The Northeastern and Midwestern forests are the defining elements of much of the natural environment in their region. This region is the most heavily forested region of the United States, and 76 percent of the forested lands are privately owned, mostly by non-industrial, family landowners. Sustaining this mix of privately owned and public forests involves understanding their ecology (at scales ranging from individual organisms to broad landscapes); their relationships to people and communities; and developing appropriate management strategies in the face of changing environmental conditions (climate) and of changing social conditions (economics and demographics).

2011 Research Highlights

Long-Term Differences in Forests With Different Deer Densities

Thirty years after a study on the effects of deer on forest ecosystems established new forest stands at deer densities ranging from 10 to 64 deer per square mile, Forest Service scientists found that tree species diversity, canopy foliage density, insect density and bird density, all decreased significantly as the deer density at stand initiation increased. If deer densities were high initially, the effects carried over, even if densities were lower later.

Housing Trends and Impacts on the Secondary Wood Industry

Forest Service researchers analyzed the current housing market through the perspectives of subscribers to a major U.S. trade publication with more than 33,000 subscribers in the secondary woodworking industry. These subscribers---manufacturers of cabinets, flooring, architectural fixtures, and related products--- are critical users of lumber from the nation’s hardwood forests.  This analysis provides small manufacturers with information to better understand their current economic and competitive environment and with ideas for surviving the housing downturn.

Impediments to Woody Biomass Utilization on Federal Lands

Although increasing utilization of woody biomass from federal lands is seen as a key part of facilitating fuels treatments on federal lands, efforts to increase utilization have met with limited success. Forest Service researchers studying the social dynamics of biomass use on ten sites on federal lands therefore paid particular attention to assessing the reality of persistent conventional wisdoms about what limits utilization.

Recovery of Paper Birch From Crown Injury Is Linked to Soil Calcium

Acid rain leaches calcium from forest soil and may indirectly slow recovery of tree growth and condition after storm injury

 Greater dieback and growth reductions of paper birch growing on low-calcium soils following the 1998 ice storm suggests an additional impact of acid rain-induced calcium depletion.

2010 Research Highlights

Second edition published of The Ecology and Silviculture of Oaks

The second edition of The Ecology and Silviculture of Oaks was recently authored by retired NRS scientist Paul Johnson (Columbia, MO) and NRS scientist Stephen Shifley), with their colleague Robert Rogers (University of Wisconsin--Stevens Point, Emeritus).  With 580 pages and more than 200 figures, the second edition includes much new material on artificial regeneration, effects of climate change, managing for biomass and carbon sequestration, oak decline, and sudden oak death as well as the material covered in the 10 chapters of the first edition. 

Web -enabled database site for Center for Forest Mycology Research expanded

The culture collection and herbarium maintained by the Center of Forest Mycology Research (CFMR) in Madison, Wisconsin is one of the largest fungal “libraries” in the world. The collection specializes in fungi associated with wood and contains both living fungi and dried reference specimens, which are used by researchers worldwide  in studying forest pathology, disturbance biology, fungal genetics, distribution of invasive species, and impact of climate change on forest ecosystems. The CFMR’s web-enabled database, accessible at http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/research/centers/mycology/culture-collection.shtml, has recently been enlarged and updated. 

DNA tool detects white-nose syndrome fungus in bat caves

Over one million bats, including rare and endangered species, have succumbed to white-nose syndrome, a disease first observed in 2007 in Upstate New York. This lethal disease is caused by the fungus Geomyces destructans, which continues to spread eastward across the United States.  Assessing the distribution of G. destructans in environments occupied by hibernating bats is critical for WNS surveillance and management. NRS scientists Daniel Lindner and Jessie Glaeser are collaborating with the USGS Wildlife Health Laboratory in Madison, WI, to characterize the distribution of G. destructans in cave sediment samples from bat hibernation sites in the eastern United States.

Landscape-level deer herd reductions restore forest understory plant communities but not species diversity

White-tailed deer overbrowsing has altered forest understory plant species (forbs) diversity throughout eastern North America.  Since 2001, NRS scientist Alejandro Royo has tracked the response of herbaceous plant communities to deer herd reductions throughout the 70,000-acre Kinzua Quality Deer Cooperative (KQDC) in northwestern Pennsylvania.  

2009 Research Highlights

Training managers to use natural models for ecological silviculture

The Northern Research Station is a founding member of the Conservation Forestry Network (CFN), which aims to improve forest management across North America. The CFN works by bringing together experts, land managers, stakeholders, and decision-makers in workshops that focus on the application of ecological principles to forest management.

Wood-based energy systems and potential effects on roundwood demand and supply

Planning for energy utilization requires information on the availability and future utilization trends of woody biomass from forests. NRS scientist Jan Wiedenbeck and a partner at Pennsylvania State University identified 342 facilities in the northeastern United States that use pulpwood or “energy wood.” Eighty-four percent of these facilities are in business to produce an energy-related product; 16% use it to fuel their internal operations.

Developing emerald ash borer-resistant ash

Ash timber is valued for applications requiring strong, hard wood. In the urban landscape, ash trees are important street trees, as they sequester pollutants, conserve energy by provide shade, and shelter urban fauna. The emerald ash borer (EAB), an exotic beetle from Asia, is attacking and killing all ash trees in North America. First identified in Michigan in 2002, the EAB has since been detected in Ontario, Ohio, Indiana, and at least nine other states.

Family forest landowners and stewardship activities

Family-owned forest lands provide goods and services that benefit both owners and society, including recreation, timber, wildlife habitat, and clean water. To encourage landowners to undertake stewardship practices to protect and sustain their forest resources, government agencies use a variety of approaches, including incentives, tax relief, technical assistance, and educational programs.

Delivering best science for sustaining mixed oak forests

Northern Research Station scientists achieved two milestones in science delivery, working with state forest management agencies in Pennsylvania and Ohio. Since 2000, NRS scientists have worked with the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry to organize science-based knowledge about oak ecology and management into guidelines for inventory, analysis and sustaining mixed-oak forests in the region. At the same time, these agencies have also identifed research gaps and begun studies to close them.

2008 Research Highlights

Studies track resurgence of endangered Kirtlands Warbler

Two studies by Northern Research Station scientists and collaborators spell good news for the endangered Kirtland’s warbler. Once reduced to only 167 males in 1984, the Kirtlands warbler now exceeds 1,300 with an ever-expanding territorial range.

Habitat suitability program wins national conservation award

A consortium of wildlife and mapping specialists developed a computer program that helps land managers assess the range and habitat needs of 40 bird species with priority management designations. The GIS-based Habitat Suitability Index was developed from 2006-2008 and received a 2008 Wings Across America award for Research and Management Partnerships.

Guidebook, workshops teach methods for regenerating oak populations

Northern Research Station scientists and their collaborators have taken a proactive step in helping land managers turn the tide against decreasing oak populations in the United States. A recently released guidebook and a series of weeklong training courses are teaching forest managers how to successfully regenerate the once stable species.

Forest simulation program accounts for impacts from private forest-owners

Many National Forests in the eastern United States are interspersed with sizeable land-holdings from corporate and private landowners. The impacts of forest practices, such as timber harvesting, parcelization and even land used for recreation, from these individuals can have significant implications on the ecological goals of public land officials.

2007 Research Highlights

Forests and floods: What we know

Lingering questions about the relationship between forest management and flood severity were answered with the release of three NRS publications in fall 2007. NRS scientists and collaborators concluded that 1) Most hydrologic models are not designed to handle extreme events, such as flooding; therefore such models must be used as predictive tools with caution; and 2) The amount and intensity of rainfall are the main determinants of the level of peak flows and during very large storms, harvesting activities did not significantly affect peak flows.

Winter ranges of North American birds are shifting northward

NRS scientists and cooperators determined that the northern boundaries of bird species’ winter ranges shifted northward, on average 26.7 miles, from 1975 to 2004. While some regional or human-related activities could affect these range shifts, the pervasiveness of this pattern suggests global scale factors, such as climate change, are primarily responsible.

Projecting potential impact of global change on Eastern forests

NRS researchers expanded their online Climate Change Atlas to encompass 134 tree species and 147 bird species, more accurate modeling tools, and newer climate models. The Website (www.nrs.fs.fed.us/atlas) illustrates potential species distribution in response to various climate change scenarios and is a resource for researchers, foresters, and other partners studying global climate change.