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Listening to old beech and young cherry trees - long-term research in the Alleghenies

Informally Refereed

Abstract

Long-term research results have been a foundation of forestry practice on the Allegheny Plateau since the 1970s. This includes results from monitoring reference conditions in areas set aside for this purpose and from long-running manipulative studies, some dating back to the 1920s. The success of long-term research in this region reflects the commitment of a handful of individuals, the institutional support of the U.S. Forest Service, and the translation of the results into useable guidelines for forest management. For this paper, we will consider studies or monitoring programs that run for a decade or more to be long term. The values and benefits to be examined include humility, unexpected outcomes, environmental education resources, enhanced understanding of ecological interactions, quantification of trade-offs, and answers to unanticipated questions. We also discuss some of the key factors to sustaining a successful long-term research program in our region and emerging challenges to sustaining them in the future.

Citation

Stout, Susan L.; Hoover, Coeli M.; Ristau, Todd E. 2006. Listening to old beech and young cherry trees - long-term research in the Alleghenies. In: Irland, Lloyd C.; Camp, Ann E.; Brissette, John C.; and Donohew, Zachary R., eds. Long-term Silvicultural & Ecological Studies: Results for Science and Management. New Haven, CT: Yale University: 10-25
https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/19018