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pyFIA

The Python API for forest inventory data

PyPI PyPI Downloads Documentation License: MIT Python 3.11+

A high-performance Python library for analyzing USDA Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) data. Built on DuckDB and Polars for speed, with statistical methods that match EVALIDator exactly.

Why pyFIA?

Feature pyFIA EVALIDator
Speed 10-100x faster Baseline
Interface Python API Web UI
Reproducibility Code-based Manual
Custom analysis Unlimited Limited options
Statistical validity ✓ Exact match ✓ Reference

Quick Start

pip install pyfia
from pyfia import FIA, biomass, tpa, volume, area

with FIA("path/to/FIA_database.duckdb") as db:
    db.clip_by_state(37)  # North Carolina
    db.clip_most_recent(eval_type="VOL")

    # Core estimates
    trees = tpa(db, tree_domain="STATUSCD == 1")
    carbon = biomass(db, by_species=True)
    timber = volume(db, land_type="timber")
    forest = area(db, land_type="forest")

Core Functions

Function Description Example
tpa() Trees per acre tpa(db, tree_domain="DIA >= 5.0")
biomass() Above/belowground biomass biomass(db, by_species=True)
volume() Merchantable volume (ft³) volume(db, land_type="timber")
area() Forest land area area(db, grp_by="FORTYPCD")
site_index() Site productivity index site_index(db, grp_by="COUNTYCD")
mortality() Annual mortality rates mortality(db)
growth() Net growth estimation growth(db)

Statistical Methods

pyFIA implements design-based estimation following Bechtold & Patterson (2005):

  • Post-stratified estimation with proper variance calculation
  • Ratio-of-means estimators for per-acre values
  • EVALID-based filtering for statistically valid estimates
  • Temporal methods: TI, annual, SMA, LMA, EMA

Installation

# Recommended: use uv for fast, reliable installs
uv pip install pyfia

# Or with pip
pip install pyfia

# With spatial support (polygon clipping, spatial joins)
uv pip install pyfia[spatial]

Tip: Always use a virtual environment (uv venv or python -m venv .venv).

For development setup, see the Getting Started guide.

Documentation

Full documentation: mihiarc.github.io/pyfia

Citation

@software{pyfia2025,
  title = {pyFIA: A Python Library for Forest Inventory Applications},
  author = {Mihiar, Christopher},
  year = {2025},
  url = {https://github.com/mihiarc/pyfia}
}

Affiliation

Developed in collaboration with USDA Forest Service Research & Development. pyFIA provides programmatic access to Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) data but is not part of the official FIA Program.

Built by Chris Mihiar