Spruce and Fir Forest Management  

Gap processes in mature, natural conifer stands in the Central Rocky Mountains - This study underway at Fraser Experimental Forest (FEF)  in cooperation with Todd Mowrer, encompasses a variety of investigations aimed at gaining a better understanding of mortality, recruitment, and disturbance processes active under closed canopy (or interior forest) conditions.  Intensive inventory data using GPS and GIS technology is being collected on canopy structure and composition.

One spin-off of these investigations has been the development of the PLOTVIEW computer program to visualize mapped-plot data, which evolved into the GRAFGYM and GRAFFVS growth and yield model data visualization programs.  In addition, dendrochronology techniques are being developed to allow accurate dating of past fires, insect and disease outbreaks, windthrow events and other disturbances.  This line of research has led to the discovery of ancient stands of Engelmann spruce at FEF, development of a climate reconstruction for high elevation central Rockies forests, an investigation of the effects of water diversion on riparian tree growth, a quantitative study of large biomass decay, and a cooperative study with Will Moir to assess ecosystem diversity at FEF. (photos are 501 KB total)