CFRC
News Highlights
Listed in
chronological order starting with the most recent
New plant
species discovered in the CFRC forest research grid
CFRC - During a
routine examination of the forest canopy, a new strain of Ophioglossaceae
in the Botrychium virginianum species has been
discovered. More commonly known as the 'rattlesnake
fern', this species prefers dark, wet areas of rich soil and are
an uncommon occurrence for the forest canopy. This new species, tentatively
being referred to as Botrychium Mortimorious, appears
much more invasive and lush then the previously known varieties.
The Ecology Team of Cascade Forest Research Center, headed by
Dr. Mortimer Kelly, is working hard to produce a paper of the
raw findings in time for the 2010 Pacific Botany Conference.
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Unusual growth patterns
detected in Tillamook State Forest
Tillamook - In
response to widespread skepticism regarding the substance and
implications of his comments at this year's Progress in Forest
Management Conference, Dr. Mortimer Kelly of the Cascade Forest
Research Center has co-authored a white paper with fellow
researcher Dr. Alejandro Penfield which details the anomalous
growth patterns that led Dr. Kelly to formulate his original
hypothesis. Dr. Kelly has directed the focus of his entire
research team toward compiling additional data from the CFRC
study area, and hopes to present a more definitive set of
observations and conclusions at the 2010 Conference. According
to Dr. Kelly's spokesperson, "Science is a process of
discovery. Asking questions is often more important than
answering them. The challenge is to be able to ask the right
questions. Professor Kelly and his team will be re-examining not
only their results, but the process they used to achieve those
results. This is not to say that in the end the answer won't be
exactly the same as what Dr. Kelly alluded to in his initial
presentation, but as a true scientist he will not be satisfied
until all alternatives have been explored."
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Dr.
Mortimer Kelly delivers groundbreaking thesis on forest canopy
moss growth and diversification
Eugene -
Speaking to an enthusiastic audience of foresters, loggers,
private timberland owners and fellow forest ecology specialists
attending the 14th Annual Progress in Forest Management
Conference in Eugene, Oregon, Dr. Mortimer Kelly of the Cascade
Forest Research Center delivered a brief overview of the
Center's current findings regarding growth rates and genetic
diversification of moss colonies specifically adapted to the
forest/atmosphere interface of the forest canopy. In a
presentation that encompassed not only field observations and
laboratory results but which also included statistical data
drawn from U. S. Census figures on population demographics and
activities for the last 100 years, Dr. Kelly hypothesized that
recent fluctuations in logging operation yields, as measured in
millions of marketable board feet harvested per year, may soon
increase significantly without any sort of government regulatory
intervention, simply due to what he termed "...a natural
yet dramatic cyclic upturn in adaptive vigor among indigenous
conifer species." He also pointed out that while his
conclusions might seem at odds with other research also being
conducted at the Center, a proprietary computer modeling system
developed by his team repeatedly predicted greater overall
forest density in the coming decades - the primary variable
being the amount and severity of any interim adverse effects
caused by postulated changes in groundwater and/or fungal
infiltration via the interconnected root systems of many of the
commercially significant timber species.
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Private funding insures CFRC development into 2012
Seattle - The
Westhammer Foundation today announced an unrestricted grant in
the amount of $8.4 million to fund operations and expansion at
the Cascade Forest Research Center at least into 2012. Charles
Fletcher, CEO of the Westhammer Foundation, said in the
announcement that "We feel the scope of work proposed by
the Center's governing board to be exceptional not only in its
relevance to current needs, but also in its practical balance of
pure and applied science. We look forward to a long and
profitable relationship for all concerned."
Note: For additional information
on any of the above news items, or to learn more about the
Cascade Forest Research Center's mission and operating charter,
please contact the CFRC Information
Office.
