1. RESEARCH
  2. Experimental Watersheds

Experimental Watersheds

Watershed 1

In November 1999, wollastonite (CaSiO3), pelletized with a 4% lignosulfonate binder, was applied by helicopter in a effort to replace the calcium that has been depleted from soil over the last 50 years due to inputs of acid rain. Forty-five tons of wollastonite (1.2 tonnes Ca/ha) were added to W1 to increase the base saturation of soil from approximately 10% to 19%. The added wollastonite has a distinctive calcium to strontium ratio and strontium stable isotope ratio which will enable us to track the fate of the added material.

Watershed 2

To assess the ecosystem response to deforestation, Watershed 2 was devegetated for a 3 year period (1965-1967). Trees were cut and left in place in year 1, and herbicide treatments in years 2 and 3 prevented vegetation regrowth.

Watershed 4

The watershed 4 experiment was designed to study how strip cutting affects nutrient and hydrological cycling and stand regeneration relative to clearcutting. A 3-phase strip cut treatment was carried out in 1970, 1972, and 1974, and included the removal of all merchantable material.

Watershed 5

This experimental watershed treatment consisted of a whole-tree harvest during the dormant season of 1983-1984, resulting in the removal of 180 t/ha of biomass.

Watershed 7

There have been no experimental treatments in Watershed 7. Long-term monitoring of streamflow, stream chemistry and meterology has occurred since 1965 in this watershed.

Watershed 8

No expermental treatments have occurred in this watershed. Long-term monitoring of streamflow, stream chemistry and meterology has occurred since 1968 in this watershed.