Virtual Tour of the Fernow.

The forests of the central Appalachian mountains are an important resource to the millions of people who live in and around the area and to the many visitors to the region. The mixed hardwood forest, which covers about 78 percent of West Virginia, supplies important timber products, provides recreational opportunities, and supports a diverse assemblage of wildlife and plant species. Timber harvests are increasing each year in West Virginia. Other competing interests are also demanding that the forest be maintained as a high quality resource.

Sustainable management of these forests for such a variety of land uses is complicated by an incomplete understanding of these complex ecosystems and of the role of natural and human-induced disturbance in their structure and functioning. For this reason, more information is needed on ecosystem processes and silvicultural alternatives. Forest management practices need to be identified which will promote the sustainability of these forests for growth of timber, recreational use, provision of high quality water, and as habitat for a variety of wildlife and plant species.

Scientists at the Fernow Experimental Forest are developing information and techniques for sustainably managing hardwood forests in the central Appalachians. Application of research results will, hopefully, stimulate the economy of the region through improved wood production efficiency and through better coordination of the forest's many uses. Scientists are also studying how these ecosystems work.

Selected Results of Fernow Research Work:

• Demonstrated the benefits of good forest management in the central Appalachians
• Indicated that improved log quality gives possibly the greatest return from good hardwood forest management
• Developed guidelines for determining site quality from topographic and soil features for the central Appalachians and showed the effect of site on growth rate and stand composition
• Developed improved logging methods that are practical and profitable - they make money for the operator
• Showed that streamflow can be increased by practical forest management
• Helped establish that cutting a forest does not create a high flood hazard when the forest floor is protected from erosion
• Proved that well designed and carefully maintained forest roads prevent most of the erosion and sedimentation that often accompany logging

The Fernow Experimental Forest is located in the most mountainous region of West Virginia, the "Mountain State." It is surrounded by the Monongahela National Forest, whose Indian name means "River of Sliding Banks," which comprises about 900,000 acres of rugged, hilly terrain. It provides recreational opportunities for thousands of campers, swimmers, picnickers, hunters, and fishermen each year. Check out the Profile of the Fernow Experimental Forest for a more detailed description of the Experimental Forest.

The Fernow is situated off Route 219, just south of the city of Parsons, home of a number of woodworking industries and the world's largest charcoal manufacturing plant.

Visitors are welcome to tour the Fernow Experimental Forest. Show-me trips, which provide a lecturer or a guided tour through the Forest, can be arranged for interested individuals and groups by contacting the forest at the address or phone numbers above. Until then, check out the Virtual Tour of the Fernow.

Location: Monongahela National Forest, Parsons, West Virginia Maintained By: USDA Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station, Parsons, WV Purpose: Used as a Field Laboratory by the Northeastern Research Station's Research Work Unit: "Sustainable Forest Ecosystems in the Central Appalachians" Experimental Forest Established: 1934 Area: 4,700 acres Elevation: 1,750-3,650 feet Old Growth First Cut: 1905-1910 Stand Condition: Uneven-aged and Even-aged Species List: There are about 25 commercial tree species, northern red oak is very common.