North Central Research Station - Experimental Forests
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North Central Research Station
1992 Folwell St. (651) 649-5000 |
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![[image:] Map shows location of McCormick Experimental Forest in western Upper Michigan.](/peth04/20041015231136im_/http://ncrs.fs.fed.us/EF/images/maps/McCormick_1.gif)
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McCormick Experimental ForestOttawa National Forest, MI
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Climate
Soil types
Vegetation types
Long-term data bases
Research – past and current
Major research accomplishments
Collaborators
Research opportunities
Facilities, contact address, location
Brief introduction
The McCormick Experimental Forest was established in 1969 after Gordon McCormick, grandson of the inventor of the reaper, donated the tract to the Forest Service. The property, approximately 17,000 acres, was originally purchased by the McCormick family from logging companies in 1902 as a wilderness retreat. Because of the tract’s unique characteristics and setting, it was designated as wilderness in 1987.
Climate
Average annual precipitation is about 31 inches, well distributed throughout the year. The growing season averages about 60 days. Average monthly temperatures range from 10°F in January to 65°F in July.
Soil types
The upland soils are characterized by varied depths, textures, and moisture relationships. Medium textured loams and sandy loams predominate, but sands are also present. Soil depth varies from a few inches near the rock outcrops to moraine deposits many feet deep. Most soils are well drained, but deep accumulations of poorly drained mineral and organic soils are found in valleys and depressions where natural drainage is impeded by bedrock. Rapid surface runoff from the thin soils of upper slopes has caused local accumulations of soils in places.
Vegetation types
Approximately two-thirds of the McCormick Wilderness is occupied by northern hardwood types, including some pine. Sugar maple (Acer saccharum) and yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis) are important components of many northern hardwood stands. Old-growth white pine (Pinus strobus) stands occupy about 5 percent of the area and are concentrated around the 14 lakes. Lowland types such as black spruce (Picea mariana), white spruce (Picea glauca), balsam fir (Abies balsamea), white cedar (Thuja occidentalis), and lowland hardwoods are found on 18 percent of the tract.
Long-term data bases
We are not aware of any.
Research – past and current
- Ecosystem classification studies.
- Wilderness experience perception surveys. top
Major research accomplishments
Initial applications of ecosystem classifications in the early 1980s were conducted for small tracts in McCormick Experimental Forest. Since these classifications were first implemented, many more ecosystem classifications have been developed in the eastern United States. The USDA Forest Service has adopted an Ecological Classification and Inventory (EC&I) initiative designed to develop ecosystem classifications for all National Forests within the Eastern Region. The goal of the EC&I program is to provide resource managers with a tool to implement management initiatives at different spatial scales, including the landscape level. Although the methodologies are slightly different for each National Forest, the trend has been to develop and implement an ecosystem classification, then map ecosystems over a longer period of time.
Collaborators
Ottawa National Forest
Research opportunities
No formal program exists. Proposals may be directed to the contact person.
Facilities, contact address, location
The McCormick Wilderness is located in Baraga and Marquette Counties about 12 miles north of Champion, Michigan.
Contact information:
North Central Research Station
1992 Folwell Ave.
St. Paul, MN 55108
phone: 651-649-5000
USDA Forest Service - North Central Research Station
Last Modified: Thursday, 19 February 2004