What It Does
pyFIA is a high-performance Python library for analyzing USDA Forest Inventory and Analysis data. Built on DuckDB and Polars for speed, it delivers 10-100x faster results than EVALIDator while matching its statistical methods exactly.
The FIA program is the nation's continuous forest survey. pyFIA replaces the web-based EVALIDator interface with a code-first Python API, enabling reproducible workflows and unlimited custom analysis -- from trees per acre to carbon accounting.
Key Features
10-100x Faster
Built on DuckDB and Polars for blazing performance. Run analyses in seconds that take minutes in EVALIDator.
EVALIDator-Exact
Design-based estimation that matches EVALIDator reference standards exactly. Statistical validity you can trust.
Design-Based Estimation
Implements the same stratified estimation methodology used by EVALIDator, producing statistically valid population estimates with sampling errors.
Reproducible Workflows
Code-first Python API replaces point-and-click web interfaces. Version control your analysis, share it, and repeat it.
Quick Start
pip install pyfiafrom pyfia import download, FIA
import pyfia
# Download and connect
db = FIA.from_download("GA")
db.clip_by_state("GA")
db.clip_most_recent()
# Forest area
forest_area = pyfia.area(db, land_type="forest")
# Volume by species
volume = pyfia.volume(db, grp_by="SPCD")Use Cases
- Forest carbon accounting and biomass estimation
- Timber volume and merchantable wood calculations
- Species composition and forest health monitoring
- Forest land area assessment and site productivity indexing
- Mortality rate and net growth estimation over time
Get Started
Check out the documentation for tutorials, API reference, and examples.