Treesearch

A major objective of the Forest Service Research Natural Area (RNA) program is to maintain a representative array of all significant natural ecosystems as baseline areas for research and monitoring (Forest Service Manual 4063, USDA Forest Service 1991). The National Forest Management Act of 1976 directs the agency to establish research natural areas typifying important forest, shrubland, grassland, alpine, and aquatic ecosystems. In addition to their value as reference areas for research and monitoring, RNAs help maintain biological diversity and healthy ecosystems on national forests by...

This is a compendium of experimental forests, ranges, watersheds, and other outdoor laboratories, formally established by the Forest Service and Agricultural Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the universities in Utah, Idaho, and Montana. The purposes, histories, natural resource bases, data bases, past and current studies, locations, and who to contact for information are given for these areas that represent ecosystems ranging from deserts to cold subalpine forests.

A new satellite-derived vegetation greenness map, departure from average, is designed to compare current-year vegetation greenness with average greenness for the same time of year. Live-fuel condition as portrayed on this map, and the calculated 1,000-hour fuel moistures, are compared to fire occurrence and area burned in Montana and Idaho during the 1993 and 1994 fire seasons.

Forest fire research lost one of its true pioneers on April 12, 1996, when George M. Byram passed away in Dunedin, Florida, at the age of 87. He made lasting contributions in nearly every subject matter area of forest fire research. He was also a gifted painter and a fine gentleman in the eyes of those who knew him.

In 1977, the La Mesa Fire burned across 15,444 acres of ponderosa pine forests on the adjoining lands of Bandelier National Monument, the Santa Fe National Forest, and Los Alamos National Laboratory. Following this event, several fire effects studies were initiated. The 16 papers herein document longer-term knowledge gained about the ecological effects of the fire and about Southwestern fire ecology in general. The presentations are also designed to give resource managers practical information for managing fire in local landscapes. Studies presented range from fire histories and avifauna...

Bird records for the Cimarron National Grassland were collected from literature searches and unpublished field notes submitted by cooperators. Almost 14,000 bird records were compiled in a data file. Based on these data, the status of each bird species reported to have occurred on the Cimarron National Grassland was established. In addition to the species accounts, the history lot the area, current management practices, habitat types, and locations for finding birds are discussed.

Cimarron NG covers 108,175 acres of prairie and other vegetation types in Morton and Stevens Counties, Kansas. The USDA Forest Service manages the land, its resources, and their uses. Located in the extreme southwestern corner of Kansas, Cimarron NG is associated with the Rocky Mountain Region (Region 2) of the Forest Service. Region 2 also administers the Grand River, Buffalo Gap, and Fort Pierre National Grasslands of South Dakota; Ogalala National Grassland of Nebraska; Thunder Basin National Grassland of Wyoming; Pawnee and Comanche National Grasslands of Colorado; and numerous...

A mapping technique was used to measure the annual downslope deposition of granitic sediments eroded from forest roads on three headwater watersheds in the mountains of central Idaho. Frequency distributions were developed to determine sediment travel distance, and a dimensionless relationship was developed to describe the relation between the percentage of total volume and total length of sediment deposit. By combining the two relations, land managers can assess the risk of sediment reaching streams to help guide road location and design.

The upper 16.8 miles of the Rio Cebolla watershed were studied to identify water-related management concerns. Land ownership is divided among private individuals, the New Mexico Game and Fish Department, and the U.S. Forest Service. Recreation is the predominant activity, particularly fishing and camping. Other major land users are residents of the Seven Springs Community, cattle grazers, and fish hatchery employees. In 1994-95 a program to reintroduce now vanished Rio Grande cutthroat trout into the less accessible reaches of the river was undertaken.

The knowledge shared and the energy generated by this symposium should not be lost as we leave for our homes and our jobs. We have a great wealth of experience, knowledge, and energy assembled. How can we continue to communicate with each other, share information, involve others, and influence decision makers? The steering committee for this symposium in hopes of stimulating continued cooperation and collaboration included the "Commitment to Action and Feedback Form" with the agenda. Our hope is you will fill out the form and leave it with the steering committee. We will also spend a...