Forest Monitoring at the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park

Keeton, William

In 2001 the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park (the Park) initiated a cooperative program with the University of Vermont, establishing a long-term forest ecosystem monitoring system within the forested portion of the 555 acre (223 hectare) Park. The three-year initial phase of the program ended in 2003. The objectives during this time period were to establish a system of permanent plots distributed throughout the Park, collect intensive field data on a full compliment of ecological indicators, and determine baseline forest ecosystem conditions. Monitoring data were analyzed at the University of Vermont. The next phase of the program will consist of long-term monitoring with protocol and plot remeasurement schedules yet to be determined. This report presents the final results of analyses using data collected over the initial three year period. The findings presented are intended to inform on-going management planning efforts and, thus, focus on relevant indicators of ecosystem dynamics and integrity. Recommendations are provided related to both park management and the potential for continued monitoring in the future.