National Resources National Resources InventoryInventory

byby

Robert N. JonesRobert N. Jones

State ConservationistState Conservationist

USDA-Natural Resources Conservation USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service Service

Seven Decades of Resource Seven Decades of Resource InventoriesInventories

National Erosion National Erosion Reconnaissance Reconnaissance Survey of 1934Survey of 1934

Aerial photography is Aerial photography is used to collect NRI data used to collect NRI data in modern surveys.in modern surveys.

The National Resources The National Resources InventoryInventory

Statistical surveyStatistical surveyConducted by Natural Resources Conducted by Natural Resources

Conservation Service (NRCS)Conservation Service (NRCS)

About the Inventory ProcessAbout the Inventory Process

NRI data are collected at selected NRI data are collected at selected sample sitessample sites

Sample sites are located in all Sample sites are located in all countiescounties

Data are collected using photo-Data are collected using photo-interpretation and other remote interpretation and other remote sensing methodssensing methods

Results produce estimatesResults produce estimates

Alabama Land UseAlabama Land Use29 Million Acres – Non Federal 29 Million Acres – Non Federal

Rural LandRural Land

73% Forest73% Forest 12% Pasture12% Pasture 10% Cropland10% Cropland 2% CRP2% CRP 1% Range land1% Range land 2% Other rural2% Other rural

CroplandCropland 1,591,400 1,591,400 PasturelandPastureland 221,000 221,000 Rangeland Rangeland 16,000 16,000 Developed landDeveloped land 766,200 766,200 CRPCRP 521,900 521,900 ForestlandForestland 302,300 302,300

Urbanization and Urbanization and DevelopmentDevelopment

Alabama Alabama DevelopeDeveloped land in d land in 1997– 1997– 2,409,002,409,0000acres acres (8%)(8%) However, from 1992-97 more

land was developed (445,300 acres) than during 1982-92 (320,000 acres)

Forest LandForest Land

Over 21 Over 21 million acresmillion acres

Between Between 1982 and 1982 and 1997, 1997, increased by increased by 302,300302,300

What to Look for in the What to Look for in the FutureFuture

To build a databaseTo build a database To increase the To increase the

breadth of analyses breadth of analyses supported by the supported by the NRINRI

2001 Key Findings2001 Key Findings

In Million AcresIn Million Acres19821982 20012001

Cropland Cropland 420 420 370370

PasturelandPastureland 131131 117117

RangelandRangeland 415415 405405

ForestlandForestland 4848 5151

DevelopedDeveloped 7373 108108

More Key FindingsMore Key Findings

Control of erosion rates Control of erosion rates sustainedsustained

Erosion on cropland Erosion on cropland Erosion per acre Erosion per acre HEL HEL

SummarySummary Statistical surveyStatistical survey

Provides nationally Provides nationally consistent statistical dataconsistent statistical data

Culminates in a variety of Culminates in a variety of databases, assessments, databases, assessments, publicationspublications

Useful for many purposes Useful for many purposes and at many levelsand at many levels

ReferenceReference

National Resources National Resources Inventory website:Inventory website:

http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/NRI/http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/NRI/