Camp Nine Pines
Location
Potential Research Topics
Camp Nine Pines RNA contains an ecosystem that was historically maintained by fire. Researchers could investigate local fire history and effects of fire in a rare barrens ecosystem adjacent to a dry-mesic forest. Surveys of taxa not yet recorded include amphibians, reptiles, invertebrates, bats, and other mammals.
Ecological and Physical Description
Camp Nine Pines Research Natural Area (RNA) contains one of the largest blocks of natural red pine (Pinus resinosa) and white pine (Pinus strobus) on the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest (CNNF). The RNA features a large area of continuous canopy pine and pine-oak forest, frost pocket barrens, a wide moisture gradient from west to east, and a home range of many large mammal species. The trees now are of an older age class [12-20 inch (30-50 cm) DBH] and the community is beginning to develop old-growth characteristics. The site is also noted for its diversity of nesting interior forest wood warblers.
Annual precipitation averages 34.3 inches (87 cm), 68% of which falls between April and September. Average seasonal snowfall is 68.1 inches (173 cm).
The Drummond Ranger Station is 11 mi (17.7 km) northwest of the RNA.
The eastern section of the RNA is situated on glacial end moraine grading into glacial pitted outwash as you travel west. The majority of the RNA is carbonate bedrock of the Cable Rolling Outwash LTA. The bedrock is greater than 100 feet from the land surface. A smaller portion of the RNA consists of sandstone (LTA Ka04), which is between 100 and 50 feet of the land surface. Geomorphologic processes include glacial meltwater deposition.
Soils are well-drained sandy loam over medium-coarse sand with end moraine on the east, grading into glacial pitted outwash as you move west. Most of the soils generally fall into the Vilas-Omega association. There is a small area that is of the Cloquet-Hiawatha association.
Several small perennial ponds and ephemeral woodland pools occur in the depressions throughout this site. The ponds are the sole water source in this dry community type and are fed by ground water and precipitation. There are no streams or rivers within three miles (5 kilometers) of this site.
Flora and Fauna
Common Plant Species
| Scientific Name | Common Name | Category | At Risk | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vaccinium angustifolium | low blueberry | Common Shrub Species | In open bracken-grasslands |
|
| Comptonia peregrina | sweet fern | Common Shrub Species | In open bracken-grasslands |
|
| Corylus cornuta | beaked hazelnut | Common Shrub Species | ||
| Corylus americana | American hazelnut | Common Shrub Species | ||
| Lonicera canadensis | American fly-honeysuckle | Common Shrub Species | ||
| Anemone quinquefolia | wood anemone | Common Herbaceous Species | in forested areas |
|
| Actaea rubra | red baneberry | Common Herbaceous Species | in forested areas |
|
| Osmunda cinnamomea | cinnamon fern | Common Herbaceous Species | in forested areas |
|
| Oryzopsis asperifolia | rough-leaved rice-grass | Common Herbaceous Species | in forested areas |
|
| Anemone americana | round-lobed hepatica | Common Herbaceous Species | in forested areas |
|
| Habenaria obtusata | blunt-leaf orchid | Common Herbaceous Species | in forested areas |
|
| Campanula rotundifolia | harebell | Common Herbaceous Species | in open areas |
|
| Aster laevis | smooth aster | Common Herbaceous Species | in open areas |
|
| Andropogon gerardii | big blue-stem | Common Herbaceous Species | in open areas |
|
| Danthonia spicata | poverty oats | Common Herbaceous Species | in open areas |
Common Animal Species
| Scientific Name | Common Name | Category | At Risk | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tamiasciurus hudsonicus | Red squirrel | Common Fauna | ||
| Odocoileus virginiana | white-tailed deer | Common Fauna | ||
| Ursus americanus | black bear | Common Fauna | ||
| Castor Canadensis | beaver | Common Fauna | ||
| Taxidea taxus | badger | Common Fauna | ||
| Canis latrans | coyote | Common Fauna | ||
| Canis lupus | eastern timber wolf | Common Fauna | ||
| Bufo americanus | American toad | Common Fauna | ||
| Pseudacris triseriata | chorus frog | Common Fauna | ||
| Rana sylvatica | wood frog | Common Fauna | ||
| Hemidactylium scutatum | four-toed salamander | Common Fauna | ||
| Chrysemys picta | painted turtle | Common Fauna | ||
| Thamnophis sirtalis | eastern garter snake | Common Fauna |
Publications
- Matthew D. Duvall, David F. Grigal. 1999. Effects of timber harvesting on coarse woody debris in red pine forets across the Great Lakes states, U.S.A.