Revisiting Pearson's climate and forest type studies on the Fort Valley Experimental Forest (P-53)

Abstract

Five weather station sites were established in 1916 by Fort Valley personnel along an elevational gradient from the Experimental Station to near the top of the San Francisco Peaks to investigate the factors that controlled and limited forest types. The stations were located in the ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir, limber pine, Engelmann spruce, and Engelmann spruce/ bristlecone pine ("timberline") forest types. Climatological and phenological data were collected at one or more of these sites weekly from 1916 through 1920. Soil samples were taken monthly during the growing season at all sites in 1918. Experimental plantings were conducted at some of these sites to determine the ability of species to survive outside their normal growing conditions. Recent field reconnaissance at Campbell’s Camp located fence posts and steel corner pipes associated with the seedling experimental area. The historical weather stations and nearby tree plantations were an important contribution to the new science of ecology in the early twentieth century and they may be an important resource for helping scientists understand climate change today.

Parent Publication

• Fort Valley Experimental Forest-A Century of Research 1908-2008 (P-53)

Citation

Crouse, Joseph E.; Moore, Margaret M.; Fule, Peter Z. 2008. Revisiting Pearson''s climate and forest type studies on the Fort Valley Experimental Forest. In: Olberding, Susan D.; Moore, Margaret M., tech coords. Fort Valley Experimental Forest - A Century of Research 1908-2008. Conference Proceedings; August 7-9, 2008; Flagstaff, AZ. Proceedings RMRS-P-53CD. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 176-187