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Coram Experimental Forest
The Coram Experimental Forest is on the Flathead National Forest near Glacier National Park, 45 km (28 miles) east of Kalispell, Montana. It is an outdoor laboratory dedicated to providing basic information needed to manage western larch (Larix occidentalis) forests. The forest was established in 1933 on 3,019 ha (7,460 acres) of the Flathead National Forest. Western larch and Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) are the most common of 10 conifer species. The dominant, co-dominant, and many of the understory trees average over 300 years old. A few larch are over 500 years old, survivors of a stand-replacing fire 300 years ago. Second-growth trees range in age from 5 to over 50 years.
For nearly 50 years, the Coram Experimental Forest has served as the focal point for much of the research of western larch. Research began in 1948. A wide range of practical studies provides land managers answers to help them effectively manage similar forest lands within the range of western larch in the Inland Mountain West of the United States and southern interior British Columbia. The forest is a thriving field laboratory for studies on the ecology and silviculture of these forests. Research results point the way to proper application of silvicultural practices to achieve ecosystem management goals and enhance biodiversity of species.
In 1938, a 339 ha (838 acre) block in the southeastern corner of the forest was reserved as a natual area. It was officially designated the Coram Research Natural Area in 1988.
Studies in the late 1940's and 1950's determined how to regenerate larch and other conifers naturally using even- and uneven-age methods of harvest cutting coupled with a wide range of site preparation treatments. Research in the 1960's centered on how to regenerate larch using seeding and planting and how young larch forests, grown under a wide range of stand densities, respond with individual tree and stand growth, with understory vegetation development, with water use, and with insect, disease, and animal interactions. In the 1980's, permanent plots were established within the Coram Research Natural Area to monitor long-term succession of all vegetation and birds using the area. A 1992 Larix symposium culminated in the establishment of the International Larix Arboretum at Coram Experimental Forest Headquarters. It includes most of the world's Larix species.
Climate
The climate is classified as a modified Pacific maritime
type. Occasionally during the winters, continental polar
air moves westward over the Continental Divide,
dropping temperatures substantially. Annual
precipitation averages about 890 mm at the lowest
elevation (1,006 m) and about 1,270 mm at the highest
point, Desert Mountain (1,942 m). The May through
August mean temperature is about 16 °C, with highs on
occasion exceeding 38 °C. Winter temperatures average
about -7 °C, but rarely drop below -29 °C. Length of
growing season ranges from 81to 160 days.
Soils
A rock layer primarily comprising argillite and quartzite
underlies most of the upper slopes of the Coram. Glacial
outwash and till were deposited on the lower areas. A
thin layer of volcanic ash covers about half of the forest.
Rich loamy soils predominate. Soil depths range from a
few centimeters on the steep, upper slopes to more than 3
m on the gentle, lower terrain. The following soils are
evident: loamy-skeletal soils on materials weathered from
impure limestone and argillite; loamy-skeletal soils on
argillite, siltite, and quartzite; loamy-skeletal soils on
glacial till; loamy-skeletal soils on both alluvium and
glacial outwash; loamy-skeletal soils on glacial outwash;
and fine and fine-loamy soils on lacustrine deposits.
Vegetation
Main forest cover types on the Coram are western larch
and interior Douglas-fir; spruce-sub-alpine fir on cooler,
moist sites at all but the lowest elevations; western
redcedar on one lower elevation, moist, and sheltered
site; western redcedar/western hemlock on occasional
lower to mid-elevation moist sites; whitebark pine along
the high ridge near Desert Mountain (declining
population because of white pine blister rust).
Long-Term Data Bases
On the Coram, the following long-term data bases are
available:
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Natural regeneration following methods of site
preparation (1949 to 1960).
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Dispersal of conifer seeds (1949 to 1956).
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Shelterwood and seed-tree cutting, site
preparation methods, and natural regeneration
of conifers (1950 to 1984).
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Clearcuttings, site preparation, seed dispersal,
and natural regeneration of conifers (1954 to
1974).
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Strip clearcutting, site preparation, growth of
unmerchantable understory trees, and natural
regeneration of conifers (1954 to 1974).
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Group seed-tree cutting, site preparation, and
natural regeneration of conifers (1956 to 1968).
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Direct seeding, germination, and seedling
survival of conifers (1958 to 1964).
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Small-mammal relationships in old-growth and
recently harvested western larch (1961 to 1964,
1992).
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Effects of wide tree spacing and site on flowering
response of larch to stem injection of GA4/7
(1991 to 1996).
Research, Past and Present
The following studies at the Coram Experimental Forest
and/or Coram RNA are ongoing:
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Influence of regulated stand densities in young
western larch stands on individual tree and stand
growth; insect, disease, and physical damage;
water relations and phenology; vegetation
development; and cone production
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Evaluation of alternative timber harvesting
practices on regeneration, vegetation, and stand
development and soil water use
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Effectof vegetation change and seedfall on
permanent plots
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Bird populations
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Climate and hydrology
Major Research Accomplishments
and Effects on Management
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Data from studies at Coram and many other
locations were summarized for managers in 1976
in the USDA Technical Bulletin 1520, Ecology
and Silviculture of Western Larch Forests. For more
than 25 years, this publication has been the
primary source of information for management
of western larch. It is being updated and revised.
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A number of significant symposia and
workshops have been held to update managers
with information from results of research on the
Coram Experimental Forest:
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Environmental consequences of timber
harvesting in Rocky Mountain coniferous
forests, 1979, Missoula, MT.
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Conifer tree seed in the Inland Mountain West
symposium, 1985, Missoula, MT.
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Future forests of the Mountain West: a stand
culture symposium, 1986, Missoula, MT.
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Ecology and management of Larix forests: a
look ahead, 1992, Whitefish, MT.
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Celebrating 50 years of research on the Coram
Experimental Forest, 1948-1998 included:
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"Living in the Landscape, A Flathead
Community Celebration" was held in 1998 to
mark Coram's 50th anniversary and to explore
people's connection to the landscape.
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"Interpreting the Landscape through Science,"
a symposium held in Kalispell in 1998,
celebrated not only 50 years of research at
Coram but reported results of research being
conducted elsewhere in the area.
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The self-guided "Walk With Larch" trails on
the Coram Experimental Forest provide
opportunities for students and forest visitors
to explore this unique area.
-
1999 publication of Coram Experimental
Forest:
50 years of Research in a Western LarchForest (RMRS-GTR-37).
Collaborators
Scientists from the following institutions have worked on
the Coram: British Columbia Ministry of Forests,
Clemson University, Flathead National Forest, Glacier
National Park, Michigan Technical University, Montana
State University, University of Montana, Universitat
Münster (Germany), University of Minnesota, University
of Wisconsin, Washington State University, and
FORINTEK of Vancouver, BC.
Research Opportunities
Future research on the Coram will continue to build on
studies already in place and initiate new studies that can
be superimposed on a wide range of forest conditions. In
addition to old-growth forests at Coram, a range of
younger age classes was established following harvest
cutting and site-preparation treatments from 1916 to
1974.
Facilities
The field headquarters of the Coram at Hungry Horse,
Montana, include living quarters and limited office
space. There is road access throughout much of the
forest, except within the Coram RNA. Most roads are
gated because of grizzly bear habitat restrictions and
several areas are accessed only by trails.
Lat. 48°23' N, long. 113°59' W
Contact Information
Coram Experimental Forest
US Forest Service
Rocky Mountain Research Station
Forestry Sciences Laboratory
800 East Beckwith, PO Box 8089
Missoula, MT 59807
Tel: (406) 542-4169
Forest website
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