Pioneer Forest's Ongoing Research

The method of establishing a long-term data set for Pioneer Forest was derived in part from the work of the Ford Forestry Center, of Michigan Technological University, south of L'Anse, Michigan through the establishment of permanent sampling plots designed to measure growth of northern hardwoods. For a discussion of this system see Stott (1966) and also Meteer (1966). The technique is to measure change and growth through comparable measurements on the same trees in the same plots, in order to be representative of the forest as a whole, as well as various overstory and understory components (Meteer 1966). This technique was chosen in order to provide a true and representative sampling large enough to accurately answer questions regarding any part of the forest.

Particularly for long-term projects this method makes it possible to compare growth figures as well as the developments and changes occurring within the forest. Once installed these permanent plots are subject to the same kind and intensity of treatment as applied to the forest surrounding them. Doing so ensures that data from the plots reflects the overall management of the forest.

Permanent research plots, one for each 640 acres (260 hectares) of the forest, were established in 1952 to initiate the continuous forest inventory. These plots measure 0.2 acres (0.08 hectares) in size. Following this first measurement, one additional plot for each 640 acres (260 hectares) was established and the first measurement of the total number of plots began in 1957. Initial information was collected from all trees within each permanent plot having a diameter at breast height of 5 inches or greater. Each tree measured was also numbered and the species recorded, along with the merchantable height to the nearest two-foot class, percent soundness, and tree condition. Today, there are 486 (0.2 acre) permanent plots which are remeasured every five years. This intensive effort provides a continuously updated dataset on the dynamics of growth and development for understory and canopy trees within a forest managed by the single-tree selection harvest technique.