Experimental forest

Last updated

An experimental forest , or experimental range , as defined by the United States Forest Service, is "an area administered ... 'to provide for the research necessary for the management of the land.'" [1] [2]

Contents

Size and relation to other areas

According to the USFS, "Most Experimental Forests are large enough to contain significant stream systems and several dozen contain experimental watershed study sites with multiple paired basins." Individual experimental forests range from 0.47 to 225 km2 (120 to 55,600 acres) in area. Experimental forests are distinguished from research natural areas and intensive monitoring sites. [3]

History

The present system of 80 experimental forests and ranges began in 1908. Many experimental forest are more than 50 years old. The system provides places for long-term science and management studies in major vegetation types of the 195,000,000 acres (790,000 km2) of public land administered by the Forest Service. [4]

Experimental forests and ranges in the United States

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Douglas fir</span> Species of tree

The Douglas fir is an evergreen conifer species in the pine family, Pinaceae. It is native to western North America and is also known as Douglas-fir, Douglas spruce, Oregon pine, and Columbian pine. There are three varieties: coast Douglas-fir, Rocky Mountain Douglas-fir and Mexican Douglas-fir.

<i>Pinus jeffreyi</i> Pine tree found in North America

Pinus jeffreyi, also known as Jeffrey pine, Jeffrey's pine, yellow pine and black pine, is a North American pine tree. It is mainly found in California, but also in the westernmost part of Nevada, southwestern Oregon, and northern Baja California. It is named in honor of its botanist documenter John Jeffrey.

<i>Pinus ponderosa</i> Species of large pine tree in North America

Pinus ponderosa, commonly known as the ponderosa pine, bull pine, blackjack pine, western yellow-pine, or filipinus pine, is a very large pine tree species of variable habitat native to mountainous regions of western North America. It is the most widely distributed pine species in North America.

<i>Abies concolor</i> Species of conifer tree

Abies concolor, the white fir, concolor fir, or Colorado fir, is a coniferous tree in the pine family Pinaceae. This tree is native to the mountains of western North America, including the Sierra Nevada and southern Rocky Mountains, and into the isolated mountain ranges of southern Arizona, New Mexico, and Northern Mexico. It naturally occurs at elevations between 900 and 3,400 metres.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shasta–Trinity National Forest</span> National forest in California, US

The Shasta–Trinity National Forest is a federally designated forest in northern California, United States. It is the largest National Forest in California and is managed by the U.S. Forest Service. The 2,210,485 acre forest encompasses five wilderness areas, hundreds of mountain lakes and 6,278 miles (10,103 km) of streams and rivers. Major features include Shasta Lake, the largest man-made lake in California and Mount Shasta, elevation 14,179 feet (4,322 m).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Plumas National Forest</span> National Forest in northern California, United States

Plumas National Forest is a 1,146,000-acre (4,640 km2) United States National Forest located at the northern terminus of the Sierra Nevada, in northern California. The Forest was named after its primary watershed, the Rio de las Plumas, or Feather River.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sierra Ancha</span> Mountain range in Gila County, Arizona

The Sierra Ancha is a mountain range in Gila County, in central Arizona. It lies between Roosevelt Lake to the south, the Tonto Basin to the west, Cherry Creek to the east, and Pleasant Valley to the north. The range is one of several, including the Bradshaw Mountains, Mingus Mountain of the Black Hills, and the Mazatzal Mountains, which form a transitional zone between the lowland deserts of southern Arizona and the Colorado Plateau of northeastern Arizona. The highest point in the range is Aztec Peak, at an elevation of 2345 m (7694 ft).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boggs Mountain Demonstration State Forest</span> State forest in California

Boggs Mountain Demonstration State Forest is a state forest in Lake County, California that covers the northwest of Boggs Mountain. It was founded in 1949, and came into operation in 1950 when most of the site had been clear cut. The purpose was to demonstrate good practices in restoring and managing a forest. The state forest was open for recreational use, including camping, hiking, mountain biking etc. The 2015 Valley Fire destroyed 80% of the trees. The state forest as of 2021 was replanting saplings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eastern Cascades Slopes and Foothills</span> Temperate coniferous forests ecoregion of the United States

The Eastern Cascades Slopes and Foothills ecoregion is a Level III ecoregion designated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the U.S. states of Oregon, Washington, and California. In the rain shadow of the Cascade Range, the eastern side of the mountains experiences greater temperature extremes and receives less precipitation than the west side. Open forests of ponderosa pine and some lodgepole pine distinguish this region from the Cascades ecoregion, where hemlock and fir forests are more common, and from the lower, drier ecoregions to the east, where shrubs and grasslands are predominant. The vegetation is adapted to the prevailing dry, continental climate and frequent wildfire. Volcanic cones and buttes are common in much of the region.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yolla Bolly–Middle Eel Wilderness</span> Protected wilderness area in California, US

The Yolla Bolly–Middle Eel Wilderness is a federally designated wilderness area in the Yolla Bolly Range of the southern Klamath Mountains and the Inner Northern California Coast Ranges, in Northern California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Forest cover by state and territory in the United States</span>

In the United States, the forest cover by state and territory is estimated from tree-attributes using the basic statistics reported by the Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program of the Forest Service. Tree volumes and weights are not directly measured in the field, but computed from other variables that can be measured.

Wolf Creek is a waterway in Nevada County, California, US. The creek is 25 miles (40 km) long. The watershed, approximately 78 square miles (200 km2), is heavily mined. Most of the creek is situated in the lower montane zone. Its altitude ranges between 3,000 feet (910 m) to 1,200 feet (370 m). Vegetation in the valley varies from alpine pines at higher elevations, to blue pines at mid elevations, and ponderosa pine mixed with evergreen forests at lower elevations. From 1850 to 1950 gold was mined in the rich formations of the Mother Lode in the heart of Banner Mountain.

The following television stations broadcast on digital channel 8 in the United States:

The following low-power television stations broadcast on digital or analog channel 8 in the United States:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ponderosa pine forest</span> Plant community where Pinus ponderosa is common

Ponderosa pine forest is a plant association and plant community dominated by ponderosa pine and found in western North America. It is found from the British Columbia to Durango, Mexico. In the south and east, ponderosa pine forest is the climax forest, while in the more northern part of its range, it can transition to Douglas-fir or grand fir, or white fir forests. Understory species depends on location. Fire suppression has led to insect outbreaks in ponderosa pine forests.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">San Dimas Experimental Forest</span>

The San Dimas Biosphere Reserve and Experimental Forest is an experimental forest located in the front range of the San Gabriel Mountains of southern California. San Dimas constitutes a protected field laboratory jointly managed by the Angeles National Forest and the Pacific Southwest Research Station of the United States Forest Service under the designation San Dimas Experimental Forest. It was designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1976 and withdrawn from the programme in July 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marcell Experimental Forest</span>

Marcell Experimental Forest (MEF) is a 1,140 ha long-term ecosystem research site operated by the Northern Research Station of the U.S. Forest Service. It is located 40 km north of Grand Rapids, Minnesota within the Chippewa National Forest and was formally established in 1962 to study the ecology and hydrology of peatland watersheds. There are six experimental watersheds each of which consist of an upland portion, a peatland, and an outlet stream. The range of these six watersheds provide a variety of hydrological environments to study. Climatic and hydrologic data have been continuously monitored since 1961. Some notable research areas have been hydrology, nutrient and mercury cycling and behavior, and release of organic carbon and acidity.

The Southern Research Station (SRS) is one component of seven units that provide the framework for the US Forest Service (USFS) Research and Development organization. Forest Service R&D is described as "...the most extensive natural resources research organization in the world".

References

  1. "Northeastern Research Station - Research and Development - Glossary". Fs.fed.us. 2013-12-16. Retrieved 2014-01-18.
  2. "USDA Forest Service - Experimental Forests and Ranges". Fs.fed.us. 2008-10-08. Retrieved 2014-01-18.
  3. "Experimental Forests & Ranges". Fs.fed.us. 2008-03-05. Retrieved 2014-01-18.
  4. "USDA Forest Service - Experimental Forests and Ranges". Fs.fed.us. Retrieved 2014-01-18.
  5. "About the Marcell Experimental Forest - Northern Research Station - USDA Forest Service". www.nrs.fs.fed.us. Retrieved 2020-03-06.
  6. here, put your internet short name. "Pacific Southwest Research Station". www.fs.fed.us.

Commons-logo.svg Media related to Experimental forests at Wikimedia Commons