National Forest Inventory (NFI) Data Use Agreement

As a condition of downloading, accessing or using NFI ground or photo plot data, or other NFI products , I agree to the following terms:

Use of data – NFI plot data and other NFI products are provided strictly for the purpose(s) for which they were requested and permission to access and use granted. The NFI is a collaborative initiative of Canadian federal, provincial and territorial government agencies. NFI data are owned collectively by these agencies. Any and all derived products or publications shall make appropriate acknowledgment and reference to Canada’s National Forest Inventory as the source of NFI data (see below for appropriate citations for NFI documentation and data products).

Distribution of data – NFI plot data and products shall not to be distributed to any person(s), other than those working with the authorized user for the purpose for which access to the data was granted.

Interpretation of data – while every effort has been made to accurately collect, compile and produce NFI data and products, no warranty, expressed or implied, is made regarding the accuracy or utility of the data for general scientific purposes. It is strongly recommended that careful attention be paid to the contents of the metadata files associated with these data. The plot data are from a low intensity statistical sample of Canada’s landmass. This sample may not be representative of smaller geographic areas, and should only be used for interpretations at the terrestrial ecozone or national levels, as describe on the NFI website. It is the professional responsibility of scientific investigators to understand and appropriately use the data inputs to their analyses.

NFI Plot data and other Products – these are subject to numerous updates and revisions without notice. Users should consult the NFI website or project office to obtain the most current and official version of any data or products, and record the version number of NFI data or products or the date that these were accessed. Any modification of NFI data or other products by authorized users or their collaborators involves risk of corruption, and is not sanctioned by the NFI project office.

Plot locations – NFI plot locations are strictly confidential to ensure the statistical validity of the NFI sampling design. Approximate plot location information may be provided to authorized users that require such information for analytical purposes. Special permission is required to gain access to precise plot locations. This information must be treated in strict confidence and not shared with any other parties for any purpose. No attempt should be made to visit individual plots.

No Warranty - NFI data are provided “as is”, and the NFI excludes all representations, warranties, obligations, and liabilities, whether express or implied, to the maximum extent permitted by law. The NFI is not liable for any errors or omissions in the data, and will not under any circumstances be liable for any direct, indirect, special, incidental, consequential, or other loss, injury or damage caused by its use or otherwise arising in connection with the data, even if specifically advised of the possibility of such loss, injury or damage.

Citations for NFI products and services

Suggested citations for NFI documentation: these citations will be included in respective documents and should be used to acknowledge use of NFI standards and services.

GP compilation procedures

National Forest Inventory. 2021. Canada’s National Forest Inventory – national standards for ground plots compilation procedures, version 2.4. Available from http://nfi.nfis.org (accessed dd.mm.yy).

GP data dictionaries

National Forest Inventory. 2009. Canada’s National Forest Inventory – national standards for ground plots data dictionary, version 5.0. Available from http://nfi.nfis.org (accessed dd.mm.yy).

National Forest Inventory. 2017. Canada’s National Forest Inventory – national standards for ground plots data dictionary, version 5.1.7. Available from http://nfi.nfis.org (accessed dd.mm.yy).

National Forest Inventory. 2021. Canada’s National Forest Inventory – national standards for ground plots data dictionary, version 5.2. Available from http://nfi.nfis.org (accessed dd.mm.yy).

GP field procedures

National Forest Inventory. 2008. Canada’s National Forest Inventory – ground-sampling guidelines, version 5.0. Available from http://nfi.nfis.org (accessed dd.mm.yy).

PP data dictionaries

National Forest Inventory. 2008. Canada’s National Forest Inventory – national standards for photo plot data dictionary: baseline period (2000-2006), version 4.2.4. Available from http://nfi.nfis.org (accessed dd.mm.yy).

National Forest Inventory. 2017. Canada’s National Forest Inventory – national standards for ground plot data dictionary: first remeasurement period (2007-2017), version 5.2. Available from http://nfi.nfis.org (accessed dd.mm.yy).

National Forest Inventory. 2017. Canada’s National Forest Inventory – national standards for ground plot data dictionary: second remeasurement period (2018-2027), version 6.0. Available from http://nfi.nfis.org (accessed dd.mm.yy).

Suggested citations for NFI data: these citations will be included in data use agreements and should be used to acknowledge use of NFI datasets

GP data collected prior to August 1, 2007 (nfi_gpprd_baseline_v0)

National Forest Inventory. 2020. Canada’s National Forest Inventory –ground-plot data: data collected prior to August 1, 2007, version 1.0.

GP data collected prior to August 1, 2007 (nfi_gpprd_baseline)

National Forest Inventory. 2020. Canada’s National Forest Inventory –ground-plot data: data collected prior to August 1, 2007, version 2.0.

GP data collected after August 1, 2007 (nfi_gpprd)

National Forest Inventory. 2020. Canada’s National Forest Inventory –ground-plot data: data collected after August 1, 2007, version 1.0.

PP baseline data

National Forest Inventory. 2013. Canada’s National Forest Inventory – baseline (2000-2006) photo-plot data, version 3.0 (revised 2006 baseline).

PP first remeasurement data

National Forest Inventory. 2020. Canada’s National Forest Inventory – first remeasurement (2007-2017) photo-plot data, version 1.0.

PP second remeasurement data

National Forest Inventory. 2020. Canada’s National Forest Inventory – second remeasurement (2017-2027) photo-plot data, version 1.0.