Pacific Southwest Research Station 2015 Accomplishments Report
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©Michael Balint ©Michael U.S. Forest Service Pacific Southwest Research Station Serving California, Hawaii, and the Pacific Islands D E E P R A U R T LT 2015 Accomplishments Report MENT OF AGRICU Station Director’s Message I am proud to present the Pacific Southwest (PSW) Research Station’s 2015 Accomplishments Vision and Mission Report. As part of the U.S. Forest Service, the station provides research that addresses The Pacific Southwest contemporary questions about trees, forests, and Research Station is a ecosystems, and their relationship to people now world leader in natural and into the future. The scientific knowledge, expertise, and tools that our research station resources research provides are instrumental in delivering and through our scientific sustaining benefits from forests and grasslands in excellence and the United States and beyond. To frame our work, we have established four robust outcomes that are responsiveness to the designed to provide and enhance forest resources needs of current and and benefits that are important to the American public: (1) forest landscapes that are resilient to disturbance, especially fire; (2) enhanced benefits to urban communities future generations. Our from the natural environment; (3) clean and reliable water resources; and (4) sustained mission is to develop and ecological resources and services. These outcomes represent lofty goals that can only communicate science be achieved through broad and strong collaboration with many governmental and nongovernmental entities. Our role is to conduct rigorous science that addresses needed to sustain forest research priorities in these areas. Our science is the foundation upon which successful ecosystems and their policies and management can be implemented. The station has a rich and impactful history of conducting and delivering relevant science throughout California, Hawaii, benefits to society. and the Pacific Islands over the past 90 years. Current events, such as drought and wildfire in California, and threats from invasive species and disease in Hawaii, have brought an increased sense of urgency to our About Us work. I’m encouraged by the developments I’ve seen over the last year within our station and among our partners to collaborate to find ways to make our landscapes The Pacific Southwest Research Station more resilient. The highlights in this document demonstrate a few of the many ways our (PSW) represents Forest Service Research work is moving us closer to the four desired outcomes. None of this would be possible and Development in California, Hawaii, and without the tireless efforts of our dedicated staff, and the numerous collaborators involved in our research nationally and internationally. Our station has many leaders, the U.S.-affiliated Pacific Islands. Our region some of whom are mentioned within these pages; but many are not. I would like to has the lowest, driest desert in the country, dedicate this year’s Accomplishments Report to the diverse group of people – the highest elevations within the 48 volunteers, collaborators, students, spouses and family, and students – who have contributed to our research, which has led to the impressive achievements presented contiguous States, and the wettest tropical in this report. Without you, none of this would have been possible! forests. An abundant diversity of native plants Alexander L. Friend, Ph.D. and animals and nearly half of the Nation’s Station Director, Pacific Southwest Research Station threatened and endangered species live in this region. At PSW, we develop and deliver science to help inform decisions about natural resources management, and conservation. Much of our work is accomplished in cooperation with other research institutions, such as universities, state and other federal agencies. Caspar Creek Experimental Watershed. (U.S. Forest Service/Sherri Eng) Message from the Director, Vision and Mission Forest Service at a Glance The mission of the U.S. Forest Service, a federal agency under the U.S. Department The Forest Service at Work in the Pacific Southwest Region of Agriculture, is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s California and Hawaii are located in the Pacific forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. Southwest Region (Region 5) of the Forest Service. The Established in 1905, the Forest Service: Pacific Southwest (PSW) Research Station, headquartered in Albany, California, partners with 18 • Manages 193 million acres of national forests and grasslands. national forests in California, and with State and Private • Shares responsibility, working in concert with state and local agents, for the stewardship of Forestry programs throughout California, Hawaii, and about 500 million acres of nonfederal rural and urban forests. the Pacific Islands. The Forest Service comprises several major branches that work together to manage the Leaders of Region 5 and PSW Research Station have a Nation’s forests and protect global forest resources: common goal of retaining and restoring ecological resilience of national forest lands to achieve • The National Forest System sustains healthy terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems while addressing sustainable ecosystems that provide a broad range of the need for resources, commodities, and services. This system is divided into nine regions. services to humans and other organisms. Combined • State and Private Forestry helps private landowners, state forestry organizations, tribes, and effects of changing climate and hydrologic patterns, communities achieve forest management, protection, and utilization objectives through a unhealthy forests, and rapidly growing human wide range of cooperative programs in the State and Private Forestry mission area. populations are resulting in increasingly over-allocated • Research and Development provides long-term research, scientific knowledge, and tools that and undervalued ecosystem services (especially are used to manage forests and rangelands across the United States and overseas. water); a dramatic increase in large wildfires, floods, The Forest Service has seven research stations with research units located throughout and insect and disease outbreaks; threats from the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Pacific. terrestrial and aquatic invasive species; and a growing need to revitalize rural economies in California, Hawaii, • International Programs promotes sustainable forest management and biodiversity and the Pacific Islands. Region 5 and PSW Research conservation internationally. Station are facing these challenges together and • Law Enforcement and Investigations enforces federal laws and regulations governing through collaboration with external partners around national forest lands and resources. watershed restoration and forest resiliency. PACIFIC NORTHWEST Klamath PACIFIC RESEARCH Six Modoc STATION R1 Rivers Northern SOUTHWEST R6 Shasta Pacific Trinity Lassen REGION Northwest FOREST National Forests and Grasslands PPRORODUCTS R2 LABOORATORYRATORY Mendocino Plumas Rocky Mountain Tahoe Lake Tahoe Basin R4 R9 McClellan Management Unit Intermountain ROCKY Eastern NORTHERN Regional Facility Eldorado MOUNTAIN RESEARCH Regional STATION Office Stanislaus R5 RESEARCH PACIFIC Pacific STATION SOUTHWEST Southwest Inyo RESEARCH Sierra STATION SOUUTHETHERN R3 RESEARCH Southwest STATION Los Padres R8 Sequoia Southern INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF Los Padres TROPICAL Angeles FORESTRY San Bernardino R10 Alaska Cleveland LEGEND Pacific Northwest Research Station Station Headquarters Pacific Southwest Research Station Forest Products Laboratory Rocky Mountain Research Station International Institute of Tropical Forestry Northern Research Station Forest Service Regional Boundary Southern Research Station Forest Service at a Glance Pacific Southwest Research Station at a Glance Scientists and staff of the PSW Research Station work across eight laboratories, 12 experimental forests and ranges, and two research watersheds comprising the station’s facilities in California and Hawaii. Research is also conducted in more than 90 research natural areas linked to a nationwide system of nonmanipulative research, monitoring, and educational opportunities. Research is organized into five research units: 1. Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry Scientists conduct tropical ecosystem research and technology transfer. Research furthers sound management, conservation, and restoration of grassland, forest, and wetland ecosystems and landscapes in Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, and Palau (see Pacific Islands map). 2. Conservation of Biodiversity Program Scientists conduct research on genes, species, habitats, landscapes, and the biological processes necessary to maintain diversity of organisms and functioning ecosystems. Research focuses on enhancing the conservation of plant and animal species and habitats, and the restoration and maintenance of native ecosystems. 3. Ecosystem Function and Health Program Scientists examine forest function and conduct research to protect and preserve water, air, and soil resources while considering the effects of a changing climate, unpredictable precipitation, air pollution, and constant threats from insect pests and plant pathogens. 4. Fire and Fuels Program Scientists conduct research on how fuel types and conditions affect fire behavior and how physical properties of fuels influence fire severity and intensity. Research includes decision-support models that analyze