We do not have an adequate understanding of the factors and processes regulating composition, growth, development, and function of forest vegetation.

Korol, Ronni L. 2001. Physiological attributes of 11 northwest conifer species. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-73. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station: 9 p.

McCaughey, Ward W., Tombeck, Diana F. The natural regeneration process. In: Tomback, Diana F.; Arno, Stephen F.; Keane, Robert E., eds. Whitebark Pine Communities: Ecology and Restoration. Washington, DC: Island Press: 105-120.

Carlson, Clinton E.: Weldon, Leslie. 2000. The Bitterroot Ecosystem Management Research Project: How did it happen? In: Smith, Helen Y., ed. Proc. RMRS-P-17. The Bitterroot Ecosystem Management Research Project: What We Have Learned-Symposium Proceedings; 1999 May 18-20; Missoula. MT. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station: 3-5.

Sutherland, Elaine Kennedy. 2000. Research in progress: Disturbance regimes in the riparian zones of western Montana. In: ECO-Report. Winter, 2000-01: 6.

Long-term and new research progresses on ecology, disturbance, and management approaches in western larch. Douglas-fir, and lodgepole pine forests. With Fire Plan funding and a biobased products initiative, we initiated several new studies. At the Tenderfoot Creek Experimental Forest (TCEF), we are testing innovative silvicultural treatments in lodgepole pine forests that can be extrapolated throughout the Northern Rockies. We completed experimental thinning treatments and prepared sites for prescribed burning treatments. We valuated those thinnings, which resulted in an above-cost sale and an additional sale of firewood. New studies include information on lodgepole pine physiology, quantification of canopy fuels, noxious weed inventories, and bee population dynamics. Baseline data were collected on vegetation, climate, and hydrologic parameters in lodgepole pine communities. The Natural Resources Conservation Service, for their national SNOTEL network, installed two automated weather stations including fire weather instrumentation used by fire specialists. Further information can be found at the Tenderfoot Research Project .

Whitebark pine studies focused on stand composition and cone production, regeneration probabilities on varying site conditions, and age distributions, and plantation success on different habitat types. State of the knowledge information on whitebark pine was published recently in a book, "Whitebark Pine Communities - Ecology and Restoration".

We performed final measurements in a western larch spacing study initiated in 1961. Estimates of runoff following thinning at different densities will result, an information need specifically identified by our partners on the Flathead National Forest. We took final measurements of larch regeneration studies evaluating the effectiveness of natural and artificial regeneration approaches.

Demonstration studies installed at Lick Creek continue to demonstrate the value of thinning and prescribed burning. Miller Creek Demonstration Forest illustrates the influence of thinning/slashing on shrub succession and conifer growth. Computer models under development enable land managers to analyze management scenarios and determine tradeoffs.