Cispus Adaptive Management Area Research and Monitoring

Last updated: May 29, 2001

Title: Cispus Environmental Study Program

Project Objectives: Provide a structure and class curriculum by which students can participate in monitoring activities on in the Cispus Adaptive Management Area. When the Cispus Adaptive Management Area was established, physical science and mathematics teachers in the local schools saw an opportunity to enrich students’ learning experience to understand adaptive management and the role of consistent, long-term, and accurate monitoring methods in adaptive change. With the Adaptive Management Area scientist, teachers are developing a strategy to: 1) provide valid and repeatable monitoring data for the Cispus Adaptive Management Area, 2) provide “real science” experiences for students, 3) provide an opportunity for environmental education and training of local area students, 4) strengthen the link between school (community) and the Forest Service.
Methods: A summer program for students throughout Lewis County was developed in conjunction with the Adaptive Management Area to introducing students to applied science. The summer program focuses on at-risk and minority students as well as general student recruitment.
Project Location: Cispus Adaptive Management Area 
Status: Started in 1995 this is an on-going project.
Participation: White Pass School District, Centralia College, Randle, Packwood Ranger Districts.
Available Documentation: Curriculum guide developed by Wolftree Incorporated, in conjunction with White Pass School District and the Gifford Pinchot Nat’l Forest
Contacts: John Mullinex (360)-497-5816; Lucretia Folks (360)-736-9391.

Title: Cispus Fire Risk Analysis

Objectives:   Map areas of relative risk for stand-replacing fire on the Cispus AMA landscape.  The product will be used to evaluate or validate the management expectations of the AMA Guide.
Methods:  Stand exam data, supplemented by continuous inventory plot data are used to build a model of the Cispus AMA landscape in the Landscape Management System (LMS) model, and estimates of fire intensity risk are developed from tree and stand characteristics and compatible fuel models. 
Project Location: The entire Cispus AMA landscape area on the Cowlitz Valley Ranger District.
Status:  Preliminary LMS estimates of relative fire risk were developed in the fall, 2000.  Recommendations for incorporating reliable fuel models were made in January, 2001.  Work is continuing into summer of 2001.
Participation: College of Forest Resources, University of Washington; PNW Experiment Station, Portland, OR.
Contacts: Pil Sun Park, University of Washington (206) 543-5772;  Ed Tompkins (360) 497-1140.

Title: In-growth Development after Precommercial Thin (PCT)

Project Objectives: Study the effect of PCT timing on the development of in-growth in young true fir-hemlock stands. Secondary objective is to provide data compatible with that from the spacing trails (see Cat Creek study) for use in later development of growth and yield models.
Methods: Survey and boundary marking of a complete set of plots. Plots from the set will randomly be assigned to thinning dates. A stand is of natural origin. Year of origin is 1971. The plots will be thinned. The selected leave trees will be painted and tagged. Leave trees will be measured for diameter (dbh) and heights. All unmarked trees will be removed. A re-measurement is scheduled for five years out. Additional plots will be thinned at each five-year increment until all plots have been established.
Project Location: Bishop Ridge, SW 1/4 T 11N R9E S 17.
Status: The study was established in 1990.  August of 1995-SPS coordinates designated. Boundary of study delineated. Leave tree selection and mapping of the same in plot 3. September of 1995:  Selected leave trees and made map of plot 8.  Secured diameter and height measurements for plots 1 and 6 (thinned in 1990) and Thinned plots 3 and 8. Counted rings on a number of sliver fir. Weather prevented reference photography.  Plots were re-measured in the fall of 2000, and are scheduled for re-measurement on five-year intervals.
Available Documentation: True Fir-Hemlock Spacing Trials:  Design and First Results, Robert O. Curtis, Gary W. Clendenen and Jan A. Henderson, PNW-GTR-492, May, 2000.
Contacts: David Marshall (360) 753-7673 

Title: Lodgepole Fire Hazard Reduction Study

Project Objectives: To test four methods of treating lodgepole pine vegetation types at a relatively young age in order to reduce fire risk and aid in the control of future fires.
Methods: 250 acres will be treated over a five-year period using a series of non-commercial thins, followed by a combination of broadcast burning and hand pile and burning.  The first entry would consist of four treatment blocks, each approximately 20 acres in size.  Monitoring will determine the extent of fuel hazard reduction, and will provide information to help plan future fire hazard reduction projects.
Project Location:  Forest roads 2329 and 5603 on the Cowlitz Valley Ranger District, on the Cispus AMA.
Status: NEPA analysis complete.  Three 20-acre units have been thinned in 1999.  Fuels treatment is scheduled for 2001.
Contact: Gary Wright (360) 497-1141, or Dave McCullough (360) 497-1177
Cooperator: PNW Experiment Station in Portland, OR.
Available Documents: Analysis file on Cowlitz Valley District.

Title: Long Term Trends in Development of Old-Growth

Project Objectives: Direct observation of the development of forest stands, examining trends in the development of old-growth characteristics and timber volume growth rates from long-term observations of maturing Pseudotsuga menziesii forests in western Oregon and Washington.
Methods: When established trees were tagged at breast height, and diameter (dbh) was taken.  Stand ages were determined through core samples. Stands were measured every five years until the mid 1950's, after which there was a lag. Since the early 1980's, the remaining stands have been re-measured every five years. Four structural variables (standard deviation of tree dbh, density of large P. menziesii per acre, mean tree dbh, and density of all trees greater than 5cm) were used to compute an old-growth index, which ranges from 0 to a maximum of 100 representing full old growth characteristics.
Project Location: Near the Cispus Learning Center
Status: On-going measurements, last taken 1999. The 20 plots collectively involved in this study were established by PNW between 1910 and 1940. They have been measured periodically for four to eight decades. All were mature stands at the most recent observation.  Continued plot measurements on five-year intervals.
Cooperator:  Forestry Science Lab, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Or.
Contacts: Steve Acker (541)750-7325

Title: Mountain Goat Habitat Utilization

Project Objectives: Identify high use areas, habitat conditions and trends of Cispus area mountain goat populations. This species is of interest due to it’s high consumptive and non-consumptive values, as well as being an indicator of high-elevation, steep terrain. The species is a focus of local interest; during the development of the Cispus Adaptive Management Area Strategies, the public listed the mountain goat as a Featured Species (Cispus Adaptive Management Area Strategy #12).
Methods: Historic (i.e. pre 1940) aerial photo analysis and comparison with recent photos. Meadows will be identified, and data collected on changes in size, location, and vegetation. Sample plots will be randomly grid onto photos, with corresponding vegetation sampling in the field. Three permanent photo points will be installed in each of the sample meadows for long-term analysis. Helicopter surveys will be conducted for data collection on goat numbers and locations. These will then be plotted on maps, photos and GIS. Ground surveys will be conducted as funding permits.
Project Location: Cispus Adaptive Management Area.
Status: Initial aerial photo analysis completed in 1996. Helicopter surveys begun in 1996 with follow-up flights in 1997. Aerial analysis re-done annually.
Participation: PNW Portland, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, US Fish and Wildlife Department, local citizens and volunteers.
Contacts: Tom Kogut Phone: (360)-497-1131

Title: Old Stand Remnants Study

Project Objectives: To evaluate the role that terrestrial lichens, bryophytes, vascular plants, and invertebrates play in a managed landscape adjacent to remnant old stands.
Methods: Forty remnant old forest stands will be sampled along with 80 adjacent managed plantations (two plantations per old forest stand).  Using line transects, data for the following variables will be collected: percent cover and percent occurrence of plants; and percent occurrence, relative frequency, and relative biomass of terrestrial invertebrates from soil and litter sampling, pitfall traps, and beat-and-sweep sampling of low vegetation.
Project Location: Widespread locations across the Cowlitz Valley Ranger District, mostly within the Cispus AMA.
Status: Sampling began in 1998, and continued all summer in 1999.  Final data collection will be completed in summer, 2001.
Cooperators: PNW Experiment Station in Portland, OR.
Contact: Bruce Marcot  (503) 808-2010   

Title: Spacing in True Fir-Hemlock Stands (Cat Creek Study)

Project Objectives:

1. Determine the quantitative responses of Pacific silver fir, western hemlock, and noble fir to pre-commercial thinning to a series of stocking levels. This includes: the size of trees produced, volume yield, under-story establishment, and branch size.
2.  Determine the effect of stage of stand development at which thinning is done on: subsequent development of leave trees; establishment and development of leave trees; and losses from snow breakage and sun scald.

Methods: Six-plot installation is the basic type used. Treatments consist of 5 spacings and the untreated condition. Leave trees selected on the basis of spacing and tree characteristics, which may affect trees per acre figure. Treatments randomly allocated to plots within the installation.
Project Location: T 10N R9E Sec 2. Plots are just to the east, above and below 7808 Road, at junction with 23 Road, in Cat creek drainage.  Area aerial seeding in 1965 followed clear-cutting and slash burning.
Status: The study was established in 1990.  Plot layout in June and July of 1990. Tree tagging, measurements and leave marking were done in August and September of 1990. Thinning was done in July 1991. Data entered in PDMS system at Olympia during the winter of 1990-91. Plots were last measured in fall, 2000 and are scheduled for re-measurement at five-year intervals.
Available Documentation: True Fir-Hemlock Spacing Trials:  Design and First Results, Robert O. Curtis, Gary W. Clendenen and Jan A. Henderson, PNW-GTR-492, May, 2000.
Contacts: David Marshall (360) 753-7673

Title: Water Quality Monitoring

Project Objectives: Provide experiential, interdisciplinary environmental education local students while collecting information about water quality and large woody debris at locations on the Cispus Adaptive Management Area.
Methods: Project Location: Initial study to be focused near the confluence of the North Fork and Cispus Rivers.
Status: Started about 1996; on-going
Support: Wolftree Environmental Inc.
Available Documentation: As students collect data a preliminary analysis is performed and the information forwarded to the appropriate FS specialist.
Contacts: John Mullinex (360)-497-5816; Terry Lawson (360)-497-1135

Title: Western White Pine Blister Rust Resistance

Project Objectives: Provide a permanent set of plots to determine -- Under field conditions, is WPBR infection reduced by genetically improved stock?  Can the expected level of mortality be predicted?  Do similar rates of WPBR infection on SP(as expressed by RI) result in the same rates of mortality as they do in WWP?  Can the WPBR extension of the prognosis model be suitably modified for use in R6 for WWP and SP?
Methods: Four types of stock are planted. Each is planted in 49 tree plots (7x7) which are replicated four times.   Site was planted with a combination of bare root seedlings, pre-labeled with barcode tags and site was mapped shortly after planting.  Survival examinations were conducted the first and third year after planting.  Rust infection data will be collected in the fifth, seventh, and tenth year after planting and every 5 years after that.
Project Location: On Cispus Adaptive management Area, plantation name is "Walupt 4" Located NE 1/4, SE 1/4, Sec 35 T.11.N.R.10.E WMU
Status: Planted 6/1/95, on-going plot measurements
Support: Dorena Tree Improvement Center R6 FPM
Available Documentation: Study plans. Fact sheets
Contacts: John Petrick (541)-942-5526 Joseph M. Linn (541)-942-5526

CISPUS COMPLETED STUDIES 

Title: Beargrass (Xerophyllum tenax) Production Function

Objectives: To develop a predictive model for estimating harvestable quantities of beargrass based on overstory and understory and understory characteristics, and to set up permanent plots and baseline data for long-term monitoring of the effects of repeated harvest on bear grass productivity and populations.
Methods: Twenty-four sample plots will be located. Within each forest zone, plots will be grouped to represent a range of canopy coverage (15-30%, 35-65%, 70-100%). Slope, aspect, elevation, stand age, soils, and fire history will be recorded. Locations will be tagged with capped rebar and flagging, and the location coordinates determined by GPS, and recorded in the District GIS system.
Project Location: Randle and Packwood Ranger Districts, including the Cispus Adaptive Management Area.
Status: Study completed.  Inconclusive results.
Participation: Washington State University, PNW Portland, PNW Olympia.
Contacts: Keith Blatner and Stuart Higgins, Washington State University, (509)-335-1992.

Title: Habitat Monitoring of Edible Forest Mushrooms

Objectives: Conduct trials of new sampling methods for monitoring the location, annual production and forest habitat of edible ectomycorrhizal mushroom colonies
(matsutakes, chanterelles and others). In conjunction with the 20/35 Timber Sale, permanent plots will be located and transect(s) established. Baseline data collected and entered into an Oracle database, and stored both at PNW Corvallis and the GIS system at Randle Ranger District.
Methods: Thirty plot centers located systematically in each of the 6 thinning units. Each plot center at least 50 meters from the edge of the logging unit, and at least 30 meters apart, located to cover the entire thinning unit. Plot centers marked with engineering pins, numbered for each unit. The baseline data collected will be used for long-term monitoring by the Randle Ranger District on the effects of timber management (thinning) on the impacts and recovery of mushroom population and productivity. Information on both research objectives will be shared with the Applegate Adaptive Management Area in Oregon and the Monarch Model Forest in Mexico.
Project Location: 20/35 Timber Sale, Cispus Adaptive Management Area.
Status: Study completed.  No significant results were obtained, but practical considerations suggest that strip plots are preferable.  There was no statistical difference between strip plot sampling and circular plot sampling.
Participation: PNW Corvallis, PNW Portland, Applegate Adaptive Management Area, Monarch Model Forest, Mexico.
Contacts: Dave Pilz (541)-750-7362, Alberto Chavez (360)-497-1100.

The Influence of Commercial Thinning on Survey and Manage Species

Objectives: To learn more about the distribution of Allotropa virgata and its response to previous management activities.
Why is this research important:> Allotropa virgata is listed as a survey and manage strategy 1 and 2 species in the Northwest Forest Plan. It is considered rare throughout its range, but is known to be locally common in some areas, including parts of the Packwood and Randle Ranger Districts of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.
This species has extremely small seeds that are low in energy reserves and may require relatively unfragmented habitat areas to promote genetic viability. Allotropa virgata usually occupies sites with abundand coarse, woody debris and may be substrate specific to buried decaying logs. Fire suppression, fragmentation of habitat, and the reduction of coarse woody debris are considered the primary factors contributing to the decline of this species.
Containing no chlorophyll, Allotropa virgata is non-photosynthetic and therefore at an advantage in low-light, closed canopy stands where other understory plants are unable to survive. Commercial thinning activities carried out in these areas may open the canopy considerably, resulting in greater understory development and competition for resources.
Currently, no Forest-wide, nor region-wide strategy has been developed for the management of Allotropa virgata. Moreover, there is very little data on known locations within the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. In the light of the absence of existing data, it is prudent to minimize impacts to this species until further surveys are conducted. The identification of previously undocumented sites contributes to an understanding of habitat requirements and species distribution, as well as identifying potential monitoring sites. The development of a suitable management strategy necessitates the identification of potential habitat areas and the monitoring of known sites.
Products: Information on the abundace and distribution of Allotropa virgata within 40, ten acre plots of two habitat/management types.
Summary of Outcomes: Surveys were conducted to ducument the occurrence of Allotropa virgata within previously managed and unmanaged areas. Two habitat/management types were investigated: 1) managaged plantations that had been re-entered for commercial thinning; and natural origin mid-seral stands. These two types were chosen to represent heavy management vs. no management. Parallel transects were walked within twenty, 10-acre plots of each habitat/management type to determine the presence of Allotropa virgata. The plots were randomly selected within the Cispus AMA, within 1000-3500 ft elevation band.
This study has also provided the opportunity to test the effectiveness of using a Global Positioning System (GPS) to locate survey plots, as well as ground verification of GIS data layers.
Cooperators/Involvement: Pacific Northwest Research Laboratory, Portland, OR

White Pass Community Self-Assessment

Objectives: Obtain information about the social and economic history, conditions and perspectives of the residents within the White Pass School District, Washington State.
Why is this research important: The White Pass School District is the only organized administrative agency within the unincorporated communities that are geographically local to the Cispus AMA. When the AMA was established in 1994, a group of citizens and representative from service agencies formed an ad hoc committee to define:

• a historical context for the community
• link young people back to the community
• validate perceptions of what the community is and means to residents
• promote the area to new residents and business
• strengthen current economic opportunities
• identify training and academic opportunities in schools
• strengthen links between community, school, and the Forest Service
• identify opportunities to circulate money within the valley

This is the third year for this group. Projects and priorities are self-generated. The Cispus AMA was a catalyst in the initiation stage. The Forest Service role currently is one of service and equal participation. There has been a noticeable, and positive change in the perceptions of the community toward the Forest Service in the last two years, much of it stemming for our involvement and viability with this group.
Products:

1. Three related notebooks containing an assessment of current and historical events assembled by the White Pass Discover Team, a summer employment opportunity for White Pass students. Information was compiled using a combination of oral interviews and literature search. Notebooks build on the previous summers assessment, focusing on unanswered questions.
2. A community assessment using a questionnaire developed as a graduate project (Appendix D). Statistics and analysis will be presented in a masters thesis.

Summary of outcomes: The four goals were recognized by the self-assessment committee:

• To develop an information infrastructure that is pertinent and accessible
• To maintain a socially and economically viable community
• To strengthen links between community, schools, and government agencies
• To learn about and appreciate the history of the area

The group found funding for the third phase of assessment employing and training high school students, helped formulate and fund a statistically valid assessment and questionnaire for the White Pass area, and spearheaded a county-wide telecommunications group that attracted a local server for Internet to the White Pass area. We are on the net!

Cooperators/Involvement:

• Washington State Employment Security/Job Training Partnership Act
• White Pass School District
• Lewis County Commissioners
• Providence Hospital
• PNW Portland
• PNW Seattle
• University of Washington
• Washington State University
• White Pass Community Services Coalition
• Lewis County Continuum of Care
• East Lewis County PRIDE
• Washington State Human Response Network
• Lewis County Health Department