.......................... PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE he mission of the USDA Forest Service, state#- simply, is “Caring for the land and serving the people.” In this era of growing environmental awareness and shrinking natural resources, living Tup to this mission becomes a more complex task than the founders of the Forest Service could ever have foreseen. Research natural areas (RNA’s) help the Forest Service achieve that mission, by preparing today for the changing realities of tomorrow. This brochure celebrates the establishment of the Forest Service’s 250th research natural area and the increasingly important role played by the RNA network in preserving natural areas across the Nation. COVER:Western larches, Flathead National Forest, Montana. Opposite: Grasslands, Saddle Mountain RNA, Pike National Forest, Colorado. ABOVE,TOP Wheeler Creek RNA, Siskiyou National Forest, Oregon. ABOVE,BOTTOM: Yellow ladyslipper, Wisconsin. LEFT Prescribed burning, Croatan National Forest, .......................North Carolina. ........., ....................... ... PREPARINGFOR THE FUTURE RESEARCHNATURAL AREAS: WHATARE THEY? esearch natural areas (RNA's) way-perhaps the only way-to con- of the Forest Service are lands serve species is to protect intact R that are permanently pro- ecosystems and their natural processes, tected for the purposes of maintaining few of which we completely under- biological diversity, conducting non- stand. manipulative research and monitor- ing, and fostering education. The WHY ARE THEY Forest Service's national network of IMPORTANT? more than 250 RNA's is designed to contain unique ecosystems as well as a At the most basic level, RNA's help , representative array of widespread preserve our Nation's natural heritage ' ecosystem types. In RNA's throughout for future generations. What we do the country, natural conditions are not save today may soon be gone for- allowed to prevail, usually by elimi- ever. The permanent protection nating or limiting human interven- afforded RNA's is a critical step in tion. (In many ecosystems, however, maintaining a range of biological human activities have interrupted diversity of native ecosystems and natural processes for several decades or species, many of them rare, sensitive, more. In these cases, prescribed man- or endangered. Because they are pro- agement actions are used to restore tected in a natural state, RNA's also the processes upon which the natural provide valuable opportunities for communities and species depend. nonmanipulative research, monitoring RNA's prone to natural fires, for of long-term ecological change, com- example, may need to be managed parison of the effects of resource man- with prescribed fire; others may agement activities against unmanaged require fencing to exclude grazing ani- controls, and education. For these rea- mals.) Supporting the RNA concept is sons, they are fast becoming an inte- a scientific consensus that the best gral part of forest land and resource management plans. ABOVE, TOP Contemplation at Elk Creek RNA, Ner Perce National Forest. Idaho. ABOVE,BOTTOM: Transporting osprey nestlings, Croatan National Forest, North Carolina. RIGHT:Pitcher plant, Florida. BIOLOGICALDIVERSITY RNA's play an important role in main- taining biological diversity on National Forest System lands by con- serving unique natural ecosystems and representative ecosystems. The rapidly evolving field of conservation biology has helped emphasize the importance of landscape-level relationships and processes. Recognition of this fact has led to greater cooperation between the Forest Service and nearby landowners, including individuals, conservation organizations, and other public agen- cies. NONMANIPUL AT IVE RESEARCH The relatively undisturbed state of RNA's provides unparalleled opportu- nities to advance our understanding of the structure, composition, and func- tion of numerous native ecosystems. Researchers from the Forest Service and elsewhere use RNA's for studies that do not modify natural conditions, which are possible only in protected areas. (For example, Fern Canyon RNA, on the Angeles National Forest in California, was established specifi- cally for the study of watersheds, an increasingly important consideration in conservation biology.) From the resulting basic ecological information, natural resource managers are able to develop better biological evaluations and prescriptions for land manage- ment practices. Of equal importance is the role of RNA's as biological reposi- tories, safeguarding ecosystems, species, and natural processes for the 2 future. .................... ...a. PREPARINGFOR THE FUTURE MONITORINGLONG-TERM from Douglas-fir to western hemlock; ECOLOGICAL CHANGE simultaneously, true firs and westem redcedar were increasingly represented Life is not static, and living ecosystems in the lower crown classes. The follow- yield many of their most important ing conclusion underscores the value of secretS over time. One long-term study, this kind of long-term monitoring: conducted on the Thomton T. Munger RNA within the Wind River Demonstration of the em-changing Experimental Forest, Gifford Pinchot nature of old-growth stands is probably National Forest, makes this point. The the most important contribution of this report of this study, entitled “Old- 36-year record. Although the net Growth Douglas-Fir and Western change in timber uolumes was nil, pro- Hemlock: A 36-Year Record of Growth cesses and changes are as dynamic as and Mortality,”by scientists of the those obserwd in many much younger Forest Service Pacific Northwest stands. Hence, characteristics orfunc- Research Station, was published in tiom of old-growth stands cannot be 1987. Growth and mortality in a 1,180- guaranteed in perpetuity simply ere- acre old-growth stand in southwestern seruing existing old-growth tracts Washington were measured at 6-year Where desired old-growth forests’ intervals. The study found that from attributes are transient, long-term man- 1947 to 1983, net growth was minimal agement strategies must include plans to and total stand volume remained re-create studs with those attributes. almost constant; however, characteris- More information on patterns and rates tics of this stand changed significantly. of change in old-growth forests is clearly The stand was found to be shifting essential for identifying the nature and gradually in upper canopy dominance intensity of such problems ...................... 0.. PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE MONITORINGRESOURCE EDUCATION MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES RNAls provide opportunities to educate Without baseline data from ecosystems people-those who have a voice in that are governed primarily by natural today’s decisions about wise steward- processes4ata provided by the kind ship of natural resources and those who of long-term monitoring study cited will make tomorrow’s decisions. Within above-we cannot understand the some RNAls, supervised educational effects of resource management prac- activities may take place, such as inde- tices. Reference areas are required to pendent instruction, field trips for grad- assess the effects of the Forest Service’s uate-level students, and special tours management practices on ecosystem for native plant societies and other composition, structure, and function. responsible groups. RNAls also func- RNA’s address this need. From RNAls tion as outdoor laboratories for formal nationwide come findings that are education classes and graduate invaluable in validating the effective- research projects. Such activities not ness of specific project prescriptions, only expand the body of scientific standards, and guidelines in national knowledge, they enlist community forest land and resource management support and enhance awareness and plans and in determining when such goodwill, valuable commodities in plans should be amended. themselves. ....................... .....om ABOVE:Plant monitoring, Lewis and Clark National Forest, Montana. OPPOSITEFlowers on Echo Lake RNA, Humboldt National Forest, California. d .................... PREPARINGFOR THE FUTURE ESEARCH NATURAL AREAS:1927-92 I AN UNLIKELY BEGINNING growth." Forest cover types were the sole focus of RNA selection for The protection of natural areas decades. through RNA designation was trig- gered by a distinctly nonconservation THEMOMENTUM GROWS concern: homesteading. A 1912 Act of Congress directed the Secretary of Other RNA's were designated at a ' Agriculture to select, classify, and seg- slow pace until 1976, when the regate lands within the national National Forest Management Act forests that were suitable for home- directed the Forest Service to monitor stead entry. Complying with that act the effects of resource management : in 1926, Forest Ranger J. A. Friebom activities on site productivity, thus examined a 4,464-acre tract adjacent accelerating the process. Also con- 3 to the Mt. Leininon Recreational tributing to this acceleration were fac. Y Area in Arizona's Coronado National tors such as the growth of the Forest. He concluded that the land environmental movement and contin- was not suitable for agriculture and uing loss of natural landscapes. Since therefore not subject to be set aside then, RNA coordinators and scientists under the act, but he did find that it in all Forest Service regions and was valuable for timber production, research stations have achieved mea- streamflow protection, and botanical surable success in establishing RNA's: study. On March 23 of the following The landmark 250th RNA has been