Dukes Research Natural Area
Encyclopedia
The Dukes Research Natural Area is a 233 acre (0.94291838 km²) tract of northern hardwood forest located within the 5000 acres (20.2 km²) Upper Peninsula Experimental Forest, a unit of the Hiawatha National Forest
in the Upper Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan
. The Dukes Research Natural Area was listed in 1974 as a National Natural Landmark
by the U.S. Department of the Interior.
and mixed conifer swamp
containing old-growth hardwood stands." The Dukes Research Natural Area consists of several hardwood stands that grow on relatively higher, well-drained elevations within the swamp tract. The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) describes the Natural Area as an example of "well-stocked, mature northern hardwood forests that have been undisturbed for over 90 years." Prior to 1920, the ecology of the Upper Peninsula was extensively altered by logging
.
The USFS notes the presence of black ash
, yellow birch, American elm, eastern hemlock, red maple, and sugar maple in the National Natural Landmark.
near the extreme eastern edge of Marquette County, Michigan
. They are located approximately 10 miles (16 km) west of Chatham, Michigan
.
The 233 acre (0.94291838 km²) Dukes Research Natural Area currently serves as a control plot for the experimental forest. Logging continues in the experimental forest.
The presence of mature stands in the Natural Area of several of the tree species enumerated, including black ash, American elm, and eastern hemlock, are of special significance because of damage done to these species of trees in other parts of their historic ranges by parasitical invasive species
.
Hiawatha National Forest
Hiawatha National Forest is a National Forest in the Upper Peninsula of the state of Michigan in the United States. Commercial logging is conducted in some areas. The United States Forest Service administers this National Forest; it is physically divided into two subunits, commonly called the...
in the Upper Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. The Dukes Research Natural Area was listed in 1974 as a National Natural Landmark
National Natural Landmark
The National Natural Landmark program recognizes and encourages the conservation of outstanding examples of the natural history of the United States. It is the only natural areas program of national scope that identifies and recognizes the best examples of biological and geological features in...
by the U.S. Department of the Interior.
Ecology
The National Park Service describes the Upper Peninsula Experimental Forest as "an undisturbed white cedarThuja occidentalis
Thuja occidentalis is an evergreen coniferous tree, in the cypress family Cupressaceae, which is widely cultivated for use as an ornamental plant known as American Arbor Vitae. The endemic occurrence of this species is a northeastern distribution in North America...
and mixed conifer swamp
Swamp
A swamp is a wetland with some flooding of large areas of land by shallow bodies of water. A swamp generally has a large number of hammocks, or dry-land protrusions, covered by aquatic vegetation, or vegetation that tolerates periodical inundation. The two main types of swamp are "true" or swamp...
containing old-growth hardwood stands." The Dukes Research Natural Area consists of several hardwood stands that grow on relatively higher, well-drained elevations within the swamp tract. The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) describes the Natural Area as an example of "well-stocked, mature northern hardwood forests that have been undisturbed for over 90 years." Prior to 1920, the ecology of the Upper Peninsula was extensively altered by logging
Logging
Logging is the cutting, skidding, on-site processing, and loading of trees or logs onto trucks.In forestry, the term logging is sometimes used in a narrow sense concerning the logistics of moving wood from the stump to somewhere outside the forest, usually a sawmill or a lumber yard...
.
The USFS notes the presence of black ash
Fraxinus nigra
Fraxinus nigra is a species of Fraxinus native to much of eastern Canada and the northeastern United States, from western Newfoundland west to southeastern Manitoba, and south to Illinois and northern Virginia....
, yellow birch, American elm, eastern hemlock, red maple, and sugar maple in the National Natural Landmark.
Today
The Upper Peninsula Experimental Forest and its Dukes Research Natural Area are located on M-94M-94 (Michigan highway)
M-94 is a state trunkline in the Upper Peninsula of the US state of Michigan. It runs for from K. I. Sawyer to Manistique. The highway is part of the Lake Superior Circle Tour during a concurrency with M-28. M-94 crosses the Siphon Bridge in Manistique, unique for the fact that the bridge roadway...
near the extreme eastern edge of Marquette County, Michigan
Marquette County, Michigan
-National protected areas:* Hiawatha National Forest * Huron National Wildlife Refuge* Ottawa National Forest -University:Northern Michigan University is a four-year university, established in 1899, located in Marquette, Michigan, on Michigan's Upper Peninsula...
. They are located approximately 10 miles (16 km) west of Chatham, Michigan
Chatham, Michigan
Chatham is a village in Rock River Township of Alger County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the village population was 231...
.
The 233 acre (0.94291838 km²) Dukes Research Natural Area currently serves as a control plot for the experimental forest. Logging continues in the experimental forest.
The presence of mature stands in the Natural Area of several of the tree species enumerated, including black ash, American elm, and eastern hemlock, are of special significance because of damage done to these species of trees in other parts of their historic ranges by parasitical invasive species
Invasive species
"Invasive species", or invasive exotics, is a nomenclature term and categorization phrase used for flora and fauna, and for specific restoration-preservation processes in native habitats, with several definitions....
.