Dukes Research Natural Area
| Dukes Research Natural Area | |
|---|---|
  Map ofMichigan | |
| Location | Marquette County,Michigan |
| Nearest city | Chatham |
| Coordinates | 46°21′00″N87°10′00″W/ 46.35°N 87.16667°W[1] |
| Area | 233 acres (0.94 km2) |
| Designated | 1974 |
TheDukes Research Natural Areais a 233-acre (0.94 km2) tract of northern hardwood forest located within the 5,000-acre (20 km2)Upper Peninsula Experimental Forest,a unit of theHiawatha National Forestin theUpper Peninsulaof the U.S. state ofMichigan.The Dukes Research Natural Area was listed in 1974 as aNational Natural Landmarkby the U.S. Department of the Interior.[2]
Ecology
[edit]The National Park Service describes the Upper Peninsula Experimental Forest as "an undisturbedwhite cedarand mixed coniferswampcontaining old-growth hardwood stands. "[3]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."[2]Prior to 1920, the ecology of the Upper Peninsula was extensively altered bylogging.
The USFS notes the presence ofblack ash,yellow birch,American elm,eastern hemlock,red maple,andsugar maplein the National Natural Landmark.[2]
Today
[edit]The Upper Peninsula Experimental Forest and its Dukes Research Natural Area are located onM-94near the extreme eastern edge ofMarquette County.They are located approximately 10 miles (16 km) west ofChatham.[4]
The 233-acre (0.94 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 parasiticalinvasive species.
References
[edit]- ^"Dukes (Upper Peninsula) Experimental Forest".United States Forest Service.Retrieved2011-09-14.
- ^abc"Research Natural Area: Dukes".United States Forest Service.Retrieved2010-06-02.
- ^"Dukes Research Natural Area".United States National Park Service.Retrieved2010-06-02.
- ^Michigan Atlas and Gazetteer (10th ed.).Yarmouth, Maine: DeLorme. 2002. p. 101.
