be dropped in version 

5.0.

8. CREATED_DATE

 Created date. The date on which the record was created. Date will be 

in the form DD-MON-YYYY.

9. CREATED_IN_INSTANCE

 Created in instance. The database instance in which the record was 

created. Each computer system has a unique database instance code, 

and this attribute stores that information to determine on which 

computer the record was created.

10. MODIFIED_BY Modified by. The employee who modified the record. This field 

will be null if the data have not been modified since initial creation. 

This attribute is intentionally left blank in download files. It will be 

dropped in version 5.0.

11. MODIFIED_DATE

 Modified date. The date on which the record was last modified. 

This field will be null if the data have not been modified since initial 

creation. Date will be in the form DD-MON-YYYY.

12. MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE

 Modified in instance. The database instance in which the record was 

modified. This field will be null if the data have not been modified 

since initial creation.
72

Soils Visit Table (Oracle table name is SOILS_VISIT)

Column Name Descriptive Name Oracle data type

1 CN Sequence number VARCHAR2(34)

2 PLT_CN Plot sequence number VARCHAR2(34)

3 INVYR Inventory year NUMBER(4)

4 STATECD State code NUMBER(4)

5 COUNTYCD County code NUMBER(3)

6 PLOT Phase 2 plot number NUMBER(5)

7 MEASDAY Measurement day NUMBER(2)

8 MEASMON Measurement month NUMBER(2)

9 MEASYEAR Measurement year NUMBER(4)

10 CREATED_BY Created by VARCHAR2(30)

11 CREATED_DATE Created date DATE

12 CREATED_IN_INSTANCE Created in instance VARCHAR2(6)

13 MODIFIED_BY Modified by VARCHAR2(30)

14 MODIFIED_DATE Modified date DATE

15 MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE Modified in instance VARCHAR2(6)

Type of Key Column(s) order Tables to link Abbreviated notation

Primary (CN) N/A SVT_PK

Unique (PLT_CN) N/A SVT_UK

Natural (STATECD, INVYR, 

COUNTYCD, PLOT)

N/A SVT_NAT_I

Foreign (PLT_CN) SOILS_VISIT to PLOT SVT_PLT_FK

1. CN Sequence number. A unique sequence number used to identify a soils 

visit record.

2. PLT_CN Plot sequence number. Foreign key linking the soils visit record to the 

P2 plot record.

3. INVYR Inventory year. The year that best represents when the inventory data 

were collected. Under the annual inventory system, a group of plots 

is selected each year for sampling. The selection is based on a panel 

system. INVYR is the year in which the majority of plots in that 

group were collected (plots in the group have the same panel and, if 

applicable, subpanel). Under periodic inventory, a reporting inventory 

year was selected, usually based on the year in which the majority of 

the plots were collected or the mid-point of the years over which the 

inventory spanned. For either annual or periodic inventory, INVYR is 

not necessarily the same as MEASYEAR.

 Exceptions:

 INVYR = 9999. INVYR is set to 9999 to distinguish those 

Western P3 plots that are “off subpanel” because of differences in 
73

measurement intervals between P3 (measurement interval=5 years) 

and P2 (measurement interval=10 years) plots. Only users interested 

in performing certain P3 data analyses should access plots with this 

anomalous value in INVYR.

4. STATECD State code. Bureau of the Census Federal Information Processing 

Standards (FIPS) two-digit code for each state. Refer to Appendix C 

in the P2 document (The Forest Inventory and Analysis Database: 

Database Description and Users Manual Version 4.0 for P2, available 

at: http://www.fia.fs.fed.us/library/database-documentation/)

5. COUNTYCD County code. The identification number for a county, parish, 

watershed, borough, or similar governmental unit in a state. FIPS 

codes from the Bureau of the Census, 1990, are used. Refer to 

Appendix C in the P2 document for codes (The Forest Inventory and 

Analysis Database: Database Description and Users Manual Version 

4.0 for P2, available at: http://www.fia.fs.fed.us/library/databasedocumentation/)

6. PLOT P2 plot number. An identifier for a plot. Along with STATECD, 

INVYR, and COUNTYCD, PLOT may be used to uniquely identify 

a plot.

7. MEASDAY Measurement day. The day of the month on which the plot was 

completed.

8. MEASMON Measurement month. The month in which the plot was completed.

Code Month Code Month

01 January 07 July

02 February 08 August

03 March 09 September

04 April 10 October

05 May 11 November

06 June 12 December

9. MEASYEAR Measurement year. The year in which the plot was completed. 

MEASYEAR may differ from INVYR.

10. CREATED_BY Created by. The employee who created the record. This attribute is 

intentionally left blank in download files. It will be dropped in version 

5.0.
74

11. CREATED_DATE

 Created date. The date on which the record was created. Date will be 

in the form DD-MON-YYYY.

12. CREATED_IN_INSTANCE

 Created in instance. The database instance in which the record was 

created. Each computer system has a unique database instance code, 

and this attribute stores that information to determine on which 

computer the record was created.

13. MODIFIED_BY Modified by. The employee who modified the record. This field 

will be null if the data have not been modified since initial creation. 

This attribute is intentionally left blank in download files. It will be 

dropped in version 5.0.

14. MODIFIED_DATE

 Modified date. The date on which the record was last modified. 

This field will be null if the data have not been modified since initial 

creation. Date will be in the form DD-MON-YYYY.

15. MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE

 Modified in instance. The database instance in which the record was 

modified. This field will be null if the data have not been modified 

since initial creation
75

Soils Erosion Table (Oracle table name is SOILS_EROSION)

Column Name Descriptive Name Oracle data type

1 CN Sequence number VARCHAR2(34)

2 PLT_CN Plot sequence number VARCHAR2(34)

3 INVYR Inventory year NUMBER(4)

4 STATECD State code NUMBER(4)

5 COUNTYCD County code NUMBER(3)

6 PLOT Phase 2 plot number NUMBER(5)

7 SUBP Subplot number NUMBER

8 MEASYEAR Measurement year NUMBER(4)

9 SOILSPCT Soils percent (percent bare soil) NUMBER

10 COMPCPCT Compact percent (percent compacted area) NUMBER

11 TYPRTDCD Type rutted trail code NUMBER

12 TYPCMPCD Type compacted trail code NUMBER

13 TYPAREACD Type compacted area code NUMBER

14 TYPOTHRCD Type other code NUMBER

15 CREATED_BY Created by VARCHAR2(30)

16 CREATED_DATE Created date DATE

17 CREATED_IN_INSTANCE Created in instance VARCHAR2(6)

18 MODIFIED_BY Modified by VARCHAR2(30)

19 MODIFIED_DATE Modified date DATE

20 MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE Modified in instance VARCHAR2(6)

Type of Key Column(s) order Tables to link Abbreviated notation

Primary (CN) N/A SEN_PK

Unique (PLT_CN, SUBP) N/A SEN_UK

Natural (STATECD, INVYR, 

COUNTYCD, PLOT, SUBP)

N/A SEN_NAT_I

1. CN Sequence number. A unique sequence number used to identify a soils 

erosion record.

2. PLT_CN Plot sequence number. Foreign key linking the soils erosion record to 

the P2 plot record.

3. INVYR Inventory year. The year that best represents when the inventory data 

were collected. Under the annual inventory system, a group of plots 

is selected each year for sampling. The selection is based on a panel 

system. INVYR is the year in which the majority of plots in that 

group were collected (plots in the group have the same panel and, if 

applicable, subpanel). Under periodic inventory, a reporting inventory 

year was selected, usually based on the year in which the majority of 

the plots were collected or the mid-point of the years over which the 

inventory spanned. For either annual or periodic inventory, INVYR is 

not necessarily the same as MEASYEAR.
76

 Exceptions:

 INVYR = 9999. INVYR is set to 9999 to distinguish those 

Western P3 plots that are “off subpanel” because of differences in 

measurement intervals between P3 (measurement interval=5 years) 

and P2 (measurement interval=10 years) plots. Only users interested 

in performing certain P3 data analyses should access plots with this 

anomalous value in INVYR.

4. STATECD State code. Bureau of the Census Federal Information Processing 

Standards (FIPS) two-digit code for each state. Refer to Appendix C 

in the P2 document (The Forest Inventory and Analysis Database: 

Database Description and Users Manual Version 4.0 for P2, available 

at: http://www.fia.fs.fed.us/library/database-documentation/)

5. COUNTYCD County code. The identification number for a county, parish, 

watershed, borough, or similar governmental unit in a state. FIPS 

codes from the Bureau of the Census, 1990, are used. Refer to 

Appendix C in the P2 document for codes (The Forest Inventory and 

Analysis Database: Database Description and Users Manual Version 

4.0 for P2, available at: http://www.fia.fs.fed.us/library/databasedocumentation/)

6. PLOT P2 plot number. An identifier for a plot. Along with STATECD, 

INVYR, and COUNTYCD, PLOT may be used to uniquely identify 

a plot.

7. SUBP Subplot number. Number of the subplot. Annual inventories have 

subplot number values of 1 through 4. Subplot numbers of periodic 

inventories will vary. For more information, contact the appropriate 

FIA unit.

8. MEASYEAR Measurement year. The year in which the plot was completed. 

MEASYEAR may differ from INVYR.

9. SOILSPCT Soils percent (percent bare soil). Indicates the percentage of the 

subplot that is covered by bare soil (mineral or organic). Fine gravel 

[0.08-0.20 inch (2-5 mm)] is considered part of the bare soil. 

However, large rocks protruding through the soil (e.g., bedrock 

outcrops) are not included in this category because these are not 

erodible surfaces. For the soil indicator, cryptobiotic crusts are not 

considered bare soil.

 If the subplot includes nonforested areas, the percent cover of bare 

soil in the forested part of the subplot is multiplied by the percent of 

the subplot that is in forested area. For example, if 50 percent of the 
77

subplot is forested and the percent cover of bare soil of the forested 

part is 30 percent, then the percent cover of bare soil for the entire 

subplot is 15 percent.

Code Percent bare soil Code Percent bare soil

00 Absent 50 46-50 %

01 Trace 55 51- 55 %

05 1 to 5 % 60 56-60 %

10 6-10 % 65 61-65 %

15 11-15 % 70 66-70 %

20 16-20 % 75 71-75 %

25 21-25 % 80 76-80 %

30 26-30 % 85 81-85 %

35 31-35 % 90 86-90 %

40 36-40 % 95 91-95 %

45 41-45 % 99 96-100 %

10. COMPCPCT Compacted percent (percent compacted area). Indicates the 

percentage of the subplot that exhibits evidence of compaction. 

Soil compaction is assessed relative to the conditions of adjacent 

undisturbed soil. Improved roads are not included in the evaluation.

Code Percent compacted Code Percent compacted

00 Absent 50 46-50 %

01 Trace 55 51- 55 %

05 1 to 5 % 60 56-60 %

10 6-10 % 65 61-65 %

15 11-15 % 70 66-70 %

20 16-20 % 75 71-75 %

25 21-25 % 80 76-80 %

30 26-30 % 85 81-85 %

35 31-35 % 90 86-90 %

40 36-40 % 95 91-95 %

45 41-45 % 99 96-100 %

11. TYPRTDCD Type rutted trail code. A code indicating the type of compaction that 

is a rutted trail. Ruts must be at least 2 inches deep into mineral soil or 

6 inches deep from the undisturbed forest litter surface.

Code Type rutted trail

1 Present

0 Not present

12. TYPCMPCD Type compacted trail code. A code indicating the type of compaction 

that is a compacted trail (usually the result of many passes of heavy 

machinery, vehicles, or large animals).
78

Code Type compacted trail

1 Present

0 Not present

13. TYPAREACD Type compacted area code. A code indicating the type of compaction 

that is a compacted area. Examples include the junction areas of skid 

trails, landing areas, work areas, animal bedding areas, heavily grazed 

areas, etc.

Code Type compacted area

1 Present

0 Not present

14. TYPOTHRCD Type other code. A code indicating the type of compaction that is 

some other form. An explanation must be entered in the plot notes.

Code Type other compaction

1 Present

0 Not present

15. CREATED_BY Created by. The employee who created the record. This attribute is 

intentionally left blank in download files. It will be dropped in version 

5.0.

16. CREATED_DATE

 Created date. The date on which the record was created. Date will be 

in the form DD-MON-YYYY.

17. CREATED_IN_INSTANCE

 Created in instance. The database instance in which the record was 

created. Each computer system has a unique database instance code, 

and this attribute stores that information to determine on which 

computer the record was created.

18. MODIFIED_BY Modified by. The employee who modified the record. This field 

will be null if the data have not been modified since initial creation. 

This attribute is intentionally left blank in download files. It will be 

dropped in version 5.0.

19. MODIFIED_DATE

 Modified date. The date on which the record was last modified. 

This field will be null if the data have not been modified since initial 

creation. Date will be in the form DD-MON-YYYY.
79

20. MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE

 Modified in instance. The database instance in which the record was 

modified. This field will be null if the data have not been modified 

since initial creation.
80

Soils Sample Location Table 

(Oracle table name is SOILS_SAMPLE_LOC)

Column Name Descriptive Name Oracle data type

1 CN Sequence number VARCHAR2(34)

2 PLT_CN Plot sequence number VARCHAR2(34)

3 INVYR Inventory year NUMBER(4)

4 STATECD State code NUMBER(4)

5 COUNTYCD County code NUMBER(3)

6 PLOT Phase 2 plot number NUMBER(5)

7 SMPLNNBR Sample line number NUMBER(1)

8 MEASYEAR Measurement year NUMBER(4)

9 FORFLTHK Average forest floor thickness for the 

subplot

NUMBER

10 LTRLRTHK Average litter layer thickness for the 

subplot

NUMBER

11 FORFLTHKN Forest floor thickness north (at the 

north edge of the sampling frame)

NUMBER

12 LTRLRTHKN Litter layer thickness north (at the north 

edge of the sampling frame)

NUMBER

13 FORFLTHKS Forest floor thickness south (at the 

south edge of the sampling frame)

NUMBER

14 LTRLRTHKS Litter layer thickness south (at the 

south edge of the sampling frame)

NUMBER

15 FORFLTHKE Forest floor thickness east (at the east 

edge of the sampling frame)

NUMBER

16 LTRLRTHKE Litter layer thickness east (at the east 

edge of the sampling frame)

NUMBER

17 FORFLTHKW Forest floor thickness west (at the west 

edge of the sampling frame)

NUMBER

18 LTRLRTHKW Litter layer thickness west (at the west 

edge of the sampling frame)

NUMBER

19 CONDID Condition class number NUMBER(1)

20 VSTNBR Visit number NUMBER(1)

21 TXTRLYR1 Texture layer 1 NUMBER

22 TXTRLYR2 Texture layer 2 NUMBER

23 DPTHSBSL Depth to a restricted layer NUMBER

24 SOILS_STATCD Soil sampling status code NUMBER(2)

25 CREATED_BY Created by VARCHAR2(30)

26 CREATED_DATE Created date DATE

27 CREATED_IN_INSTANCE Created in instance VARCHAR2(6)

28 MODIFIED_BY Modified by VARCHAR2(30)

29 MODIFIED_DATE Modified date DATE

30 MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE Modified in instance VARCHAR2(6)
81

Type of Key Column(s) order Tables to link Abbreviated notation

Primary (CN) N/A SSL_PK

Unique (PLT_CN, SMPLNNBR) N/A SSL_UK

Natural (STATECD, INVYR, COUNTYCD, 

PLOT, SMPLNNBR)

N/A SSL_NAT_I

1. CN Sequence number. A unique sequence number used to identify a soils 

sample location record.

2. PLT_CN Plot sequence number. Foreign key linking the soils sample location 

record to the P2 plot record.

3. INVYR Inventory year. The year that best represents when the inventory data 

were collected. Under the annual inventory system, a group of plots 

is selected each year for sampling. The selection is based on a panel 

system. INVYR is the year in which the majority of plots in that 

group were collected (plots in the group have the same panel and, if 

applicable, subpanel). Under periodic inventory, a reporting inventory 

year was selected, usually based on the year in which the majority of 

the plots were collected or the mid-point of the years over which the 

inventory spanned. For either annual or periodic inventory, INVYR is 

not necessarily the same as MEASYEAR.

 Exceptions:

 INVYR = 9999. INVYR is set to 9999 to distinguish those 

Western P3 plots that are “off subpanel” because of differences in 

measurement intervals between P3 (measurement interval=5 years) 

and P2 (measurement interval=10 years) plots. Only users interested 

in performing certain P3 data analyses should access plots with this 

anomalous value in INVYR.

4. STATECD State code. Bureau of the Census Federal Information Processing 

Standards (FIPS) two-digit code for each state. Refer to Appendix C 

in the P2 document (The Forest Inventory and Analysis Database: 

Database Description and Users Manual Version 4.0 for P2, available 

at: http://www.fia.fs.fed.us/library/database-documentation/)

5. COUNTYCD County code. The identification number for a county, parish, 

watershed, borough, or similar governmental unit in a state. FIPS 

codes from the Bureau of the Census, 1990, are used. Refer to 

Appendix C in the P2 document for codes (The Forest Inventory and 

Analysis Database: Database Description and Users Manual Version 

4.0 for P2, available at: http://www.fia.fs.fed.us/library/databasedocumentation/)
82

6. PLOT P2 plot number. An identifier for a plot. Along with STATECD, 

INVYR, and COUNTYCD, PLOT may be used to uniquely identify 

a plot.

7. SMPLNNBR Sample line number. The number corresponding to the subplot where 

the sample was collected. SMPLNNBR equals the subplot number 

(SUBP). Values are 2, 3, 4.

8. MEASYEAR Measurement year. The year in which the plot was completed. 

MEASYEAR may differ from INVYR.

9. FORFLTHK Average forest floor thickness for the subplot. Recorded in inches. 

FORFLTHK = (FORFLTHKE + FORFLTHKW + FORFLTHKN + 

FORFLTHKS) / 4

10. LTRLRTHK Average litter layer thickness for the subplot. Recorded in inches. 

LTRLRTHK = (LTRLRTHKE + LTRLRTHKW + LTRLRTHKN + 

LTRLRTHKS) / 4

11. FORFLTHKN Forest floor thickness north (at the north edge of the sampling frame). 

The thickness (to the nearest 0.1 inch) of the forest floor measured 

from the top of the litter layer to the boundary between the forest 

floor and mineral soil; measured to a maximum depth of 20.0 inches. 

If the thickness of the forest floor is greater than 20.0 inches, then the 

code 20.0 is used. For locations where bare soil or bedrock material is 

exposed, 00.0 inches depth is entered.

12. LTRLRTHKN Litter layer thickness north (at the north edge of the sampling frame). 

The thickness of the litter layer (to the nearest 0.1 inch) at the north 

location within the sampling frame. The bottom of the litter layer can 

be distinguished as the boundary where plant parts (such as leaves or 

needles) are no longer recognizable as such because of decomposition. 

Another criterion is that the organic layer may contain plant roots, but 

the litter layer will probably not. At some locations, the depth of the 

forest floor and the litter layer may be the same. For locations where 

bare soil or bedrock material is exposed, 00.0 inches depth is entered.

13. FORFLTHKS Forest floor thickness south (at the south edge of the sampling frame). 

The thickness (to the nearest 0.1 inch) of the forest floor measured 

from the top of the litter layer to the boundary between the forest 

floor and mineral soil; measured to a maximum depth of 20.0 inches. 

If the thickness of the forest floor is greater than 20.0 inches, then the 

code 20.0 is used. For locations where bare soil or bedrock material is 

exposed, 00.0 inches depth is entered.
83

14. LTRLRTHKS Litter layer thickness south (at the south edge of the sampling frame). 

The thickness of the litter layer (to the nearest 0.1 inch) at the south 

location within the sampling frame. The bottom of the litter layer can 

be distinguished as the boundary where plant parts (such as leaves or 

needles) are no longer recognizable as such because of decomposition. 

Another criterion is that the organic layer may contain plant roots, 

but the litter layer will probably not. At some locations, the depth of 

the forest floor and the depth of the litter layer may be the same. For 

locations where bare soil or bedrock material is exposed, 00.0 inches 

depth is entered.

15. FORFLTHKE Forest floor thickness east (at the east edge of the sampling frame). 

The thickness (to the nearest 0.1 inch) of the forest floor measured 

from the top of the litter layer to the boundary between the forest 

floor and mineral soil; measured to a maximum depth of 20.0 inches. 

If the thickness of the forest floor is greater than 20.0 inches, then the 

code 20.0 is used. For locations where bare soil or bedrock material is 

exposed, 00.0 inches depth is entered.

16. LTRLRTHKE Litter layer thickness east (at the east edge of the sampling frame). 

The thickness of the litter layer (to the nearest 0.1 inch) at the east 

location within the sampling frame. The bottom of the litter layer can 

be distinguished as the boundary where plant parts (such as leaves or 

needles) are no longer recognizable as such because of decomposition. 

Another criterion is that the organic layer may contain plant roots, 

but the litter layer will probably not. At some locations, the depth of 

the forest floor and the depth of the litter layer may be the same. For 

locations where bare soil or bedrock material is exposed, 00.0 inches 

depth is entered.

17. FORFLTHKW Forest floor thickness west (at the west edge of the sampling frame). 

The thickness (to the nearest 0.1 inch) of the forest floor measured 

from the top of the litter layer to the boundary between the forest 

floor and mineral soil; measured to a maximum depth of 20.0 inches. 

If the thickness of the forest floor is greater than 20.0 inches, then the 

code 20.0 is used. For locations where bare soil or bedrock material is 

exposed, 00.0 inches depth is entered.

18. LTRLRTHKW Litter layer thickness west (at the west edge of the sampling frame). 

The thickness of the litter layer (to the nearest 0.1 inch) at the west 

location within the sampling frame. The bottom of the litter layer can 

be distinguished as the boundary where plant parts (such as leaves or 

needles) are no longer recognizable as such because of decomposition. 

Another criterion is that the organic layer may contain plant roots, 
84

but the litter layer will probably not. At some locations, the depth of 

the forest floor and the depth of the litter layer may be the same. For 

locations where bare soil or bedrock material is exposed, 00.0 inches 

depth is entered.

19. CONDID Condition class number. Unique identifying number assigned to each 

condition on a plot. This attribute is blank (null) if no soil sample 

was taken (nonsampled). A condition is initially defined by condition 

class status. Differences in reserved status, owner group, forest type, 

stand-size class, regeneration status, and stand density further define 

condition for forest land. Mapped nonforest conditions are also 

assigned numbers. At the time of the plot establishment, the condition 

class at plot center (the center of subplot 1) is usually designated 

as condition class 1. Other condition classes are assigned numbers 

sequentially at the time each condition class is delineated. On a plot, 

each sampled condition class must have a unique number that can 

change at remeasurement to reflect new conditions on the plot.

20. VSTNBR Visit number. The number of the soil sampling location at which the 

soil sample was collected. Values are 1 - 9.

Location of soil sampling site. Figure 11-1 from the Forest Inventory and 

Analysis National Core Field Guide (Phase 3, version 3.0) 

(see http://www.fia.fs.fed.us/library/field-guides-methods-proc/)

9 7 5 3 1 2 4 6 8

10 ft. (3.05 m)

Soil Visit Number

4

1

8

3

2

1

1 1

8

9 8

9

9

21. TXTRLYR1 Texture layer 1. A code indicating the soil texture of the 0-4 inch layer 

estimated in the field.
85

Code Texture

0 Organic

1 Loamy

2 Clayey

3 Sandy

4 Coarse sand

9 Not measured – make plot notes

22. TXTRLYR2 Texture layer 2. A code indicating the soil texture of the 4-8 inch layer 

estimated in the field.

Code Texture 

0 Organic

1 Loamy

2 Clayey

3 Sandy

4 Coarse sand

9 Not measured – make plot notes

23. DPTHSBSL Depth to a restricted layer. Indicates the median depth of five 

locations within the soil sampling area (center, north, east, south, 

and west edges) to a restrictive layer (to the nearest 0.1 inch). The 

maximum depth for testing for a restrictive horizon is 20.0 inches. If 

a restrictive layer is encountered within the 20.0 inches, the median 

depth (to the nearest 0.1 inch) to the restrictive horizon of the five 

locations probed is recorded. Other possible values are

 20.0 if a restrictive horizon is not encountered

 00.0 if superficial bedrock is present

 999 if too many rock fragments or cobbles prevent inserting soil probe

24. SOILS_STATCD

 Soil sampling status. A code indicating whether or not a forest floor or 

mineral soil sample was collected at the soil sampling location. For both 

forest floor and mineral samples, it is the condition of the soil sampling 

sites in the annular plot that determines whether soil samples are 

collected. Samples are collected if, and only if, the soil sampling site is 

in a forested condition (regardless of the condition class of the subplot). 

For example, in cases where the subplot has at least one forested 

condition class and the soil sampling site is not in a forested condition 

class, soil samples are not collected. Similarly, in cases where the soil 

sampling site is in a forested condition class and the subplot does not 

have at least one forested condition class, soil samples are collected.
86

Code Soil sampling status

1 Sampled

2 Not sampled: nonforest

 The following are for forest conditions:

3 Not sampled: too rocky to sample

4 Not sampled: water or boggy

5 Not sampled: access denied

6 Not sampled: too dangerous to sample

7 Not sampled: obstruction in sampling area

8 Not sampled: broken or lost equipment

9 Not sampled: other enter reason in plot notes 

25. CREATED_BY Created by. The employee who created the record. This attribute is 

intentionally left blank in download files. It will be dropped in version 

5.0.

26. CREATED_DATE

 Created date. The date on which the record was created. Date will be 

in the form DD-MON-YYYY.

27. CREATED_IN_INSTANCE

 Created in instance. The database instance in which the record was 

created. Each computer system has a unique database instance code, 

and this attribute stores that information to determine on which 

computer the record was created.

28. MODIFIED_BY Modified by. The employee who modified the record. This field 

will be null if the data have not been modified since initial creation. 

This attribute is intentionally left blank in download files. It will be 

dropped in version 5.0.

29. MODIFIED_DATE

 Modified date. The date on which the record was last modified. 

This field will be null if the data have not been modified since initial 

creation. Date will be in the form DD-MON-YYYY.

30. MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE

 Modified in instance. The database instance in which the record was 

modified. This field will be null if the data have not been modified 

since initial creation.
87

Soils Lab Table (Oracle table name is SOILS_LAB)

Column Name Descriptive Name Oracle data type

1 CN Sequence number VARCHAR2(34)

2 PLT_CN Plot sequence number VARCHAR2(34)

3 INVYR Inventory year NUMBER(4)

4 STATECD State code NUMBER(4)

5 COUNTYCD County code NUMBER(3)

6 PLOT Phase 2 plot number NUMBER(5)

7 SMPLNNBR Sample line number NUMBER(3)

8 VSTNBR Visit number NUMBER(1)

9 LAYER_TYPE Layer type VARCHAR2(10)

10 SAMPLER_TYPE Sampler type VARCHAR2(2)

11 QASTATCD Quality assurance status code NUMBER(1)

12 SAMPLE_DATE Sample date DATE

13 LAB_ID Laboratory identification VARCHAR2(10)

14 SAMPLE_ID Sample identification VARCHAR2(12)

15 FIELD_MOIST_SOIL_WT Field moist soil weight NUMBER(7,2)

16 AIR_DRY_SOIL_WT Air-dry soil weight NUMBER(7,2)

17 OVEN_DRY_SOIL_WT Oven-dry soil weight NUMBER(7,2)

18 FIELD_MOIST_WATER_CONTENT_PCT Field moist water content percent NUMBER(6,2)

19 RESIDUAL_WATER_CONTENT_PCT Residual water content percent NUMBER(6,2)

20 TOTAL_WATER_CONTENT_PCT Total water content in percent NUMBER(6,2)

21 BULK_DENSITY Bulk density NUMBER(7,3)

22 COARSE_FRACTION_PCT Coarse fraction percent NUMBER(7,3)

23 C_ORG_PCT Carbon organic percent NUMBER(7,3)

24 C_INORG_PCT Carbon inorganic percent NUMBER(7,3)

25 C_TOTAL_PCT Carbon total percent NUMBER(7,3)

26 N_TOTAL_PCT Nitrogen total percent NUMBER(7,3)

27 PH_H2O pH measured in water NUMBER(7,3)

28 PH_CACL2 pH measured in calcium chloride NUMBER(7,3)

29 EXCHNG_NA Exchangeable sodium NUMBER(7,3)

30 EXCHNG_K Exchangeable potassium NUMBER(7,3)

31 EXCHNG_MG Exchangeable magnesium NUMBER(7,3)

32 EXCHNG_CA Exchangeable calcium NUMBER(8,3)

33 EXCHNG_AL Exchangeable aluminum NUMBER(7,3)

34 ECEC Effective cation exchange capacity NUMBER(7,3)

35 EXCHNG_MN Exchangeable manganese NUMBER(7,3)

36 EXCHNG_FE Exchangeable iron NUMBER(7,3)

37 EXCHNG_NI Exchangeable nickel NUMBER(7,3)

38 EXCHNG_CU Exchangeable copper NUMBER(7,3)

39 EXCHNG_ZN Exchangeable zinc NUMBER(7,3)

40 EXCHNG_CD Exchangeable cadmium NUMBER(7,3)

41 EXCHNG_PB Exchangeable lead NUMBER(7,3)

42 EXCHNG_S Exchangeable sulfur NUMBER(7,3)

43 BRAY1_P Bray 1 phosphorus NUMBER(7,3)

44 OLSEN_P Olsen phosphorus NUMBER(7,3)

45 MEASYEAR Measurement year NUMBER(4)

46 MODIFIED_BY Modified by VARCHAR2(30)

47 MODIFIED_DATE Modified date DATE

48 MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE Modified in instance VARCHAR2(6)

49 CREATED_BY Created by VARCHAR2(30)

50 CREATED_DATE Created date DATE

51 CREATED_IN_INSTANCE Created in instance VARCHAR2(6)
88

Type of Key Column(s) order Tables to link Abbreviated notation

Primary (CN) N/A SLB_PK

Unique (PLT_CN, SMPLNNBR, LAYER_

TYPE)

N/A SLB_UK

Natural (STATECD, INVYR, COUNTYCD, 

PLOT, SMPLNNBR, LAYER_TYPE)

N/A SLB_NAT_I

1. CN Sequence number. A unique sequence number used to identify a soils 

lab record.

2. PLT_CN Plot sequence number. Foreign key linking the soils lab record to the 

P2 plot record.

3. INVYR Inventory year. The year that best represents when the inventory data 

were collected. Under the annual inventory system, a group of plots 

is selected each year for sampling. The selection is based on a panel 

system. INVYR is the year in which the majority of plots in that 

group were collected (plots in the group have the same panel and, if 

applicable, subpanel). Under periodic inventory, a reporting inventory 

year was selected, usually based on the year in which the majority of 

the plots were collected or the mid-point of the years over which the 

inventory spanned. For either annual or periodic inventory, INVYR is 

not necessarily the same as MEASYEAR.

 Exceptions:

 INVYR = 9999. INVYR is set to 9999 to distinguish those 

Western P3 plots that are “off subpanel” because of differences in 

measurement intervals between P3 (measurement interval=5 years) 

and P2 (measurement interval=10 years) plots. Only users interested 

in performing certain P3 data analyses should access plots with this 

anomalous value in INVYR.

4. STATECD State code. Bureau of the Census Federal Information Processing 

Standards (FIPS) two-digit code for each state. Refer to Appendix C 

in the P2 document (The Forest Inventory and Analysis Database: 

Database Description and Users Manual Version 4.0 for P2, available 

at: http://www.fia.fs.fed.us/library/database-documentation/)

5. COUNTYCD County code. The identification number for a county, parish, 

watershed, borough, or similar governmental unit in a state. FIPS 

codes from the Bureau of the Census, 1990, are used. Refer to 

Appendix C in the P2 document for codes (The Forest Inventory and 

Analysis Database: Database Description and Users Manual Version 

4.0 for P2, available at: http://www.fia.fs.fed.us/library/databasedocumentation/)
89

6. PLOT P2 plot number. An identifier for a plot. Along with STATECD, 

INVYR, and COUNTYCD, PLOT may be used to uniquely identify 

a plot.

7. SMPLNNBR Sample line number. The number corresponding to the subplot where 

the sample was collected. SMPLNNBR equals the subplot number 

(SUBP). Values are 2, 3, 4.

8. VSTNBR Visit number. The number of the soil sampling location at which the 

soil sample was collected. Values are 1 - 9.

Location of soil sampling site. Figure 11-1 from the Forest Inventory and 

Analysis National Core Field Guide (Phase 3, version 3.0) 

(see http://www.fia.fs.fed.us/library/field-guides-methods-proc/)

9 7 5 3 1 2 4 6 8

10 ft. (3.05 m)

Soil Visit Number

4

1

8

3

2

1

1 1

8

9 8

9

9

9. LAYER_TYPE Layer type. Indicates the soil layer type.

Code Layer type

FF_TOTAL Total forest floor: litter + humus (duff)

L_ORG Organic soil litter layer

MIN_1 0-4 inch mineral soil layer

MIN_2 4-8 inch mineral soil layer

ORG_1 0-4 inch organic soil layer

ORG_2 4-8 inch organic soil layer
90

10. SAMPLER_TYPE

 Sampler type. A code indicating the type of soil sampler used.

Code Sampler type

SF Sample frame

BD Bulk density sampler

O Other

11. QASTATCD Quality assurance status. A code indicating the type of plot data 

collected. Populated for all forested subplots using the National Field 

Guide protocols (MANUAL ≥ 1.0).

Code Quality assurance status

1 Standard production plot

2 Cold check

3 Reference plot (off-grid)

4 Training/practice plot (off-grid)

5 Botched plot file (disregard during data processing)

6 Blind check

7 Production plot (hot check)

12. SAMPLE_DATE

 Sample date. Indicates the date of soil measurements and sampling.

13. LAB_ID Laboratory identification. Indicates the laboratory where the analyses 

were done.

14. SAMPLE_ID Sample identification. Internal lab sample identification number used 

to identify samples, match to plot identifier data, and track samples.

15. FIELD_MOIST_SOIL_WT

 Field moist soil weight. The weight of the soil sample as received from 

the field in grams.

16. AIR_DRY0_SOIL_WT

 Air-dry soil weight. The weight of the soil sample after air-drying at 

ambient temperature in grams.

17. OVEN_DRY_SOIL_WT

 Oven-dry soil weight. The calculated weight of the soil sample based 

on an oven-dried subsample in grams.

18. FIELD_MOIST_WATER_CONTENT_PCT

 Field moist water content percent. The field-moist to air-dry water 

content in percent.
91

19. RESIDUAL_WATER_CONTENT_PCT

 Residual water content percent. The air-dry to oven-dry water content 

in percent.

20. TOTAL_WATER_CONTENT_PCT

 Total water content in percent. The field-moist to air-dry + air-dry to 

oven-dry water contents in percent.

21. BULK_DENSITY

 Bulk density. The soil bulk density calculated as weight per unit 

volume of soil, g/cm3.

22. COARSE_FRACTION_PCT

 Coarse fraction percent. The percentage of mineral soil greater than 2 

mm in size.

23. C_ORG_PCT Carbon organic percent. Organic carbon in percent.

24. C_INORG_PCT Carbon inorganic percent. Inorganic carbon (carbonates) in percent.

25. C_TOTAL_PCT Carbon total percent. Total carbon (organic + inorganic) in percent.

26. N_TOTAL_PCT Nitrogen total percent. Total nitrogen in percent.

27. PH_H20 pH in water. Soil pH in a 1:1 soil/water suspension.

28. PH_CACL2 pH in calcium chloride. Soil pH in 0.01 M CaCl2 solution.

29. EXCHNG_NA Exchangeable sodium in mg/kg.

30. EXCHNG_K Exchangeable potassium in mg/kg.

31. EXCHNG_MG Exchangeable magnesium in mg/kg.

32. EXCHNG_CA Exchangeable calcium in mg/kg.

33. EXCHNG_AL Exchangeable aluminum in mg/kg.

34. ECEC Effective cation exchange capacity. Exchangeable Na + K + Mg + Ca + 

Al) in cmolc/kg.

35. EXCHNG_MN Exchangeable manganese in mg/kg.

36. EXCHNG_FE Exchangeable iron in mg/kg.

37. EXCHNG_NI Exchangeable nickel in mg/kg.
92

38. EXCHNG_CU Exchangeable copper in mg/kg.

39. EXCHNG_ZN Exchangeable zinc in mg/kg.

40. EXCHNG_CD Exchangeable cadmium in mg/kg.

41. EXCHNG_PB Exchangeable lead in mg/kg.

42. EXCHNG_S Exchangeable sulfur in mg/kg.

43. BRAY1_P Bray 1 phosphorus. Bray 1 extractable phosphorus in mg/kg.

44. OLSEN_P Olsen phosphorus. Olsen extractable phosphorus in mg/kg.

45. MEASYEAR Measurement year. The year in which the plot was completed. 

MEASYEAR may differ from INVYR.

46. MODIFIED_BY Modified by. The employee who modified the record. This field 

will be null if the data have not been modified since initial creation. 

This attribute is intentionally left blank in download files. It will be 

dropped in version 5.0.

47. MODIFIED_DATE

 Modified date. The date on which the record was last modified. 

This field will be null if the data have not been modified since initial 

creation. Date will be in the form DD-MON-YYYY.

48. MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE

 Modified in instance. The database instance in which the record was 

modified. This field will be null if the data have not been modified 

since initial creation.

49. CREATED_BY Created by. The employee who created the record. This attribute is 

intentionally left blank in download files. It will be dropped in version 

5.0.

50. CREATED_DATE

 Created date. The date on which the record was created. Date will be 

in the form DD-MON-YYYY.

51. CREATED_IN_INSTANCE

 Created in instance. The database instance in which the record was 

created. Each computer system has a unique database instance code, 

and this attribute stores that information to determine on which 

computer the record was created.
93

Vegetation Visit Table (Oracle table name is VEG_VISIT)

Column Name Descriptive Name Oracle data type

1 CN Sequence number VARCHAR2(34)

2 PLT_CN Plot sequence number VARCHAR2(34)

3 INVYR Inventory year NUMBER(4)

4 STATECD State code NUMBER(4)

5 COUNTYCD County code NUMBER(3)

6 PLOT Phase 2 plot number NUMBER(5)

7 VEG_QA_STATUS Vegetation quality assurance status NUMBER(1)

8 VEG_KINDCD Vegetation sample kind code NUMBER(2)

9 VEG_MANUAL Vegetation manual (field guide) version 

number

VARCHAR2(8)

10 TRACE_COVER_ALLOWED Trace cover allowed NUMBER(1)

11 VEG_MEASYEAR Vegetation measurement year NUMBER(4)

12 VEG_MEASMON Vegetation measurement month NUMBER(2)

13 VEG_MEASDAY Vegetation measurement day NUMBER(2)

14 VEG_SAMPLE_BASIS Vegetation sample basis NUMBER(1)

15 CREATED_BY Created by VARCHAR2(30)

16 CREATED_DATE Created date DATE

17 CREATED_IN_INSTANCE Created in instance VARCHAR2(6)

18 MODIFIED_BY Modified by VARCHAR2(30)

19 MODIFIED_DATE Modified date DATE

20 MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE Modified in instance VARCHAR2(6)

Type of Key Column(s) order Tables to link Abbreviated notation

Primary (CN) N/A VVT_PK

Unique (PLT_CN) N/A VVT_UK

Natural (STATECD, INVYR, 

COUNTYCD, PLOT)

N/A VVT_NAT_I

Foreign (PLT_CN) VEG_VISIT to PLOT VVT_PLT_FK

1. CN Sequence number. A unique sequence number used to identify a 

vegetation visit record. Other tables will reference this as VVT_CN 

(VEG_VISIT CN).

2. PLT_CN Plot sequence number. Foreign key linking the vegetation visit record 

to the P2 plot record (via PLOT.CN).

3. INVYR Inventory year. The year that best represents when the inventory data 

were collected. Under the annual inventory system, a group of plots 

is selected each year for sampling. The selection is based on a panel 

system. INVYR is the year in which the majority of plots in that 

group were collected (plots in the group have the same panel and, if 

applicable, subpanel). Under periodic inventory, a reporting inventory 

year was selected, usually based on the year in which the majority of 
94

the plots were collected or the mid-point of the years over which the 

inventory spanned. For either annual or periodic inventory, INVYR is 

not necessarily the same as MEASYEAR.

 Exceptions:

 INVYR = 9999. INVYR is set to 9999 to distinguish those 

Western P3 plots that are “off subpanel” because of differences in 

measurement intervals between P3 (measurement interval=5 years) 

and P2 (measurement interval=10 years) plots. Only users interested 

in performing certain P3 data analyses should access plots with this 

anomalous value in INVYR.

4. STATECD State code. Bureau of the Census Federal Information Processing 

Standards (FIPS) two-digit code for each state. Refer to Appendix C 

in the P2 document (The Forest Inventory and Analysis Database: 

Database Description and Users Manual Version 4.0 for P2, available 

at: http://www.fia.fs.fed.us/library/database-documentation/)

5. COUNTYCD County code. The identification number for a county, parish, 

watershed, borough, or similar governmental unit in a state. FIPS 

codes from the Bureau of the Census, 1990, are used. Refer to 

Appendix C in the P2 document for codes (The Forest Inventory and 

Analysis Database: Database Description and Users Manual Version 

4.0 for P2, available at: http://www.fia.fs.fed.us/library/databasedocumentation/)

6. PLOT P2 plot number. An identifier for a plot. Along with STATECD, 

INVYR, and COUNTYCD, PLOT may be used to uniquely identify 

a plot.

7. VEG_QA_STATUS

 Vegetation quality assurance status. A code indicating the type of 

vegetation measurement conducted. Production plots have VEG_

QA_STATUS = 1 or 7.

Code Vegetation quality assurance status

1 Standard field production plot

2 Cold check 

3 Reference plot (off grid) 

4 Training/practice plot (off grid)

5 Botched plot file (disregard during data processing)

6 Blind check

7 Production plot (hot check)
95

8. VEG_KINDCD Vegetation sample kind code. A code indicating the kind of vegetation 

plot that was measured.

Code Vegetation sample kind

1 Initial P3 VEG plot establishment

2 Remeasurement of previously established P3 VEG plot

3 Replacement P3 VEG plot

9. VEG_MANUAL Vegetation manual (field guide). Field guide version used to collect 

the P3 Vegetation Diversity and Structure data. Typically, this will be 

the same as the P2 field guide version, after version 2.0.1.

 NOTE: Version 1.7 of the field guide was used in 2001-2003. 

Version 2.0, first used in 2004, introduced a new protocol with 

significant changes in the vegetation sample basis. Version 2.0.1 and 

later versions modify the 2.0 protocol to allow recording of a separate 

value for plant covers with less than one percent as less than one 

percent (trace). The primary differences between the 1.7 and 2.0 and 

later protocols are noted under VEG_SAMPLE_BASIS, TRACE_

COVER_ALLOWED and “*_PRE2004” columns.

10. TRACE_COVER_ALLOWED

 Trace cover allowed. A code indicating whether plant cover values of 

less than one percent were recorded as 1 or 0.01 percent (collected as 

“t” in the field). The ability to enter trace as 0.01 percent was added 

starting with VEG_MANUAL = 2.0.1.

Code Trace cover allowed

0 Trace cover value (0.01 percent, recorded as “t” in the field) not 

allowed; trace cover entered as full one percent (VEG_MANUAL 

= 2.0 and earlier)

1 Trace cover value (0.01 percent, recorded as “t” in the field) 

allowed for species canopy cover records (VEG_MANUAL = 

2.0.1 and later)

11. VEG_MEASYEAR

 Vegetation measurement year. Year in which the plot was measured 

for P3 Vegetation Diversity and Structure data.

12. VEG_MEASMON

 Vegetation measurement month. Month in which the plot was 

measured for P3 Vegetation Diversity and Structure data.

13. VEG_MEASDAY

 Vegetation measurement day. Day on which the plot was measured 

for P3 Vegetation Diversity and Structure data.
96

14. VEG_SAMPLE_BASIS

 Vegetation sample basis. A code indicating whether P3 Vegetation 

and Diversity Structure data were collected on both forested and 

nonforested portions of a subplot with at least 50 percent accessible 

forest, or on accessible forest conditions only. This code affects how 

data are compiled to determine (a) the total canopy cover by layer 

or (b) the cover of a species as a percent of the accessible forested 

portion of a subplot for those subplots with VEG_SUBPLOT.SUBP_

ACCESSIBLE_FOREST_PCT < 100.

 The effects of VEG_SAMPLE_BASIS when adjusting ocular measures 

of canopy cover on partially forested subplots:

 When VEG_SAMPLE_BASIS = 1, and SUBP_ACCESSIBLE_

FOREST_PCT is less than 100, we make the assumption that cover 

is spread evenly over the entire subplot in order to calculate the total 

canopy cover in accessible forest. To calculate the total canopy cover 

(in any layer) in accessible forest conditions, multiply total canopy 

cover recorded by the proportion of subplot in forested condition 

(SUBP_ACCESSIBLE_FOREST_PCT/100%).

 When VEG_SAMPLE_BASIS = 2, and SUBP_ACCESSIBLE_

FOREST_PCT is less than 100, calculate total cover on the accessible 

forested conditions by dividing the recorded total canopy cover (in 

any layer) by the proportion of subplot in accessible forested condition 

(SUBP_ACCESSIBLE_FOREST_PCT/100%).

 Example:

 A subplot is 70 percent in accessible forested condition. The 

proportion of subplot area in forest condition is 0.70. Species A is 

present on the subplot with a total cover of 10 percent, with half 

its cover on the nonforested portion of the subplot. If this subplot 

was measured under VEG_SAMPLE_BASIS = 1, cover for species 

A would have been recorded as 10 percent. Under VEG_SAMPLE_

BASIS = 2, species A would be recorded as 5 percent. To determine 

the percent cover of species A in the forested area of the plot:

 VEG_SAMPLE_BASIS = 1: 

 Cover species A in forested area = 10% × 0.7 = 7%

 VEG_SAMPLE_BASIS = 2

 Cover species A in forested area = 5% ÷ 0.7 = 7%
97

Code Vegetation sample basis

1 Data collected across entire subplot where percent accessible 

forest conditions is greater than or equal to 50 percent (VEG_

MANUAL = 1.7). May include nonforest, hazardous, or access 

denied conditions.

2 Data collected on accessible forest conditions only (VEG_

MANUAL = 2.0 and higher)

15. CREATED_BY Created by. The employee who created the record. This attribute is 

intentionally left blank in download files. It will be dropped in version 

5.0.

16. CREATED_DATE

 Created date. The date on which the record was created. Date will be 

in the form DD-MON-YYYY.

17. CREATED_IN_INSTANCE

 Created in instance. The database instance in which the record was 

created. Each computer system has a unique database instance code, 

and this attribute stores that information to determine on which 

computer the record was created.

18. MODIFIED_BY Modified by. The employee who modified the record. This field 

will be null if the data have not been modified since initial creation. 

This attribute is intentionally left blank in download files. It will be 

dropped in version 5.0.

19. MODIFIED_DATE

 Modified date. The date on which the record was last modified. 

This field will be null if the data have not been modified since initial 

creation. Date will be in the form DD-MON-YYYY.

20. MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE

 Modified in instance. The database instance in which the record was 

modified. This field will be null if the data have not been modified 

since initial creation.
98

Vegetation Plot Species Table 

(Oracle table name is VEG_PLOT_SPECIES)

Column Name Descriptive Name Oracle data type

1 CN Sequence number VARCHAR2(34)

2 PLT_CN Plot sequence number VARCHAR2(34)

3 VVT_CN Vegetation visit sequence number VARCHAR2(34)

4 INVYR Inventory year NUMBER(4)

5 STATECD State code NUMBER(4)

6 COUNTYCD County code VARCHAR2(3)

7 PLOT Phase 2 plot number NUMBER(5)

8 VEG_FLDSPCD Vegetation field species code VARCHAR2(16)

9 UNIQUE_SP_NBR Unique species number NUMBER(2)

10 VEG_SPCD Vegetation species code VARCHAR2(16)

11 SPECIMEN_COLLECTED Specimen officially collected CHAR(1)

12 SPECIMEN_LABEL_NBR Specimen label number NUMBER

13 SPECIMEN_NOT_COLLECTED_REASON Specimen not collected reason NUMBER(2)

14 SPECIMEN_RESOLVED Specimen resolved CHAR(1)

15 CREATED_BY Created by VARCHAR2(30)

16 CREATED_DATE Created date DATE

17 CREATED_IN_INSTANCE Created in instance VARCHAR2(6)

18 MODIFIED_BY Modified by VARCHAR2(30)

19 MODIFIED_DATE Modified date DATE

20 MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE Modified in instance VARCHAR2(6)

Type of Key Column(s) order Tables to link Abbreviated 

notation

Primary (CN) N/A VPS_PK

Unique (PLT_CN, VVT_CN, 

VEG_FLDSPCD, 

UNIQUE_SP_NBR)

N/A VPS_UK

(PLT_CN, VVT_CN, CN) N/A VPS_UK2

Natural (STATECD, INVYR, 

COUNTYCD, PLOT, 

VEG_FLDSPCD, 

UNIQUE_SP_NBR) N/A VPS_NAT_I

Foreign (PLT_CN, VVT_CN) VEG_PLOT_SPECIES to VEG_VISIT VPS_VVT_FK

1. CN Sequence number. A unique sequence number used to identify a 

vegetation plot species record. Other tables will reference this as VPS_

CN.

2. PLT_CN Plot sequence number. Foreign key linking the vegetation plot species 

record to the P2 plot record (via PLOT.CN).

3. VVT_CN Vegetation visit sequence number. Foreign key linking the vegetation 

plot species record to the vegetation visit record (via VEG_VISIT.CN).
99

4. INVYR Inventory year. The year that best represents when the inventory data 

were collected. Under the annual inventory system, a group of plots 

is selected each year for sampling. The selection is based on a panel 

system. INVYR is the year in which the majority of plots in that 

group were collected (plots in the group have the same panel and, if 

applicable, subpanel). Under periodic inventory, a reporting inventory 

year was selected, usually based on the year in which the majority of 

the plots were collected or the mid-point of the years over which the 

inventory spanned. For either annual or periodic inventory, INVYR is 

not necessarily the same as MEASYEAR.

 Exceptions:

 INVYR = 9999. INVYR is set to 9999 to distinguish those 

Western P3 plots that are “off subpanel” because of differences in 

measurement intervals between P3 (measurement interval=5 years) 

and P2 (measurement interval=10 years) plots. Only users interested 

in performing certain P3 data analyses should access plots with this 

anomalous value in INVYR.

5. STATECD State code. Bureau of the Census Federal Information Processing 

Standards (FIPS) two-digit code for each state. Refer to Appendix C 

in the P2 document (The Forest Inventory and Analysis Database: 

Database Description and Users Manual Version 4.0 for P2, available 

at: http://www.fia.fs.fed.us/library/database-documentation/)

6. COUNTYCD County code. The identification number for a county, parish, 

watershed, borough, or similar governmental unit in a state. FIPS 

codes from the Bureau of the Census, 1990, are used. Refer to 

Appendix C in the P2 document for codes (The Forest Inventory and 

Analysis Database: Database Description and Users Manual Version 

4.0 for P2, available at: http://www.fia.fs.fed.us/library/databasedocumentation/)

7. PLOT P2 plot number. An identifier for a plot. Along with STATECD, 

INVYR, and COUNTYCD, PLOT may be used to uniquely identify 

a plot.

8. VEG_FLDSPCD Vegetation field species code. Field recorded vegetation species 

code for each vascular plant species found rooted in or overhanging 

a subplot. Combined with UNIQUE_SP_NBR to identify what 

was believed in the field to be a unique species on the plot. For 

VEG_VISIT.VEG_MANUAL = 2.0.1 and higher, codes must be 

the standardized codes in the Natural Resource Conservation Service 

(NRCS) PLANTS database January 2000 version to represent species, 
100

genus, or unknown plants. Identification to species only is expected. 

However, if subspecies information is known, the appropriate NRCS 

code may be entered. This attribute is assigned in the field and never 

changes. Updates to unknown species codes are recorded in VEG_

SPCD.

 For VEG_VISIT.VEG_MANUAL = 1.7, the VEG_FLDSPCD may 

not be a valid NRCS code for unknown plant species, as these were 

typically recorded as UN; however, these codes are resolved to valid 

NRCS codes in VEG_SPCD.

9. UNIQUE_SP_NBR

 Unique species number. This code combined with VEG_FLDSPCD 

identifies what was believed to be a unique species on the plot. It 

identifies the number of species recorded for each NRCS genus or 

unknown code. For example, two unidentifiable Carex spp. would be 

entered as two separate records with VEG_FLDSPCD = ‘CAREX’ 

and differing UNIQUE_SP_NBRs to show that they are not the same 

species. If the VEG_FLDSPCD entered already identifies a specific 

species (e.g., PIST for Pinus strobus), then UNIQUE_SP_NBR = 1.

10. VEG_SPCD Vegetation species code. Final edited species code, including any 

resolution of collected unknown plant specimens (e.g., herbariumresolved species) and conforming to the NRCS PLANTS database as 

downloaded in January 2000.

11. SPECIMEN_COLLECTED

 Specimen collected. A code indicating whether or not a specimen was 

collected.

Code Specimen collected

0 No, a specimen was not collected

1 Yes, a specimen was collected

12. SPECIMEN_LABEL_NBR

 Specimen label number. For any unknown specimen collected, this is 

the corresponding specimen label number.

13. SPECIMEN_NOT_COLLECTED_REASON

 Specimen not collected reason. A code indicating the reason a 

specimen was not collected when VEG_FLDSPCD is an NRCS genus 

or unknown code and a specimen was not collected.
101

Code Reason specimen not collected

01 Species is locally sparse

02 Species has < 1 percent canopy cover on the subplot and no 

mature foliage or reproductive parts are present

03 Hazardous situation

04 Time limitation

05 Already collected with previous entry of genus or unknown code 

with the same unique species number

06 Specimen collected for immediate/local identification

10 Other (explain in notes)

14. SPECIMEN_RESOLVED

 Specimen resolved. A derived code indicating the status of unknown 

or genus specimen that was collected for identification. That is, if 

VEG_FLDSPCD is an unknown or genus code, and SPECIMEN_

COLLECTED = 1, SPECIMEN_RESOLVED must be recorded. If 

the specimen was identified in the field to the species level and still 

collected (e.g., for local plant library or training purposes), then VEG_

FLDSPCD will identify the plant to the species level and this variable 

will be left blank (null); no resolution is required.

Code Specimen resolved

0 No, specimen not resolved. The unknown specimen (i.e., 

VEG_FLDSPCD contains an unknown or genus code) has 

not yet been identified and updated in VEG_SPCD.

1 Yes, specimen resolved. The unknown specimen has been 

identified and VEG_SPCD has been updated.

Blank (null) Specimen resolution not required.

15. CREATED_BY Created by. The employee who created the record. This attribute is 

intentionally left blank in download files. It will be dropped in version 

5.0.

16. CREATED_DATE

 Created date. The date on which the record was created. Date will be 

in the form DD-MON-YYYY.

17. CREATED_IN_INSTANCE

 Created in instance. The database instance in which the record was 

created. Each computer system has a unique database instance code, 

and this attribute stores that information to determine on which 

computer the record was created.
102

18. MODIFIED_BY Modified by. The employee who modified the record. This field 

will be null if the data have not been modified since initial creation. 

This attribute is intentionally left blank in download files. It will be 

dropped in version 5.0.

19. MODIFIED_DATE

 Modified date. The date on which the record was last modified. 

This field will be null if the data have not been modified since initial 

creation. Date will be in the form DD-MON-YYYY.

20. MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE

 Modified in instance. The database instance in which the record was 

modified. This field will be null if the data have not been modified 

since initial creation.
103

Vegetation Subplot Table (Oracle table name is VEG_SUBPLOT)

Column Name Descriptive Name Oracle data type

1 CN Sequence number VARCHAR2(34)

2 PLT_CN Plot sequence number VARCHAR2(34)

3 VVT_CN Vegetation visit sequence 

number

VARCHAR2(34)

4 INVYR Inventory year NUMBER(4)

5 STATECD State code NUMBER(4)

6 COUNTYCD County code NUMBER(3)

7 PLOT Phase 2 plot number NUMBER(5)

8 SUBP Subplot number NUMBER(1)

9 VEG_SUBP_STATUS_CD Vegetation subplot status code NUMBER(1)

10 VEG_SUBP_NONSAMPLE_REASN_CD Vegetation subplot nonsampled 

reason code

NUMBER(2)

11 SUBP_ACCESSIBLE_FOREST_PCT Subplot accessible forest 

percent

NUMBER(3)

12 DETAILED_NONFOREST_LAND_USE Detailed nonforest land use NUMBER(2)

13 COMMUNITY_DESC_SPECIMEN_LABEL Community description for 

specimen label

VARCHAR2(200)

14 TOTAL_CANOPY_COVER_LAYER_1 Total canopy cover layer 1 NUMBER(3)

15 TOTAL_CANOPY_COVER_LAYER_2 Total canopy cover layer 2 NUMBER(3)

16 TOTAL_CANOPY_COVER_LAYER_3 Total canopy cover layer 3 NUMBER(3)

17 TOTAL_CANOPY_COVER_LAYER_4 Total canopy cover layer 4 NUMBER(3)

18 CRYPTO_CRUST_COVER_PCT Cryptobiotic crust cover percent NUMBER(3)

19 LICHEN_COVER_PCT Lichen cover percent NUMBER(3)

20 LITTER_DUFF_COVER_PCT Litter and duff cover percent NUMBER(3)

21 MINERAL_SOIL_COVER_PCT Mineral soil cover percent NUMBER(3)

22 MOSS_COVER_PCT Moss cover percent NUMBER(3)

23 ROAD_TRAIL_COVER_PCT Road and trail cover percent NUMBER(3)

24 ROCK_COVER_PCT Rock cover percent NUMBER(3)

25 STANDING_WATER_COVER_PCT Standing water cover percent NUMBER(3)

26 STREAM_LAKE_COVER_PCT Stream and lake cover percent NUMBER(3)

27 TRASH_JUNK_COVER_PCT Trash and junk cover percent NUMBER(3)

28 WOOD_COVER_PCT Wood cover percent NUMBER(3)

29 VEG_SUBP_STATUS_CD_PRE2004 Vegetation subplot status code, 

pre2004

NUMBER(1)

30 VEG_SUBP_NONSMP_RSN_CD_

PRE2004

Vegetation subplot nonsampled 

reason code, pre2004

NUMBER(2)

31 CREATED_BY Created by VARCHAR2(30)

32 CREATED_DATE Created date DATE

33 CREATED_IN_INSTANCE Created in instance VARCHAR2(6)

34 MODIFIED_BY Modified by VARCHAR2(30)

35 MODIFIED_DATE Modified date DATE

36 MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE Modified in instance VARCHAR2(6)
104

Type of Key Column(s) order Tables to link Abbreviated 

notation

Primary (CN) N/A VSB_PK

Unique (PLT_CN, VVT_CN, 

SUBP)

N/A VSB_UK

(PLT_CN, VVT_CN, CN) N/A VSB_UK2

Natural (STATECD, INVYR. 

COUNTYCD, PLOT, 

SUBP)

N/A VSB_NAT_I

1. CN Sequence number. A unique sequence number used to identify a 

vegetation subplot record. Other tables reference this as VSB_CN.

2. PLT_CN Plot sequence number. Foreign key linking the vegetation subplot 

record to the P2 plot record (via PLOT.CN).

3. VVT_CN Vegetation visit sequence number. Foreign key linking the vegetation 

subplot record to the vegetation visit record (via VEG_VISIT.CN).

4. INVYR Inventory year. The year that best represents when the inventory data 

were collected. Under the annual inventory system, a group of plots 

is selected each year for sampling. The selection is based on a panel 

system. INVYR is the year in which the majority of plots in that 

group were collected (plots in the group have the same panel and, if 

applicable, subpanel). Under periodic inventory, a reporting inventory 

year was selected, usually based on the year in which the majority of 

the plots were collected or the mid-point of the years over which the 

inventory spanned. For either annual or periodic inventory, INVYR is 

not necessarily the same as MEASYEAR.

 Exceptions:

 INVYR = 9999. INVYR is set to 9999 to distinguish those 

Western P3 plots that are “off subpanel” because of differences in 

measurement intervals between P3 (measurement interval=5 years) 

and P2 (measurement interval=10 years) plots. Only users interested 

in performing certain P3 data analyses should access plots with this 

anomalous value in INVYR.

5. STATECD State code. Bureau of the Census Federal Information Processing 

Standards (FIPS) two-digit code for each state. Refer to Appendix C 

in the P2 document (The Forest Inventory and Analysis Database: 

Database Description and Users Manual Version 4.0 for P2, available 

at: http://www.fia.fs.fed.us/library/database-documentation/)
105

6. COUNTYCD County code. The identification number for a county, parish, 

watershed, borough, or similar governmental unit in a state. FIPS 

codes from the Bureau of the Census, 1990, are used. Refer to 

Appendix C in the P2 document for codes (The Forest Inventory and 

Analysis Database: Database Description and Users Manual Version 

4.0 for P2, available at: http://www.fia.fs.fed.us/library/databasedocumentation/)

7. PLOT P2 plot number. An identifier for a plot. Along with STATECD, 

INVYR, and COUNTYCD, PLOT may be used to uniquely identify 

a plot.

8. SUBP Subplot number. A code indicating the number of the subplot.

Code Subplot number

1 Center subplot

2 North subplot

3 Southeast subplot

4 Southwest subplot

9. VEG_SUBP_STATUS_CD

 Vegetation subplot status code. A code indicating the vegetation 

subplot status as recorded when VEG_VISIT.VEG_MANUAL = 2.0 

and higher. This value is derived when VEG_VISIT.VEG_ MANUAL 

= 1.7 from P2 condition data, plot notes, and availability of various 

field-recorded records (e.g., subplot species and subplot totals).

Code Vegetation subplot status

1 Sampled – at least one accessible forest land condition 

present

2 Sampled – no accessible forest land condition present on 

subplot

3 Nonsampled

10. VEG_SUBP_NONSAMPLE_REASN_CD

 Vegetation subplot nonsampled reason code. A code indicating why 

a subplot cannot be sampled when VEG_SUBP_STATUS_CD = 3. 

Codes 1-4 can be assigned to entire plots or portions of plots that are 

not sampled. Code 5 is assigned only when the entire plot is affected. 

If VEG_SUBP_STATUS_CD = 1 or 2, this variable is not recorded. 

This value is derived for data collected with VEG_VISIT.VEG_

MANUAL = 1.7.
106

Code Vegetation subplot nonsampled reason

1 Outside U.S. boundary

2 Denied access area

3 Hazardous situation

4 Time limitation

5 Lost data (office use only)

10 Other

11. SUBP_ACCESSIBLE_FOREST_PCT

 Subplot accessible forest percent. The percent of the subplot area in an 

accessible forested condition as estimated by the vegetation specialist 

when VEG_VISIT.VEG_MANUAL = 2.0 and higher. This value 

is derived from P2 subplot and condition data when VEG_VISIT.

VEG_MANUAL = 1.7.

12. DETAILED_NONFOREST_LAND_USE

 Detailed nonforest land use. A code indicating the NONFOREST 

land use of the portion of the subplot that is not forest. If more than 

one nonforest land use is present, the code that best describes the land 

use occurring closest to subplot center is recorded.

Code Detailed nonforest land use

10 Agriculture

11 Cropland

12 Pasture

13 Idle farmland

14 Orchard

15 Christmas tree plantation

20 Rangeland

30 Developed

31 Cultural (business, residential, urban buildup)

32 Rights-of-way (improved roads, railway, power lines, 

canals)

33 Recreation (parks, ski areas, golf courses, etc)

40 Other (beach, desert, noncensus water, marsh, bog)

13. COMMUNITY_DESC_SPECIMEN_LABEL

 Community description specimen label. To fully automate Specimen 

Label, a brief description is recorded of the community type to aid 

the taxonomist in the identification of any specimens collected from 

this subplot. Community descriptions often describe the dominant 

overstory species (i.e., open mixed conifer, closed paper birch, pinyon 

juniper woodland).
107

14. TOTAL_CANOPY_COVER_LAYER_1

 Total canopy cover layer 1. Estimated total canopy cover of the 

foliage of all vascular plants in Layer 1 within the accessible forested 

conditions on the subplot. A rapid canopy cover estimate is made, 

ignoring overlap among species. When VEG_VISIT.VEG_SAMPLE_

BASIS = 2, the assessment is made only within the accessible forested 

conditions on the subplot. When VEG_VISIT.VEG_SAMPLE_

BASIS = 1 and SUBP_ACCESSIBLE_FOREST_PCT is at least 50 

percent, the assessment is made over the entire subplot, including all 

conditions. See VEG_VISIT.VEG_SAMPLE_BASIS for details.

15. TOTAL_CANOPY_COVER_LAYER_2

 Total canopy cover layer 2. Estimated total canopy cover of the 

foliage of all vascular plants in Layer 2. A rapid canopy cover estimate 

is made, ignoring overlap among species. When VEG_VISIT.

VEG_SAMPLE_BASIS = 2, the assessment is made only within the 

accessible forested conditions on the subplot. When VEG_VISIT.

VEG_SAMPLE_BASIS = 1 and SUBP_ACCESSIBLE_FOREST_

PCT is at least 50 percent, the assessment is made over the entire 

subplot, including all conditions. See VEG_VISIT.VEG_SAMPLE_

BASIS for details.

16. TOTAL_CANOPY_COVER_LAYER_3

 Total canopy cover layer 3. Estimated total canopy cover of the 

foliage of all vascular plants in Layer 3. A rapid canopy cover estimate 

is made, ignoring overlap among species. When VEG_VISIT.

VEG_SAMPLE_BASIS = 2, the assessment was made only within 

the accessible forested conditions on the subplot. When VEG_VISIT.

VEG_SAMPLE_BASIS = 1 and SUBP_ACCESSIBLE_FOREST_

PCT is at least 50 percent, the assessment is made over the entire 

subplot, including all conditions. See VEG_VISIT.VEG_SAMPLE_

BASIS for details.

17. TOTAL_CANOPY_COVER_LAYER_4

 Total canopy cover layer 4. Estimate the total canopy cover of the 

foliage of all vascular plants in Layer 4. A rapid canopy cover estimate 

is made, ignoring overlap among species. When VEG_VISIT.

VEG_SAMPLE_BASIS = 2, the assessment was made only within 

the accessible forested conditions on the subplot. When VEG_VISIT.

VEG_SAMPLE_BASIS = 1 and SUBP_ACCESSIBLE_FOREST_

PCT is at least 50 percent, the assessment is made over the entire 
108

subplot, including all conditions. See VEG_VISIT.VEG_SAMPLE_

BASIS for details.

18. CRYPTO_CRUST_COVER_PCT

 Cryptobiotic crust cover percent. The percent cryptobiotic crust cover 

on portions of the subplot designated as accessible forest condition. 

Cryptobiotic crust is a layer of symbiotic lichens and algae on the 

soil surface (common in arid regions). This variable was not collected 

under VEG_VISIT.VEG_MANUAL = 1.7.

19. LICHEN_COVER_PCT

 Lichen cover percent. The percent lichen cover on portions of the 

subplot floor designated as accessible forest condition. This variable 

was not collected under VEG_VISIT.VEG_MANUAL = 1.7.

20. LITTER_DUFF_COVER_PCT

 Litter and duff percent cover. The percent litter and duff cover on 

portions of the subplot floor designated as accessible forest condition. 

This is a continuous layer of accumulated organic matter over forest 

mineral soil (e.g., scattered leaves over mineral soil is coded mineral 

soil). This variable was not collected under VEG_VISIT.VEG_

MANUAL = 1.7.

21. MINERAL_SOIL_COVER_PCT

 Mineral soil cover percent. The percent mineral soil cover on portions 

of the subplot floor designated as accessible forest condition. This is 

physically weathered soil parent material that may or may not also 

be chemically and biologically altered. This variable was not collected 

under VEG_VISIT.VEG_MANUAL = 1.7.

22. MOSS_COVER_PCT

 Moss cover percent. The percent moss cover, including liverworts, on 

portions of the subplot floor designated as accessible forest condition. 

This variable was not collected under VEG_VISIT.VEG_MANUAL = 

1.7.

23. ROAD_TRAIL_COVER_PCT

 Road and trail cover percent. The percent road/trail cover on the 

portions of the subplot floor designated as accessible forest condition, 

including any areas compacted and unvegetated from regular use by 

foot travel or small motorized vehicles. This variable was not collected 

under VEG_VISIT.VEG_MANUAL = 1.7.
109

24. ROCK_COVER_PCT

 Rock cover percent. The percent rock cover on portions of the subplot 

floor designated as accessible forest condition, including any rocks, 

boulders, or accumulations of gravel (> 1/4 inch diameter) or pebbles. 

This variable was not collected under VEG_VISIT.VEG_MANUAL = 

1.7.

25. STANDING_WATER_COVER_PCT

 Standing water cover percent. The percent standing water/flooded 

cover on portions of the subplot designated as accessible forest 

condition, including any ponding or flowing water that is not 

contained within banks. This variable was not collected under VEG_

VISIT.VEG_MANUAL = 1.7.

26. STREAM_LAKE_COVER_PCT

 Stream and lake cover percent. The percent stream/lake cover on 

portions of the subplot designated as accessible forest condition, 

including any body of water contained within banks that is within a 

forested condition. This variable was not collected under VEG_VISIT.

VEG_MANUAL = 1.7.

27. TRASH_JUNK_COVER_PCT

 Trash and junk cover percent. The percent trash/junk/other cover on 

portions of the subplot floor designated as accessible forest condition. 

This variable was not collected under VEG_VISIT.VEG_MANUAL = 

1.7.

28. WOOD_COVER_PCT

 Wood cover percent. The percent wood cover on portions of the 

subplot floor designated as accessible forest condition, including 

stumps, live trunks, roots, and wood pieces that average greater than 

3 inches in diameter and are in contact with the ground. This variable 

was not collected under VEG_VISIT.VEG_MANUAL = 1.7.

29. VEG_SUBP_STATUS_CD_PRE2004

 Vegetation subplot status code, pre2004. A code indicating the 

Vegetation Subplot Status Code consistent with VEG_VISIT.

VEG_MANUAL = 1.7 The version 1.7 sample design required a 

subplot to be at least 50 percent forested in order to be sampled. If 

at least 50 percent of subplot area was accessible forest, the entire 

subplot was sampled, including all conditions. This variable is derived. 

For plots with VEG_VISIT.VEG_MANUAL = 1.7, this value is 
110

derived from P2 condition data, plot notes, and availability of various 

field-recorded records (e.g., subplot species and subplot totals.) For 

plots with VEG_VISIT.VEG_MANUAL = 2.0 and later, this value 

is derived in part from the field-collected SUBP_ACCESSIBLE_

FOREST_PCT.

Code Vegetation subplot status code, pre2004

1 Sampled – subplot accessible forest condition is greater 

than or equal to 50 percent of subplot

2 Sampled – subplot accessible forest condition is less than 

50 percent of subplot

3 Nonsampled 

30. VEG_SUBP_NONSMP_RSN_CD_PRE2004

 Vegetation subplot nonsampled reason code, pre2004. A code 

indicating the Vegetation Subplot Nonsampled Reason Code 

consistent with VEG_VISIT.VEG_MANUAL = 1.7 to describe 

reason for VEG_SUBP_NONSAMPLE_REASN_CD, P2 condition 

data, plot notes, and availability of various field-recorded records 

(e.g., subplot species and subplot totals.)

Code Vegetation subplot nonsampled reason, pre2004

1 Outside U.S. boundary

2 Denied access area

3 Hazardous situation

4 Time limitation

5 Lost data (office use only)

10 Other

31. CREATED_BY Created by. The employee who created the record. This attribute 

is intentionally left blank in download files. It will be dropped in 

version 5.0.

32. CREATED_DATE

 Created date. The date on which the record was created. Date will be 

in the form DD-MON-YYYY.

33. CREATED_IN_INSTANCE

 Created in instance. The database instance in which the record was 

created. Each computer system has a unique database instance code, 

and this attribute stores that information to determine on which 

computer the record was created.
111

34. MODIFIED_BY Modified by. The employee who modified the record. This field 

will be null if the data have not been modified since initial creation. 

This attribute is intentionally left blank in download files. It will be 

dropped in version 5.0.

35. MODIFIED_DATE

 Modified date. The date on which the record was last modified. 

This field will be null if the data have not been modified since initial 

creation. Date will be in the form DD-MON-YYYY.

36. MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE

 Modified in instance. The database instance in which the record was 

modified. This field will be null if the data have not been modified 

since initial creation.
112

Vegetation Quadrat Table (Oracle table name is VEG_QUADRAT)

Column Name Descriptive Name Oracle data type

1 CN Sequence number VARCHAR2(34)

2 PLT_CN Plot sequence number VARCHAR2(34)

3 VVT_CN Vegetation visit sequence number VARCHAR2(34)

4 VSB_CN Vegetation subplot sequence number VARCHAR2(34)

5 INVYR Inventory year NUMBER(4)

6 STATECD State code NUMBER(4)

7 COUNTYCD County code NUMBER(3)

8 PLOT Phase 2 plot number NUMBER(5)

9 SUBP Subplot number NUMBER(1)

10 QUADRAT Quadrat number NUMBER(1)

11 CONDID Forest condition class NUMBER(1)

12 QUADRAT_STATUS Quadrat status NUMBER(1)

13 QUADRAT_STATUS_PRE2004 Quadrat status of quadrats sampled 

before 2004

NUMBER(1)

14 TRAMPLING Trampling NUMBER(1)

15 CREATED_BY Created by VARCHAR2(30)

16 CREATED_DATE Created date DATE

17 CREATED_IN_INSTANCE Created in instance VARCHAR2(6)

18 MODIFIED_BY Modified by VARCHAR2(30)

19 MODIFIED_DATE Modified date DATE

20 MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE Modified in instance VARCHAR2(6)

Type of Key Column(s) order Tables to link Abbreviated 

notation

Primary (CN) N/A VQT_PK

Unique (PLT_CN, VVT_CN, 

VSB_CN, QUADRAT)

N/A VQT_UK

(PLT_CN, VVT_CN, 

VSB_CN, CN)

N/A VQT_UK2

Natural (STATECD, INVYR, 

COUNTYCD, PLOT, 

SUBP, QUADRAT)

N/A VQT_NAT_I

Foreign (PLT_CN, VVT_CN, 

VSB_CN)

VEG_QUADRAT to VEG_SUBPLOT VQT_VSB_FK

1. CN Sequence number. A unique sequence number used to identify a 

vegetation quadrat record. Other tables reference this as VQT_CN.

2. PLT_CN Plot sequence number. Foreign key linking the vegetation quadrat 

record to the P2 plot record (via PLOT.CN).

3. VVT_CN Vegetation visit sequence number. Foreign key linking the vegetation 

quadrat record to the vegetation visit record (via VEG_VISIT.CN).
113

4. VSB_CN Vegetation subplot sequence number. Foreign key linking the 

vegetation quadrat record to the vegetation subplot record (via VEG_

SUBPLOT.CN).

5. INVYR Inventory year. The year that best represents when the inventory data 

were collected. Under the annual inventory system, a group of plots 

is selected each year for sampling. The selection is based on a panel 

system. INVYR is the year in which the majority of plots in that 

group were collected (plots in the group have the same panel and, if 

applicable, subpanel). Under periodic inventory, a reporting inventory 

year was selected, usually based on the year in which the majority of 

the plots were collected or the mid-point of the years over which the 

inventory spanned. For either annual or periodic inventory, INVYR is 

not necessarily the same as MEASYEAR.

 Exceptions:

 INVYR = 9999. INVYR is set to 9999 to distinguish those 

Western P3 plots that are “off subpanel” because of differences in 

measurement intervals between P3 (measurement interval=5 years) 

and P2 (measurement interval=10 years) plots. Only users interested 

in performing certain P3 data analyses should access plots with this 

anomalous value in INVYR.

6. STATECD State code. Bureau of the Census Federal Information Processing 

Standards (FIPS) two-digit code for each state. Refer to Appendix C 

in the P2 document (The Forest Inventory and Analysis Database: 

Database Description and Users Manual Version 4.0 for P2, available 

at: http://www.fia.fs.fed.us/library/database-documentation/)

7. COUNTYCD County code. The identification number for a county, parish, 

watershed, borough, or similar governmental unit in a state. FIPS 

codes from the Bureau of the Census, 1990, are used. Refer to 

Appendix C in the P2 document for codes (The Forest Inventory and 

Analysis Database: Database Description and Users Manual Version 

4.0 for P2, available at: http://www.fia.fs.fed.us/library/databasedocumentation/)

8. PLOT P2 plot number. An identifier for a plot. Along with STATECD, 

INVYR, and COUNTYCD, PLOT may be used to uniquely identify 

a plot.

9. SUBP Subplot number. A code indicating the number of the subplot where 

the quadrat was sampled.
114

Code Subplot number

1 Center subplot

2 North subplot

3 Southeast subplot

4 Southwest subplot

10. QUADRAT Quadrat. A code indicating the number of the quadrat as determined 

by the transect originating from subplot center.

Code Quadrat

1 Quadrat on 30 degree subplot transect

2 Quadrat on 150 degree subplot transect

3 Quadrat on 270 degree subplot transect

11. CONDID Condition class number. A code representing the condition with 

the greatest area in the quadrat. It is one of the unique identifying 

numbers assigned to each condition on a plot. A condition is initially 

defined by condition class status. Differences in reserved status, 

owner group, forest type, stand-size class, regeneration status, and 

stand density further define condition for forest land. Mapped 

nonforest conditions are also assigned numbers. At the time of plot 

establishment, the condition class at plot center (the center of subplot 

1) is usually designated as condition class 1. Other condition classes 

are assigned numbers sequentially at the time each condition class 

is delineated. On a plot, each sampled condition class must have a 

unique number that can change at remeasurement to reflect new 

conditions on the plot.

12. QUADRAT_STATUS

 Quadrat status. A code indicating how the quadrat was sampled 

consistent with VEG_VISIT.VEG_MANUAL = 2.0 and higher. If 

QUADRAT_STATUS is 1 or 3, the quadrat is sampled and data are 

collected even if no vascular plants are present. If the value entered is 

2, 4, or 5, the quadrat is not sampled. This value is derived for VEG_

VISIT.VEG_MANUAL = 1.7 plots.

Code Quadrat status

1 Quadrat sampled (most of the quadrat is in an accessible forest 

condition)

2 Quadrat not sampled because most or all of it does not fall in an 

accessible forested condition class

3 Quadrat sampled, no vascular plants rooted in or overhanging 

within 6 feet of the ground surface

4 Quadrat not sampled, hazard present on quadrat

5 Quadrat not sampled, other reason – enter in plot notes 
115

13. QUADRAT_STATUS_PRE2004

 Quadrat status of quadrats sampled pre2004. This code for quadrat 

status was collected when VEG_VISIT.VEG_MANUAL = 1.7 where 

data were collected on both forested and nonforested portions of a 

subplot with at least 50 percent accessible forest. This variable is not 

available for VEG_VISIT.VEG_MANUAL = 2.0 and higher.

Code Quadrat status, pre2004

1 Quadrat sampled (at least 50 percent of the subplot is in an 

accessible forest condition; quadrat may be nonforest or other 

condition)

2 Quadrat not sampled because the sum of all forested condition 

classes make up <50 percent of the subplot area

3 Quadrat sampled, no vascular plants rooted in or overhanging 

within 6 feet of the ground surface

4 Quadrat not sampled, hazard present on quadrat

5 Quadrat not sampled, other reason – enter in plot notes 

14. TRAMPLING Trampling. A code indicating the amount of trampling present 

in each quadrat at the start of vegetation diversity measurements. 

Trampling is defined as damage to plants or disturbance of the ground 

layer by humans, livestock, or wildlife.

Code Trampling

1 Low: 0-10 percent of quadrat trampled: pristine to relatively 

undisturbed

2 Moderate: 10-50 percent of quadrat trampled: trampling by 

animals or field crew

3 Heavy: >50 percent of quadrat trampled: hiking trail or heavily 

grazed

15. CREATED_BY Created by. The employee who created the record. This attribute is 

intentionally left blank in download files. It will be dropped in version 

5.0.

16. CREATED_DATE

 Created date. The date on which the record was created. Date will be 

in the form DD-MON-YYYY.

17. CREATED_IN_INSTANCE

 Created in instance. The database instance in which the record was 

created. Each computer system has a unique database instance code, 

and this attribute stores that information to determine on which 

computer the record was created.
116

18. MODIFIED_BY Modified by. The employee who modified the record. This field 

will be null if the data have not been modified since initial creation. 

This attribute is intentionally left blank in download files. It will be 

dropped in version 5.0.

19. MODIFIED_DATE

 Modified date. The date on which the record was last modified. 

This field will be null if the data have not been modified since initial 

creation. Date will be in the form DD-MON-YYYY.

20. MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE

 Modified in instance. The database instance in which the record was 

modified. This field will be null if the data have not been modified 

since initial creation.
117

Vegetation Subplot Species Table 

(Oracle table name is VEG_SUBPLOT_SPP)

Column Name Descriptive Name Oracle data type

1 CN Sequence number VARCHAR2(34)

2 PLT_CN Plot sequence number VARCHAR2(34)

3 VVT_CN Vegetation visit sequence 

number

VARCHAR2(34)

4 VSB_CN Vegetation subplot sequence 

number

VARCHAR2(34)

5 VPS_CN Vegetation plot species 

sequence number

VARCHAR2(34)

6 INVYR Inventory year NUMBER(4)

7 STATECD State code NUMBER(4)

8 COUNTYCD County code NUMBER(3)

9 PLOT Phase 2 plot number NUMBER(5)

10 SUBP Subplot number NUMBER(1)

11 VEG_FLDSPCD Vegetation field species code VARCHAR2(16)

12 UNIQUE_SP_NBR Unique species code NUMBER(2)

13 VEG_SPCD Vegetation species code VARCHAR2(16)

14 SP_CANOPY_COVER_TOTAL Subplot species canopy cover 

total

NUMBER(5,2)

15 SP_CANOPY_COVER_LAYER_1_2 Subplot species canopy cover 

layers 1 and 2

NUMBER(5,2)

16 SP_CANOPY_COVER_LAYER_3 Subplot species canopy cover 

layer 3

NUMBER(5,2)

17 SP_CANOPY_COVER_LAYER_4 Subplot species canopy cover 

layer 4

NUMBER(5,2)

18 QUAD_1_PRESENCE Quadrat 1 presence NUMBER(1)

19 QUAD_2_PRESENCE Quadrat 2 presence NUMBER(1)

20 QUAD_3_PRESENCE Quadrat 3 presence NUMBER(1)

21 DUMMY_SUBP_COVER_PRE2004 Dummy subplot cover for data 

collected prior to 2004

NUMBER(1)

22 MAX_COVER_LAYER_NBR_PRE2004 Maximum cover layer number 

for data collected prior to 2004

NUMBER(1)

23 CREATED_BY Created by VARCHAR2(30)

24 CREATED_DATE Created date DATE

25 CREATED_IN_INSTANCE Created in instance VARCHAR2(6)

26 MODIFIED_BY Modified by VARCHAR2(30)

27 MODIFIED_DATE Modified date DATE

28 MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE Modified in instance VARCHAR2(6)
118

Type of Key Column(s) order Tables to link Abbreviated notation

Primary (CN) N/A VSS_PK

Unique (PLT_CN, VVT_CN, VPS_

CN, VSB_CN)

N/A VSS_UK

Natural (STATECD, INVYR, 

COUNTYCD, PLOT, SUBP, 

UNIQUE_SP_NBR, VEG_

SPCD)

N/A VSS_NAT_I

Foreign (PLT_CN, VVT_CN, VSB_

CN)

VEG_SUBPLOT_SPP to 

VEG_SUBPLOT

VSS_VSB_FK

(PLT_CN, VVT_CN, VPS_

CN)

VEG_SUBPLOT_SPP to 

VEG_PLOT_SPECIES

VSS_VPS_FK

1. CN Sequence number. A unique sequence number used to identify a 

vegetation subplot species record in this table.

2. PLT_CN Plot sequence number. Foreign key linking the vegetation subplot 

species record to the P2 plot record (via PLOT.CN).

3. VVT_CN Vegetation visit sequence number. Foreign key linking the vegetation 

subplot species record to the vegetation visit record (via VEG_VISIT.

CN).

4. VSB_CN Vegetation subplot sequence number. Foreign key linking the 

vegetation subplot species record to the vegetation subplot record (via 

VEG_SUBPLOT.CN).

5. VPS_CN Vegetation plot species sequence number. Foreign key linking the 

vegetation subplot species record to the vegetation plot species record 

(via VEG_PLOT_SPECIES.CN).

6. INVYR Inventory year. The year that best represents when the inventory data 

were collected. Under the annual inventory system, a group of plots 

is selected each year for sampling. The selection is based on a panel 

system. INVYR is the year in which the majority of plots in that 

group were collected (plots in the group have the same panel and, if 

applicable, subpanel). Under periodic inventory, a reporting inventory 

year was selected, usually based on the year in which the majority of 

the plots were collected or the mid-point of the years over which the 

inventory spanned. For either annual or periodic inventory, INVYR is 

not necessarily the same as MEASYEAR.

 Exceptions:

 INVYR = 9999. INVYR is set to 9999 to distinguish those 

Western P3 plots that are “off subpanel” because of differences in 

measurement intervals between P3 (measurement interval=5 years) 
119

and P2 (measurement interval=10 years) plots. Only users interested 

in performing certain P3 data analyses should access plots with this 

anomalous value in INVYR.

7. STATECD State code. Bureau of the Census Federal Information Processing 

Standards (FIPS) two-digit code for each state. Refer to Appendix C 

in the P2 document (The Forest Inventory and Analysis Database: 

Database Description and Users Manual Version 4.0 for P2, available 

at: http://www.fia.fs.fed.us/library/database-documentation/)

8. COUNTYCD County code. The identification number for a county, parish, watershed, 

borough, or similar governmental unit in a state. FIPS codes from the 

Bureau of the Census, 1990, are used. Refer to Appendix C in the 

P2 document for codes (The Forest Inventory and Analysis Database: 

Database Description and Users Manual Version 4.0 for P2, available 

at: http://www.fia.fs.fed.us/library/database-documentation/)

9. PLOT P2 plot number. An identifier for a plot. Along with STATECD, 

INVYR, and COUNTYCD, PLOT may be used to uniquely identify 

a plot.

10. SUBP Subplot number. A code indicating the number of the subplot center 

that was sampled.

Code Subplot number

1 Center subplot

2 North subplot

3 Southeast subplot

4 Southwest subplot

11. VEG_FLDSPCD Vegetation field species code. Field-recorded vegetation species code 

for each vascular plant species found rooted in or overhanging a 

subplot. Combined with UNIQUE_SP_NBR to identify what was 

believed in the field to be a unique species on the plot. For VEG_

VISIT.VEG_MANUAL = 2.0.1 and higher, codes are the standardized 

codes in the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) 

PLANTS database January 2000 version to represent species, genus, or 

unknown plants. Identification to species only is expected. However, 

if subspecies information is known, the appropriate NRCS code is 

entered. This attribute is assigned in the field and never changes. 

Updates to unknown species codes are recorded in VEG_SPCD. For 

VEG_VISIT.VEG_MANUAL = 1.7, the VEG_FLDSPCD may 

not be a valid NRCS code for unknown plant species, as these were 

typically recorded as UN; however, these codes are resolved to valid 

NRCS codes in VEG_SPCD.
120

12. UNIQUE_SP_NBR

 Unique species number. This code combined with VEG_FLDSPCD 

identifies what was believed to be a unique species on the plot. 

Specifically, it identifies the number of species recorded for each 

NRCS genus or unknown code. For example, two unidentifiable 

Carex spp. would be entered as two separate records with VEG_

FLDSPCD = ‘CAREX’ and differing UNIQUE_SP_NBRs to show 

that they are not the same species. If the VEG_FLDSPCD entered 

already identifies a specific species (e.g., PIST for Pinus strobus), then 

UNIQUE_SP_NBR = 1.

13. VEG_SPCD Vegetation species code. Final edited species code, including any 

resolution of collected unknown plant specimens (e.g., herbariumresolved species) and conforming to the NRCS PLANTS database as 

downloaded in January 2000.

14. SP_CANOPY_COVER_TOTAL

 Subplot species canopy cover total. Ocular estimate of percent canopy 

cover of species on the subplot. Total cover estimate is always based 

on the area of a 24-foot-radius circle. That is, if a species total cover 

is about equal to a circle with a radius of 5.3 feet in the area of the 

subplot assessed, the subplot species canopy cover is recorded as 5 

percent, regardless of the total percent accessible forest on the subplot. 

However, for plots collected with VEG_VISIT.VEG_SAMPLE_

BASIS = 1, if a subplot was at least 50 percent forested, the entire 

subplot area was assessed (and so the species cover may occur over 

nonforest, hazardous, or access-denied areas as well as the accessible 

forest). When VEG_VISIT.VEG_SAMPLE_BASIS = 2, only 

accessible forest is assessed. The difference between VEG_SAMPLE_

BASIS = 1 and VEG_SAMPLE_BASIS = 2 affects how data are 

compiled to determine cover of a species as a percent of the accessible 

forested portion of a subplot. See VEG_VISIT.VEG_SAMPLE_

BASIS for details.

15. SP_CANOPY_COVER_LAYER_1_2

 Subplot species canopy cover layers 1 and 2. Species canopy cover 

percent within a layer from the ground to 6 feet in height across 

all accessible forest land on subplot, based on the area of a 24-footradius circle. This variable is blank (null) when VEG_VISIT.VEG_

MANUAL = 1.7.
121

16. SP_CANOPY_COVER_LAYER_3

 Subplot species canopy cover layer 3. Species canopy cover percent 

within a layer from 6 to 16 feet in height across all accessible forest 

land on subplot, based on the area of a 24-foot-radius circle. This 

variable is blank (null) when VEG_VISIT.VEG_MANUAL = 1.7.

17. SP_CANOPY_COVER_LAYER_4

 Subplot species canopy cover layer 4. Species canopy cover percent 

within a layer from 16 feet in height and above across all accessible 

forest land on subplot, based on the area of a 24-foot radius circle. 

This variable is blank (null) when VEG_VISIT.VEG_MANUAL = 

1.7.

18. QUAD_1_PRESENCE

 Quadrat 1 presence. A code indicating whether the species is found on 

quadrat 1 of the current subplot.

Code Quadrat 1 presence

0 No, the species is not present

1 Yes, the species is present

19. QUAD_2_PRESENCE

 Quadrat 2 presence. A code indicating whether the species is found on 

quadrat 2 of the current subplot.

Code Quadrat 2 presence

0 No, the species is not present

1 Yes, the species is present

20. QUAD_3_PRESENCE

 Quadrat 3 presence. A code indicating whether the species is found on 

quadrat 3 of the current subplot.

Code Quadrat 3 presence

0 No, the species is not present

1 Yes, the species is present

21. DUMMY_SUBP_COVER_PRE2004

 Dummy subplot cover for data collected prior to 2004. This code 

indicates whether a dummy SP_CANOPY_COVER_TOTAL value 

was added in office (VEG_VISIT.VEG_MANUAL = 1.7 only) 

where a quadrat species record existed without a matching subplot 

species record. When DUMMY_SUBP_COVER_PRE2004 = 1, 
122

SP_CANOPY_COVER_TOTAL is set to 1 and MAX_COVER_

LAYER_NBR_PRE2004 is blank (null). This variable is not available 

for VEG_VISIT.VEG_MANUAL = 2.0 and later.

Code Dummy subplot cover for data collected prior to 2004

0 Subplot species cover data are field recorded

1 Dummy subplot cover data added where a quadrat species 

record existed without a matching subplot species record 

(VEG_VISIT.VEG_MANUAL = 1.7).

22. MAX_COVER_LAYER_NBR_PRE2004

 Maximum cover layer number for data collected prior to 2004. A 

code indicating the layer number with maximum cover for the species 

on the subplot. This code was field recorded when VEG_VISIT.

VEG_MANUAL = 1.7 and DUMMY_SUBP_COVER_PRE2004 = 

0; otherwise it is null. This variable was not collected for VEG_VISIT.

VEG_MANUAL = 2.0 and later.

Code Maximum cover layer number for data collected before 2004

1 0 – 2 feet above ground

2 >2 – 6 feet above ground

3 >6 – 16 feet above ground

4 >16 above ground

23. CREATED_BY Created by. The employee who created the record. This attribute is 

intentionally left blank in download files. It will be dropped in version 

5.0.

24. CREATED_DATE

 Created date. The date on which the record was created. Date will be 

in the form DD-MON-YYYY.

25. CREATED_IN_INSTANCE

 Created in instance. The database instance in which the record was 

created. Each computer system has a unique database instance code, 

and this attribute stores that information to determine on which 

computer the record was created.

26. MODIFIED_BY Modified by. The employee who modified the record. This field 

will be null if the data have not been modified since initial creation. 

This attribute is intentionally left blank in download files. It will be 

dropped in version 5.0.
123

27. MODIFIED_DATE

 Modified date. The date on which the record was last modified. 

This field will be null if the data have not been modified since initial 

creation. Date will be in the form DD-MON-YYYY.

28. MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE

 Modified in instance. The database instance in which the record was 

modified. This field will be null if the data have not been modified 

since initial creation.
124

Reference Plant Dictionary 

(Oracle table name is REF_PLANT_DICTIONARY)

Column Name Descriptive Name Oracle Data Type

1 CN Sequence number VARCHAR2(34)

2 SYMBOL_TYPE Symbol type VARCHAR2(20)

3 SYMBOL Symbol VARCHAR2(16)

4 SCIENTIFIC_NAME Scientific name VARCHAR2(100)

5 NEW_SYMBOL New symbol VARCHAR2(16)

6 NEW_SCIENTIFIC_NAME New scientific name VARCHAR2(100)

7 COMMON_NAME Common name VARCHAR2(100)

8 CATEGORY Category VARCHAR2(15)

9 FAMILY Family VARCHAR2(25)

10 GROWTH_HABIT Growth habit VARCHAR2(50)

11 DURATION Duration VARCHAR2(50)

12 US_NATIVITY United States nativity VARCHAR2(50)

13 STATE_DISTRIBUTION State distribution VARCHAR2(300)

14 XGENUS Cross genus VARCHAR2(1)

15 GENUS Genus VARCHAR2(40)

16 XSPECIES Cross species VARCHAR2(1)

17 SPECIES Species VARCHAR2(50)

18 SSP VARCHAR2(4)

19 SUBSPECIES Subspecies VARCHAR2(30)

20 VAR VARCHAR2(4)

21 VARIETY Variety VARCHAR2(30)

22 MANUAL_START Manual start NUMBER(3,1)

23 MANUAL_END Manual end NUMBER(3,1)

24 CREATED_BY Created by VARCHAR2(30)

25 CREATED_DATE Created date DATE

26 CREATED_IN_INSTANCE Created in instance VARCHAR2(6)

27 MODIFIED_BY Modified by VARCHAR2(30)

28 MODIFIED_DATE Modified date DATE

29 MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE Modified in instance VARCHAR2(6)

Type of Key Column(s) order Tables to link Abbreviated notation

Primary (CN) N/A RPD_PK

Unique (SYMBOL_TYPE, SYMBOL, 

NEW_SYMBOL, MANUAL_

START)

N/A RPD_UK

1. CN Sequence number. A unique sequence number used to identify a 

reference plant dictionary table record.

2. SYMBOL_TYPE Symbol type. This attribute describes the type of NRCS PLANTS 

symbol (from the 2000 download of the database.
125

Code Symbol type

Species Accepted symbol identified to species, subspecies, or variety

Genus Accepted symbol identified to genus

Old Synonym symbol for an old scientific name

Unknown Symbol used to identify generic categories of unknown plants

3. SYMBOL Symbol. The NRCS PLANTS database code (from the 2000 

download) used to represent a plant species and populate VEG_

SPCD.

4. SCIENTIFIC_NAME

 Scientific name. The NRCS PLANTS database scientific name for 

SYMBOL.

5. NEW_SYMBOL New symbol. Populated only when SYMBOL_TYPE = old. 

Represents the new NRCS PLANTS database accepted code that has 

been reclassified from the old synonym symbol.

6. NEW_SCIENTIFIC_NAME

 New scientific name. Populated only when SYMBOL_TYPE = old. 

Represents the new NRCS PLANTS database accepted code that has 

been reclassified from the old synonym scientific name.

7. COMMON_NAME

 Common name. The NRCS PLANTS database common name 

associated with the species SYMBOL.

8. CATEGORY Category. Indicates the broad taxonomic category for the symbol. 

Attribute is null (blank) when SYMBOL = unknown.

Code Category

Dicot Division Magnoliophyta; Class Magnoliopsida 

Fern Division Pteridophyta

Gymnosperm Division Coniferophyta (conifers)

Horsetail Division Equisetophyta

Lycopod Division Lycopdiophyta; Class Lycopodiopsida; Order 

Lycopodiales (clubmoss)

Monocot Division Magnoliophyta; Class Liliopsida

Psilophyte Division Psilophyta (whisk-ferns)

Quillwort Division Lycopdiophyta; Class Lycopodiopsida; Order 

Isoetales

9. FAMILY Family. The NRCS PLANTS database family name associated with 

the species SYMBOL.
126

10. GROWTH_HABIT

 Growth habit. The growth habit of the symbol according to the 

NRCS PLANTS database (2000 download). Some plants have 

different growth habits depending on environment or location, so a 

plant can have more than one value. Code descriptions are from the 

NRCS PLANTS documentation.

Code Growth habit

Forb / herb Vascular plant without significant woody tissue above or at 

the ground. Forbs and herbs may be annual, biennial, or 

perennial but always lack significant thickening by secondary 

woody growth and have perennating buds borne at or below 

the ground surface. In PLANTS, graminoids are excluded, 

but ferns, horsetails, lycopods, and whisk-ferns are included.

Graminoid Grass or grass-like plant, including grasses (Poaceae), 

sedges (Cyperaceae), rushes (Juncaceae), arrow-grasses 

(Juncaginaceae), and quillworts (Isoetes).

Liana Climbing plant found in tropical forests with long, woody 

rope-like stems of anomalous anatomical structure.

Shrub Grass or grass-like plant, including grasses (Poaceae), 

sedges (Cyperaceae), rushes (Juncaceae), arrow-grasses 

(Juncaginaceae), and quillworts (Isoetes).

Subshrub Climbing plant found in tropical forests with long, woody 

rope-like stems of anomalous anatomical structure.

Tree Perennial, woody plant with a single stem (trunk), normally 

greater than 4 to 5 meters (13 to 16 feet) in height; under 

certain environmental conditions, some tree species may 

develop a multi-stemmed or short growth form (less than 4 

meters or 13 feet in height).

Vine Twining/climbing plant with relatively long stems, can be 

woody or herbaceous.

11. DURATION Duration. The duration of a plant according to the NRCS PLANTS 

database (2000 download). Some plants have different growth habits 

depending on environment or location, so a plant can have more than 

one value.

Code Duration

Annual Individual completes life cycle in a single year

Biennial Individual completes life cycle over two growing seasons

Perennial Individuals live for many years, including herbaceous plants 

that resprout from roots

Unknown Life cycle and duration unknown

12. US_NATIVITY The United States nativity of the species represented by the symbol. A 

plant that is native to any part of the U.S. is considered Native, even if 

some populations within the United States are introduced. However, 

a plant like dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) with some populations 
127

that are native to the U.S. and some that are native to another country 

is considered Native and Introduced.

 Native:

Code United States nativity

N Native

N? Probably Native

NI Native and Introduced – some infra-taxa are native and others 

are introduced

NI? Native and Probably Introduced – some infra-taxa are native 

and others are probably introduced

 Introduced:

Code United States nativity

GP Garden persistent – persists around gardens and old 

habitations, not naturalized

GP? Probably Garden persistent – persists around gardens and old 

habitations, not naturalized

I Introduced 

I? Probably Introduced

N?I Probably Native and Introduced – some infra-taxa are probably 

native and others are introduced

W Waif – an ephemeral introduction, not persistently naturalized

W? Probably a Waif – an ephemeral introduction, not persistently 

naturalized

13. STATE_DISTRIBUTION

 State distribution. State distribution of the plant according to NRCS 

PLANTS database download on 09-Nov-2007. This was the only 

update to the NRCS 2000 plant list for this reference table.

14. XGENUS Cross genus. The cross-genus hybridization indicator.

15. GENUS Genus. The NRCS PLANTS database genus name associated with the 

species symbol.

16. XSPECIES Cross species. The cross-species hybridization indicator.

17. SPECIES Species, individual. The NRCS PLANTS database species name 

associated with the species symbol.

18. SSP Subspecies indicator ssp.

19. SUBSPECIES Subspecies.

20. VAR Variety indicator var.
128

21. VARIETY Variety. The NRCS PLANTS database variety name associated with 

the species symbol.

22. MANUAL_START

 Manual start. The first version of the field guide (PLOT.MANUAL) 

in which the plant symbol began to be used.

23. MANUAL_END Manual end. The last version of the field guide (PLOT.MANUAL) in 

which the plant symbol was valid. When MANUAL_END is blank 

(null), the code is still valid.

24. CREATED_BY Created by. The employee who created the record. This attribute is 

intentionally left blank in download files. It will be dropped in version 

5.0.

25. CREATED_DATE

 Created date. The date on which the record was created. Date will be 

in the form DD-MON-YYYY.

26. CREATED_IN_INSTANCE

 Created in instance. The database instance in which the record was 

created. Each computer system has a unique database instance code, 

and this attribute stores that information to determine on which 

computer the record was created.

27. MODIFIED_BY Modified by. The employee who modified the record. This field 

will be blank (null) if the data have not been modified since initial 

creation. This attribute is intentionally left blank in download files. It 

will be dropped in version 5.0.

28. MODIFIED_DATE

 Modified date. The date on which the record was last modified. This 

field will be blank (null) if the data have not been modified since 

initial creation. Date will be in the form DD-MON-YYYY.

29. MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE

 Modified in instance. The database instance in which the record was 

modified. This field will be blank (null) if the data have not been 

modified since initial creation.
129

Down Woody Material Visit Table 

(Oracle table name is DWM_VISIT)

Column Name Descriptive Name Oracle data type

1 CN Sequence number VARCHAR2(34)

2 PLT_CN Plot sequence number VARCHAR2(34)

3 INVYR Inventory year NUMBER(4)

4 STATECD State code NUMBER(4)

5 COUNTYCD County code NUMBER(3)

6 PLOT Phase 2 plot number NUMBER(5)

7 MEASDAY Measurement day NUMBER(2)

8 MEASMON Measurement month NUMBER(2)

9 MEASYEAR Measurement year NUMBER(4)

10 QASTATCD Quality assurance status code NUMBER(1)

11 CRWTYPCD Crew type code NUMBER(1)

12 SMPKNDCD Sample kind code NUMBER(2)

13 CREATED_BY Created by VARCHAR2(30)

14 CREATED_DATE Created date DATE

15 CREATED_IN_INSTANCE Created in instance VARCHAR2(6)

16 MODIFIED_BY Modified by VARCHAR2(30)

17 MODIFIED_DATE Modified date DATE

18 MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE Modified in instance VARCHAR2(6)

Type of Key Column(s) order Tables to link Abbreviated notation

Primary (CN) N/A DVT_PK

Unique (PLT_CN) N/A DVT_UK

Natural (STATECD, INVYR, 

COUNTYCD, PLOT) 

N/A DVT_NAT_I

Foreign (PLT_CN) DWM_VISIT to PLOT DVT_PLT_FK

1. CN Sequence number. A unique sequence number used to identify a 

down woody material visit record.

2. PLT_CN Plot sequence number. Foreign key linking the down woody material 

visit record to the P2 plot record.

3. INVYR Inventory year. The year that best represents when the inventory data 

were collected. Under the annual inventory system, a group of plots 

is selected each year for sampling. The selection is based on a panel 

system. INVYR is the year in which the majority of plots in that 

group were collected (plots in the group have the same panel and, if 

applicable, subpanel). Under periodic inventory, a reporting inventory 

year was selected, usually based on the year in which the majority of 

the plots were collected or the mid-point of the years over which the 
130

inventory spanned. For either annual or periodic inventory, INVYR is 

not necessarily the same as MEASYEAR.

 Exceptions:

 INVYR = 9999. INVYR is set to 9999 to distinguish those 

Western P3 plots that are “off subpanel” because of differences in 

measurement intervals between P3 (measurement interval=5 years) 

and P2 (measurement interval=10 years) plots. Only users interested 

in performing certain P3 data analyses should access plots with this 

anomalous value in INVYR.

4. STATECD State code. Bureau of the Census Federal Information Processing 

Standards (FIPS) two-digit code for each state. Refer to Appendix C 

in the P2 document (The Forest Inventory and Analysis Database: 

Database Description and Users Manual Version 4.0 for P2, available 

at: http://www.fia.fs.fed.us/library/database-documentation/)

5. COUNTYCD County code. The identification number for a county, parish, 

watershed, borough, or similar governmental unit in a state. FIPS 

codes from the Bureau of the Census, 1990, are used. Refer to 

Appendix C in the P2 document for codes(The Forest Inventory and 

Analysis Database: Database Description and Users Manual Version 

4.0 for P2, available at: http://www.fia.fs.fed.us/library/databasedocumentation/)

6. PLOT P2 plot number. An identifier for a plot. Along with STATECD, 

INVYR, and COUNTYCD, PLOT may be used to uniquely identify 

a plot.

7. MEASDAY Measurement day. The day on which the plot was completed.

8. MEASMON Measurement month. The month in which the plot was completed.

Code Month Code Month

01 January 07 July

02 February 08 August

03 March 09 September

04 April 10 October

05 May 11 November

06 June 12 December

9. MEASYEAR Measurement year. The year in which the plot was completed. 

MEASYEAR may differ from INVYR.
131

10. QASTATCD Quality assurance status code. A code indicating the type of plot data 

collected. Production plots have QASTATCD = 1 or 7.

Code Quality assurance status 

1 Standard production plot

2 Cold check

3 Reference plot (off grid)

4 Training/practice plot (off grid)

5 Botched plot file (disregard during data processing)

6 Blind check

7 Production plot (hot check)

11. CRWTYPCD Crew type code. A code identifying the type of crew measuring the 

plot.

Code Crew type

1 Standard field crew

2 QA crew (any QA crew member present collecting data)

12. SMPKNDCD Sample kind code. A code indicating the type of plot installation.

Code Sample kind code

0 Periodic inventory plot

1 Initial installation of a national design plot

2 Remeasurement of previously installed national design plot

3 Replacement of previously installed national design plot

4 Modeled periodic inventory plot (Northeast and North Central only)

13. CREATED_BY Created by. The employee who created the record. This attribute is 

intentionally left blank in download files. It will be dropped in version 

5.0.

14. CREATED_DATE

 Created date. The date on which the record was created. Date will be 

in the form DD-MON-YYYY.

15. CREATED_IN_INSTANCE

 Created in instance. The database instance in which the record was 

created. Each computer system has a unique database instance code, 

and this attribute stores that information to determine on which 

computer the record was created.

16. MODIFIED_BY Modified by. The employee who modified the record. This field 

will be null if the data have not been modified since initial creation. 

This attribute is intentionally left blank in download files. It will be 

dropped in version 5.0.
132

17. MODIFIED_DATE

 Modified date. The date on which the record was last modified. 

This field will be null if the data have not been modified since initial 

creation. Date will be in the form DD-MON-YYYY.

18. MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE

 Modified in instance. The database instance in which the record was 

modified. This field will be null if the data have not been modified 

since initial creation.
133

Down Woody Material Coarse Woody Debris Table 

(Oracle table name is DWM_COARSE_WOODY_DEBRIS)

Column Name Descriptive Name Oracle data type

1 CN Sequence number VARCHAR2(34)

2 PLT_CN Plot sequence number VARCHAR2(34)

3 INVYR Inventory year NUMBER(4)

4 STATECD State code NUMBER(4)

5 COUNTYCD County code NUMBER(3)

6 PLOT Phase 2 plot number NUMBER(5)

7 SUBP Subplot number NUMBER(1)

8 TRANSECT Transect NUMBER(3)

9 CWDID Coarse woody debris piece number NUMBER

10 MEASYEAR Measurement year NUMBER(4)

11 SLOPDIST Slope distance NUMBER

12 SPCD Species code NUMBER(3)

13 DECAYCD Decay code NUMBER(1)

14 TRANSDIA Transect diameter NUMBER(3)

15 SMALLDIA Small diameter NUMBER(3)

16 LARGEDIA Large diameter NUMBER(3)

17 LENGTH Length NUMBER(3)

18 HOLLOWCD Hollow code VARCHAR2(1)

19 CWDHSTCD Coarse woody debris history code NUMBER(1)

20 CREATED_BY Created by VARCHAR2(30)

21 CREATED_DATE Created date DATE

22 CREATED_IN_INSTANCE Created in instance VARCHAR2(6)

23 MODIFIED_BY Modified by VARCHAR2(30)

24 MODIFIED_DATE Modified date DATE

25 MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE Modified in instance VARCHAR2(6)

Type of Key Column(s) order Tables to link Abbreviated notation

Primary (CN) N/A DCW_PK

Unique (PLT_CN, TRANSECT, SUBP, CWDID) N/A DCW_UK

Natural (STATECD, INVYR, COUNTYCD, PLOT, 

TRANSECT, SUBP, CWDID)

N/A DCW_NAT_I

1. CN Sequence number. A unique sequence number used to identify a 

down woody material coarse woody debris record.

2. PLT_CN Plot sequence number. Foreign key linking the down woody material 

coarse woody debris record to the P2 plot record.

3. INVYR Inventory year. The year that best represents when the inventory data 

were collected. Under the annual inventory system, a group of plots 

is selected each year for sampling. The selection is based on a panel 

system. INVYR is the year in which the majority of plots in that 
134

group were collected (plots in the group have the same panel and, if 

applicable, subpanel). Under periodic inventory, a reporting inventory 

year was selected, usually based on the year in which the majority of 

the plots were collected or the mid-point of the years over which the 

inventory spanned. For either annual or periodic inventory, INVYR is 

not necessarily the same as MEASYEAR.

 Exceptions:

 INVYR = 9999. INVYR is set to 9999 to distinguish those 

Western P3 plots that are “off subpanel” because of differences in 

measurement intervals between P3 (measurement interval=5 years) 

and P2 (measurement interval=10 years) plots. Only users interested 

in performing certain P3 data analyses should access plots with this 

anomalous value in INVYR.

4. STATECD State code. Bureau of the Census Federal Information Processing 

Standards (FIPS) two-digit code for each state. Refer to Appendix C 

in the P2 document (The Forest Inventory and Analysis Database: 

Database Description and Users Manual Version 4.0 for P2, available 

at: http://www.fia.fs.fed.us/library/database-documentation/)

5. COUNTYCD County code. The identification number for a county, parish, 

watershed, borough, or similar governmental unit in a state. FIPS 

codes from the Bureau of the Census, 1990, are used. Refer to 

Appendix C in the P2 document for codes(The Forest Inventory and 

Analysis Database: Database Description and Users Manual Version 

4.0 for P2, available at: http://www.fia.fs.fed.us/library/databasedocumentation/)

6. PLOT P2 plot number. An identifier for a plot. Along with STATECD, 

INVYR, and COUNTYCD, PLOT may be used to uniquely identify 

a plot.

7. SUBP Subplot number. A code indicating the number of the subplot center 

from which the transect originates.

Code Subplot number

1 Center subplot

2 North subplot

3 Southeast subplot

4 Southwest subplot

8. TRANSECT Transect. A code indicating the azimuth of the subplot transect on 

which the piece is sampled.
135

Code Transect

030 Transect extends 30 degrees from subplot center

150 Transect extends 150 degrees from subplot center

270 Transect extends 270 degrees from subplot center

9. CWDID Coarse woody debris piece number.

10. MEASYEAR Measurement year. The year in which the plot was completed. 

MEASYEAR may differ from INVYR.

11. SLOPDIST Slope distance. Coarse woody debris (CWD) slope distance indicating 

the slope distance from the subplot center to the point where the 

transect intersects the longitudinal center of the piece. Recorded to the 

nearest 0.1 feet.

12. SPCD Species code. An FIA tree species code. Refer to Appendix F in the 

P2 document (The Forest Inventory and Analysis Database: Database 

Description and Users Manual Version 4.0 for P2, available at: http://

www.fia.fs.fed.us/library/database-documentation/) for codes.

13. DECAYCD Decay code. Coarse woody debris (CWD) decay class, which 

predominates along the recorded CWD total length of the piece.

Decay

Class

Structural

Integrity

Texture of

Rotten Portions

Color of

Wood

Invading

Roots Branches and Twigs

1 Sound, freshly fallen, 

intact logs

Intact, no rot; conks of 

stem decay absent

Original color Absent If branches are present, 

fine twigs are still attached 

and have tight bark

2 Sound Mostly intact; sapwood 

partly soft (starting to 

decay) but can’t be 

pulled apart by hand

Original color Absent If branches are present, 

many fine twigs are gone 

and remaining fine twigs 

have peeling bark

3 Heartwood sound; 

piece supports its own 

weight

Hard, large pieces; 

sapwood can be 

pulled apart by hand or 

sapwood absent

Reddish- brown 

or original color

Sapwood only Branch stubs will not pull 

out

4 Heartwood rotten; 

piece does not support 

its own weight, but 

maintains its shape

Soft, small blocky 

pieces; a metal pin 

can be pushed into 

heartwood

Reddish or light 

brown

Throughout Branch stubs pull out

5 None, piece no longer 

maintains its shape, it 

spreads out on ground

Soft; powdery when dry Red-brown to 

dark brown

Throughout Branch stubs and pitch 

pockets have usually 

rotted down

 Note: CWD decay class 5 pieces must still resemble a log; therefore, 

the first tally rule is that they must be ≥ 5.0 inches in diameter, ≥ 5.0 

inches from the surface of the ground, and at least 3.0 feet long.
136

14. TRANSDIA Transect diameter. The diameter of the piece at the point where the 

transect crosses the longitudinal center of the piece. Recorded to the 

nearest inch.

15. SMALLDIA Small diameter. The diameter at the small end of the piece, recorded 

to the nearest inch. The diameter at the small end occurs either at (1) 

the actual end of the piece, if the end has a diameter > 3.0 inches, or 

(2) the point where the piece tapers down to 3.0 inches in diameter.

16. LARGEDIA Large diameter. The diameter at the large end of the piece, recorded to 

the nearest inch. The large end will occur either at a broken or sawn 

end, at a fracture, or at the root collar.

17. LENGTH Length. CWD total length is the length of the piece that lies between 

the piece’s recorded diameter at the small end and diameter at the 

large end. Recorded to the nearest foot.

18. HOLLOWCD Hollow code. A code indicating whether or not the piece is hollow.

Code Hollow

Y A piece is considered hollow if a cavity extends at least 2 feet 

along the central longitudinal axis of the piece, and the diameter 

of the entrance to the cavity is at least 1/4 of the diameter of the 

piece where the entrance occurs. The entrance occurs at the 

point where the circumference of the cavity is whole—the point 

where wood is present completely around the circumference of 

the cavity. The length of the cavity begins at this point.

N Does not meet criteria for being a hollow log

19. CWDHSTCD Coarse woody debris history code. A code indicating whether or not 

the piece of CWD is on the ground as a result of harvesting operations 

or as a result of natural circumstances.

Code Coarse woody debris history

1 CWD piece is on the ground as a result of natural causes

2 CWD piece is on the ground as a result of major recent harvest 

activity (<= 15 yrs old)

3 CWD piece is on the ground as a result of older harvest activity 

(>15 yrs old)

4 CWD piece is on the ground as a result of an incidental harvest 

(such as firewood cutting)

5 Exact Reason Unknown

20. CREATED_BY Created by. The employee who created the record. This attribute is 

intentionally left blank in download files. It will be dropped in version 

5.0.
137

21. CREATED_DATE

 Created date. The date on which the record was created. Date will be 

in the form DD-MON-YYYY.

22. CREATED_IN_INSTANCE

 Created in instance. The database instance in which the record was 

created. Each computer system has a unique database instance code, 

and this attribute stores that information to determine on which 

computer the record was created.

23. MODIFIED_BY Modified by. The employee who modified the record. This field 

will be null if the data have not been modified since initial creation. 

This attribute is intentionally left blank in download files. It will be 

dropped in version 5.0.

24. MODIFIED_DATE

 Modified date. The date on which the record was last modified. 

This field will be null if the data have not been modified since initial 

creation. Date will be in the form DD-MON-YYYY.

25. MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE

 Modified in instance. The database instance in which the record was 

modified. This field will be null if the data have not been modified 

since initial creation.
138

Down Woody Material Duff, Litter, Fuel Table 

(Oracle table name is DWM_DUFF_LITTER_FUEL)

Column Name Descriptive Name Oracle data type

1 CN Sequence number VARCHAR2(34)

2 PLT_CN Plot sequence number VARCHAR2(34)

3 INVYR Inventory year NUMBER(4)

4 STATECD State code NUMBER(4)

5 COUNTYCD County code NUMBER(3)

6 PLOT Phase 2 plot number NUMBER(5)

7 TRANSECT Transect NUMBER(3)

8 SUBP Subplot number NUMBER(1)

9 SMPLOCCD Sample location code NUMBER(1)

10 MEASYEAR Measurement year NUMBER(4)

11 SMPLDCD Sampled code NUMBER(1)

12 DUFFDEP Duff depth NUMBER

13 LITTDEP Litter depth NUMBER

14 FUELDEP Fuelbed depth NUMBER

15 CREATED_BY Created by VARCHAR2(30)

16 CREATED_DATE Created date DATE

17 CREATED_IN_INSTANCE Created in instance VARCHAR2(6)

18 MODIFIED_BY Modified by VARCHAR2(30)

19 MODIFIED_DATE Modified date DATE

20 MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE Modified in instance VARCHAR2(6)

Type of Key Column(s) order Tables to link Abbreviated notation

Primary (CN) N/A DDL_PK

Unique (PLT_CN, TRANSECT, SUBP, 

SMPLOCCD)

N/A DDL_UL

Natural (STATECD, INVYR, COUNTYCD, 

PLOT, TRANSECT, SUBP, 

SMPLOCCD)

N/A DDL_NAT_I

1. CN Sequence number. A unique sequence number used to identify a 

down woody material duff, litter, fuel record.

2. PLT_CN Plot sequence number. Foreign key linking the down woody material 

duff, litter, fuel record to the P2 plot record.

3. INVYR Inventory year. The year that best represents when the inventory data 

were collected. Under the annual inventory system, a group of plots 

is selected each year for sampling. The selection is based on a panel 

system. INVYR is the year in which the majority of plots in that 

group were collected (plots in the group have the same panel and, if 

applicable, subpanel). Under periodic inventory, a reporting inventory 

year was selected, usually based on the year in which the majority of 
139

the plots were collected or the mid-point of the years over which the 

inventory spanned. For either annual or periodic inventory, INVYR is 

not necessarily the same as MEASYEAR.

 Exceptions:

 INVYR = 9999. INVYR is set to 9999 to distinguish those 

Western P3 plots that are “off subpanel” because of differences in 

measurement intervals between P3 (measurement interval=5 years) 

and P2 (measurement interval=10 years) plots. Only users interested 

in performing certain P3 data analyses should access plots with this 

anomalous value in INVYR.

4. STATECD State code. Bureau of the Census Federal Information Processing 

Standards (FIPS) two-digit code for each state. Refer to Appendix C 

in the P2 document (The Forest Inventory and Analysis Database: 

Database Description and Users Manual Version 4.0 for P2, available 

at: http://www.fia.fs.fed.us/library/database-documentation/)

5. COUNTYCD County code. The identification number for a county, parish, 

watershed, borough, or similar governmental unit in a state. FIPS 

codes from the Bureau of the Census, 1990, are used. Refer to 

Appendix C in the P2 document for codes (The Forest Inventory and 

Analysis Database: Database Description and Users Manual Version 

4.0 for P2, available at: http://www.fia.fs.fed.us/library/databasedocumentation/)

6. PLOT P2 plot number. An identifier for a plot. Along with STATECD, 

INVYR, and COUNTYCD, PLOT may be used to uniquely identify 

a plot.

7. TRANSECT Transect. A code indicating the azimuth of the subplot transect.

Code Transect

030 Transect extends 30 degrees from subplot center

150 Transect extends 150 degrees from subplot center

270 Transect extends 270 degrees from subplot center

8. SUBP Subplot number. A code indicating the number of the subplot center 

from which the transect originates.

Code Subplot number

1 Center subplot

2 North subplot

3 Southeast subplot

4 Southwest subplot
140

 9. SMPLOCCD Sample location code. A code indicating the duff/litter sample 

location. Note: During the 2001 field season duff/litter were sampled 

at two locations (14 and 24 feet); from 2002 to present duff/litter have 

been sampled at one location along the CWD transect at 24 feet.

Code Sample location

1 Duff/litter sampled at 14 feet slope distance

2 Duff/litter sampled at 24 feet slope distance

10. MEASYEAR Measurement year. The year in which the plot was completed. 

MEASYEAR may differ from INVYR.

11. SMPLDCD Sampled code. A code indicating whether or not the depths of the 

duff, litter, and fuelbed were measured.

Code Sampled

0 Duff and litter depth not sampled; Fuelbed is sampled

1 All sampled: Duff, litter, and fuelbed

2 Nothing sampled; Duff, litter, fuelbed are not sampled

12. DUFFDEP Duff depth. Depth of duff layer to the nearest 0.1 inch. Duff is the 

layer just below litter. It consists of decomposing leaves and other 

organic material. There are no recognizable plant parts; the duff layer 

is usually dark decomposed organic matter. When moss is present, the 

top of the duff layer is just below the green portion of the moss. The 

bottom of this layer is the point where mineral soil (A horizon) begins.

13. LITTDEP Litter depth. Depth of litter layer to the nearest 0.1 inch. Litter is the 

layer of freshly fallen leaves, needles, twigs (< 0.25 inch in diameter), 

cones, detached bark chunks, dead moss, dead lichens, detached 

small chunks of rotted wood, dead herbaceous stems, and flower parts 

(detached and not upright). Litter is the loose plant material found on 

the top surface of the forest floor. Little decomposition has begun in 

this layer.

14. FUELDEP Fuelbed depth. Depth of fuelbed to the nearest 0.1 foot. The fuelbed 

is the accumulated mass of dead, woody material on the surface of the 

forest floor. It begins at the top of the duff layer, and includes litter, 

FWD, CWD, and dead woody shrubs. In this definition, the fuelbed 

does not include dead hanging branches from standing trees.

15. CREATED_BY Created by. The employee who created the record. This attribute is 

intentionally left blank in download files. It will be dropped in version 

5.0.
141

16. CREATED_DATE

 Created date. The date on which the record was created. Date will be 

in the form DD-MON-YYYY.

17. CREATED_IN_INSTANCE

 Created in instance. The database instance in which the record was 

created. Each computer system has a unique database instance code, 

and this attribute stores that information to determine on which 

computer the record was created.

18. MODIFIED_BY Modified by. The employee who modified the record. This field 

will be null if the data have not been modified since initial creation. 

This attribute is intentionally left blank in download files. It will be 

dropped in version 5.0.

19. MODIFIED_DATE

 Modified date. The date on which the record was last modified. 

This field will be null if the data have not been modified since initial 

creation. Date will be in the form DD-MON-YYYY.

20. MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE

 Modified in instance. The database instance in which the record was 

modified. This field will be null if the data have not been modified 

since initial creation.
142

Down Woody Material Fine Woody Debris Table 

(Oracle table name is DWM_FINE_WOODY_DEBRIS)

Column Name Descriptive Name Oracle data type

1 CN Sequence number VARCHAR2(34)

2 PLT_CN Plot sequence number VARCHAR2(34)

3 INVYR Inventory year NUMBER(4)

4 STATECD State code NUMBER(4)

5 COUNTYCD County code NUMBER(3)

6 PLOT Phase 2 plot number NUMBER(5)

7 TRANSECT Transect NUMBER(3)

8 SUBP Subplot number NUMBER(1)

9 CONDID Condition class of forest NUMBER(1)

10 MEASYEAR Measurement year NUMBER(4)

11 SMALLCT Small count NUMBER(3)

12 MEDIUMCT Medium count NUMBER(3)

13 LARGECT Large count NUMBER(3)

14 RSNCTCD Reason count code NUMBER(1)

15 PILESCD Piles code NUMBER(1)

16 CREATED_BY Created by VARCHAR2(30)

17 CREATED_DATE Created date DATE

18 CREATED_IN_INSTANCE Created in instance VARCHAR2(6)

19 MODIFIED_BY Modified by VARCHAR2(30)

20 MODIFIED_DATE Modified date DATE

21 MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE Modified in instance VARCHAR2(6)

Type of Key Column(s) order Tables to link Abbreviated notation

Primary (CN) N/A DFW_PK

Unique (PLT_CN, TRANSECT, SUBP, 

CONDID)

N/A DFW_UK

Natural (STATECD, INVYR, COUNTYCD, 

PLOT, TRANSECT, SUBP, CONDID)

N/A DFW_NAT_I

1. CN Sequence number. A unique sequence number used to identify a 

down woody material fine woody debris record.

2. PLT_CN Plot sequence number. Foreign key linking the down woody material 

fine woody debris record to the P2 plot record.

3. INVYR Inventory year. The year that best represents when the inventory data 

were collected. Under the annual inventory system, a group of plots 

is selected each year for sampling. The selection is based on a panel 

system. INVYR is the year in which the majority of plots in that 

group were collected (plots in the group have the same panel and, if 

applicable, subpanel). Under periodic inventory, a reporting inventory 

year was selected, usually based on the year in which the majority of 
143

the plots were collected or the mid-point of the years over which the 

inventory spanned. For either annual or periodic inventory, INVYR is 

not necessarily the same as MEASYEAR.

 Exceptions:

 INVYR = 9999. INVYR is set to 9999 to distinguish those 

Western P3 plots that are “off subpanel” because of differences in 

measurement intervals between P3 (measurement interval=5 years) 

and P2 (measurement interval=10 years) plots. Only users interested 

in performing certain P3 data analyses should access plots with this 

anomalous value in INVYR.

4. STATECD State code. Bureau of the Census Federal Information Processing 

Standards (FIPS) two-digit code for each state. Refer to Appendix C 

in the P2 document (The Forest Inventory and Analysis Database: 

Database Description and Users Manual Version 4.0 for P2, available 

at: http://www.fia.fs.fed.us/library/database-documentation/)

5. COUNTYCD County code. The identification number for a county, parish, 

watershed, borough, or similar governmental unit in a state. FIPS 

codes from the Bureau of the Census, 1990, are used. Refer to 

Appendix C in the P2 document for codes(The Forest Inventory and 

Analysis Database: Database Description and Users Manual Version 

4.0 for P2, available at: http://www.fia.fs.fed.us/library/databasedocumentation/)

6. PLOT P2 plot number. An identifier for a plot. Along with STATECD, 

INVYR, and COUNTYCD, PLOT may be used to uniquely identify 

a plot.

7. TRANSECT Transect. A code indicating the azimuth of the subplot transect on 

which the piece is sampled.

Code Transect

030 Transect extends 30 degrees from subplot center

150 Transect extends 150 degrees from subplot center

270 Transect extends 270 degrees from subplot center

8. SUBP Subplot number. Number of the subplot. Annual inventories have 

subplot number values of 1 through 4. Periodic inventory subplot 

numbers will vary. For more information, contact the appropriate FIA 

unit.
144

9. CONDID Forest condition class. Condition class number. Unique identifying 

number assigned to each condition on a plot. A condition is initially 

defined by condition class status. Differences in reserved status, 

owner group, forest type, stand-size class, regeneration status, and 

stand density further define condition for forest land. Mapped 

nonforest conditions are also assigned numbers. At the time of plot 

establishment, the condition class at plot center (the center of subplot 

1) is usually designated as condition class 1. Other condition classes 

are assigned numbers sequentially at the time each condition class 

is delineated. On a plot, each sampled condition class must have a 

unique number that can change at remeasurement to reflect new 

conditions on the plot.

10. MEASYEAR Measurement year. The year in which the plot was completed. 

MEASYEAR may differ from INVYR.

11. SMALLCT Small count. 1-hr FWD tally. The number of pieces counted in this 

size class (0.01- to 0.24-inch diameter) along the transect segment. 

Individual pieces are tallied up to 50, then ocularly estimated over a 

tally of 50.

12. MEDIUMCT Medium count. 10-hr FWD tally. The number of pieces counted in 

this size class (0.25- to 0.9-inch diameter) along the transect segment. 

Individual pieces are tallied up to 50, then ocularly estimated over a 

tally of 50.

13. LARGECT Large count. 100-hr FWD tally. The number of pieces counted in 

this size class (1.0- to 2.9-inch diameter) along the transect segment. 

Individual pieces are tallied up to 20, then ocularly estimated over a 

tally of 20.

14. RSNCTCD Reason count code. A code indicating the reason that applies to 

the situation encountered on the transect if any of the counts 

(SMALLCT, MEDIUMCT, or LARGECT) on that transect are 

greater than 100 pieces. A code > 0 is entered if any of the counts on a 

transect are greater than 100 pieces.

Code Reason count

0 FWD is not unusually high

1 High count is due to an overall high density of FWD across 

the transect

2 Wood rat’s nest located on transect

3 Tree or shrub laying across transect

4 Other reason
145

15. PILESCD Piles code. A code indicating whether a residue pile intersects the 

FWD transect segment.

Code Piles

0 No

1 Yes

16. CREATED_BY Created by. The employee who created the record. This attribute is 

intentionally left blank in download files. It will be dropped in version 

5.0.

17. CREATED_DATE

 Created date. The date on which the record was created. Date will be 

in the form DD-MON-YYYY.

18. CREATED_IN_INSTANCE

 Created in instance. The database instance in which the record was 

created. Each computer system has a unique database instance code, 

and this attribute stores that information to determine on what 

computer the record was created.

19. MODIFIED_BY Modified by. The employee who modified the record. This field 

will be null if the data have not been modified since initial creation. 

This attribute is intentionally left blank in download files. It will be 

dropped in version 5.0.

20. MODIFIED_DATE

 Modified date. The date on which the record was last modified. 

This field will be null if the data have not been modified since initial 

creation. Date will be in the form DD-MON-YYYY.

21. MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE

 Modified in instance. The database instance in which the record was 

modified. This field will be null if the data have not been modified 

since initial creation.
146

Down Woody Material Microplot Fuel Table 

(Oracle table name is DWM_MICROPLOT_FUEL)

Column Name Descriptive Name Oracle data type

1 CN Sequence number VARCHAR2(34)

2 PLT_CN Plot sequence number VARCHAR2(34)

3 INVYR Inventory year NUMBER(4)

4 STATECD State code NUMBER(4)

5 COUNTYCD County code NUMBER(3)

6 PLOT Phase 2 plot number NUMBER(5)

7 SUBP Subplot number NUMBER(1)

8 MEASYEAR Measurement year NUMBER(4)

9 LVSHRBCD Live shrub code NUMBER(2)

10 DSHRBCD Dead shrub code NUMBER(2)

11 LVHRBCD Live herb code NUMBER(2)

12 DHRBCD Dead herb code NUMBER(2)

13 LITTERCD Litter NUMBER

14 LVSHRBHT Live shrub height NUMBER

15 DSHRBHT Dead shrub height NUMBER

16 LVHRBHT Live herb height NUMBER

17 DHRBHT Dead herb height NUMBER

18 CREATED_BY Created by VARCHAR2(30)

19 CREATED_DATE Created date DATE

20 CREATED_IN_INSTANCE Created in instance VARCHAR2(6)

21 MODIFIED_BY Modified by VARCHAR2(30)

22 MODIFIED_DATE Modified date DATE

23 MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE Modified in instance VARCHAR2(6)

Type of Key Column(s) order Tables to link Abbreviated notation

Primary (CN) N/A DMF_PK

Unique (PLT_CN, SUBP) N/A DMF_UK

Natural (STATECD, INVYR, COUNTYCD, 

PLOT, SUBP)

N/A DMF_NAT_I)

1. CN Sequence number. A unique sequence number used to identify a 

down woody material microplot fuel record.

2. PLT_CN Plot sequence number. Foreign key linking the down woody material 

microplot fuel record to the P2 plot record.

3. INVYR Inventory year. The year that best represents when the inventory data 

were collected. Under the annual inventory system, a group of plots 

is selected each year for sampling. The selection is based on a panel 

system. INVYR is the year in which the majority of plots in that 

group were collected (plots in the group have the same panel and, if 

applicable, subpanel). Under periodic inventory, a reporting inventory 
147

year was selected, usually based on the year in which the majority of 

the plots were collected or the mid-point of the years over which the 

inventory spanned. For either annual or periodic inventory, INVYR is 

not necessarily the same as MEASYEAR.

 Exceptions:

 INVYR = 9999. INVYR is set to 9999 to distinguish those 

Western P3 plots that are “off subpanel” because of differences in 

measurement intervals between P3 (measurement interval=5 years) 

and P2 (measurement interval=10 years) plots. Only users interested 

in performing certain P3 data analyses should access plots with this 

anomalous value in INVYR.

4. STATECD State code. Bureau of the Census Federal Information Processing 

Standards (FIPS) two-digit code for each state. Refer to Appendix C 

in the P2 document (The Forest Inventory and Analysis Database: 

Database Description and Users Manual Version 4.0 for P2, available 

at: http://www.fia.fs.fed.us/library/database-documentation/)

5. COUNTYCD County code. The identification number for a county, parish, 

watershed, borough, or similar governmental unit in a state. FIPS 

codes from the Bureau of the Census, 1990, are used. Refer to 

Appendix C in the P2 document for codes (The Forest Inventory and 

Analysis Database: Database Description and Users Manual Version 

4.0 for P2, available at: http://www.fia.fs.fed.us/library/databasedocumentation/)

6. PLOT P2 plot number. An identifier for a plot. Along with STATECD, 

INVYR, and COUNTYCD, PLOT may be used to uniquely identify 

a plot.

7. SUBP Subplot number. A code indicating the number of the subplot center 

from which the transect originates.

Code Subplot number

1 Center subplot

2 North subplot

3 Southeast subplot

4 Southwest subplot

8. MEASYEAR Measurement year. The year in which the plot was completed. 

MEASYEAR may differ from INVYR.

9. LVSHRBCD Live shrub code. A code indicating the cover class that indicates the 

percent cover of the forested microplot area covered with live shrubs.
148

Code Live shrub

00 Absent

01 Trace (<1% cover)

10 1-10%

20 11-20%

30 21-30%

...

90 81-90%

99 91-100%

10. DSHRBCD Dead shrub code. A code indicating the cover class that indicates the 

percent cover of the forested microplot area covered with dead shrubs 

and dead branches attached to live shrubs if visible from above.

Code Dead shrub

00 Absent

01 Trace (<1% cover)

10 1-10%

20 11-20%

30 21-30%

...

90 81-90%

99 91-100%

11. LVHRBCD Live herb code. A code indicating the cover class that indicates 

the percent cover of the forested microplot area covered with live 

herbaceous plants.

Code Live herb

00 Absent

01 Trace (<1% cover)

10 1-10%

20 11-20%

30 21-30%

...

90 81-90%

99 91-100%

12. DHRBCD Dead herb code. A code indicating the cover class that indicates 

the percent cover of the forested microplot area covered with dead 

herbaceous plants and dead leaves attached to live plants if visible 

from above.
149

Code Dead herb

00 Absent

01 Trace (<1% cover)

10 1-10%

20 11-20%

30 21-30%

...

90 81-90%

99 91-100%

13. LITTERCD Litter code. A code indicating the cover class that indicates the percent 

cover of the forested microplot area covered with litter. Litter is the 

layer of freshly fallen leaves, twigs, dead moss, dead lichens, and other 

fine particles of organic matter found on the surface of the forest floor. 

Decomposition is minimal.

Code Litter

00 Absent

01 Trace (<1% cover)

10 1-10%

20 11-20%

30 21-30%

...

90 81-90%

99 91-100%

14. LVSHRBHT Live shrub height. Indicates the height of the tallest shrub to the 

nearest 0.1 foot. Heights < 6 feet are measured and heights > 6 feet are 

estimated.

15. DSHRBHT Dead shrub height. Indicates the height of the tallest dead shrub to 

the nearest 0.1 foot. Heights < 6 feet are measured and heights > 6 feet 

are estimated.

16. LVHRBHT Live herb height. Indicates the height (at the tallest point) of the live 

herbaceous layer to the nearest 0.1 foot. Maximum height is 6 feet.

17. DHRBHT Dead herb height. Indicates the height (at the tallest point) of the 

dead herbaceous layer to the nearest 0.1 foot. Maximum height is 6 

feet.

18. CREATED_BY Created by. The employee who created the record. This attribute is 

intentionally left blank in download files. It will be dropped in version 

5.0.
150

19. CREATED_DATE

 Created date. The date on which the record was created. Date will be 

in the form DD-MON-YYYY.

20. CREATED_IN_INSTANCE

 Created in instance. The database instance in which the record was 

created. Each computer system has a unique database instance code, 

and this attribute stores that information to determine on which 

computer the record was created.

21. MODIFIED_BY Modified by. The employee who modified the record. This field 

will be null if the data have not been modified since initial creation. 

This attribute is intentionally left blank in download files. It will be 

dropped in version 5.0.

22. MODIFIED_DATE

 Modified date. The date on which the record was last modified. 

This field will be null if the data have not been modified since initial 

creation. Date will be in the form DD-MON-YYYY.

23. MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE

 Modified in instance. The database instance in which the record was 

modified. This field will be null if the data have not been modified 

since initial creation.
151

Down Woody Material Residual Pile Table 

(Oracle table name is DWM_RESIDUAL_PILE)

Column Name Descriptive Name Oracle data type

1 CN Sequence number VARCHAR2(34)

2 PLT_CN Plot sequence number VARCHAR2(34)

3 INVYR Inventory year NUMBER(4)

4 STATECD State code NUMBER(4)

5 COUNTYCD County code NUMBER(3)

6 PLOT Phase 2 plot number NUMBER(5)

7 SUBP Subplot number NUMBER(1)

8 PILE Subplot pile number NUMBER

9 MEASYEAR Measurement year NUMBER(4)

10 CONDID Condition class of the forest NUMBER(1)

11 SHAPECD Shape code NUMBER(1)

12 AZIMUTH Azimuth NUMBER(3)

13 DENSITY Density (packing ratio of pile) NUMBER(2)

14 HEIGHT1 Pile height 1 NUMBER(2)

15 WIDTH1 Pile width 1 NUMBER(2)

16 LENGTH1 Pile length 1 NUMBER(2)

17 HEIGHT2 Pile height 2 NUMBER(2)

18 WIDTH2 Pile width 2 NUMBER(2)

19 LENGTH2 Pile length 2 NUMBER(2)

20 CREATED_BY Created by VARCHAR2(30)

21 CREATED_DATE Created date DATE

22 CREATED_IN_INSTANCE Created in instance VARCHAR2(6)

23 MODIFIED_BY Modified by VARCHAR2(30)

24 MODIFIED_DATE Modified date DATE

25 MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE Modified in instance VARCHAR2(6)

Type of Key Column(s) Tables to link Abbreviated notation

Primary (CN) N/A DRP_PK

Unique (PLT_CN, SUBP, PILE) N/A DRP_UK

Natural (STATECD, INVYR, COUNTYCD, 

PLOT, SUBP, PILE)

N/A DRP_NAT_I

1. CN Sequence number. A unique sequence number used to identify a 

down woody material residual pile record.

2. PLT_CN Plot sequence number. Foreign key linking the down woody material 

residual pile record to the P2 plot record.

3. INVYR Inventory year. The year that best represents when the inventory data 

were collected. Under the annual inventory system, a group of plots 

is selected each year for sampling. The selection is based on a panel 

system. INVYR is the year in which the majority of plots in that 
152

group were collected (plots in the group have the same panel and, if 

applicable, subpanel). Under periodic inventory, a reporting inventory 

year was selected, usually based on the year in which the majority of 

the plots were collected or the mid-point of the years over which the 

inventory spanned. For either annual or periodic inventory, INVYR is 

not necessarily the same as MEASYEAR.

 Exceptions:

 INVYR = 9999. INVYR is set to 9999 to distinguish those 

Western P3 plots that are “off subpanel” because of differences in 

measurement intervals between P3 (measurement interval=5 years) 

and P2 (measurement interval=10 years) plots. Only users interested 

in performing certain P3 data analyses should access plots with this 

anomalous value in INVYR.

4. STATECD State code. Bureau of the Census Federal Information Processing 

Standards (FIPS) two-digit code for each state. Refer to Appendix C 

in the P2 document (The Forest Inventory and Analysis Database: 

Database Description and Users Manual Version 4.0 for P2, available 

at: http://www.fia.fs.fed.us/library/database-documentation/)

5. COUNTYCD County code. The identification number for a county, parish, 

watershed, borough, or similar governmental unit in a state. FIPS 

codes from the Bureau of the Census, 1990, are used. Refer to 

Appendix C in the P2 document for codes (The Forest Inventory and 

Analysis Database: Database Description and Users Manual Version 

4.0 for P2, available at: http://www.fia.fs.fed.us/library/databasedocumentation/)

6. PLOT P2 plot number. An identifier for a plot. Along with STATECD, 

INVYR, and COUNTYCD, PLOT may be used to uniquely identify 

a plot.

7. SUBP Subplot number. A code indicating the number of the subplot center 

from which the transect originates.

Code Subplot number

1 Center subplot

2 North subplot

3 Southeast subplot

4 Southwest subplot

8. PILE Subplot pile number. The number identifying the residual pile.
153

9. MEASYEAR Measurement year. The year in which the plot was completed. 

MEASYEAR may differ from INVYR.

10. CONDID Forest condition class. Condition class number. Unique identifying 

number assigned to each condition on a plot. A condition is initially 

defined by condition class status. Differences in reserved status, 

owner group, forest type, stand-size class, regeneration status, and 

stand density further define condition for forest land. Mapped 

nonforest conditions are also assigned numbers. At the time of the 

plot establishment, the condition class at plot center (the center of 

subplot 1) is usually designated as condition class 1. Other condition 

classes are assigned numbers sequentially at the time each condition 

class is delineated. On a plot, each sampled condition class must have 

a unique number that can change at remeasurement to reflect new 

conditions on the plot.

11. SHAPECD Shape code. A code indicating the shape of the pile. See figure below.

PILE SHAPE codes (Hardy 1996). Figure 14-12 from the Forest Inventory and Analysis National Core 

Field Guide (Phase 3, version 3.0) (see http://www.fia.fs.fed.us/library/field-guides-methods-proc/

Code Shape

1 Paraboloids

2 Half-cylinder

3 Half-frustum of cone

4 Irregular solid

12. AZIMUTH Azimuth. The code indicating the azimuth from the subplot center to 

the pile. This azimuth centers on the pile so that it can be relocated. 

Use 360 for north.

13. DENSITY Density (packing ratio of pile). A code indicating the percent of the 

pile that consists of woody material > 3 inches. Air, soil, rock, and live 

plants are not included in the estimate. Estimated to the nearest 10 

percent.
154

Code Density

00 Absent

01 Trace (<1% cover)

10 1-10%

20 11-20%

30 21-30%

...

90 81-90%

99 91-100%

14. HEIGHT1 Pile height1. The estimated height (in feet) of either end of the pile. 

Pile height1 may equal pile height2. See figure under SHAPECD

15. WIDTH1 Pile width1 (ft). The estimated width (in feet) of the side of 

HEIGHT1. Pile width1 may equal pile width2. See figure under 

SHAPECD.

16. LENGTH1 Pile length1. The estimated length (in feet) of either side of the pile. 

Pile length1 may equal pile length2. See figure under SHAPECD.

17. HEIGHT2 Pile height2. The estimated height (in feet) of either end of the pile. 

Pile height1 may equal pile height2. See figure under SHAPECD.

18. WIDTH2 Pile width2. The estimated width (in feet) of the side of height2. Pile 

width1 may equal pile width2. See figure under SHAPECD.

19. LENGTH2 Pile length2. The length (in feet) of either side of the pile. Pile length1 

may equal pile length2. See figure in SHAPECD.

20. CREATED_BY Created by. The employee who created the record. This attribute is 

intentionally left blank in download files. It will be dropped in version 

5.0.

21. CREATED_DATE

 Created date. The date on which the record was created. Date will be 

in the form DD-MON-YYYY.

22. CREATED_IN_INSTANCE

 Created in instance. The database instance in which the record was 

created. Each computer system has a unique database instance code, 

and this attribute stores that information to determine on which 

computer the record was created.

23. MODIFIED_BY Modified by. The employee who modified the record. This field 

will be null if the data have not been modified since initial creation. 
155

This attribute is intentionally left blank in download files. It will be 

dropped in version 5.0.

24. MODIFIED_DATE

 Modified date. The date on which the record was last modified. 

This field will be null if the data have not been modified since initial 

creation. Date will be in the form DD-MON-YYYY.

25. MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE

 Modified in instance. The database instance in which the record was 

modified. This field will be null if the data have not been modified 

since initial creation
156

Down Woody Material Transect Segment Table 

(Oracle table name is DWM_TRANSECT_SEGMENT)

Column Name Descriptive Name Oracle data type

1 CN Sequence number VARCHAR2(34)

2 PLT_CN Plot sequence number VARCHAR2(34)

3 INVYR Inventory year NUMBER(4)

4 STATECD State code NUMBER(4)

5 COUNTYCD County code NUMBER(3)

6 PLOT Phase 2 plot number NUMBER(5)

7 SUBP Subplot number NUMBER(1)

8 TRANSECT Transect NUMBER(3)

9 SEGMNT Transect segment number NUMBER(1)

10 MEASYEAR Measurement year NUMBER(4)

11 CONDID Condition class of the segment NUMBER(1)

12 BEGNDIST Beginning distance NUMBER

13 ENDDIST Ending distance NUMBER

14 SLOPE Slope of segment NUMBER(3)

15 HORIZDIST Horizontal distance of segment NUMBER

16 CREATED_BY Created by VARCHAR2(30)

17 CREATED_DATE Created date DATE

18 CREATED_IN_INSTANCE Created in instance VARCHAR2(6)

19 MODIFIED_BY Modified by VARCHAR2(30)

20 MODIFIED_DATE Modified date DATE

21 MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE Modified in instance VARCHAR2(6)

Type of Key Column(s) order Tables to link Abbreviated notation

Primary (CN) N/A DTS_PK

Unique (PLT_CN, SUBP, TRANSECT, 

SEGMNT)

N/A DTS_UK

Natural (STATECD, INVYR, COUNTYCD, 

PLOT, SUBP, TRANSECT, SEGMNT)

N/A DTS_NAT_I

1. CN Sequence number. A unique sequence number used to identify a 

down woody material transect segment record.

2. PLT_CN Plot sequence number. Foreign key linking the down woody material 

transect segment record to the P2 plot record.

3. INVYR Inventory year. The year that best represents when the inventory data 

were collected. Under the annual inventory system, a group of plots 

is selected each year for sampling. The selection is based on a panel 

system. INVYR is the year in which the majority of plots in that 

group were collected (plots in the group have the same panel and, if 

applicable, subpanel). Under periodic inventory, a reporting inventory 

year was selected, usually based on the year in which the majority of 
157

the plots were collected or the mid-point of the years over which the 

inventory spanned. For either annual or periodic inventory, INVYR is 

not necessarily the same as MEASYEAR.

 Exceptons:

 INVYR = 9999. INVYR is set to 9999 to distinguish those 

Western P3 plots that are “off subpanel” because of differences in 

measurement intervals between P3 (measurement interval=5 years) 

and P2 (measurement interval=10 years) plots. Only users interested 

in performing certain P3 data analyses should access plots with this 

anomalous value in INVYR.

4. STATECD State code. Bureau of the Census Federal Information Processing 

Standards (FIPS) two-digit code for each state. Refer to Appendix C 

in the P2 document (The Forest Inventory and Analysis Database: 

Database Description and Users Manual Version 4.0 for P2, available 

at: http://www.fia.fs.fed.us/library/database-documentation/)

5. COUNTYCD County code. The identification number for a county, parish, watershed, 

borough, or similar governmental unit in a state. FIPS codes from the 

Bureau of the Census, 1990, are used. Refer to Appendix C in the 

P2 document for codes (The Forest Inventory and Analysis Database: 

Database Description and Users Manual Version 4.0 for P2, available at: 

http://www.fia.fs.fed.us/library/database-documentation/)

6. PLOT P2 plot number. An identifier for a plot. Along with STATECD, 

INVYR, and COUNTYCD, PLOT may be used to uniquely identify 

a plot.

7. SUBP Subplot number. A code indicating the subplot center from which the 

transect originates.

Code Subplot number

1 Center subplot

2 North subplot

3 Southeast subplot

4 Southwest subplot

8. TRANSECT Transect. A code indicating the azimuth of the subplot transect on 

which the piece is sampled.

Code Transect

030 Transect extends 30 degrees from subplot center

150 Transect extends 150 degrees from subplot center

270 Transect extends 270 degrees from subplot center
158

9. SEGMNT Transect segment number. Number of each segment, numbered 

sequentially from the beginning of each individual transect.

10. MEASYEAR Measurement year. The year in which the plot was completed. 

MEASYEAR may differ from INVYR.

11. CONDID Condition class of the segment. Unique identifying number assigned 

to each condition on a plot. A condition is initially defined by 

condition class status. Differences in reserved status, owner group, 

forest type, stand-size class, regeneration status, and stand density 

further define condition for forest land. Mapped nonforest conditions 

are also assigned numbers. At the time of the plot establishment, 

the condition class at plot center (the center of subplot 1) is usually 

designated as condition class 1. Other condition classes are assigned 

numbers sequentially at the time each condition class is delineated. 

On a plot, each sampled condition class must have a unique number 

that can change at remeasurement to reflect new conditions on the 

plot. The first segment recorded for each DWM transect will have the 

same condition class number as assigned to the subplot center.

12. BEGNDIST Beginning distance. The location (using slope distance) on the transect 

line where the transect intersects the boundary with the adjacent 

condition class nearer to the subplot center. The first record for each 

transect will have a beginning distance of 00.0 ft. Each subsequent 

record will have a beginning distance equal to the ending distance of 

the previous record. Measured to the nearest 0.1 ft.

13. ENDDIST Ending distance. The location (using slope distance) on the transect 

line where the transect exits the condition class being delineated and 

intersects the boundary with a different condition class further away 

from the subplot center. If no other condition classes are encountered, 

the location (using slope distance) of the end of the transect line is 

recorded. Measured to the nearest 0.1 ft.

14. SLOPE Segment slope. Indicates the average slope percent along the transect 

within the condition class being segmented. When only one condition 

class is present on a transect, slope percent is the average slope percent 

along the entire transect. Measured to the nearest 5 percent.

15. HORIZDIST Horizontal distance. Segment horizontal distance (in feet).

16. CREATED_BY Created by. The employee who created the record. This attribute is 

intentionally left blank in download files. It will be dropped in version 

5.0.
159

17. CREATED_DATE

 Created date. The date on which the record was created. Date will be 

in the form DD-MON-YYYY.

18. CREATED_IN_INSTANCE

 Created in instance. The database instance in which the record was 

created. Each computer system has a unique database instance code, 

and this attribute stores that information to determine on which 

computer the record was created.

19. MODIFIED_BY Modified by. The employee who modified the record. This field 

will be null if the data have not been modified since initial creation. 

This attribute is intentionally left blank in download files. It will be 

dropped in version 5.0.

20. MODIFIED_DATE

 Modified date. The date on which the record was last modified. 

This field will be null if the data have not been modified since initial 

creation. Date will be in the form DD-MON-YYYY.

21. MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE

 Modified in instance. The database instance in which the record was 

modified. This field will be null if the data have not been modified 

since initial creation.
160

Chapter 3 — Views

VEG_QUADRAT_SPP

The data presented in this created view originates from the Vegetation Subplot Species Table 

(VEG_SUBPLOT_SPP). In this table, each subplot species record contains presence/absence 

information on each quadrat. The Quadrat Species view is the first step in putting the data in a 

format where they can be easily used for estimating species quadrat frequency and quadrat-level 

species richness.

Species quadrat frequency is determined by dividing the number of quadrats where a species 

was recorded by the total number of quadrats sampled. The Quadrat Species view is used to 

determine the number of quadrats where a species was recorded. The total number of quadrats 

sampled is determined from the Vegetation Quadrat Table (QUADRAT_STATUS = 1 or 3).

Quadrat species richness is the number of species found on a quadrat (on a standard area of 1 

m2). This view is used to determine the number of species on each quadrat where QUADRAT_

STATUS = 1. Population estimates of quadrat species richness must also include quadrats 

where QUADRAT_STATUS = 3 (quadrat sampled, but no vascular plants were rooted in or 

overhanging within 6 feet).

CREATE OR REPLACE VIEW VEG_QUADRAT_SPP_VW

(PLT_CN, VVT_CN, VSB_CN, VQT_CN, VPS_CN, 

 STATECD, INVYR, COUNTYCD, PLOT, SUBP, 

 QUADRAT, VEG_FLDSPCD, UNIQUE_SP_NBR, VEG_SPCD)

AS 

Select “PLT_CN”,”VVT_CN”,”VSB_CN”,”VQT_CN”,”VPS_CN”,”STATECD”,”INVY

R”,”COUNTYCD”,”PLOT”,”SUBP”,”QUADRAT”,”VEG_FLDSPCD”,”UNIQUE_SP_

NBR”,”VEG_SPCD”

from

(SELECT vss.plt_cn, vss.vvt_cn, vsb.cn as vsb_cn, vqt.cn as vqt_cn, vss.vps_cn,

 plt.statecd, plt.invyr, plt.countycd, plt.plot,

 vss.subp, 1 AS quadrat, 

 vps.veg_fldspcd, vps.unique_sp_nbr, vps.veg_spcd 

 FROM veg_visit vvt,

 plot plt,

 veg_plot_species vps,

 veg_subplot vsb,

 veg_subplot_spp vss,

 veg_quadrat vqt

 WHERE plt.cn = vvt.plt_cn

 AND vvt.cn = vps.vvt_cn

 AND vps.cn = vss.vps_cn

 AND vvt.cn = vsb.vvt_cn

 AND vsb.vvt_cn = vps.vvt_cn

 AND vsb.subp = vss.subp

 AND vqt.vsb_cn = vsb.cn
161

 AND vqt.quadrat = 1

 AND vss.quad_1_presence = 1

UNION

SELECT vss.plt_cn, vss.vvt_cn, vsb.cn as vsb_cn, vqt.cn as vqt_cn, vss.vps_cn, 

 plt.statecd, plt.invyr, plt.countycd, plt.plot,

 vss.subp, 2 AS quadrat, 

 vps.veg_fldspcd, vps.unique_sp_nbr, vps.veg_spcd

 FROM veg_visit vvt,

 plot plt,

 veg_plot_species vps,

 veg_subplot vsb,

 veg_subplot_spp vss,

 veg_quadrat vqt

 WHERE plt.cn = vvt.plt_cn

 AND vvt.cn = vps.vvt_cn

 AND vps.cn = vss.vps_cn

 AND vvt.cn = vsb.vvt_cn

 AND vsb.vvt_cn = vps.vvt_cn

 AND vsb.subp = vss.subp

 AND vqt.vsb_cn = vsb.cn

 AND vqt.quadrat = 2

 AND vss.quad_2_presence = 1

UNION

SELECT vss.plt_cn, vss.vvt_cn, vsb.cn as vsb_cn, vqt.cn as vqt_cn, vss.vps_cn, 

 plt.statecd, plt.invyr, plt.countycd, plt.plot,

 vss.subp, 3 AS quadrat, 

 vps.veg_fldspcd, vps.unique_sp_nbr, vps.veg_spcd

 FROM veg_visit vvt,

 plot plt,

 veg_plot_species vps,

 veg_subplot vsb,

 veg_subplot_spp vss,

 veg_quadrat vqt

 WHERE plt.cn = vvt.plt_cn

 AND vvt.cn = vps.vvt_cn

 AND vps.cn = vss.vps_cn

 AND vvt.cn = vsb.vvt_cn

 AND vsb.vvt_cn = vps.vvt_cn

 AND vsb.subp = vss.subp

 AND vqt.vsb_cn = vsb.cn

 AND vqt.quadrat = 3

 AND vss.quad_3_presence = 1

) a

order by a.statecd, a.invyr, a.countycd, a.plot, a.subp, a.quadrat;
162

Acknowledgments

This document is based on previous documentation of the nationally standardized Forest 

Inventory and Analysis database (Hansen et al. 1992, Woudenberg and Farrenkopf 1995, Miles 

et al 2001). In addition to the primary chapter authors and compilers, the following persons 

contributed to this document: 

George Breazeale (U.S. Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station

Joseph Donnegan (U.S. Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station)

Mark Hansen (U.S. Forest Service, Northern Research Station)

Jason R. Meade (U.S. Forest Service, Southern Research Station)

Patrick D. Miles (U.S. Forest Service, Northern Research Station)

Barbara O’Connell (U.S. Forest Service, Northern Research Station)

John D. Shaw (U.S. Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station)

Jeff A. Turner (U.S. Forest Service, Southern Research Station)

Sharon Woudenberg (U.S. Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station)

Research support was provided by the USDA Forest Service Research Stations listed above, 

in part through the Research Joint Venture Agreements 07-JV-11330146-134 and 08-JV11330146-078 between the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research 

Station and North Carolina State University; in part through Cooperative Agreement 06-CA11220145-079 between the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research 

Station and University of Wisconsin-Madison; and in part through Research Joint Venture 

Agreement 08-JV-11261979-349 between the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, 

Pacific Northwest Research Station and Oregon State University. In accordance with U.S. 

Department of Agriculture policy, these institutions are prohibited from discriminating on the 

basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all 

programs.)

Literature Cited

Coulston, J.W.; Smith, G.C.; Smith, W.D. 2003. Regional assessment of ozone sensitive 

species using bioindicator plants. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment. 83: 113-

127.

Hardy, C.C. 1996. Guidelines for estimating volume, biomass, and smoke production for 

piled slash. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-364. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, 

Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 21 p.

Horsfall, J.G.; Cowling, E.B. eds. 1978. Pathometry: the measurement of plant disease. In: 

Plant Disease, Vol. II. New York: Academic Press: 119-136.

Lister, A.; Scott, C.T.; King, S.L., et al. 2005. Strategies for preserving owner privacy in the 

national information management system of the USDA Forest Service’s Forest Inventory 
163

and Analysis unit. In: McRoberts, R.E.; Reams, G.A.; Van Deusen, P.C.; McWilliams,W.H., 

eds. Proc. of the 4th annual forest inventory and analysis symposium, Gen. Tech. Rep. NC252. St. Paul, MN: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Research 

Station: 163-166.

O’Neill, K.P.; Amacher, M.C.; Perry, C.H. 2005. Soils as an indicator of forest health: 

a guide to the collection, analysis, and interpretation of soil indicator data in the 

Forest Inventory and Analysis Program. Gen. Tech. Rep. NC-258. St. Paul, MN: U.S. 

Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Research Station. 53 p.

Schomaker, M.E.; Zarnoch, S.J.; Bechtold, W.A. et al. 2007. Crown condition classification: 

a guide to data collection and analysis. Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS-102. Asheville, NC: U.S. 

Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station. 78 p.

Schulz, BK.; Bechtold, W.A; Zarnoch, S.J. 2009. Sampling and estimation procedures for the 

vegetation diversity and structure indicator. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-781. Portland, 

OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station.

Smith, G.C.; Smith, W.D.; Coulston, J.W. 2007. Ozone bioindicator sampling and 

estimation. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-20. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of 

Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station. 34 p.

Smith, G.C.; Coulston, J.W.; O’Connell, B.M. 2008. Ozone bioindicators and forest health: 

a guide to the evaluation, analysis, and interpretation of the ozone injury data in the 

Forest Inventory and Analysis Program. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-34. Newtown Square, PA: 

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station. 100 p.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. 2010. The forest inventory and analysis 

database: database description and users guide version 4.0 for P2. Washington, 

D.C.: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. On file with: U.S. Department of 

Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Inventory and Analysis, 201 14th St., Washington, DC 

20250.

Woodall, C.; Monleon, V.J. 2008. Sampling protocol, estimation procedures, and analytical 

guidelines for down woody materials indicator of the Forest Inventory and Analysis 

Program. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-22. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, 

Forest Service, Northern Research Station. 68 p.
164

Appendix A — Index of Column Names

The following table lists column names used in the database tables, their location within the table, and a short description 

of the attribute.

Column name and field guide 

section

Table name Location 

in table

Description

ABUNDANCE_CLASS (10.3.9) LICHEN_LAB 9 Abundance class

AIR_DRY_SOIL_WT SOILS_LAB 16 Air-dry soil weight

AMNT_MAX OZONE_SPECIES_SUMMARY 11 Amount maximum

AMNT_MEAN OZONE_SPECIES_SUMMARY 13 Amount mean

AMNT_MIN OZONE_SPECIES_SUMMARY 12 Amount minimum

ASPECT (9.4.11) OZONE_PLOT_SUMMARY 13 Aspect

ASPECT (9.4.11) OZONE_SPECIES_SUMMARY 24 Aspect

ASPECT (9.4.11) OZONE_VISIT 14 Aspect

AZIMUTH (14.8.3) DWM_RESIDUAL_PILE 12 Bearing from subplot to pile (deg)

BEGNDIST (14.3.4) DWM_TRANSECT_SEGMENT 12 Segment begin slope distance (ft)

BIOSITE_INDEX OZONE_BIOSITE_SUMMARY 14 Biosite index

BIOSITE_INDEX OZONE_PLOT_SUMMARY 10 Biosite index

BIOSITE_INDEX_MULTIPLIER OZONE_BIOSITE_SUMMARY 15 Biosite index multiplier

BIOSITE_INDEX_MULTIPLIER OZONE_PLOT_SUMMARY 19 Biosite index multiplier

BIOSPCD (9.6.1) OZONE_SPECIES_SUMMARY 10 Bioindicator species code

BIOSPCD (9.6.1) OZONE_VALIDATION 9 Bioindicator species code

BIOSPCD_INDEX OZONE_SPECIES_SUMMARY 21 Bioindicator species index

BIOSPCD_SUM OZONE_SPECIES_SUMMARY 20 Bioindicator species sum

BRAY1_P SOILS_LAB 43 Bray 1 phosphorus

BULK_DENSITY SOILS_LAB 21 Bulk density

C_INORG_PCT SOILS_LAB 24 Carbon inorganic percent

C_ORG_PCT SOILS_LAB 23 Carbon organic percent

C_TOTAL_PCT SOILS_LAB 25 Carbon total percent

CATEGORY REF_PLANT_DICTIONARY 8 Category

CN DWM_COARSE_WOODY_DEBRIS 1 Sequence number

CN DWM_DUFF_LITTER_FUEL 1 Sequence number

CN DWM_FINE_WOODY_DEBRIS 1 Sequence number

CN DWM_MICROPLOT_FUEL 1 Sequence number

CN DWM_RESIDUAL_PILE 1 Sequence number

CN DWM_TRANSECT_SEGMENT 1 Sequence number

CN DWM_VISIT 1 Sequence number

CN LICHEN_LAB 1 Sequence number

CN LICHEN_PLOT_SUMMARY 1 Sequence number

CN LICHEN_SPECIES_SUMMARY 1 Sequence number

CN LICHEN_VISIT 1 Sequence number

CN OZONE_BIOSITE_SUMMARY 1 Sequence number

CN OZONE_PLOT 1 Sequence number

CN OZONE_PLOT_SUMMARY 1 Sequence number

CN OZONE_SPECIES_SUMMARY 1 Sequence number

CN OZONE_VALIDATION 1 Sequence number
165

Column name and field guide 

section

Table name Location 

in table

Description

CN OZONE_VISIT 1 Sequence number

CN REF_LICHEN_SPECIES 7 Sequence number

CN REF_LICHEN_SPP_COMMENTS 6 Sequence number

CN REF_PLANT_DICTIONARY 1 Sequence number

CN SOILS_EROSION 1 Sequence number

CN SOILS_LAB 1 Sequence number

CN SOILS_SAMPLE_LOC 1 Sequence number

CN SOILS_VISIT 1 Sequence number

CN VEG_PLOT_SPECIES 1 Sequence number

CN VEG_QUADRAT 1 Sequence number

CN VEG_SUBPLOT 1 Sequence number

CN VEG_SUBPLOT_SPP 1 Sequence number

CN VEG_VISIT 1 Sequence number

COARSE_FRACTION_PCT SOILS_LAB 22 Coarse fraction percent

COMMON_NAME REF_PLANT_DICTIONARY 7 Common name

COMMUNITY_DESC_SPECIMEN_

LABEL (13.4.6)

VEG_SUBPLOT 13 Community description for specimen 

label

COMPCPCT (11.6.2) SOILS_EROSION 10 Compact percent (percent 

compacted area) 

CONDID (14.5.2) DWM_FINE_WOODY_DEBRIS 9 Forest condition class number

CONDID (14.8.2) DWM_RESIDUAL_PILE 10 Forest condition class of pile

CONDID (14.3.3) DWM_TRANSECT_SEGMENT 11 Segment condition class number

CONDID (11.7.9) SOILS_SAMPLE_LOC 19 Forest condition class number

CONDID (13.7.3) VEG_QUADRAT 11 Condition class number

COUNTYCD DWM_COARSE_WOODY_DEBRIS 5 County code

COUNTYCD DWM_DUFF_LITTER_FUEL 5 County code

COUNTYCD DWM_FINE_WOODY_DEBRIS 5 County code

COUNTYCD DWM_MICROPLOT_FUEL 5 County code

COUNTYCD DWM_RESIDUAL_PILE 5 County code

COUNTYCD DWM_TRANSECT_SEGMENT 5 County code

COUNTYCD DWM_VISIT 5 County code

COUNTYCD (10.3.5) LICHEN_LAB 5 County code

COUNTYCD (10.3.5) LICHEN_PLOT_SUMMARY 5 County code

COUNTYCD (10.3.5) LICHEN_VISIT 5 County code

COUNTYCD (9.4.2) OZONE_BIOSITE_SUMMARY 4 County code

COUNTYCD (9.4.2) OZONE_PLOT 7 County code

COUNTYCD (9.4.2) OZONE_PLOT_SUMMARY 4 County code

COUNTYCD (9.4.2) OZONE_SPECIES_SUMMARY 4 County code

COUNTYCD (9.4.2) OZONE_VALIDATION 5 County code

COUNTYCD (9.4.2) OZONE_VISIT 5 County code

COUNTYCD SOILS_EROSION 5 County code

COUNTYCD SOILS_LAB 5 County code

COUNTYCD SOILS_SAMPLE_LOC 5 County code

COUNTYCD SOILS_VISIT 5 County code
166

Column name and field guide 

section

Table name Location 

in table

Description

COUNTYCD (13.3.2) VEG_PLOT_SPECIES 6 County code

COUNTYCD (13.3.2) VEG_QUADRAT 7 County code

COUNTYCD (13.3.2) VEG_SUBPLOT 6 County code

COUNTYCD (13.3.2) VEG_SUBPLOT_SPP 8 County code

COUNTYCD (13.3.2) VEG_VISIT 5 County code

CREATED_BY DWM_COARSE_WOODY_DEBRIS 20 Created by

CREATED_BY DWM_DUFF_LITTER_FUEL 15 Created by

CREATED_BY DWM_FINE_WOODY_DEBRIS 16 Created by

CREATED_BY DWM_MICROPLOT_FUEL 18 Created by

CREATED_BY DWM_RESIDUAL_PILE 20 Created by

CREATED_BY DWM_TRANSECT_SEGMENT 16 Created by

CREATED_BY DWM_VISIT 13 Created by

CREATED_BY LICHEN_LAB 12 Created by

CREATED_BY LICHEN_PLOT_SUMMARY 12 Created by

CREATED_BY LICHEN_SPECIES_SUMMARY 13 Created by

CREATED_BY LICHEN_VISIT 32 Created by

CREATED_BY OZONE_BIOSITE_SUMMARY 22 Created by

CREATED_BY OZONE_PLOT 19 Created by

CREATED_BY OZONE_PLOT_SUMMARY 22 Created by

CREATED_BY OZONE_SPECIES_SUMMARY 30 Created by

CREATED_BY OZONE_VALIDATION 16 Created by

CREATED_BY OZONE_VISIT 23 Created by

CREATED_BY REF_LICHEN_SPECIES 8 Created by

CREATED_BY REF_LICHEN_SPP_COMMENTS 7 Created by

CREATED_BY REF_PLANT_DICTIONARY 24 Created by

CREATED_BY SOILS_EROSION 15 Created by

CREATED_BY SOILS_LAB 49 Created by

CREATED_BY SOILS_SAMPLE_LOC 25 Created by

CREATED_BY SOILS_VISIT 10 Created by

CREATED_BY VEG_PLOT_SPECIES 15 Created by

CREATED_BY VEG_QUADRAT 15 Created by

CREATED_BY VEG_SUBPLOT 31 Created by

CREATED_BY VEG_SUBPLOT_SPP 23 Created by

CREATED_BY VEG_VISIT 15 Created by

CREATED_DATE DWM_COARSE_WOODY_DEBRIS 21 Created date

CREATED_DATE DWM_DUFF_LITTER_FUEL 16 Created date

CREATED_DATE DWM_FINE_WOODY_DEBRIS 17 Created date

CREATED_DATE DWM_MICROPLOT_FUEL 19 Created date

CREATED_DATE DWM_RESIDUAL_PILE 21 Created date

CREATED_DATE DWM_TRANSECT_SEGMENT 17 Created date

CREATED_DATE DWM_VISIT 14 Created date

CREATED_DATE LICHEN_LAB 13 Created date

CREATED_DATE LICHEN_PLOT_SUMMARY 13 Created date

CREATED_DATE LICHEN_SPECIES_SUMMARY 14 Created date
167

Column name and field guide 

section

Table name Location 

in table

Description

CREATED_DATE LICHEN_VISIT 33 Created date

CREATED_DATE OZONE_BIOSITE_SUMMARY 23 Created date

CREATED_DATE OZONE_PLOT 20 Created date

CREATED_DATE OZONE_PLOT_SUMMARY 23 Created date

CREATED_DATE OZONE_SPECIES_SUMMARY 31 Created date

CREATED_DATE OZONE_VALIDATION 17 Created date

CREATED_DATE OZONE_VISIT 24 Created date

CREATED_DATE REF_LICHEN_SPECIES 9 Created date

CREATED_DATE REF_LICHEN_SPP_COMMENTS 8 Created date

CREATED_DATE REF_PLANT_DICTIONARY 25 Created date

CREATED_DATE SOILS_EROSION 16 Created date

CREATED_DATE SOILS_LAB 50 Created date

CREATED_DATE SOILS_SAMPLE_LOC 26 Created date

CREATED_DATE SOILS_VISIT 11 Created date

CREATED_DATE VEG_PLOT_SPECIES 16 Created date

CREATED_DATE VEG_QUADRAT 16 Created date

CREATED_DATE VEG_SUBPLOT 32 Created date

CREATED_DATE VEG_SUBPLOT_SPP 24 Created date

CREATED_DATE VEG_VISIT 16 Created date

CREATED_IN_INSTANCE DWM_COARSE_WOODY_DEBRIS 22 Created in instance

CREATED_IN_INSTANCE DWM_DUFF_LITTER_FUEL 17 Created in instance

CREATED_IN_INSTANCE DWM_FINE_WOODY_DEBRIS 18 Created in instance

CREATED_IN_INSTANCE DWM_MICROPLOT_FUEL 20 Created in instance

CREATED_IN_INSTANCE DWM_RESIDUAL_PILE 22 Created in instance

CREATED_IN_INSTANCE DWM_TRANSECT_SEGMENT 18 Created in instance

CREATED_IN_INSTANCE DWM_VISIT 15 Created in instance

CREATED_IN_INSTANCE LICHEN_LAB 14 Created in instance

CREATED_IN_INSTANCE LICHEN_PLOT_SUMMARY 14 Created in instance

CREATED_IN_INSTANCE LICHEN_SPECIES_SUMMARY 15 Created in instance

CREATED_IN_INSTANCE LICHEN_VISIT 34 Created in instance

CREATED_IN_INSTANCE OZONE_BIOSITE_SUMMARY 24 Created in instance

CREATED_IN_INSTANCE OZONE_PLOT 21 Created in instance

CREATED_IN_INSTANCE OZONE_PLOT_SUMMARY 24 Created in instance

CREATED_IN_INSTANCE OZONE_SPECIES_SUMMARY 32 Created in instance

CREATED_IN_INSTANCE OZONE_VALIDATION 18 Created in instance

CREATED_IN_INSTANCE OZONE_VISIT 25 Created in instance

CREATED_IN_INSTANCE REF_LICHEN_SPECIES 10 Created in instance

CREATED_IN_INSTANCE REF_LICHEN_SPP_COMMENTS 9 Created in instance

CREATED_IN_INSTANCE REF_PLANT_DICTIONARY 26 Created in instance

CREATED_IN_INSTANCE SOILS_EROSION 17 Created in instance

CREATED_IN_INSTANCE SOILS_LAB 51 Created in instance

CREATED_IN_INSTANCE SOILS_SAMPLE_LOC 27 Created in instance

CREATED_IN_INSTANCE SOILS_VISIT 12 Created in instance

CREATED_IN_INSTANCE VEG_PLOT_SPECIES 17 Created in instance
168

Column name and field guide 

section

Table name Location 

in table

Description

CREATED_IN_INSTANCE VEG_QUADRAT 17 Created in instance

CREATED_IN_INSTANCE VEG_SUBPLOT 33 Created in instance

CREATED_IN_INSTANCE VEG_SUBPLOT_SPP 25 Created in instance

CREATED_IN_INSTANCE VEG_VISIT 17 Created in instance

CRWTYPCD DWM_VISIT 11 Crew type code

CRWTYPCD (9.4.6) OZONE_VALIDATION 11 Crew type code

CRWTYPCD (9.4.6) OZONE_VISIT 19 Crew type code

CRYPTO_CRUST_COVER_PCT 

(13.6.1)

VEG_SUBPLOT 18 Cryptobiotic crust cover percent

CTY_CN OZONE_PLOT 3 County sequence number

CWDHSTCD (14.4.3.9) DWM_COARSE_WOODY_DEBRIS 19 Coarse woody debris history code

CWDID DWM_COARSE_WOODY_DEBRIS 9 Coarse woody debris piece number

CYCLE OZONE_PLOT 25 Inventory cycle number

DECAYCD (14.4.3.4) DWM_COARSE_WOODY_DEBRIS 13 Decay class

DENSITY (14.8.11) DWM_RESIDUAL_PILE 13 Packing ratio of pile (%)

DETAILED_NONFOREST_LAND_

USE (13.4.5)

VEG_SUBPLOT 12 Detailed nonforest land use

DHRBCD (14.7.8) DWM_MICROPLOT_FUEL 12 Dead herb cover (%)

DHRBHT (14.7.9) DWM_MICROPLOT_FUEL 17 Dead herb height (ft)

DIVERSITY LICHEN_PLOT_SUMMARY 11 Diversity

DPTHSBSL (11.7.20) SOILS_SAMPLE_LOC 23 Depth to a restricted layer

DSHRBCD (14.7.4) DWM_MICROPLOT_FUEL 10 Dead shrub cover (%)

DSHRBHT (14.7.5) DWM_MICROPLOT_FUEL 15 Dead shrub height (ft)

DUFFDEP (14.6.6) DWM_DUFF_LITTER_FUEL 12 Depth of duff layer

DUMMY_SUBP_COVER_PRE2004 VEG_SUBPLOT_SPP 21 Dummy subplot cover for data prior 

to 2004

DURATION REF_PLANT_DICTIONARY 11 Duration

ECEC SOILS_LAB 34 Effective cation exchange capacity

ELEV OZONE_PLOT_SUMMARY 11 Elevation

ELEV OZONE_SPECIES_SUMMARY 22 Elevation

ELEVATION (9.4.17) OZONE_PLOT 16 Elevation

ENDDIST (14.3.6) DWM_TRANSECT_SEGMENT 13 Segment end slope distance (ft)

EVENNESS LICHEN_PLOT_SUMMARY 10 Evenness

EXCHNG_AL SOILS_LAB 33 Exchangeable aluminum

EXCHNG_CA SOILS_LAB 32 Exchangeable calcium

EXCHNG_CD SOILS_LAB 40 Exchangeable cadmium 

EXCHNG_CU SOILS_LAB 38 Exchangeable copper

EXCHNG_FE SOILS_LAB 36 Exchangeable iron

EXCHNG_K SOILS_LAB 30 Exchangeable potassium

EXCHNG_MG SOILS_LAB 31 Exchangeable magnesium

EXCHNG_MN SOILS_LAB 35 Exchangeable manganese

EXCHNG_NA SOILS_LAB 29 Exchangeable sodium

EXCHNG_NI SOILS_LAB 37 Exchangeable nickel

EXCHNG_PB SOILS_LAB 41 Exchangeable lead
169

Column name and field guide 

section

Table name Location 

in table

Description

EXCHNG_S SOILS_LAB 42 Exchangeable sulfur

EXCHNG_ZN SOILS_LAB 39 Exchangeable zinc

FAMILY REF_PLANT_DICTIONARY 9 Family

FIELD_ID OZONE_BIOSITE_SUMMARY 6 Field identification number

FIELD_ID OZONE_PLOT 9 Field identification number

FIELD_ID OZONE_PLOT_SUMMARY 6 Field identification number

FIELD_ID OZONE_SPECIES_SUMMARY 6 Field identification number

FIELD_ID OZONE_VALIDATION 7 Field identification number

FIELD_ID OZONE_VISIT 7 Field identification number

FIELD_MOIST_SOIL_WT SOILS_LAB 15 Field moist soil weight

FIELD_MOIST_WATER_CONTENT_

PCT

SOILS_LAB 18 Field moist water content percent

FORFLTHK SOILS_SAMPLE_LOC 9 Average forest floor thickness for the 

subplot

FORFLTHKE (11.7.13) SOILS_SAMPLE_LOC 15 Forest floor thickness at the east 

edge of the sampling frame

FORFLTHKN (11.7.12) SOILS_SAMPLE_LOC 11 Forest floor thickness at the north 

edge of the sampling frame

FORFLTHKS (11.7.14) SOILS_SAMPLE_LOC 13 Forest floor thickness at the south 

edge of the sampling frame

FORFLTHKW (11.7.15) SOILS_SAMPLE_LOC 17 Forest floor thickness at the west 

edge of the sampling frame

FREQUENCY_PCT LICHEN_SPECIES_SUMMARY 10 Frequency percent

FTRCD1 (10.3.23) LICHEN_VISIT 21 Features code 1

FTRCD2 (10.3.23) LICHEN_VISIT 22 Features code 2

FTRCD3 (10.3.23) LICHEN_VISIT 23 Features code 3

FTRCD4 (10.3.23) LICHEN_VISIT 24 Features code 4

FUELDEP (14.6.8) DWM_DUFF_LITTER_FUEL 14 Depth of fuelbed (ft)

GAPPCT (10.3.21.1) LICHEN_VISIT 18 Gap percent

GAPRCNT (10.3.21.2) LICHEN_VISIT 19 Gap recent percent

GENUS LICHEN_SPECIES_SUMMARY 8 Genus

GENUS REF_LICHEN_SPECIES 5 Genus

GENUS REF_PLANT_DICTIONARY 15 Genus

GRIDDEN OZONE_VISIT 22 Grid density

GROWTH_HABIT REF_PLANT_DICTIONARY 10 Growth habit

GROUND_LOC_CD OZONE_BIOSITE_SUMMARY 8 Ground location code

GROUND_LOC_CD OZONE_SPECIES_SUMMARY 8 Ground location code

HEIGHT1 (14.8.9) DWM_RESIDUAL_PILE 14 Pile height1 (ft)

HEIGHT2 (14.8.10) DWM_RESIDUAL_PILE 17 Pile height2 (ft)

HOLLOWCD (14.4.3.8) DWM_COARSE_WOODY_DEBRIS 18 Hollow code

HORIZDIST DWM_TRANSECT_SEGMENT 15 Horizontal distance of segment (ft)

HRDWDPCT (10.3.17) LICHEN_VISIT 16 Percent hardwood

INJCHECK (9.4.16) OZONE_VISIT 21 Injury check

INJVALID OZONE_VALIDATION 13 Injury validation
170

Column name and field guide 

section

Table name Location 

in table

Description

INVYR DWM_COARSE_WOODY_DEBRIS 3 Inventory year

INVYR DWM_DUFF_LITTER_FUEL 3 Inventory year

INVYR DWM_FINE_WOODY_DEBRIS 3 Inventory year

INVYR DWM_MICROPLOT_FUEL 3 Inventory year

INVYR DWM_RESIDUAL_PILE 3 Inventory year

INVYR DWM_TRANSECT_SEGMENT 3 Inventory year

INVYR DWM_VISIT 3 Inventory year

INVYR LICHEN_LAB 3 Inventory year

INVYR LICHEN_PLOT_SUMMARY 3 Inventory year

INVYR LICHEN_SPECIES_SUMMARY 2 Inventory year

INVYR LICHEN_VISIT 3 Inventory year

INVYR OZONE_BIOSITE_SUMMARY 2 Inventory year

INVYR OZONE_PLOT 4 Inventory year

INVYR OZONE_PLOT_SUMMARY 2 Inventory year

INVYR OZONE_SPECIES_SUMMARY 2 Inventory year

INVYR OZONE_VALIDATION 3 Inventory year

INVYR OZONE_VISIT 3 Inventory year

INVYR SOILS_EROSION 3 Inventory year

INVYR SOILS_LAB 3 Inventory year

INVYR SOILS_SAMPLE_LOC 3 Inventory year

INVYR SOILS_VISIT 3 Inventory year

INVYR VEG_PLOT_SPECIES 4 Inventory year

INVYR VEG_QUADRAT 5 Inventory year

INVYR VEG_SUBPLOT 4 Inventory year

INVYR VEG_SUBPLOT_SPP 6 Inventory year

INVYR VEG_VISIT 3 Inventory year

ISSUECD1 (10.3.24) LICHEN_VISIT 25 Issues code 1

ISSUECD2 (10.3.24) LICHEN_VISIT 26 Issues code 2

ISSUECD3 (10.3.24) LICHEN_VISIT 27 Issues code 3

ISSUECD4 (10.3.24) LICHEN_VISIT 28 Issues code 4

LAB_ID SOILS_LAB 13 Laboratory identification

LARGECT (14.5.5) DWM_FINE_WOODY_DEBRIS 13 100-hr fine woody debris tally

LARGEDIA (14.4.3.6.3) DWM_COARSE_WOODY_DEBRIS 16 Large diameter

LAT OZONE_PLOT 14 Fuzzed coordinates

LAT OZONE_PLOT_SUMMARY 20 Fuzzed coordinates

LAYER_TYPE SOILS_LAB 9 Layer type

LEAFVCHR OZONE_VALIDATION 12 Leaf voucher

LENGTH (14.4.3.7) DWM_COARSE_WOODY_DEBRIS 17 Length of log

LENGTH1 (14.8.5) DWM_RESIDUAL_PILE 16 Pile length1 (ft)

LENGTH2 (14.8.6) DWM_RESIDUAL_PILE 19 Pile length2 (ft)

LICH_SPPCD LICHEN_LAB 7 Lichen species code

LICH_SPPCD LICHEN_SPECIES_SUMMARY 4 Lichen species code

LICH_SPPCD REF_LICHEN_SPECIES 1 Lichen species code

LICH_SPPCD REF_LICHEN_SPP_COMMENTS 1 Lichen species code
171

Column name and field guide 

section

Table name Location 

in table

Description

LICHEN_COVER_PCT (13.6.2) VEG_SUBPLOT 19 Lichen ground cover percent

LICHEN_REGION LICHEN_SPECIES_SUMMARY 3 Lichen region

LICHEN_REGION_DESCR LICHEN_SPECIES_SUMMARY 6 Lichen region description

LICHEN_STATCD (10.3.13) LICHEN_VISIT 10 Lichens collected

LIPROJCD (10.3.7) LICHEN_VISIT 11 Lichen project code

LITTDEP (14.6.7) DWM_DUFF_LITTER_FUEL 13 Depth of litter layer (inches)

LITTER_DUFF_COVER_PCT 

(13.6.3)

VEG_SUBPLOT 20 Litter/duff ground cover percent

LITTERCD (14.7.10) DWM_MICROPLOT_FUEL 13 Litter code

LOCATION_CNT OZONE_BIOSITE_SUMMARY 7 Location count

LON OZONE_PLOT 15 Fuzzed coordinates

LON OZONE_PLOT_SUMMARY 21 Fuzzed coordinates

LTRLRTHK SOILS_SAMPLE_LOC 10 Average litter layer thickness for the 

subplot

LTRLRTHKE (11.7.17) SOILS_SAMPLE_LOC 16 Litter layer thickness at the east 

edge of the sampling frame

LTRLRTHKN (11.7.16) SOILS_SAMPLE_LOC 12 Litter layer thickness at the north 

edge of the sampling frame

LTRLRTHKS (11.7.18) SOILS_SAMPLE_LOC 14 Litter layer thickness at the south 

edge of the sampling frame

LTRLRTHKW (11.7.19) SOILS_SAMPLE_LOC 18 Litter layer thickness at the west 

edge of the sampling frame

LVHRBCD (14.7.6) DWM_MICROPLOT_FUEL 11 Live herb cover (percent)

LVHRBHT (14.7.7) DWM_MICROPLOT_FUEL 16 Live herb height (ft)

LVSHRBCD (14.7.2) DWM_MICROPLOT_FUEL 9 Live shrub cover (percent)

LVSHRBHT (14.7.3) DWM_MICROPLOT_FUEL 14 Live shrub height (ft)

MANUAL OZONE_PLOT 17 Field guide (manual) version number

MANUAL_END REF_PLANT_DICTIONARY 23 Manual end

MANUAL_START REF_PLANT_DICTIONARY 22 Manual start

MAX_COVER_LAYER_NBR_

PRE2004

VEG_SUBPLOT_SPP 22 Maximum cover layer number for 

data collected prior to 2004

MEASDAY DWM_VISIT 7 Measurement day

MEASDAY LICHEN_VISIT 7 Measurement day

MEASDAY (9.4.8.3) OZONE_PLOT 13 Measurement day

MEASDAY (9.4.8.3) OZONE_VISIT 10 Measurement day

MEASDAY SOILS_VISIT 7 Measurement day

MEASMON DWM_VISIT 8 Measurement month

MEASMON LICHEN_VISIT 8 Measurement month

MEASMON (9.4.8.2) OZONE_PLOT 12 Measurement month

MEASMON (9.4.8.2) OZONE_VISIT 11 Measurement month

MEASMON SOILS_VISIT 8 Measurement month

MEASYEAR DWM_COARSE_WOODY_DEBRIS 10 Measurement year

MEASYEAR DWM_DUFF_LITTER_FUEL 10 Measurement year

MEASYEAR DWM_FINE_WOODY_DEBRIS 10 Measurement year

MEASYEAR DWM_MICROPLOT_FUEL 8 Measurement year
172

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section

Table name Location 

in table

Description

MEASYEAR DWM_RESIDUAL_PILE 9 Measurement year

MEASYEAR DWM_TRANSECT_SEGMENT 10 Measurement year

MEASYEAR DWM_VISIT 9 Measurement year

MEASYEAR LICHEN_LAB 8 Measurement year

MEASYEAR LICHEN_PLOT_SUMMARY 7 Measurement year

MEASYEAR LICHEN_SPECIES_SUMMARY 5 Measurement year

MEASYEAR LICHEN_VISIT 9 Measurement year

MEASYEAR (9.4.8.1) OZONE_BIOSITE_SUMMARY 9 Measurement year

MEASYEAR (9.4.8.1) OZONE_PLOT 11 Measurement year

MEASYEAR (9.4.8.1) OZONE_PLOT_SUMMARY 8 Measurement year

MEASYEAR (9.4.8.1) OZONE_SPECIES_SUMMARY 9 Measurement year

MEASYEAR (9.4.8.1) OZONE_VALIDATION 15 Measurement year

MEASYEAR (9.4.8.1) OZONE_VISIT 12 Measurement year

MEASYEAR SOILS_EROSION 8 Measurement year

MEASYEAR SOILS_LAB 45 Measurement year

MEASYEAR SOILS_SAMPLE_LOC 8 Measurement year

MEASYEAR SOILS_VISIT 9 Measurement year

MEDIUMCT DWM_FINE_WOODY_DEBRIS 12 10-hr fine woody debris tally

MINERAL_SOIL_COVER_PCT 

(13.6.4)

VEG_SUBPLOT 21 Mineral soil ground cover percent

MODIFIED_BY DWM_COARSE_WOODY_DEBRIS 23 Modified by

MODIFIED_BY DWM_DUFF_LITTER_FUEL 18 Modified by

MODIFIED_BY DWM_FINE_WOODY_DEBRIS 19 Modified by

MODIFIED_BY DWM_MICROPLOT_FUEL 21 Modified by

MODIFIED_BY DWM_RESIDUAL_PILE 23 Modified by

MODIFIED_BY DWM_TRANSECT_SEGMENT 19 Modified by

MODIFIED_BY DWM_VISIT 16 Modified by

MODIFIED_BY LICHEN_LAB 15 Modified by

MODIFIED_BY LICHEN_PLOT_SUMMARY 15 Modified by

MODIFIED_BY LICHEN_SPECIES_SUMMARY 16 Modified by

MODIFIED_BY LICHEN_VISIT 35 Modified by

MODIFIED_BY OZONE_BIOSITE_SUMMARY 25 Modified by

MODIFIED_BY OZONE_PLOT 22 Modified by

MODIFIED_BY OZONE_PLOT_SUMMARY 25 Modified by

MODIFIED_BY OZONE_SPECIES_SUMMARY 33 Modified by

MODIFIED_BY OZONE_VALIDATION 19 Modified by

MODIFIED_BY OZONE_VISIT 26 Modified by

MODIFIED_BY REF_LICHEN_SPECIES 11 Modified by

MODIFIED_BY REF_LICHEN_SPP_COMMENTS 10 Modified by

MODIFIED_BY REF_PLANT_DICTIONARY 27 Modified by

MODIFIED_BY SOILS_EROSION 18 Modified by

MODIFIED_BY SOILS_LAB 46 Modified by

MODIFIED_BY SOILS_SAMPLE_LOC 28 Modified by

MODIFIED_BY SOILS_VISIT 13 Modified by
173

Column name and field guide 

section

Table name Location 

in table

Description

MODIFIED_BY VEG_PLOT_SPECIES 18 Modified by

MODIFIED_BY VEG_QUADRAT 18 Modified by

MODIFIED_BY VEG_SUBPLOT 34 Modified by

MODIFIED_BY VEG_SUBPLOT_SPP 26 Modified by

MODIFIED_BY VEG_VISIT 18 Modified by

MODIFIED_DATE DWM_COARSE_WOODY_DEBRIS 24 Modified date

MODIFIED_DATE DWM_DUFF_LITTER_FUEL 19 Modified date

MODIFIED_DATE DWM_FINE_WOODY_DEBRIS 20 Modified date

MODIFIED_DATE DWM_MICROPLOT_FUEL 22 Modified date

MODIFIED_DATE DWM_RESIDUAL_PILE 24 Modified date

MODIFIED_DATE DWM_TRANSECT_SEGMENT 20 Modified date

MODIFIED_DATE DWM_VISIT 17 Modified date

MODIFIED_DATE LICHEN_LAB 16 Modified date

MODIFIED_DATE LICHEN_PLOT_SUMMARY 16 Modified date

MODIFIED_DATE LICHEN_SPECIES_SUMMARY 17 Modified date

MODIFIED_DATE LICHEN_VISIT 36 Modified date

MODIFIED_DATE OZONE_BIOSITE_SUMMARY 26 Modified date

MODIFIED_DATE OZONE_PLOT 23 Modified date

MODIFIED_DATE OZONE_PLOT_SUMMARY 26 Modified date

MODIFIED_DATE OZONE_SPECIES_SUMMARY 34 Modified date

MODIFIED_DATE OZONE_VALIDATION 20 Modified date

MODIFIED_DATE OZONE_VISIT 27 Modified date

MODIFIED_DATE REF_LICHEN_SPECIES 12 Modified date

MODIFIED_DATE REF_LICHEN_SPP_COMMENTS 11 Modified date

MODIFIED_DATE REF_PLANT_DICTIONARY 28 Modified date

MODIFIED_DATE SOILS_EROSION 19 Modified date

MODIFIED_DATE SOILS_LAB 47 Modified date

MODIFIED_DATE SOILS_SAMPLE_LOC 29 Modified date

MODIFIED_DATE SOILS_VISIT 14 Modified date

MODIFIED_DATE VEG_PLOT_SPECIES 19 Modified date

MODIFIED_DATE VEG_QUADRAT 19 Modified date

MODIFIED_DATE VEG_SUBPLOT 35 Modified date

MODIFIED_DATE VEG_SUBPLOT_SPP 27 Modified date

MODIFIED_DATE VEG_VISIT 19 Modified date

MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE DWM_COARSE_WOODY_DEBRIS 25 Modified in instance

MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE DWM_DUFF_LITTER_FUEL 20 Modified in instance

MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE DWM_FINE_WOODY_DEBRIS 21 Modified in instance

MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE DWM_MICROPLOT_FUEL 23 Modified in instance

MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE DWM_RESIDUAL_PILE 25 Modified in instance

MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE DWM_TRANSECT_SEGMENT 21 Modified in instance

MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE DWM_VISIT 18 Modified in instance

MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE LICHEN_LAB 17 Modified in instance

MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE LICHEN_PLOT_SUMMARY 17 Modified in instance

MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE LICHEN_SPECIES_SUMMARY 18 Modified in instance
174

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section

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in table

Description

MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE LICHEN_VISIT 37 Modified in instance

MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE OZONE_BIOSITE_SUMMARY 27 Modified in instance

MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE OZONE_PLOT 24 Modified in instance

MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE OZONE_PLOT_SUMMARY 27 Modified in instance

MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE OZONE_SPECIES_SUMMARY 35 Modified in instance

MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE OZONE_VALIDATION 21 Modified in instance

MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE OZONE_VISIT 28 Modified in instance

MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE REF_LICHEN_SPECIES 13 Modified in instance

MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE REF_PLANT_DICTIONARY 29 Modified in instance

MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE REF_LICHEN_SPP_COMMENTS 12 Modified in instance

MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE SOILS_EROSION 20 Modified in instance

MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE SOILS_LAB 48 Modified in instance

MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE SOILS_SAMPLE_LOC 30 Modified in instance

MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE SOILS_VISIT 15 Modified in instance

MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE VEG_PLOT_SPECIES 20 Modified in instance

MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE VEG_QUADRAT 20 Modified in instance

MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE VEG_SUBPLOT 36 Modified in instance

MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE VEG_SUBPLOT_SPP 28 Modified in instance

MODIFIED_IN_INSTANCE VEG_VISIT 20 Modified in instance

MOSS_COVER_PCT (13.6.5) VEG_SUBPLOT 22 Moss ground cover percent

N_TOTAL_PCT SOILS_LAB 26 Nitrogen total percent

NEW_SCIENTIFIC_NAME REF_PLANT_DICTIONARY 6 New scientific name

NEW_SYMBOL REF_PLANT_DICTIONARY 5 New symbol

O3_STATCD (9.4.1) OZONE_VALIDATION 14 Ozone status code

O3PLOT (9.4.4) OZONE_BIOSITE_SUMMARY 5 Ozone plot

O3PLOT (9.4.4) OZONE_PLOT 8 Ozone plot

O3PLOT (9.4.4) OZONE_PLOT_SUMMARY 5 Ozone plot

O3PLOT (9.4.4) OZONE_SPECIES_SUMMARY 5 Ozone plot

O3PLOT (9.4.4) OZONE_VALIDATION 6 Ozone plot

O3PLOT (9.4.4) OZONE_VISIT 6 Ozone plot

OLSEN_P SOILS_LAB 44 Olsen phosphorus

ORIGIN_FLAG LICHEN_LAB 10 Origin flag

OVEN_DRY_SOIL_WT SOILS_LAB 17 Ovendry soil weight

PH_CACL2 SOILS_LAB 28 pH measured in calcium chloride

PH_H2O SOILS_LAB 27 pH measured in water

PILE (14.8.1) DWM_RESIDUAL_PILE 8 Subplot pile number

PILESCD DWM_FINE_WOODY_DEBRIS 15 Pile code

PLANT_EVAL_CNT OZONE_BIOSITE_SUMMARY 11 Plant evaluation count

PLANT_EVAL_CNT OZONE_SPECIES_SUMMARY 18 Plant evaluation count

PLANT_INJ_CNT OZONE_BIOSITE_SUMMARY 10 Plant injury count

PLANT_INJ_CNT OZONE_SPECIES_SUMMARY 17 Plant injury count

PLANT_RATIO OZONE_BIOSITE_SUMMARY 12 Plant ratio

PLANT_RATIO OZONE_SPECIES_SUMMARY 19 Plant ratio

PLOT DWM_COARSE_WOODY_DEBRIS 6 Phase 2 plot number
175

Column name and field guide 

section

Table name Location 

in table

Description

PLOT DWM_DUFF_LITTER_FUEL 6 Phase 2 plot number

PLOT DWM_FINE_WOODY_DEBRIS 6 Phase 2 plot number

PLOT DWM_MICROPLOT_FUEL 6 Phase 2 plot number

PLOT DWM_RESIDUAL_PILE 6 Phase 2 plot number

PLOT DWM_TRANSECT_SEGMENT 6 Phase 2 plot number

PLOT DWM_VISIT 6 Phase 2 plot number

PLOT (10.3.3) LICHEN_LAB 6 Phase 2 plot number

PLOT (10.3.3) LICHEN_PLOT_SUMMARY 6 Phase 2 plot number

PLOT (10.3.3) LICHEN_VISIT 6 Phase 2 plot number

PLOT SOILS_EROSION 6 Phase 2 plot number

PLOT SOILS_LAB 6 Phase 2 plot number

PLOT SOILS_SAMPLE_LOC 6 Phase 2 plot number

PLOT SOILS_VISIT 6 Phase 2 plot number

PLOT (13.3.3) VEG_PLOT_SPECIES 7 Phase 2 plot number

PLOT (13.3.3) VEG_QUADRAT 8 Phase 2 plot number

PLOT (13.3.3) VEG_SUBPLOT 7 Phase 2 plot number

PLOT (13.3.3) VEG_SUBPLOT_SPP 9 Phase 2 plot number

PLOT (13.3.3) VEG_VISIT 6 Phase 2 plot number

PLOTS_IN_REGION LICHEN_SPECIES_SUMMARY 12 Plots in region (number)

PLOTWET (9.4.14) OZONE_PLOT_SUMMARY 17 Plot wetness

PLOTWET (9.4.14) OZONE_SPECIES_SUMMARY 28 Plot wetness

PLOTWET (9.4.14) OZONE_VISIT 20 Plot wetness

PLT_CN DWM_COARSE_WOODY_DEBRIS 2 Plot sequence number

PLT_CN DWM_DUFF_LITTER_FUEL 2 Plot sequence number

PLT_CN DWM_FINE_WOODY_DEBRIS 2 Plot sequence number

PLT_CN DWM_MICROPLOT_FUEL 2 Plot sequence number

PLT_CN DWM_RESIDUAL_PILE 2 Plot sequence number

PLT_CN DWM_TRANSECT_SEGMENT 2 Plot sequence number

PLT_CN DWM_VISIT 2 Plot sequence number

PLT_CN LICHEN_LAB 2 Plot sequence number

PLT_CN LICHEN_PLOT_SUMMARY 2 Plot sequence number

PLT_CN LICHEN_VISIT 2 Plot sequence number

PLT_CN OZONE_VALIDATION 2 Plot sequence number

PLT_CN OZONE_VISIT 2 Plot sequence number

PLT_CN SOILS_EROSION 2 Plot sequence number

PLT_CN SOILS_LAB 2 Plot sequence number

PLT_CN SOILS_SAMPLE_LOC 2 Plot sequence number

PLT_CN SOILS_VISIT 2 Plot sequence number

PLT_CN VEG_PLOT_SPECIES 2 Plot sequence number

PLT_CN VEG_QUADRAT 2 Plot sequence number

PLT_CN VEG_SUBPLOT 2 Plot sequence number

PLT_CN VEG_SUBPLOT_SPP 2 Plot sequence number

PLT_CN VEG_VISIT 2 Plot sequence number

PLTDSTRB (9.4.15) OZONE_PLOT_SUMMARY 18 Plot disturbance
176

Column name and field guide 

section

Table name Location 

in table

Description

PLTDSTRB (9.4.15) OZONE_SPECIES_SUMMARY 29 Plot disturbance

PLTDSTRB (9.4.15) OZONE_VISIT 18 Plot disturbance

PLTSIZE (9.4.10) OZONE_PLOT_SUMMARY 12 Plot size

PLTSIZE (9.4.10) OZONE_SPECIES_SUMMARY 23 Plot size

PLTSIZE (9.4.10) OZONE_VISIT 13 Plot size

QA_STATUS (9.4.5) OZONE_PLOT 18 Quality assurance status

QASTATCD DWM_VISIT 10 Quality assurance status code

QASTATCD OZONE_VALIDATION 10 Quality assurance status code

QASTATCD SOILS_LAB 11 Quality assurance status code

QUAD_1_PRESENCE VEG_SUBPLOT_SPP 18 Presence of species on quadrat 1 of 

current subplot

QUAD_2_PRESENCE VEG_SUBPLOT_SPP 19 Presence of species on quadrat 2 of 

current subplot 

QUAD_3_PRESENCE VEG_SUBPLOT_SPP 20 Presence of species on quadrat 3 of 

current subplot 

QUADRAT (13.7.2) VEG_QUADRAT 10 Quadrat number

QUADRAT_STATUS (13.7.4) VEG_QUADRAT 12 Quadrat status code

QUADRAT_STATUS_PRE2004 VEG_QUADRAT 13 Quadrat status of quadrats sampled 

before 2004

RESIDUAL_WATER_CONTENT_

PCT

SOILS_LAB 19 Residual water content percent

RICHNESS LICHEN_PLOT_SUMMARY 9 Richness

ROAD_TRAIL_COVER_PCT 

(13.6.6)

VEG_SUBPLOT 23 Road/trail ground cover percent

ROCK_COVER_PCT (13.6.7) VEG_SUBPLOT 24 Rock ground cover percent 

RSNCTCD (14.5.6) DWM_FINE_WOODY_DEBRIS 14 Reason high tally code

SAMPLE_DATE SOILS_LAB 12 Sample date

SAMPLE_ID SOILS_LAB 14 Sample identification

SAMPLER_TYPE SOILS_LAB 10 Sampler type

SCIENTIFIC_NAME REF_PLANT_DICTIONARY 4 Scientific name

SEGMNT DWM_TRANSECT_SEGMENT 9 Segment number

SFTWDPCT (10.3.16) LICHEN_VISIT 15 Softwood percent (percent conifers)

SHAPECD DWM_RESIDUAL_PILE 11 Pile shape code

SHRUBPCT (10.3.18) LICHEN_VISIT 17 Percent shrub

SLOPDIST (14.4.3.3) DWM_COARSE_WOODY_DEBRIS 11 Slope distance

SLOPE (14.3.5) DWM_TRANSECT_SEGMENT 14 Segment slope (%)

SMALLCT (14.5.3) DWM_FINE_WOODY_DEBRIS 11 1-hr fine woody debris tally

SMALLDIA (14.4.3.6.2) DWM_COARSE_WOODY_DEBRIS 15 Small diameter

SMPKNDCD DWM_VISIT 12 Sample kind code

SMPKNDCD (9.4.7) OZONE_VISIT 9 Ozone sample kind code

SMPLDCD (14.6.5) DWM_DUFF_LITTER_FUEL 11 Sampled Code

SMPLNNBR SOILS_LAB 7 Sample line number

SMPLNNBR SOILS_SAMPLE_LOC 7 Sample line number

SMPLOCCD DWM_DUFF_LITTER_FUEL 9 Sample location code
177

Column name and field guide 

section

Table name Location 

in table

Description

SMPLSTP (10.3.15) LICHEN_VISIT 13 Sample stop time

SMPLSTRT (10.3.14) LICHEN_VISIT 12 Sample start time

SMPLTIME LICHEN_VISIT 14 Total sample time

SOILDPTH (9.4.13) OZONE_PLOT_SUMMARY 15 Soil depth

SOILDPTH (9.4.13) OZONE_SPECIES_SUMMARY 26 Soil depth

SOILDPTH (9.4.13) OZONE_VISIT 16 Soil depth

SOILDRN (9.4.14) OZONE_PLOT_SUMMARY 16 Soil drainage

SOILDRN (9.4.14) OZONE_SPECIES_SUMMARY 27 Soil drainage

SOILDRN (9.4.14) OZONE_VISIT 17 Soil drainage

SOILS_STATCD (11.7.11) SOILS_SAMPLE_LOC 24 Soil sampling status code

SOILSPCT (11.6.1) SOILS_EROSION 9 Soils percent (percent bare soil)

SP_CANOPY_COVER_LAYER_1_2 VEG_SUBPLOT_SPP 15 Species canopy cover layer 1 and 2 

percent

SP_CANOPY_COVER_LAYER_3 VEG_SUBPLOT_SPP 16 Species canopy cover layer 3

SP_CANOPY_COVER_LAYER_4 VEG_SUBPLOT_SPP 17 Species canopy cover layer 4

SP_CANOPY_COVER_TOTAL VEG_SUBPLOT_SPP 14 Total species canopy cover percent 

SPCD (14.4.3.5) DWM_COARSE_WOODY_DEBRIS 12 Species code

SPECIES LICHEN_SPECIES_SUMMARY 11 Species

SPECIES REF_LICHEN_SPECIES 6 Species

SPECIES REF_PLANT_DICTIONARY 17 Species

SPECIES_EVAL_CNT OZONE_BIOSITE_SUMMARY 13 Species evaluation count

SPECIES_EVAL_CNT OZONE_PLOT_SUMMARY 9 Species evaluation count

SPECIMEN_COLLECTED 

(13.8.1.3)

VEG_PLOT_SPECIES 11 Specimen officially collected

SPECIMEN_LABEL_NBR (13.8.1.4)VEG_PLOT_SPECIES 12 Specimen label number for unknown 

specimen collected

SPECIMEN_NOT_COLLECTED_

REASON (13.8.1.5)

VEG_PLOT_SPECIES 13 Specimen not collected reason

SPECIMEN_RESOLVED VEG_PLOT_SPECIES 14 Specimen resolved

SPLIT_PLOTID OZONE_PLOT 10 Split plot identification

SPLIT_PLOTID OZONE_PLOT_SUMMARY 7 Split plot identification

SPLIT_PLOTID OZONE_SPECIES_SUMMARY 7 Split plot identification

SPLIT_PLOTID OZONE_VALIDATION 8 Split plot identification

SPLIT_PLOTID OZONE_VISIT 8 Split plot identification

SPP_ACRONYM LICHEN_SPECIES_SUMMARY 7 Species acronym

SPP_ACRONYM REF_LICHEN_SPECIES 4 Species acronym

SPP_COMMENTS LICHEN_LAB 11 Species comments

SPP_COMMENTS REF_LICHEN_SPP_COMMENTS 5 Species comments

SPP_NAME REF_LICHEN_SPP_COMMENTS 2 Species name

SRV_CN OZONE_PLOT 2 Survey sequence number

SSP REF_PLANT_DICTIONARY 18

STANDING_WATER_COVER_PCT 

(13.6.8)

VEG_SUBPLOT 25 Standing water/flooded ground cover 

percent

STATE_DISTRIBUTION REF_PLANT_DICTIONARY 13 State distribution
178

Column name and field guide 

section

Table name Location 

in table

Description

STATECD DWM_COARSE_WOODY_DEBRIS 4 State code

STATECD DWM_DUFF_LITTER_FUEL 4 State code

STATECD DWM_FINE_WOODY_DEBRIS 4 State code

STATECD DWM_MICROPLOT_FUEL 4 State code

STATECD DWM_RESIDUAL_PILE 4 State code

STATECD DWM_TRANSECT_SEGMENT 4 State code

STATECD DWM_VISIT 4 State code

STATECD (10.3.4) LICHEN_LAB 4 State code

STATECD (10.3.4) LICHEN_PLOT_SUMMARY 4 State code

STATECD (10.3.4) LICHEN_VISIT 4 State code

STATECD (9.4.1) OZONE_BIOSITE_SUMMARY 3 State code

STATECD (9.4.1) OZONE_PLOT 5 State code

STATECD (9.4.1) OZONE_PLOT_SUMMARY 3 State code

STATECD (9.4.1) OZONE_SPECIES_SUMMARY 3 State code

STATECD (9.4.1) OZONE_VALIDATION 4 State code

STATECD (9.4.1) OZONE_VISIT 4 State code

STATE CD SOILS_EROSION 4 State code

STATECD SOILS_LAB 4 State code

STATECD SOILS_SAMPLE_LOC 4 State code

STATECD SOILS_VISIT 4 State code

STATECD (13.3.1) VEG_PLOT_SPECIES 5 State code

STATECD (13.3.1) VEG_QUADRAT 6 State code

STATECD (13.3.1) VEG_SUBPLOT 5 State code

STATECD (13.3.1) VEG_SUBPLOT_SPP 7 State code

STATECD (13.3.1) VEG_VISIT 4 State code

STREAM_LAKE_COVER_PCT 

(13.6.9)

VEG_SUBPLOT 26 Stream and lake ground cover 

percent

SUBCYCLE OZONE_PLOT 26 Subcycle number

SUBP (14.4.3.1) DWM_COARSE_WOODY_DEBRIS 7 Subplot number

SUBP (14.6.3) DWM_DUFF_LITTER_FUEL 8 Subplot number

SUBP (14.5.1) DWM_FINE_WOODY_DEBRIS 8 Subplot number

SUBP (14.7.1) DWM_MICROPLOT_FUEL 7 Subplot number

SUBP (14.8.1) DWM_RESIDUAL_PILE 7 Subplot number

SUBP (14.3.1) DWM_TRANSECT_SEGMENT 7 Subplot number

SUBP (13.7.1) VEG_QUADRAT 9 Subplot number

SUBP SOILS_EROSION 7 Subplot number

SUBP (13.4.1) VEG_SUBPLOT 8 Subplot number

SUBP VEG_SUBPLOT_SPP 10 Subplot number

SUBP_ACCESSIBLE_FOREST_

PCT (13.4.4)

VEG_SUBPLOT 11 Subplot accessible forest percent

SUBSPECIES REF_PLANT_DICTIONARY 19 Subspecies

SUM_ABUNDANCE LICHEN_SPECIES_SUMMARY 9 Sum of abundance

SUMMATION LICHEN_PLOT_SUMMARY 8 Summation

SVRTY_CLASS_FIVE OZONE_BIOSITE_SUMMARY 21 Severity class five
179

Column name and field guide 

section

Table name Location 

in table

Description

SVRTY_CLASS_FOUR OZONE_BIOSITE_SUMMARY 20 Severity class four

SVRTY_CLASS_ONE OZONE_BIOSITE_SUMMARY 17 Severity class one

SVRTY_CLASS_THREE OZONE_BIOSITE_SUMMARY 19 Severity class three

SVRTY_CLASS_TWO OZONE_BIOSITE_SUMMARY 18 Severity class two

SVRTY_CLASS_ZERO OZONE_BIOSITE_SUMMARY 16 Severity class zero

SVRTY_MAX OZONE_SPECIES_SUMMARY 14 Severity maximum

SVRTY_MEAN OZONE_SPECIES_SUMMARY 16 Severity mean

SVRTY_MIN OZONE_SPECIES_SUMMARY 15 Severity minimum

SYMBOL REF_PLANT_DICTIONARY 3 Symbol

SYMBOL_TYPE REF_PLANT_DICTIONARY 2 Symbol type

SZCLSCD1 (10.3.22) LICHEN_VISIT 29 Size class code

SZCLSCD2 (10.3.22) LICHEN_VISIT 30 Size class code

SZCLSCD3 (10.3.22) LICHEN_VISIT 31 Size class code

TALLSHRB (10.3.21.3) LICHEN_VISIT 20 Tall shrubs

TERRPOS (9.4.12) OZONE_PLOT_SUMMARY 14 Terrain position

TERRPOS (9.4.12) OZONE_SPECIES_SUMMARY 25 Terrain position

TERRPOS (9.4.12) OZONE_VISIT 15 Terrain position

TOTAL_CANOPY_COVER_

LAYER_1 (13.5.1)

VEG_SUBPLOT 14 Total canopy cover layer 1

TOTAL_CANOPY_COVER_

LAYER_2 (13.5.2)

VEG_SUBPLOT 15 Total canopy cover layer 2

TOTAL_CANOPY_COVER_

LAYER_3 (13.5.3)

VEG_SUBPLOT 16 Total canopy cover layer 3 

TOTAL_CANOPY_COVER_

LAYER_4 (13.5.4)

VEG_SUBPLOT 17 Total canopy cover layer 4

TOTAL_WATER_CONTENT_PCT SOILS_LAB 20 Total water content percent

TRACE_COVER_ALLOWED VEG_VISIT 10 Trace cover allowed

TRAMPLING VEG_QUADRAT 14 Trampling code

TRANSDIA (14.4.3.6.1) DWM_COARSE_WOODY_DEBRIS 14 Transect diameter

TRANSECT (14.4.3.2) DWM_COARSE_WOODY_DEBRIS 8 Subplot transect (deg)

TRANSECT (14.6.4) DWM_DUFF_LITTER_FUEL 7 Subplot transect (deg)

TRANSECT DWM_FINE_WOODY_DEBRIS 7 Subplot transect (deg)

TRANSECT (14.3.2) DWM_TRANSECT_SEGMENT 8 Subplot transect (deg)

TRASH_JUNK_COVER_PCT 

(13.6.10)

VEG_SUBPLOT 27 Trash/junk/other ground cover 

percent

TXTRLYR1 (11.7.21) SOILS_SAMPLE_LOC 21 Soil texture layer 1

TXTRLYR2 (11.7.22) SOILS_SAMPLE_LOC 22 Soil texture layer 2

TYPAREACD (11.6.5) SOILS_EROSION 13 Type compacted area code

TYPCMPCD (11.6.4) SOILS_EROSION 12 Type compacted trail code

TYPOTHRCD (11.6.6) SOILS_EROSION 14 Type other type of compaction code

TYPRTDCD (11.6.3) SOILS_EROSION 11 Type rutted trail code

UNIQUE_SP_NBR (13.8.1.2) VEG_PLOT_SPECIES 9 Unique species number

UNIQUE_SP_NBR (13.8.1.2) VEG_SUBPLOT_SPP 12 Unique species number

UNITCD OZONE_PLOT 6 Unit code
180

Column name and field guide 

section

Table name Location 

in table

Description

US_NATIVITY REF_PLANT_DICTIONARY 12 United States nativity

VAR REF_PLANT_DICTIONARY 20

VARIETY REF_PLANT_DICTIONARY 21 Variety

VEG_CREW_TYPE (13.3.5) VEG_VISIT 14 Vegetation crew type

VEG_FLDSPCD (13.8.1.1) VEG_PLOT_SPECIES 8 Vegetation field species code

VEG_FLDSPCD (13.8.1.1) VEG_SUBPLOT_SPP 11 Vegetation field species code

VEG_KINDCD VEG_VISIT 8 Vegetation sample kind code

VEG_MANUAL VEG_VISIT 9 Vegetation manual (field guide 

version number)

VEG_MEASDAY VEG_VISIT 13 Vegetation measurement day

VEG_MEASMON VEG_VISIT 12 Vegetation measurement month

VEG_MEASYEAR VEG_VISIT 11 Vegetation measurement year

VEG_QA_STATUS (13.3.4) VEG_VISIT 7 Vegetation quality assurance status 

code

VEG_SAMPLE_BASIS VEG_VISIT 14 Vegetation sample basis

VEG_SPCD VEG_PLOT_SPECIES 10 Vegetation species code

VEG_SPCD VEG_SUBPLOT_SPP 13 Vegetation species code

VEG_SUBP_NONSAMPLE_

REASN_CD (13.4.3)

VEG_SUBPLOT 10 Vegetation subplot nonsampled 

reason code

VEG_SUBP_NONSMP_RSN_CD_

PRE2004

VEG_SUBPLOT 30 Vegetation subplot nonsampled 

reason code, prior to 2004

VEG_SUBP_STATUS_CD (13.4.2) VEG_SUBPLOT 9 Vegetation subplot status code

VEG_SUBP_STATUS_CD_

PRE2004

VEG_SUBPLOT 29 Vegetation subplot status code, prior 

to 2004

VPS_CN VEG_SUBPLOT_SPP 5 Vegetation plot species sequence 

number

VSB_CN VEG_QUADRAT 4 Vegetation subplot sequence 

number

VSB_CN VEG_SUBPLOT_SPP 4 Vegetation subplot sequence 

number

VSTNBR (11.7.10) SOILS_LAB 8 Visit number

VSTNBR (11.7.10) SOILS_SAMPLE_LOC 20 Visit Number

VVT_CN VEG_PLOT_SPECIES 3 Vegetation visit sequence number

VVT_CN VEG_QUADRAT 3 Vegetation visit sequence number

VVT_CN VEG_SUBPLOT 3 Vegetation visit sequence number

VVT_CN VEG_SUBPLOT_SPP 3 Vegetation visit sequence number

WIDTH1 (14.8.7) DWM_RESIDUAL_PILE 15 Pile width1 (ft)

WIDTH2 (14.8.8) DWM_RESIDUAL_PILE 18 Pile width2 (ft)

WOOD_COVER_PCT VEG_SUBPLOT 28 Wood ground cover percent

XGENUS REF_PLANT_DICTIONARY 14 Cross genus

XSPECIES REF_PLANT_DICTIONARY 16 Cross species

YEAREND REF_LICHEN_SPECIES 3 Year end

YEAREND REF_LICHEN_SPP_COMMENTS 3 Year end

YEARSTART REF_LICHEN_SPECIES 2 Year start

YEARSTART REF_LICHEN_SPP_COMMENTS 4 Year start
Printed on Recycled Paper

Woodall, Christopher W.; Conkling, Barbara L.; Amacher, Michael C.; Coulston, 

John W.; Jovan, Sarah; Perry, Charles H.; Schulz, Beth; Smith, Gretchen 

C.; Will-Wolf, Susan. 2010. The Forest Inventory and Analysis Database 

Version 4.0: Database Description and Users Manual for Phase 3. Gen. 

Tech. Rep. NRS-61. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, 

Forest Service, Northern Research Station. 180 p.

Describes the structure of the Forest Inventory and Analysis Database (FIADB) 

4.0 for phase 3 indicators. The FIADB structure provides a consistent framework 

for storing forest health monitoring data across all ownerships for the entire United 

States. These data are available to the public.

KEY WORDS: forest inventory, phase three, forest health, inventory database

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