Development of a Norway spruce stand on a gauged watershed in the Fernow Experimental Forest, West Virginia

Abstract

In 1973, a 55-acre watershed at the Fernow Experimental Forest (FEF) in West Virginia was planted with 2-0 Norway spruce (Picea abies) seedlings to evaluate the effects of conifers on streamflow and water quality. This conversion required considerable effort to ensure survival of the Norway spruce “island” in the sea of hardwoods. After nearly 50 years of tree growth and stand development, we report the impacts of the forest type conversion on stand and biomass development, water yield, water quality, soils, and nutrient cycling within the watershed. Conversion from hardwoods to Norway spruce resulted in significant decreases in annual water yield, relative to the reference watershed. Stream water quality was also significantly altered, with virtually no nitrate being detected in the stream water and a significantly lower stream pH, in contrast to the other FEF watersheds. The stream channel has also been altered. The forest floor in the spruce watershed exhibits an accumulated mass and increased carbon and nitrogen storage. However, mineral soil carbon and nitrogen storage are significantly lower relative to the hardwood reference. We discuss the implications of this unusual research project.

Parent Publication

• Proceedings of the 22nd Central Hardwood Forest Conference: managing future forests today

Citation

Adams, Mary Beth; Rau, Benjamin; Kemner, Jacob; Kelly, Charlene. 2024. Development of a Norway spruce stand on a gauged watershed in the Fernow Experimental Forest, West Virginia. In: Thomas-Van Gundy, Melissa; Adams, Mary Beth, comps. Proceedings of the 22nd Central Hardwood Forest Conference: managing future forests today. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-219. Madison, WI: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 185-193. https://doi.org/10.2727/NRS-GTR-219.