Experimental

Forests and Ranges

United States Department of Agriculture

Forest Service

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FS-925

April 2009

Today, a network of experimental research 

sites is more relevant than ever. The Nation faces 

natural resource problems of such extraordinary 

geographical and biological complexity that unprecedented levels of collaboration are required to 

understand them. Because of the foresight of those 

that created and maintained the system of EFRs, 

the Nation can build upon historical landscapelevel research to understand current challenges, 

including global climate change and variability, 

rapid urbanization, technological transformation, 

and environmental impacts.

For More Information

•	 http://www.fs.fed.us/research/efr/

•	 http://treesearch.fs.fed.us/pubs/7403

•	 http://www.fsl.orst.edu/lter/pubs/webdocs/

reports/lugobiosci.cfm

•	 Adams, Mary Beth; Loughry, Linda; Plaugher,

Linda, comps. 2004. Experimental Forests and

Ranges of the USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep.

NE-321.
What Are the Experimental Forests

and Ranges?

The Experimental Forests and Ranges (EFRs) of the 

Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, are a network of basic and applied research sites located across the 

United States. This network of 81 locations covers nearly 

every habitat type across the country, including Puerto 

Rico. Congress established these forests and ranges to 

help better understand ecosystem processes and to resolve 

complex natural resource issues faced by land managers. In 

some EFRs, continuous scientific research and education 

spans 100 years, making them a valuable asset to national 

research and conservation activities. 

Why Are Experimental Forest

and Ranges Unique?

The unique historical records from EFRs provide

scientists with the ability to conduct research at a durational and spatial scale unmatched by other research sites. 

For example, researchers started data collection at Ft. Valley Experimental Forest in Arizona in 1908. The Coweeta 

Hydrological Laboratory in western North Carolina has 

been continuously monitoring forest changes since the 

early 1930s. In 1982, a new experiment was initiated as 

researchers established a 200-year log decomposition study 

in the H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest in Oregon. The 

Hawaii Experimental Tropical Forest, established in 2007, 

is the newest site to start collecting long-term data. All of 

these sites can provide long-term data used to assess how 

climate change has impacted various ecosystems. 

What Do We Get From Experimental

Forests and Ranges?

Research is conducted on a variety of topics at EFRs, 

including silviculture, invasive species management, wildlife 

habitat, desert ecology, range management, wildfire

management, and global warming impacts. Other examples 

of research include: 

•	 Timber productivity, adaptability, and forest

restoration: Silviculture researchers at the

Estate Thomas Experimental Forest

(U.S. Virgin Islands) have produced information crucial 

to reforesting tropical lands.

•	 Soil science: Scientists at the Marcell Experimental Forest (Minnesota) were the first to demonstrate that soil 

compaction negatively impacted future aspen productivity.

•	 Urban forestry: Researchers participating in the Baltimore Ecosystem Study (Maryland) examine interactions 

between urban forests, watersheds, soils, climate, and 

community well-being.

•	 Watershed management: Scientists at the Maybeso 

Experimental Forest (Alaska) have improved our 

understanding of how timber harvest practices impact 

ecoystem water use and availability.

•	 Atmospheric science: Scientists at the Hubbard Brook 

Experimental Forest (New Hampshire) were the first to 

document acid rain in North America. Current research 

tracks the effects of acid rain on soil and water chemistry.

Who Uses Experimental Forests

and Ranges?

Forest Service scientists; colleagues from universities, Federal and State agencies, and nongovernmental 

organizations; and visiting scientists from other countries 

use EFRs as outdoor laboratories to conduct some of the 

most important conservation research in the world. 

While land managers and conservation professionals are the primary clients of EFR research, the general 

public contributes through the development of research 

priorities, participation in educational short courses and 

workshops, interaction with scientists, and, ultimately, by 

applying findings in research materials and publications.