This project maintains several long-term mensuration research plots that were started in the mid-20th century. These research plots are greatly valued for the long-term productivity, and species composition information that they continue to provide.

Growing stock levels for even-aged ponderosa pine in the western U.S.-Black Hills (Province IV)

Location: Black Hills Experimental Forest, South Dakota
Established: 1963
Description: The objective for these plots was to monitor growth of the most widely distributed pine in North America. These plots are part of a larger west-wide growing-stock-levels study of even-aged ponderosa pine. Consists of 36 treated GSL plots, 6 untreated plots and 6 clearcut plots. Of the treated plots, 18 are sapling plots, 0.25 acres and 18 are pole plots, 0.5 acres in size. Information collected from these plots is used to establish better and more precise estimates of growth and yield in managed stands. Benchmark data from controlled density plots such as these is crucial to verification and re-calibration of Forest Vegetation Simulator (FVS) modules which has become the standard Forest Planning & Vegetation analysis tool in the Forest Service. http://www.fs.fed.us/fmsc/fvs/index.php

Growth and yield in managed uneven-aged ponderosa pine of northern Arizona, Lookout Canyon, North Kaibab Ranger District. Study Plan 4451-PR1-99-1

Location: Kaibab National Forest, Arizona.
Established: 1993
Description: This study was initiated to follow un-even-aged forest plots through time. It consists of 6 10-acre plots: 2 controls and 2 pairs each targeted at 60 and 80 sq. ft/ac residual BA. About 7300 trees total measured in 1994, post growing season, following treatments.

Growth and yield, soil moisture changes in understory vegetation and game animal response, in relation to overstory density in managed stands of young lodgepole pine on main St. Louis Creek, Fraser Experimental Forest (Study Plan 1251.28)

Location: Fraser GSL plots, Fraser Experimental Forest, CO.
Established: 1976
Description: This study was initiated to follow growth and yield in addition to other ecosystem parameters through time. This is the oldest active installation of lodgeple pine growth plots in the central Rocky Mountains. It consists of 25 lodgepole GSL plots 0.5 acres in size, (5 replications) installed and measured across a staggered 5-year period of 1976-1980. Plots were not thinned on the second cycle, however the plots were all remeasured at 10 years. As with the Black Hills GSL study this data is also crucial to updating the FVS model.

Prediction of growth and yield in uneven-aged timber stands, Manitou Experimental Forest.

Location: Manitou Experimental Forest, CO.
Established: 1974
Description: We call the stand a "potential old-growth" site since age/development of stocking will lead to stereotypical old but dense stand perhaps a century or so down the road. This assumes that fire or bugs don't wipe out the site first. Consists of one 22-acre stem-mapped ponderosa pine plot at Manitou. Interesting attributes include bracketed Dendroctonus outbreak, and full mapping of ingrowth for the 27-year period. This is a good companion study with the ongoing regeneration study because of contrasting conditions.

Silvicultural treatments for reducing losses to mountain pine beetle in ponderosa pine, Colorado, Wyoming, South Dakota.

Location: Black Hills of South Dakota, Colorado, Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest in Wyoming.
Established: Various times
Description: Study areas were established in the Black Hills of South Dakota, in the state of Colorado and in the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest in Wyoming to study thinning as a method to reduce mountain pine beetle losses in ponderosa pine and lodgepole pine stand. A selected area was 10 acres in size. Each area included a control and three different growing stock levels (GSL) treatments of 2.5 acres each. Treatment plots were thinned to any of three combinations of 40, 60, 75, 80, 90, 100 and 110 GSL. Obedzinski et al (1999) summarized the growth data for the plots in the Black Hills. Ten-year diameter and basal area growth were determined for partially cut stands at 4 locations. Average diameters in the partially cut plots generally increased by 1 inch or more, while average diameter in the uncut controls increased by 0.9 inches or less. Individual tree growth is discussed in relation to potential susceptibility to mountain pine beetle infestation. Basal area increases ranged from 0.9 to 1.9 ft2/acre/yr in partially cut plots, while basal area increases in the control plots ranged from 0.4 pt 1.4ft2/acre/yr. Endemic mountain pine beetle infestations and snow breakage accounted for most of the mortality on the plots, which decreased the residual basal area and basal area growth. Increases in basal area are used to estimate the length of time required for various stand densities to reach the susceptibility thresholds for mountain pine beetle infestation. Stand marking may influence future susceptibility to beetle infestations.

Publications:
Obedzinski, R.A.; Schmid, J.M.; Mata, S.A.; Olsen, W.K.; Kessler, R.R. 1999. Growth of ponderosa pine stands in relation to mountain pine beetle susceptibility. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-28. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 13 p.