Nature & Science

Research, Surveys, and Demonstrations....

Forest Service Resource Specialist and many of our partners are involved in a variety of research and monitoring programs to help us better understand the dynamic nature of the lands we manage.  By investigating how these natural processes work, and how we as humans influence these processes, we hope to better manage our forest. This will benefit the animals that thrive in our forest's diverse habitats, and will also benefit us -  the people who use the forest for recreation and for it's resources.   As we learn about nature's way and better understand the science behind it all, we try to bring that knowledge to you, through presentations, field trips, demonstrations and publications. Let us give you a brief overview of some of our current projects.

Surveys --- Fens on the GMUG
 

The GMUG National Forest has many unique wetlands known as fens. Fens are wet meadows that have the soil, plant, and hydrologic characteristics of a wetland.  Several biologists, geologist and soil scientists have investigated fens on the Grand Mesa. (2012 Fen Report, Appendix A)

Research -- Dust on snow studies
 

The GMUG National Forests hosts a wide variety of research and monitoring projects including the effects of dust on snow on Red Mountain Pass conducted by the Center for Snow and Avalanche Studies in Silverton, Colorado.  Several forest restoration, demonstration  and fuels management studies are on-going on the Uncompahgre Plateau through the Uncompahgre Partnership.   For a brief overview of  on-going monitoring, and research studies, check out our land and resource management sections. A good source of current scientific information for our area can be found at the Rocky Mountain Research Station.