Factors Influencing Aboveground Carbon Storage in Mixed Oak-Pine Forests: USDA FIA Data from Southeastern U.S. (2009-2019)

This study explores factors affecting aboveground carbon (AGC) storage in mixed oak-pine forests across the Southeastern United States. Utilizing USDA Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) data from 2009 to 2019, the research spans nine states: Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Louisiana, and Virginia. Data processing in R included converting units to the metric system and calculating structural diversity using Shannon diversity indices. Climate data from the PRISM Climate Group were integrated with FIA data using longitude and latitude. The research aims to uncover how various factors influence AGC storage and contribute to informed forest management practices.