Aerial detection mapping is conducted annually to document the location and extent of active forest insect and disease damage. Each of these surveys (southeast Alaska, interior Alaska, and south-central Alaska) covers approximately one-fifth of the forested land in the State. Nearly 26 million acres throughout Alaska were surveyed in 2003. Insect and disease activity, mapped via aerial surveys, nearly doubled in 2003 over 2002 levels (875,288 acres vs. 484,626 acres).