USDA Forest Service Experimental Forests and Ranges

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xxii

   PDF

2. Introduction

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1

      PDF

   2. A Grand Experiment: USDA Forest Service Experimental Forests and Ranges

      • Aaron Shapiro

      Pages 3-23

   3. Forest Service Experimental Forests and Long-term Data Sets: Stories of Their Meaning to Station Directors

      • Ariel E. Lugo, Bov Eav, G. Sam Foster, Michael Rains, Jim Reaves, Deanna J. Stouder

      Pages 25-57

3. Research Trajectories in Forest Ecology, Management, and Silviculture for Conifers

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 59-59

      PDF

   2. The Value of Old Forests: Lessons from the Reynolds Research Natural Area

      • Don C. Bragg, Michael G. Shelton

      Pages 61-84

   3. Restoring a Legacy: Longleaf Pine Research at the Forest Service Escambia Experimental Forest

      • Kristina F. Connor, Dale G. Brockway, William D. Boyer

      Pages 85-101

   4. Northeastern Conifer Research: Multiple Species and Multiple Values

      • Laura S. Kenefic, John C. Brissette, Richard W. Judd

      Pages 103-127

   5. Interdisciplinary Research on the Blacks Mountain Experimental Forest

      • Martin W. Ritchie, Carl N. Skinner

      Pages 129-146

4. Research Trajectories in Forest Ecology, Management, and Silviculture for Hardwoods

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 147-147

      PDF

   2. Uneven-Aged Management After a Half-Century of Research on the Forest Service Fernow Experimental Forest in West Virginia

      • Thomas M. Schuler

      Pages 149-171

   3. The Monongahela Clearcutting Controversy: Scientists and Land Managers Develop an Alternative Practice on the Fernow Experimental Forest

      • Gary W. Miller

      Pages 173-199

   4. Development of the Selection System in Northern Hardwood Forests of the Lake States: An 80-Year Silviculture Research Legacy

      • Christel Kern, Gus Erdmann, Laura Kenefic, Brian Palik, Terry Strong

      Pages 201-223

5. Research Trajectories in Wildlife, Fauna, Insects

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 225-225

      PDF

   2. The Starkey Experimental Forest and Range: Long-Term Research to Meet the Needs of Managers

      • Marty Vavra, Michael J. Wisdom

      Pages 227-249

   3. Evolution of a Short-Term Study of Lodgepole Pine Dwarf Mistletoe Vectors that Turned Into a Long-Term Study of the Remarkable Gray Jay on the Fraser Experimental Forest, Colorado 1982–2009

      • Thomas H. Nicholls

      Pages 251-270

   4. Subterranean Termite Control Examinations on Current and Former Experimental Forests and Ranges

      • T. G. Shelton, T. L. Wagner, C. J. Peterson, J. E. Mulrooney

      Pages 271-281

6. Research Trajectories in Forest and Range Hydrology, Biogeochemistry, Soils and Ecosystem Science

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 283-283

      PDF

   2. Cycles of Research at Fort Valley, Arizona, Our First Forest Experiment Station

      • Brian W. Geils, Susan D. Olberding

      Pages 285-310

   3. Contributions of Studies on Experimental Forests to Hydrology and Watershed Management

      • Gerald J. Gottfried, Peter F. Ffolliott, Kenneth N. Brooks, Randall K. Kolka, Carol B. Raish, Daniel G. Neary

      Pages 311-340

USDA Forest Service Experimental Forests and Ranges (EFRs) are scientific treasures, providing secure, protected research sites where complex and diverse ecological processes are studied over the long term. This book offers several examples of the dynamic interactions among questions of public concern or policy, EFR research, and natural resource management practices and policies. Often, trends observed – or expected -- in the early years of a research program are contradicted or confounded as the research record extends over decades. The EFRs are among the few areas in the US where such long-term research has been carried out by teams of scientists. Changes in society’s needs and values can also redirect research programs. Each chapter of this book reflects the interplay between the ecological results that emerge from a long-term research project and the social forces that influence questions asked and resources invested in ecological research. While these stories include summaries and syntheses of traditional research results, they offer a distinctly new perspective, a larger and more complete picture than that provided by a more typical 5-year study. They also provide examples of long-term research on EFRs that have provided answers for questions not even imagined at the time the study was installed.

• Conifers
• Ecosystem disturbances
• Land Management
• Natural Resource Management
• Research Trajectories
• Forestry Management

“This book provides an extensive summary of these facilities. There is an overview of each facility, including history, accomplishments, major research/contributions, and experimental findings. … Summing Up: Recommended. Graduate students through professionals/practitioners.” (D. H. Pfister, Choice, Vol. 52 (9), May, 2015)

• USDA Forest Service, Washington, USA

  Deborah C. Hayes, Anne P. Hoover

• Northern Research Station, USDA Forest Service, Irvine, USA

  Susan L. Stout

• Northeastern Areas, USDA Forest Service, Newtown Square, USA

  Ralph H. Crawford

At the time of writing, the Editors are all scientists with the USDA Forest Service in Research and Development Mission Area.  Drs. Deborah C. Hayes, Ralph C. Crawford and Ann P. Hoover are National Program Leaders in Ecosystem Science, Rangeland Science and Social Science, respectively.  They are located in the Forest Service Headquarters in Washington D.C.  Dr Susan L. Stout is a Project Leader and Research Silviculturist with the Forest Service Northern Research Station in Irvine, PA.   

Policies and ethics