National Resource Use Monitoring (NRUM)
The National Resource Use Monitoring (NRUM) program includes the Timber Products Output (TPO) and the Harvest Utilization (HU) data collection efforts.
Through TPO studies (mill surveys), FIA gathers information from active primary wood processing mills, on location of mill, volume received by roundwood product, species, and geographic origin, as well as mill residue by-product generation and use. These data are aggregated and reported at the county and/or state level.
Through HU studies, FIA gathers information on harvested trees at active logging sites, with field crews recording various tree measurements (e.g., tree species, stump height, lower and upper diameters for each tree section that is created once the tree is cut). Crews also record the utilization status (utilized or not utilized) as well as the intended use (roundwood product) for each tree section that is utilized rather than left as residue. Tree utilization data are aggregated and used to calculate state level utilization factors, and to report logging residue estimates for those portions of the trees that are not utilized.
The National Resource Use Monitoring (NRUM) program generates information to further classify FIA’s Nationwide Forest Inventory (NFI) tree removal estimates, expanding the understanding of current utilization of industrial roundwood supporting wood product markets. NRUM’s Timber Products Output (TPO) data provide estimates of industrial and non-industrial roundwood uses, while NRUM’s Harvest Utilization (HU) studies provide vital information to quantify the logging residue component of harvest operations.
Data Collection Methods
Timber Products Output data (mill surveys) are currently collected annually, nationwide, using a
modified stratified random sample of active primary wood processing facilities (see Coulston et al. 2018 for details).
Mill surveys are designed to determine the amount of harvest removals that are processed into primary wood products. To this effect, our mill questionnaires gather information on quantity of roundwood received, by primary roundwood product type (e.g., saw-logs, veneer/ply-logs, etc.), tree species and geographic origin, as well as mill residue by-product generation and use.
Harvest Utilization studies are performed nationwide at varying schedules. Data collection involves visiting a cross-section of active logging operations in a state to characterize the sites logged, trees harvested, volume utilized per tree, primary products taken, and residues left behind.
What is Timber Products Output (TPO)?
- Timber Products Output is a survey of U.S. primary wood processing mills, carried out by the USDA Forest Service Forest Inventory and Analysis program in cooperation with state and university partners. This data collection effort is part of the National Resource Use Monitoring (NRUM) work, conducting research to estimate and track timber removals and their consequential impact on forests and economies.
How often is the Timber Products Output (TPO) survey conducted?
- The TPO mill survey is conducted annually. This frequency took effect across the U.S. in 2019, transitioning from a periodic census, carried out at varying frequencies across regions.
How are the mill survey data used?
- Data collected are aggregated and used to generate reports on roundwood products, species utilized, county where harvests occurred, and mill residues. The information aids policymakers, forest managers, forest industry, and others who evaluate trends in forest product removals to make informed decisions about available forest resources and/or harvest intensity.
Are mill data shared with others?
- Individual mill information is strictly confidential. By law, no information is allowed to be released to anyone – be they another government agency or a private citizen – that can be used to identify a mill that provides information to the Survey. TPO data are available aggregated at county and state levels and only reported by specific roundwood (mill) type when that mill type is represented by at least 3 processing facilities in the state.
How does the Timber Products Output information help forest industry?
- Estimates from the TPO survey provide the foundation for U.S. and state-level timber market analyses and projections, sustainability analyses, policy analysis, and state availability of wood resources as it pertains to potential market expansion.
Where can I get a copy of the Timber Products Output mill survey?
- For a copy of the mill survey, please contact the NRUM team.
What is a Harvest Utilization (HU) study?
- A Harvest Utilization (HU) study is a data collection effort to characterize trees harvested during active logging operations, providing information needed to characterize harvest operations in terms of volume used (portions of logs used) and volume left on site as logging residue.
Why does FIA do Harvest Utilization (HU) studies?
- FIA carries out HU studies to estimate logging residues which, combined with our mill survey data (TPO), allows FIA to generate a full accounting of a state’s harvested volume. By visiting a cross-section of logging operations in a state we can quantify the timber volume that is cut and utilized, and that which is left in the forest (not utilized).
What data are collected at Harvest Utilization (HU) sites?
- At each HU site (i.e., active logging operation), crews collect information from each felled tree that is sampled, including roundwood product utilized, specific diameters and log lengths the receiving mills will accept, along with minimum diameters at the cutoff points for specific products. The HU studies also provide information to classify TPO volumes by source (i.e., sawtimber growing stock, poletimber growing stock, and non-growing stock).
How are Harvest Utilization data used?
- Estimates from harvest utilization studies provide essential information about how much woody material remains in the forest after commercial logging operations, the characteristics of harvested trees, harvesting methods used, and types of logging residues. Data collected on active logging sites are used to develop utilization factors, which quantify the amount of woody material from a logging operation that is left on site and allow us to generate estimates of logging residue. HU data are key components for understanding logging residuals, carbon accounting, business development purposes, and forest planning.
How do I find out more about the NRUM program (TPO and/or HU)?
- For more information about either the Timber Products Output (TPO) or Harvest Utilization (HU) studies, please contact the NRUM team.
| Data/Tool Name | Description |
|---|---|
| National Resource Use Monitoring - Data Downloads | The NRUM data donwload allows users to access files that contain data from both the Timber Products Output (TPO) and Harvest Utilization (HU) studies, combined with FIA inventory data and residential firewood estimates derived from teh U.S. Department of Energy residential energy consumption survey. |
| Timber Products Output Interactive Reporting Tool | The TPO Interactive Tool includes estimates of timber products, logging residue, mill residue, residential fuelwood, and other removals based on the selected area. |
| Timber Products One Click Factsheets | Data include state-wide production, products, number of primary mills and types, roundwood exports/imports, and retained production. |
