FED/MAC
Study Site and Logistics
The study site is located 56 km north of Bangor, Maine in
Penobscot County (45 12'N, 68 44'W). The area is within the 7000
ha Northern Experimental Forest (NEF) owned by International
Paper. As an experimental research forest, there are a variety
of different aged clearings, small plantations, and larger
expanses of natural regeneration. Topography is flat to gently
rolling with a total change in elevation of only 135 m across the
forest. The natural forest is transitional boreal with major
forest types of mixed hardwoods (aspen, birch), hemlock-spruce-fir and hemlock-mixed hardwoods. The soils are predominantly
glacial tills; acid in reaction, low in fertility and high in
organic matter. The majority of soils fall into the suborders
orthods, orchrepts, or aquepts. Approximately 450 ha of the
forest is covered with bogs and wetlands in the central portion
of the forest. There is also an excessively well drained esker
in this area. The variable nature of the soils (changing between
very well drained to very poorly drained soils over a short
distance) has produced irregular stand sizes and shapes. Wet
areas are abundant and cause great species diversity on smallunits of area (US Department of Agriculture, 1990). The climate
is cold, humid and continental with continuous snowpack from
December through March with accumulations of 1 to 2 m.
The NEF is split by Interstate 95 and served by paved state roads
and well maintained gravel roads within the NEF. Public access to portions of the study site is
restricted by locked gates. Nearby airports include Bangor
International with a 12500 ft (3810 m) runway and Dewitt Field
(Old Town Airport) with a 4000 ft (1220 m) runway and local
helicopter support services. Both landing and refueling of the
helicopter at the NEF is possible.
A 25 m walk-up tower supporting meteorological instruments is
located within the research forest. This tower is used by
University of Maine scientists for research projects supported by
the Spruce-Fir Cooperative, Mountain Cloud Chemistry Program and
National Acid Deposition Project among others.
The University of Maine at Orono is located 35mi (56km) south
of the NEF. Collaborative arrangements were made with the Plant
and Soil Sciences Department to utilize U. of Maine facilities at
the NEF and on-campus (i.e., laboratory space and facilities).