Pike Bay Experimental Forest

Climate

The climate at Pike Bay is continental. Maximum summer temperatures are 35 °C with high humidity (80 percent) and minimum winter temperatures descend to -35 °C. Growing season length is over 120 days. Average annual precipitation is 50 to 65 cm. Snow depths average ~1 m. Prolonged summer droughts occur, and are expected to increase with climate change.

Soils

Although variable, the soils have developed mainly in the Guthrie till plain deposits covered to varying depth by a silt loam loess cap. The soil type is the Warba soil series.

Vegetation

Much of the forest is dominated by mature to overmature aspen (60 to 80 years old). These are among the most productive (site index 75 and higher at base age 50 years) aspen sites in northern Minnesota. Pike Bay once supported large white pines and northern hardwoods and examples of each remain.

Pike Bay is noted for its abundance of small seasonal wetlands. These vary greatly in the depth of water and duration of flooding during the growing season. Black ash is the most common tree species in seasonal wetlands. Generally, these wetlands are 0.25 ha or less in size.

The eastern edge of the Pike Bay is adjacent to the Bemidji Sand Plain, an area where fires (assumed to be related to burning by Native Americans) occurred more frequently. At least historically, the eastern side of the forest is believed to have had species more tolerant to burning (for example more white and red pines). In the interior and western parts of the forest, fire was less common and vegetation is more sensitive to fire. Fire has generally been eliminated as a disturbance agent and the differentiation between these areas is not as obvious in present-day vegetation.

There are no on-site facilities, but the closest town, Cass Lake, is several miles to the west. The nearest larger town is Bemidji, about a 1-hour drive west of Grand Rapids on Highway 2. There is a well-developed system of roads within the forest, but travel is difficult in wet weather.

Lat. 47°20′ N, long. 94°40′ W

Research, Past and Present

Past research has focused on aspen, paper birch, and northern conifer silviculture, including harvesting, regeneration, and productivity research. One block of the long-term soil productivity experiment is located on the experimental forest. More recent research has focused on seasonal pond ecology and management.

Major Research Accomplishments and Effects on Management

• Thirty-year study on the effects of soil compaction and biomass removal on productivity and nutrient cycling in trembling aspen ecosystems. 
• Detailed research on seasonal pond food webs and management impacts.

Research Opportunities

Seasonal pond and long-term soil productivity opportunities exist.