NEWSLETTER of the MICHIGAN ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY Volume 41 , Number 1 March, 1996 Opportunities for Ecological Studies at Research Natural Areas Lucy Ty rrell' and Robert A. Haack 2 , USDA Forest Service, North Central Forest Experiment Station, 1992 Folwell Avenue, St. Paul, Minnesota 55108; 2 USDA Forest Service, North Central Forest Experiment Station, 1' 407 S. Harrison Road, East Lansing, Michigan 48823. What are Research Natural Areas? Although appropriate research and tional Forest System (Le., the National monitoring are encouraged in RNAs, ac­ Forests) and Forest Service Research (Le., Research Natural Areas (R1':l"As) are tivities that directly or indirectly modify the Experiment Stations). The local Dis­ permanently protected lands within Na­ ecological processes are NOT allowed. The trict Ranger has authority over access and tional Forests that are maintained in their level ofacceptable use differs among RNAs, administration, and the Director of the natural condition. Typically, RNAs are depending on the rarity of taxa, fragility Experiment Station has authority to re­ minimally disturbed natural ecosystems or resilience ofthe ecosystems, the specific view and approve research, monitOring, that exhibit unique ecological features, obj,ectives of the RNA, and cumulative and management activities on RNAs. possess rare plants or animals, or are impacts ofuse. The methods used in each There are two Experiment Stations in the high-quality exampIes ofwidespread eco­ study will be evaluated on a case-by-case Eastern Region of the US Forest Service. systems. RNAs function as biodiversity basis and documented in the permitting The North Central Forest Experiment Sta­ reserves, sites for non-manipulative re­ process. To date, activities that have been tion oversees use of RNAs in lllinois, Indi­ search projects, and areas for lOW-impact approved include limited collecting of ana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, and educational activities. As for research and plantand animal voucher specimens, col­ Wisconsin. For the States of Maine, New monitOring-related studies, RNAs serve as lecting soil samples, and taking incre­ Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Pennsylva­ (1) reference areas for the study of succes­ ment cores. In some of the recently ap­ nia, Vermont, and West Virginia, the sion, (2) baseline areas for measuring proved insect studies on RNAs, collecting Northeastern Forest Experiment Station is long-term ecological changes, and (3) con­ with the use of butterfly nets and pitfall responsible for research use of RNAs. See trol areas for comparing results from ma­ traps hasbeenapproved. Again, all activi­ Tabie 2 for a list of current contacts. nipulative research studies and manage­ ties, and especially those that involve col­ People wishing to conduct studies in ment practices that are conducted nearby lecting, will be evaluatedona case-by-case RNAs must complete an application form but not on the actual RNA. basis, keeping the ecological integrity of and have it approved before initiating the Santa Catalina, the first RNA, was es­ the RNA in mind. When proposed re­ study. The application process allows for tablished in 1927 on the Coronado Na­ search projects are being reViewed, the evaluation of the proposed activities and tional Forest in Arizona. There are now following questions are considered: Is the for record keeping of all activities con­ more than 300 established USDA Forest activity consistent with the management ducted in each RNA. The District Ranger Service RNAs nationwide, and several of the RNA? How valuable will the results may require a Special Use Permit as well. hundred more are being considered. In be? Whatare thepotential environmental If the RNA resides within congressionally the Eastern Region (= Region 9; Figure 1) of effects? Can the activity be conducted else­ designated areas such as Wilderness Ar­ the Forest Service, there are 40 established where instead? Will it negatively impact eas, Wild and Scenic Rivers, or National RNAs andanother95 underconsideration other projects in progress? Are there cu­ Recreation Areas, then the Regional For­ (Table 1). The Bowl RNA, the first RNA in mulative impacts to consider? ester must also approve the study. For the Eastern Region, was established in Unlike most National Forest lands, 1931 on the White Mountain National RNAs are administered jointly by the Na­ CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE­ Forest in New Hampshire. MES Homepage on the WWW: http://insects.ummz.lsa.umich.edu/mes/mes.html will not be conducting activities or collecting samples, do not need a permit, but should contact the local National Forest District Ranger office for approval to enter the RNA. How to Apply First, you must obtain and com plete an RNA Use Application Form. These forms are available at Forest Service offices and from the contacts listed in Table 2. The application form may be available soon on the internet homepage of the North Central Forest Experiment Station ( http://www.ncfes.umn.edu/ ). A complete application includes the application form, a brief activi ty proposal orstudyplan, and a topographiC map (or copy) indicating the location ofthe proposed project. For projects in the Eastern Region ofthe Forest Service, com pleted documents should be mailed to: Research Natural Areas Coordinator; USDA Forest Service; North Central Forest ExperimentStation; 1992 Folwell Avenue; St. Paul, MN 55108. The forms can also be sent to the RNA contacts listed in Table 2. In most cases, applications CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE- must be approved by the Station Director, after review by the District Ranger and by Forest and Station RNA Coordinators. activities that involve threatened orendangeredspecies, permis­ Because several people a re involved in reviewing each applica­ sion must also be obtained from the appropriate State agency tion, please allow a t least one month to complete the process. and/or the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Before applying, you In the 2-page application form, you will be asked to supply are encouraged to discuss your project with local or regional RNA information on the study objectives; methods; starting and coordinators (Table 2), District Rangers, or Forest Service scien­ ending dates; number ofentry days; number of people involved tists. in the field work; the specific study location; common and scientific names of the plants and animals being studied; antici­ Who Should Apply? pated number ofsamples or specimens to be collected; proposed All researchers and managers, including Forest Service em­ final location of voucher specimens; list of any equipment, ployees, must apply for a permit to conduct studies in an RNA. chemicals, or structures to be used in the proposed activity; Permits are reqUired for all categories of RNAs, e.g., established, anticipated area to be disturbed and the nature of the distur­ candidate, and proposed RNAs. Individuals or small groups who bance; and any potential impacts to the RNA ecosystems as a want to make a short visit (one day or less) to an RNA, and who result of the proposed activities. Eastern Region National Forests are: USDA Forest Service (1) Chippewa, Eastern Region (2) Superior, (3) Chequamegon-Nicolet, (4) Ottawa, lVIN (5) Hiawatha, (6) Huron-Manistee, (7) Mark Twain, (8) Shawnee, (9) HOOSier, (10) Wayne, (11) Monongahela, (12) Allegheny, (13) Finger Lakes, (14) Green Mountain, and (15) Wh ite Mountain. • March, 1996 NEWSLETTER of the MICHIGAN ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY V41(1) 2 • MES Homepage on the WWW: http://insects.ummz.lsa.umich.edu/mes/mes.htrnl 1111 Obligations of RNA Users • A. G. Wheeler, Jr. (Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture) studied the distribution of plant bugs All users of RNAs are reqUired to file a summary report, (Hemiptera: Miridae) on Phlox subulata L. plants that including a copy of all data, and a map indicating the location were growing primarily in shale barrens of Maryland, where the study occurred. If the research lasts more than one year, a yearly update is reqUired. Reports, a copy ofthe data, and Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia, but also publication reprints should be sent to the Regional RNA Coordi­ including phlox growing on other related rock outcrop nator. In the Eastern Region of the Forest Service, Lucy Tyrrell sites. Buffalo Beats candidate RNA was one of the three now holds this pOSition (see Table 2). Plant, animal, and other Ohio sites. specimens collected during the study must be deposited at the • Donald Snitgen (Northern Michigan University) has location agreed upon in the permit. Researchers are also asked to been involved with a survey of the insect fauna occupy­ provide 1 to 3 color slides showing themselves atworkin the RNA, ing Scott's Marsh candidate RNA, which is a patterned illustrating methods of sampling, or shOwing the organisms fen with prescribed burning management in the Upper being studied. Peninsula of Michigan. Collection sites were located in areas to be burned (for both pre- and post-bum sam­ Examples of Insect Studies at RNAs pling) and in control areas that were not burned. Key aspects of the study involve determining if any rare Several insect-related studies have been conducted at RNAs. insect taxa are present, and studying the effects that Some studies have focused on the life history ofindividual insect prescribed burning have on the insect community spedes. Ollie have invo ved surveys of groups ofinsects such as Odonata and pentatom ids. rne following are examples ofinsect structure. studies that included RNAs as field sites: • Donald Chandler (University of New Hampshire) Opportunities are Numerous compared an old-growth fo~st (The Bowl RNA in New RNAs are extremely valuable resources, but so far they have Hampshire) and a 40-year-old forest for several groups been much underutilized. You should consider using one ormore of Coleoptera (e.g., Cucujidae, Leiodidae, Pselaphidae), RNAs in your upcoming research projects. Also, you may wish to and as a result also published information about new considervolunteering to help monitor or managea nearby RNA. pselaphids from New Hampshire.