Forest and range research on the "Wild Bill Plots" (1927-2007)

Abstract

In 1927, the Fort Valley Experimental Forest initiated a range-timber reproduction study. The study was one of the first attempts to experimentally isolate the agents responsible for injury to ponderosa pine regeneration, and at the same time assess the impacts of livestock grazing on herbaceous vegetation. The study was conducted on the USFS range allotments northwest of Flagstaff, Arizona, known as Wild Bill and Willaha, and covered ~12,000 ha (~30,000 acres). Fifty-five permanently marked ponderosa pine "reproduction plots" were established to follow the fate of ponderosa pine seedlings, while an additional 28-1 m2 chart quadrats were established to quantify herbaceous vegetation composition and cover. In 2006, most of the Wild Bill and Willaha plots were relocated and remeasured and examples of key preliminary findings are reported in this proceedings paper.

Parent Publication

• Fort Valley Experimental Forest-A Century of Research 1908-2008

Citation

Laughlin, Daniel C.; Moore, Margaret M. 2008. Forest and range research on the "Wild Bill Plots" (1927-2007). In: Olberding, Susan D., and Moore, Margaret M., tech. coords. Fort Valley Experimental Forest-A Century of Research 1908-2008. Conference Proceedings; August 7-9, 2008; Flagstaff, AZ. Proc. RMRS-P-55. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 203-206