Major Research Topics
Since 1907 the Harvard Forest has served as a center for research and education in forest biology and conservation. Two major research programs provide a framework for much of this activity. The Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) program is funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). It was established in 1988 to investigate the structure, function and dynamics of natural ecosystems in New England. The National Institutes of Global Environmental Change (NIGEC) program was established in 1990 with funding by the Department of Energy (DOE). It emphasizes studies of physical and biological processes relevant to climate change. In addition to these large programs there are many focused studies on diverse subjects.
Research Programs
Long Term Ecological Research Program - LTER
- Large Experiments
- Regional Studies
- Invasive Plants, Pests & Pathogens
- Historical & Retrospective Studies
- Modeling
- Proposals
- 2003 Mid-term Site Review
- Publications
Former National Institute of Global Environmental Change - NIGEC 1990 - 2005
Research Topics
Invasive Plants, Pests & Pathogens
Regional Studies
- Cape Cod, Islands & Long Island
- Connecticut Valley
- Taconic & Berkshire Region
- North Quabbin Region - Central Massachusetts
- Massachusetts-wide
- New England-wide
Plant Biology, Population and Community Ecology
- Long Distance Transport in Plants
- Evolutionary Ecology and Genetics
- Assembly of Plant and Animal Communities
- Autumn Foliage Color
Aquatic Studies
- Headwater Stream Habitat Assessment
- Headwater Stream Hydrology
- Vernal Pool Biodiversity
- Hydrology and Fauna of Kettle Ponds and Vernal Pools
- Freshwater Biomonitoring
Large Experiments and Permanent Plot Studies
- Nitrogen Saturation
- Soil Warming
- Hurricane Manipulation
- DIRT - Detritus Input and Removal Treatments
- Removal of Hemlock by Logging or Hemlock Woolly Adelgid
- Large Permanent Plots
Historical & Retrospective Studies
- Regional Studies
- Old-Growth and Dendrochronology
- Paleoecology
- Landscape and Regional Impacts of Hurricanes in New England, Puerto Rico & Mexico
- Historical Wildlife Dynamics in Massachusetts