2009 RESEARCH

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Pacific S outhwest Research Station
VISION AND MISSION

VISION AND MISSION

The Pacific Southwest Research Station is a world 

leader in natural resources research through our 

scientific excellence and responsiveness to the 

needs of current and future generations.

Our mission is to develop and communicate 

science needed to sustain forest ecosystems and 

their benefits to society.

ABOUT US

The Pacific Southwest (PSW) Research Station represents Forest Service Research 

and Development in California, Hawaii, and the Pacific Islands. The region 

has the lowest, driest desert in the country, the highest elevations within the 

48 contiguous states, and wet tropical forests. It is the home of an abundant 

diversity of native plants and animals and nearly 50 percent of the Nation’s 

threatened and endangered species. PSW Research Station has more than 50 

scientists conducting a broad array of natural resources research to develop and 

communicate science needed to sustain forest ecosystems.
CONTENTS

1 A Message from the Station Director

2 PSW Research Station Accomplishments Through Time 

3 Research Theme: Fire And Fuels

6 Research Theme: Ecosystem Function and Health

9 Research Theme: Conservation of Biological Diversity

12 Research Theme: Urban Connections and Social Dynamics

14 PSW Research Station by the Numbers 
A Message from the Station Director

It is my pleasure to present the 2009 PSW 

Research Station research highlights. This report 

shares key accomplishments and scientific 

advances and sheds a light on topics of national 

concern. Our discoveries and unbiased data 

assist a range of consumers making land 

management decisions regarding climate 

change, land use change, wildland fire issues, 

recreation needs, invasive species issues, and 

other forest and environmental health concerns. 

I am proud of our role in scientific research and 

delivery over the years and am delighted to 

present this accomplishment report.

My first year as PSW Research Station director 

began in 2009. During that year, I visited our 

laboratories and facilities in California and Hawaii 

to meet our scientists and staff. It is a new and 

exciting period of change for the station. We 

are redesigning our science programs, business 

operations, and communications to effectively 

target our station goals, facilitate greater 

integration of science, maximize strategic 

alliances, and leverage Forest Service Research 

and Development resources. This realignment 

enables us to strategically deliver our science to 

internal and external customers.

The redesign allows us to effectively tier our 

research to reflect and respond to the following 

Forest Service Research and Development 

strategic programs and emerging research areas:

Strategic Program Areas

• Wildland Fire and Fuels

• Invasive Species 

• Outdoor Recreation 

• Resource Management and Use 

• Water, Air, and Soil

• Wildlife and Fish

• Inventory and Monitoring

Emerging Research Areas

• Climate Change 

• Biomass and Bioenergy

• Urban Natural Resources Stewardship

• Nanotechnology 

• Water Management and Restoration

For readers already familiar with PSW Research 

Station, this report provides updates on 

our recent work. For those learning about 

our station for the first time, this report 

provides an overview of the station and key 

research findings, research that could not be 

accomplished without our dedicated scientists, 

technicians, and support staff. Please contact me 

if you have questions or comments regarding 

this report. Thank you. 

Deanna J. Stouder

Director, PSW Research Station

september 2010

1 PACIFIC SOUTHWEST RESEARCH STATION 2009 ACCOMPLISHMENTS
PSW Research Station Accomplishments Through Time

Several of the federally-funded research accomplishments and advances produced

by PSW Research Station are listed below

1930s Inventoried and mapped the vegetation of California

1940s Pioneered work in forest genetics and tree breeding

1950s Developed air tankers and fire retardants for firefighting

Developed the rest-rotation grazing system

1960s Developed the Incident Command System for firefighting

Developed and tested alternatives to dichlorodiphenyltrichloreoethane (DDT) for forest pest management 

Identified ozone as the cause of forest decline in the West

1970s Developed electrophoresis (starch gel) genetic methods for forestry use 

Increased pine seed collection and tree planting by seed zone designation

1980s Provided the scientific research findings that resulted in federal intervention to protect and recover the 

California condor 

Investigated the decline of the ohia lehua (flowering evergreen tree) in the Hawaiian islands

Identified atmospheric nitrogen impacts on water quality in western ecosystems

1990s Completed the California spotted owl technical assessment which assisted in land management planning related 

to this species of concern 

Completed the Sierra Nevada Ecosystem Project and final report providing guidance for long-term land 

management plans for the Sierra Nevada Mountains

2000s Developed the first biocontrol agent for strawberry guava (small fruit-bearing tree), an invasive species in Hawaii

Requested by Los Angeles city officials to identify sites throughout the city to plant 2.5 million trees; part of the 

city’s plan to add more trees to city streets

Participated in the genetic sequencing of black cottonwood, the first forest tree genome to be sequenced. 

Lead a multi-million-dollar Sudden Oak Death competitive grant program to prevent, treat, and eradicate this 

disease that kills oak trees thoughout the United States

Helped develop the first pheromone products to combat beetles that kill mountain pine and Douglas-fir trees

PACIFIC SOUTHWEST RESEARCH STATION ACCOMPLISHMENTS THROUGH TIME 2
Research Theme: 

Fire And Fuels

PSW Research Station has a rich history of fire research that addresses special 

fire management issues in California and in the Pacific Islands. Research 

findings address vegetation-restoration techniques, reducing catastrophic 

wildfires, invasive species management, and more. Fire research programs 

also focus on modeling fire behavior, creating decision-support tools for fire 

managers, and providing social science findings regarding the human aspect 

of fires (prevention, urban issues, etc.).

High resolution model yields better 

predictions for the Hawaii Fire Danger 

Rating System

Weather in Hawaii is influenced by complex 

interactions between trade winds and the size, 

shape, topography, and location of each island 

relative to the other islands. These factors, which 

affect local circulation and precipitation on a 

much finer scale, make fire danger and behavior 

prediction difficult. PSW Research Station 

developed high-resolution computer models 

with a grid smaller than those commonly used in 

operational forecast models to simulate airflow 

and precipitation patterns. The model allows 

forecasters to see the terrain and other variations 

that affect fire behavior and helps fire managers 

make more accurate predictions when using the 

Hawaii Fire Danger Rating System. 

3 PACIFIC SOUTHWEST RESEARCH STATION 2009 ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Prescribed burning 

may minimize 

invasion of nonnative plant species 

in chaparral

Fuel reduction in 

the wildland–urban 

interface is a good 

strategy to help reduce 

wildfires. But little is 

known about how 

different fire treatments 

affect the regeneration 

of non-native plants. 

To learn more, station 

scientists evaluated 

non-native and native 

plant responses to 

various fuel reduction 

methods in the northern 

California chaparral. 

They used prescribed 

fire in the fall, winter, 

and spring; they 

also experimented with mastication (plants 

chewed or chipped). Mastication resulted in the 

regeneration of many non-native plants. The 

use of prescribed fire treatments in the winter 

and spring was the most successful treatment. 

Managers may consider using prescribed fire as 

a fuel reduction treatment on non-native grass. 

When prescribed fire is not feasible, mastication 

will exacerbate non-native grass production. 

Native plant seedbanks will flourish, however, if 

the site is undisturbed. 

Prescribed fire recovery, 31⁄2 years post fire. Sprouting shrubs dominate with some perennial 

herbs in the understory. 

Post-fire restoration strategies 

summarized in new book

Pacific Southwest Research Station scientists 

contributed two chapters to the book, “Fire 

Effects on Soils and Restoration Strategies.” One 

chapter addresses post fire seeding and the 

other post fire rehabilitation treatments used 

in California. Post fire seeding helps stabilize 

burned slopes by increasing plant cover. This 

technique prevents the invasion of burned 

areas by noxious weeds, replaces weedy annual 

grasses on burned rangelands, and reestablishes 

desired vegetation. But grass seeding has 

a mixed record of success. In California, for 

example, post-fire rehabilitation treatments 

vary according to biophysical aspects of the 

landscape and societal practices regarding 

fire and landscape use. The book captures 

and describes those elements. The book also 

summarizes the latest research on soil fire effects 

and post-fire rehabilitation treatments. Burned 

Area Emergency Response teams and land 

managers should find the information in this 

book useful.

PACIFIC SOUTHWEST RESEARCH STATION RESEARCH THEME HIGHLIGHTS 4
 PACIFIC SOUTHWEST RESEARCH STATION 2009 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Dry forests in Hawaii are one of the most imperiled ecosystems in the world. Invasive grass species 

carry fires that degrade and destroy native forests.

Breaking the exotic grass wildfire cycle in 

tropical landscapes of Hawaii

A series of studies were completed by station 

scientists about how to use native species to 

reduce fine fuels, minimize risks associated with 

fires, and reduce the invasion of non-native 

species. Recent field studies focus on evaluating 

the seasonal and physiological characteristics 

of native and exotic plants common in 

sub-alpine ecosystems of Hawaii. These field 

measurements are essential to assess which 

species are prone or resistant to fire. The data 

provide clues about the roles of native and 

exotic species in facilitating or hindering the risk 

of catastrophic fires, and create a link between 

field measurements and remote observations. It 

is now possible to measure plant traits and fire 

fuels across large areas using airborne remote 

sensing, by examining light reflected at different 

wavelengths, and how these patterns are 

influenced by physiological properties of plant 

tissues, enabling assessments of relative fire risk. 

The leeward coast of the Big Island of Hawaii 

has been converted from tropical dry forest to 

monotypic stands of fountain grass 

(Pennisetum setaceum).

5 
 

Research Theme: 

 Ecosystem Function and Health

Forests, watersheds, and landscapes are threatened by changing climate, 

past management practices, air quality, invasive species, human pressures, 

and land-use changes. PSW Research Station Forest Ecosystem Function 

and Health Program provides the scientific information to natural resource 

managers, policymakers and the public needed in order to preserve forest 

function, water, air, and soil resources.

Adaptation tools developed for natural 

resource managers address the effects of 

climate change in Western forests

The Westwide Climate Initiative developed 

a set of strategic and tactical tools to assist 

managers as they incorporate climate change 

considerations in management and planning 

activities. The tools build and explore climate 

projection and climate impact models to 

facilitate the development of educational 

materials for resource managers. The initiative 

partners include the Pacific Northwest Research 

Station, Pacific Southwest Research Station, 

Rocky Mountain Research Station, several 

National Forests, and other organizations. 

Information collected by the initiative is shared 

through the Climate Change Resource Center 

at www.fs.fed.us/ccrc/. 

PACIFIC SOUTHWEST RESEARCH STATION RESEARCH THEME HIGHLIGHTS 6
 PACIFIC SOUTHWEST RESEARCH STATION 2009 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Developing resilient ponderosa pine forests. Treatments include prescribed fire only (A), thin only (B), 

thin plus fire (C), and thin plus fire plus fertilize (D). 

Developing resilient ponderosa pine 

forests using mechanical thinning and

prescribed fire

Thinning and prescribed burning are common 

management practices for reducing fuel buildup 

in dry Ponderosa pine forests. However, it is not 

clear if both practices are necessary to lower 

fire risk in these kinds of forests. A research 

demonstration project in central Oregon using 

mechanical thinning techniques on Ponderosa 

pine forests proved effective. After thinning, 

some understory vegetation remained and 

helped sustain area wildlife. Prescribed fire alone 

was unsuccessful in restoring healthy forests or 

reducing wildfire risk. Thinning and repeated 

prescribed burns in this area reduced wildfire 

risk, but also eliminated the vegetation needed 

for wildlife. These findings offer land managers 

different fuel reduction options for Ponderosa 

pine forests, supports decisionmaking and helps 

create healthy, resilient, forests.

High-Resolution Forest Biomass Mapping 

in Hawaii: A Method for Mapping Tropical 

Carbon Stocks

Large scale biomass mapping is essential 

to support the United Nations Framework 

Convention on Climate Change Program. 

The program helps to reduce emissions from 

deforestation and forest degradation. PSW 

Research Station scientists developed and tested 

an integrated satellite, airborne, and field based 

mapping approach to support high resolution 

biomass monitoring of tropical forest regions. 

The station tested this approach in Hawaii at a 

resolution of 0.1 hectare (1⁄4 acre) making it the 

largest high resolution biomass mapping study 

of its kind. By combining free satellite monitoring 

technology with affordable light detection and 

ranging (LiDAR) mapping, the research findings 

demonstrate that high resolution forest carbon 

monitoring can be cost effective. This approach 

makes accurate, rapid biomass mapping a reality 

and helps improve the monitoring of carbon 

stocks, losses, and recovery in forests over time. 

7 
PACIFIC SOUTHWEST RESEARCH STATION RESEARCH THEME HIGHLIGHTS 

Developing an Ecosystem Management 

Strategy for Sierra Nevada Mountains 

Mixed-Conifer Forests

PSW Research Station and collaborators 

completed a comprehensive literature review 

and synthesis to provide forest managers with 

the best available science for the management 

of the Sierra Nevada Mountains mixed conifer 

forests. The report considers forest structure, 

fire ecology, and the ecological needs of wildlife, 

and provides a scientific basis to help managers 

address multiple management objectives, 

particularly in the face of climate change. The 

report suggests that land managers produce 

different stand structures and densities across 

the landscape using topographic variables (i.e., 

slope shape, aspect, and slope position) as a 

template for varying treatments. For example, 

locally cool or moist areas, where fire may have 

historically burned less frequently, would have 

high density canopy cover, providing habitat for 

sensitive species. In contrast, upper, southern 

aspect slopes would have low densities of large 

fire-resistant trees. Thinning treatments should 

be on crown strata or age cohorts and species 

to mimic natural dynamics rather than on the 

uniform diameter limits used in standard 

forestry practices. 

Evaluating 

the influence 

of bark 

absorption 

on rainfall 

interception

The effects of 

rainfall absorption 

by Redwood and 

Douglas-fir bark was evaluated at a stand 

scale. The results suggest that this process may 

contribute to the explanation for a seemingly 

anomalous finding from earlier rainfall 

interception studies: the proportion of rainfall 

intercepted remains relatively constant with 

increasing rainfall intensity. The results will allow 

modeling of interception loss at a stand scale, 

eventually contributing to construction of a 

runoff model to predict the influences of logging 

on watershed hydrology under various scenarios 

of climatic change.

Landscape schematic of variable forest conditions produced 

by management treatments that differ by topographic 

factors such as slope, aspect, and slope position. 

Management options for mitigating the 

effects of excess nitrogen in nitrogensaturated mixed conifer forest 

in California

A study conducted by station scientists provides 

evidence that prescribed fire reduces nitrogen 

deposition and will lessen the impacts of excess 

nitrogen accumulation in mixed conifer forests 

of southern California. Atmospheric nitrogen 

pollution from fossil fuel use and agriculture 

practices in California is fertilizing many 

ecosystems in the state with excess nitrogen. 

Station researchers are using the Daycent 

biogeochemistry model to test for potential 

mitigation of the symptoms of nitrogen 

overload. Model simulations and a published 

literature review suggest that prescribed 

fire alone is not sufficient to reduce nitrogen 

overload and nitrogen deposited must be 

reduce in order to reduce below ground organic 

nitrogen stores. 

 8
 PACIFIC SOUTHWEST RESEARCH STATION 2009 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Research Theme: 

Conservation of 

Biological Diversity

In a continually changing environment, it is important to understand the 

responses of plants and animals to change so as to conserve populations, 

species, and their associated ecosystems. Ecologists in this program are 

working to assess biological diversity, determine the threats to that diversity, 

understand organism and ecosystem responses to those threats, and 

determine appropriate restoration and recovery techniques. Geneticists are 

performing genomics research as well as exploring the ability of plants to 

adapt to a changing environment. Invasive species biologists are exploring 

mechanisms to protect native biodiversity from exotic species as well as 

eradicate the invasive species. 

Discovery of the goldspotted oak borer 

(Agrilus coxalis) in southern California

Many oak trees have been dying in eastern 

San Diego County since 2002. A PSW Research 

Station scientist and collaborator recently 

discovered that the goldspotted oak borer may 

be the cause of the oak tree mortality in the 

area. The team catalogued the beetle’s biology 

and natural history and proposed the common 

name for the insect to the Entomological Society 

of America. This research has raised awareness 

of the pest to various regulatory agencies 

and allows land managers, homeowners, and 

foresters to take steps necessary to slow the 

spread of the insect and implement quarantine 

measures. This will eventually reduce coast live 

oak and California black oak mortality in the 

zone of infestation.

Goldspotted oak borer (Agrilus coxalis) adults are about 10mm long 

and 2mm wide. They are bullet-shaped and can be identified by the 

six golden-yellow spots on the forewings. 

9 
PACIFIC SOUTHWEST RESEARCH STATION RESEARCH THEME HIGHLIGHTS 

First demonstration establishing the 

effectiveness of a systemic insecticide 

for protecting a conifer from bark beetle 

attack in the western United States

PSW Research Station found emamectin 

benzoate effective when sprayed into the base 

of California conifers (prior to beetle colonization) in preventing tree mortality attributed 

to western pine beetle attack. Researchers have 

recently explored the effectiveness of injecting 

small quantities of systemic insecticides directly 

into trees to combat attack. This may be a 

safer treatment than conventional insecticide 

spray treatments with fewer impacts to the 

environment. Bark beetle attacks hasten tree 

mortality and also affect timber and fiber 

production, wildfire severity, water quality and 

quantity, recreation, biodiversity, and carbon 

storage. 

Tree injection protects ponderosa pine from mortality attributed to western 

pine beetle attack.

Survival, dispersal, and detection of 

Phytophthora ramorum in various media

Several species of trees throughout California 

have died after being infected by the pathogen 

that causes the Sudden Oak Death disease. Many 

new discoveries have been made by station 

scientists regarding 

the pathogen causing 

Sudden Oak Death (P. 

ramorum). Scientists 

have learned that the 

pathogen may survive 

up to 49 weeks in forest 

soil but is suppressed 

in dry soil. Its presence 

in wet seasons causes 

foliar infections due 

to splash dispersal. 

In a study on nursery 

plants maintained 

under greenhouse and 

field conditions, foliar 

infections were present 

after rain, but absent 

in drip-irrigated plants, 

and accelerated in 

sprinkler irrigation. Green fluorescent protein 

marker stains have been developed to improve 

early detection survey and inspection methods. 

This work is being used to develop effective 

quarantines for the pathogen.

Innovative Web applications to compile, 

archive, access, and analyze bird 

monitoring data throughout the Americas

PSW Research Station scientists developed 

web based tools that allow multiple partner 

contribution and access to bird census and 

capture data throughout North America, Mexico, 

and Central America. Researchers will have more 

than 1 million records from all partners posted 

by 2010. This database allows for predicting 

population changes under various habitat, 

landscape, and climate change scenarios. Bird 

monitoring census and capture data in a single, 

high quality, multifaceted database allows 

researchers to use the data more efficiently and 

ensures data quality, security, and consistency. 

 10
 PACIFIC SOUTHWEST RESEARCH STATION 2009 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Estimation of detection probabilities 

for Pacific fishers using standard noninvasive protocols

The Pacific fisher, a member of the weasel family 

often found in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, is 

a species of concern to conservation biologists 

and land managers. PSW Research Station 

researchers developed new methods to 

analyze data collected throughout the range 

of the fisher that more accurately estimate the 

probability of detection. The analysis assesses 

how well the protocols detect fishers and 

provides recommendations on how to improve 

survey protocols to increase confidence in 

fisher detection. The analysis also addresses 

how field complications (e.g., bears rendering 

survey equipment unusable) affect detection 

probability and how practitioners can 

compensate to ensure a high level of confidence 

in detection. An occupancy survey devised in the 

1990s was the standard protocol but it had never 

been analyzed or evaluated. 

Evaluating risk of scour in salmon 

spawning areas

Trout, salmon, and related species (salmonids), 

bury their eggs in river gravel. The eggs incubate 

for months before the young fish emerge. 

During incubation, high water flow may scour 

the river bed and remove incubating embryos or 

smother the bed with a new layer of sediment. 

A study in the 

Trinity River in 

northwestern 

California 

led by PSW 

Research 

Station was the 

first to evaluate 

the risk of 

scouring, which 

can decrease 

the population 

of a cohort 

of salmon 

fry. Results 

show that scour-prone areas can be predicted; 

and fish generally avoid these areas. This study 

showed how variable changes in rivers can 

influence salmonid survival during this key life 

history stage. Knowledge gained from this study 

can be used to evaluate the risk of scour and 

fill on salmonid embryos to improve salmonid 

management and reduce mortality in regulated 

rivers.

However, fish are still vulnerable to widespread 

fill resulting from high flow events. 

An experimental unit with unembedded 

substrate where all fish survived. 

Identification of genes regulating wood 

formation in poplar

There is a growing interest in using genetic 

information to improve selection in breeding 

programs for wood quantity and quality for 

bioenergy applications. PSW Research Station 

researchers have identified a gene that regulates 

cell differentiation during wood formation in 

poplar. This research is part of a larger effort 

to understand the genetic regulation of wood 

formation. The gene under investigation 

regulates the expression of enzymes responsible 

for the synthesis of cell walls. Altering the 

expression of this regulatory gene results in 

marked changes in the lignin and cellulose 

content of wood. Lignin and cellulose are 

the primary polymers responsible for the 

mechanical properties of wood, and are also key 

in determining the end use of wood for lumber, 

fiber, or biofuels. 

Image shows a cross section of a poplar stem 

stained to show the lignified, wood tissues. 

11 
PACIFIC SOUTHWEST RESEARCH STATION RESEARCH THEME HIGHLIGHTS 

Research Theme: 

Urban Connections and 

Social Dynamics

With an expanding wildland-urban interface, our Nation’s natural resources 

are becoming closely entwined with urban centers. Researchers in urban 

connections and social dynamics work to bring the natural world to urban 

areas by greening city landscapes while simultaneously facilitating the 

public’s ability to interact with adjacent forests and rangelands. 

Publication of the lower Midwest 

community tree guide

The Lower Midwest Community Tree Guide 

is a recent PSW Research Station publication 

about how urban forests can improve air quality, 

conserve energy, filter storm water, and reduce 

carbon dioxide. It answers questions about the 

environmental and aesthetic benefits that trees 

provide, and how trees help to conserve energy 

while adding value to homes and communities. 

It also answers questions about how to select 

tree types to minimize conflicts with power lines,

sidewalks, and buildings. The guide was used 

as a training tool at a recent conference of the 

Indiana Urban Forests Council. State urban and 

community forestry coordinators from Kansas, 

Oklahoma, Missouri, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, 

Kentucky, and Ohio distributed copies to their 

communities to improve urban forestry. 

Tree carbon calculator for urban 

forestry projects 

PSW Research Station developed and released 

the Tree Carbon Calculator, a free Microsoft 

Excel spreadsheet that provides carbon related 

information for individual trees in one of 16 

climate zones in the United States. It is the only 

tool approved by the Climate Action Reserve, 

a national offsets program working to ensure 

integrity, transparency and financial value in the 

United States carbon market, for quantifying 

carbon dioxide sequestration from tree planting 

projects in urban areas. The program estimates 

how much carbon dioxide individual trees 

sequester in a year and in their lifetime. In 

addition to quantifying carbon benefits, the 

calculator quantifies annual per-tree energy 

savings for planted trees. Tree planting increases 

energy conservation because urban trees reduce 

 12
 PACIFIC SOUTHWEST RESEARCH STATION 2009 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

the demand for energy needed to heat and 

cool adjacent homes and buildings. The tool 

is used by the city of Santa Monica in its pilot 

greenhouse gas tree project and the Sacramento 

Tree Foundation in estimating green house gas 

reductions associated with tree planting. 

Learning how technology can be used to 

attract children to the outdoors

An exploratory study (Youth Day) to determine 

if technology attracts kids to outdoor activities 

consisted of activities offered to 38 youth ages 

6 to 17. Two activities were dependent on 

technology (camera safari and geocaching) 

and two activities were not (paper etching 

or rubbings of natural surfaces and a nature 

scavenger hunt). The technology dependent 

activities were favored by all of the participants. 

The study results (based on votes by the youth 

and observations by adults) suggest that 

technology, particularly digital cameras and 

global positioning system units, can be used 

effectively to get youth outdoors. A guidebook 

was developed describing how to plan and 

implement youth days. This may be helpful 

to managers and others working to get youth 

involved in outdoor activities. The Youth Day was 

held in 2007 in Griffith Park, Los Angeles, California. 

Children engaged in etching and rubbing activities of 

natural elements.

Synthesis of recreation visitor research 

that emphasizes diversity

PSW Research Station scientists compiled 

and coauthored, “Recreation Visitor Research: 

Studies of Diversity.” This publication includes 

16 papers about international studies, 

syntheses, management, environmental 

belief, communication, and measurement. 

Results from the international papers indicate 

how cultural values produce significant 

differences on visitor constraints and use of 

public lands. The papers on environmental 

beliefs indicate the importance of managing 

natural areas for regulatory (i.e., protecting 

water quality) and cultural (i.e., outdoor 

recreation locations) uses. Recreation 

managers, academicians, and researchers will 

find this compilation useful in understanding 

diverse visitors and public land issues. 

Using ethnic 

media to 

provide 

recreation 

information 

to diverse 

audiences

A lack of 

information 

about outdoor recreation opportunities is 

often cited as a barrier by land managers 

when reaching out to communities of color. 

A PSW Research Station review of media use 

and reliance measures the value of ethnic 

media for outreach. Ethnic media is a trusted 

information source when paired with key 

contacts within ethnic communities. Beyond 

providing information to an audience that 

otherwise may not learn about national forests, 

ethnic media helps increase awareness among 

ethnic populations about the issues and 

benefits of natural resources. Managers can use 

these findings when developing outreach and 

communication strategies. 

 

Recreation in an urban natural 

area of California. 

13 
PACIFIC SOUTHWEST RESEARCH STATION BY THE NUMBERS 14

Budget

The majority of PSW Research Station’s 

appropriated dollars are provided 

under the Forest and Rangeland 

Research Appropriation (FRRE funds). 

Other appropriated Research funds 

are provided under the Wildland Fire 

Management Appropriation, as part of 

the National Fire Plan (FRF2 funds). 

In addition, PSW Research Station 

scientists engage in many partnerships 

and collaborations with the USDA Forest 

Service National Forest System, and State 

and Private Forestry, universities, other 

federal agencies, and nonprofit agencies. 

The Station’s total budget, as a result, 

represents a mixture of appropriated 

Forest Service research funds, as well as 

‘soft’ funds obtained through grants 

and agreements.

Pacific Southwest Research Station by the Numbers

$20,604,115 

$3,214,000 

$119,000 

$2,698,236 

$561,009 

$1,646,510 

$1,043,434 

$134,000 $5,301,000 

PSW RESEARCH STATION FY 2009 Total Budget

FRRE

FRF2

Wildland Fuels

So

ISA

NFS

S&PF

Deferred Maint.

Const.
 PACIFIC SOUTHWEST RESEARCH STATION 2009 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Workforce

PSW Research Station employs 161 permanent employees; 53 of these 

employees are research grade scientists, with an additional 108 permanent 

employees providing science and administrative support.

State/Lab Location Permanent Employees 

Scientists Support Total

California Total 46 99 145

Albany 4 22 26

Arcata 6 19 25

Davis 11 13 24

Fresno 2 5 7

Placerville 1 9 10

Redding 5 11 16

Riverside 17 20 37

Hawaii Total 7 9 16

Hilo 7 9 16

Grand Totals 53 108 161

16 
CONTACT 

For more information please contact

Address

USDA Forest Service

Pacific Southwest Research Station

800 Buchanan Street, West Annex Building

Albany, CA 94710

Mailing Address

USDA Forest Service

Pacific Southwest Research Station

P.O. Box 245 

Berkeley, CA 94701-0245

Phone: (510) 559-6300

Visit us on the Web at 

http://www.fs.fed.us/psw/

 16
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20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. 
S eptember 2010

Pacific S outhwest Research Station

800 Buchanan Street

West Annex Building

Albany, CA 94710-0011

http://w w w.fs.fed.us/psw/