Pacific Southwest Research Station

Giving you access to more than 45,000 online USDA Forest Service Research publications.

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In The News

• Fighting fire with fire could reduce destructive, out of control blazes - Bay Area News Group (Sept. 9, 2018)
• Conservationists give assisted migration a second look - High Country News (Aug. 20, 2018)
• Small controlled burns can reduce the impact and threat of catastrophic wildfires - Thomson Reuters Foundation (Aug. 13, 2018)

Recent News Releases

• Northwest Forest Plan science synthesis released
  (June 14, 2018)
• Bats go quiet during fall mating season
  (May 2, 2018)

PSW Publications List

• May - July 2018
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PSW on the USDA Blog

• New tool helps California land managers predict tree mortality
  (February 5, 2018)

More About Us

• Staff Directory
• Research Programs & Projects
• Faces of Research

• New publication to aid ecological restoration decisionmaking
• The draft Northwest Forest Plan (NWFP) science synthesis is online
• Research topic: Tree mortality in California
• American pikas tolerate climate change better than expected
• Video: Learn about Rapid Ohia Death affecting ohia trees on Hawaii Island

Download our latest research paper, "Using species distribution models with climate change scenarios to aid ecological restoration decisionmaking for southern California shrublands."

PNW and PSW have developed the draft Northwest Forest Plan science synthesis, to help provide a scientific foundation for Forest Service land management plans in the northwest.

Learn about our latest research on tree mortality in California, with videos and information on drought, bark beetles, wildfire risks and restoration strategies.

New research suggests that American pikas can tolerate changes in climate better than expected.

The Ohia: The Story of Hawaii's Tree is a video featuring PSW researchers explaining the Ohia tree and the impacts of Rapid Ohia Death.

Science that makes a difference.

The Pacific Southwest Research Station is a world leader in natural resources research through our scientific excellence and responsiveness to the needs of current and future generations.

We represent the research and development branch of the USDA Forest Service in the states of California and Hawaii and the U.S. affiliated Pacific Islands. Our mission is to develop and communicate science needed to sustain forest ecosystems and their benefits to society.

USDA Forest Service photo by Cecilio Ricardo.

Having a bad day or just need to get away? That’s nothing your local forest can’t fix! Splendor, romance and rejuvenation; there are more than a few good reasons why people come from all over the world to bask in the majesty of our treasured National Forests.

Our forests offer some of the most exceptional opportunities in the country for experiencing the multitude of recreation possibilities that are destined to inspire lifelong memories to welcomed visitors. We love to see what captures your heart while wandering in the woods, which is why we invite you to share tagged photos of your visit to Forest Service lands online so that you can be part of our Interactive Visitor map.

If you want ideas of amazing places to explore, our partner site, Recreation.gov, can help you do everything from finding local activities and hiking trails to making campground reservations.

Passive monitoring techniques for evaluating atmospheric ozone and nitrogen exposure and deposition to California ecosystems

(GTR-PSW-257)

In this report, several alternative approaches for estimating N deposition are also considered as a guide for selecting appropriate techniques in ecosystem-effects studies in California and elsewhere.

Proceedings of the Coast Redwood Science Symposium—2016: past successes and future direction. Proceedings of a workshop

(GTR-PSW-258)

With its limited range and high value, the coast redwood forest is a microcosm of many of the emerging science and management issues facing today’s forested landscapes.

OP-Yield Version 1.00 user’s guide
(GTR-PSW-259)

OP-Yield is a Microsoft Excel™ spreadsheet with 14 specified user inputs to derive custom yield estimates using the original Oliver and Powers (1978) functions as the foundation. It presents yields for ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Lawson & C. Lawson) plantations in northern California.