Coram Experimental Forest | Northern Rockies Fire Science Network

The Coram Experimental Forest (CEF) was established in 1933 on the Flathead National Forest in northwestern Montana as an area representative of the western larch (Larix occidentalis) forest type and serves as an important focal point of western larch research for the region. A portion of the CEF was designated as the Coram Research Natural Area in 1938, with the goal of serving a reference site and contains late-succession western larch and Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) stands. Western larch is a common and important conifer in the Northern Rockies and, as one of the most shade intolerant conifer species in the Northern Rockies, readily regenerates in open areas post-fire.

Ecology

Although there are six forest types represented on the CEF, the majority of the forest is covered by western larch and Douglas-fir, but Engelmann spruce/subalpine fir (Picea engelmannii/Abies lasiocarpa) forests occur on cool, moist sites at all but the lowest elevations. Soils are a mix of Precambrian sedimentary rocks and glacial till with a surface mantle containing volcanic ash, resulting in rich loamy soils. The climate is classified as a modified Pacific maritime-type, with mean annual precipitation between 890 mm at lower elevations to 1,270 mm at higher elevations and falling mostly as snow (November-March). Mean annual temperature ranges from 2 °C to 7 °C, summer temperatures average between 13 °C to 17 °C while winter temperatures often fall below –18 °C, but rarely lower than –29 °C. See the 1999 GTR "Coram Experimental Forest: 50 years of research in a western larch forest" from Shearer & Kempf for more details on the site conditions and vegetation of the CEF.

Documents

2018 Negligible impacts of biomass removal on Douglas-fir growth 29 years after outplanting in the northern Rocky Mountains Woongsoon Jang et al.
2016 Long-term soil changes from forest harvesting and residue management in the northern Rocky Mountains Woongsoon Jang et al.
2016 Recovery and diversity of the forest shrub community 38 years after biomass harvesting in the northern Rocky Mountains Woongsoon Jang et al.
2015 Long-term effects on distribution of forest biomass following different harvesting levels in the Northern Rocky Mountains Woongsoon Jang et al.
2012 Experimental forests and climate change: views of long-term employees on ecological change and the role of Experimental Forests and Ranges in understanding and adapting to climate change Laurie Yung et al.
2008 Surface fuel litterfall and decomposition in the Northern Rocky Mountains, U.S.A. Robert E. Keane
2003 Establishment and growth of conifer regeneration following harvest and residue treatments in a western larch-Douglas-fir forest Sarah Jane Pierce
1999 Natural regeneration after harvest and residue treatment in a mixed-conifer forest of northwestern Montana Raymond C. Shearer et al.
1997 Vegetation structure in old-growth stands in the Coram Research Natural Area in northwestern Montana Caryl L. Elzinga et al.
1986 Site treatments influence development of a young mixed-species western larch stand Dennis M. Cole et al.
1981 Effects of prescribed fire on soil nitrogen levels in a cutover Douglas-fir/western larch forest Martin F. Jurgensen et al.
1980 Effects of fire on nitrogen in forest floor horizons G. D. Mroz et al.
1980 Fire history of a western larch/Douglas-fir forest type in northwestern Montana Kathleen M. Davis
1980 Forest fire history in the Northern Rockies Stephen F. Arno
1980 Influence of harvesting and residues on fuels and fire management James K. Brown
1978 Effects of burning moist fuels on seedbed preparation in cutover western larch forests Donald K. Artley et al.
1977 The fire history of Coram Experimental Forest Kathy M. Sneck
1969 Seedbed treatments influence seedling development in western larch forests Wyman C. Schmidt

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Past Events

Jun 28, 2016
Adaptive Silviculture for Climate Change