Two experimental manipulations planned at Harvard Forest for October 1990 include a simulated blowdown of approximately 1 hectare of mixed hardwood forest and selective mortality of red oak and red maple canopy trees in adjoining sites in the same forest.
The experiments are designed to simulate the impact of a catastrophic wind and the effect of a selective pathogen (e.g., chestnut blight), respectively. Red oak and red maple are the dominant species in these forests and they differ substantially in litter quality. Thus the removal experiment will also focus on long-term ecosystem changes resulting from the loss of contrasting important tree species.
These experiments will be the focus of long-term studies by all members of the research group at Harvard Forest LTER, covering areas ranging from micrometeorology and ecophyisiology to trace gas analysis. Funding is provided by NSF and HFR operational funds.
For more information, contact David R. Foster, Harvard Forest, Harvard University, Petersham MA 01366.