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Project Category: Watershed, Soils, and Riparian; Invasive Weeds, Social, or Native Seed Application and Effectiveness Project Leader: Deborah Page-Dumroese Participating Research Contacts: Martin Jurgensen, Mich. Tech. Univ.; Tom Rice, RMRS, Pete Robichaud, RMRS, Mike Amacher, RMRS Participating Forests/Grassland Contacts: John Nesser, R1, Ed Lieser, Flathead NF, Jeff Bruggink, R4, Jim Mital, Clearwater NF Funds - Total Project Cost and Timeframe (1-5 years):
Progress in 2001:Fire suppression: In 2001, we located study sites in the Good Creek Watershed of the Flathead National Forest. These will be thinned beginning in 2002 to different levels of retention (moderate and high). Adjacent to these stands are controls (uncut). In addition, another stand was located which will be thinned. The stand will be divided so that half will receive a broadcast burn; the other half will be grapple-piled and burned. This stand will give a side-by-side comparison of two commonly used methods so we can evaluate nutrient flux changes, carbon sequestration, and vegetation recovery and succession. All stands in this watershed are fire-suppressed stands. This part of our work has been extraordinarily easy – Ed Lieser has helped us locate stands and develop our study as part of the District’s harvest plans. FIA nutrient analysis: In cooperation with Mike Amacher, samples were collected from burned FIA plots. Mike is analyzing these soil samples. Once completed, we will compare this data to the unburned soil analyses and relate the data to stand structure before burning. Erosion and soil productivity: In cooperation with Pete Robichaud, soil samples were collected from unburned and burned areas where BAER treatments were installed. These samples will be analyzed this winter for C and N to compare the effects of burning on soil nutrient loss at a watershed scale. Integrating soil productivity research findings with managemement: : Jim Mital began an intensive literature search on the effects of harvesting, site preparation, and burning on soil productivity. He is gathering published literature, administrative studies for all R1 and R4 forests, and personal experience information. All this information will be synthesized into a publication for managers to use so they can evaluate various management (or wildfire) effects on soil productivity. Plans for 2002:: In 2002 our work will focus on finding a suitable fire-suppressed shrubland site for our nutrient cycling study. We will work with National Forest personnel to delineate treatments, replicates, and soil/vegetation sampling. This aspect of the study needs facilitation through NFS to help find suitable locations. In addition, we will continue our literature search, FIA analyses, and erosion studies. Pre-harvest sampling (soil, vegetation) will begin in the Good Creek Watershed. If harvesting occurs here early in the year, we will collect immediate post-harvest samples and install our wood decomposition study to develop an index of soil productivity changes. Products and/or tech transfer expected in 2002: : We anticipate completion of the literature review work and possible publication of the results. We will be more than happy to attend Regional workshops to discuss our results-to-date as they become available. In addition, our contacts with NFS folks are always an opportunity to share what we’ve learned and find out if we can collect other data needed by the Forests.
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