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Black Hills Experimental Forest
The Black Hills Experimental Forest is located about 20 miles
northwest of Rapid City, South Dakota, and covers about 5.5
square miles in the ponderosa pine cover type near the center
of the Black Hills National Forest. The area was designated as
a experimental area in 1961. Past studies focused on management
of ponderosa pine forests for multiple resource outputs
including timber products, forage production for livestock
and wildlife, wildlife habitat, and aesthetic values.
Ongoing research includes continuation of studies of long-term levels of growing stock in ponderosa pine, overstory/understory production relationships, initial spacing in ponderosa pine including impacts of root diseases and control of competing vegetation, silvicultural control of mountain pine beetle populations, and wildlife habitat. Installation of a ponderosa pine provenance study is planned for the near future in cooperation with the National Forest and Regions 2 and 3. The levels of growing stock study is part of a west-wide effort begun in the early 1960's to provide basic information on thinning responses in even-aged stands of ponderosa pine. Responsibility for permanent plot installations was transferred to RMRS-4451 with the termination of silvicultural research at the Forestry Sciences Lab in Rapid City in the early 1980's.
Except for experimental installations, the Experimental
Forest was largely occupied by dense and declining stands of
young ponderosa pine and declining stands of older trees. In
the mid 1980's, a treatment plan and timber sale for the
Experimental Forest was cooperatively developed by the Rocky
Mountain Station, the Pactola Ranger District, Black Hills
National Forest. The purpose of the treatment was to provide
for diverse stand conditions over the area for demonstration
and future research.
Climate
Black Hills has moderate climate with frequent summer
showers.
Soils
Soils are derived from igneous schists and granites, lithic
in places but generally productive.
Vegetation
At Black Hills, the ponderosa pine type predominates.
Long-Term Data Bases
There are no recorded climatic data, but long-term data
on ponderosa pine growth are on file at the Rocky
Mountain Research Station.
Research, Past and Present
Past studies at Black Hills focused on the management of
ponderosa pine forests for multiple resource outputs,
including timber products, forage production for
livestock and wildlife, wildlife habitat, and aesthetic
values. Ongoing research includes continuation of studies
of long-term levels of growing stock in ponderosa pine,
overstory/understory production relationships, initial
spacing in ponderosa pine (including impacts of root
diseases and control of competing vegetation),
silvicultural control of mountain pine beetle populations,
and wildlife habitat. A ponderosa pine provenance study
of Black Hills sources also is being conducted. The levelsof-
growing-stock study is part of a west-wide effort
begun in the early 1960s to provide basic information on
thinning responses in even-aged stands of ponderosa
pine. An AMERIFLUX monitoring tower and
instrument shelter were installed in 2000 by the South
Dakota School of Mines and remain in use.
Major Research Accomplishments
and Effects on Management
The Black Hills has been and continues to be a
contributor of valuable long-term growth data for use in
the development and verification of tree-growth models.
Collaborators
The AMERIFLUX monitoring tower is operated by the
South Dakota School of Mines.
Research Opportunities
Silviculture activities at Black Hills in the 1980s have
provided a variety of stand and growing conditions that
could be used in additional research in ponderosa pine
forests.
Facilities
There are no facilities other than study sites.
Lat. 44°10' N, long. 103°38' W
Contact Information
Black Hills Experimental Forest
US Forest Service
Rocky Mountain Research Station
Moscow Forestry Sciences Lab
1221 S. Main
Moscow, ID 83843
Tel: (208) 882-3557
Forest website
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