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Pacific Northwest Trip, 2001
 We
began our trip with a visit to the Ho Rain Forest in Olympic National
Park. On our hike along the Ho River, we saw old-growth forest,
nursery logs, abundant epiphytes, and lush ferns and oxalis in the understory. The national park gave us a view of the original ecology
of this area, where forest growth was mediated by tree size, ability to
reseed in the under story, fungal disease and fire. |
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It took 14 of us
to complete a ring around this large Sitka Spruce. Most of the large
spruce on the peninsula were logged off during the second world war to
make spars for aircraft (and the famous "spruce goose").
Historic records suggest that Douglas Firs in this area were taller than
today's redwoods.
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Outside
of the park, much of the forest has been logged, and old growth is
rare. Our group took a tour sponsored by the Bend Logging
Museum. We saw the efficiency of modern logging and sawmills (above)
and several reclamation efforts of the industry (below).
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A stream that has
been restored as salmon habitat by Rayonier, Inc., the largest forest land holder
in the Olympic Peninsula. Culverts under roads have been lowered to
grade, and the series of riffles shown here were created.
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Students
discussing Rayonier's efforts to establish owl habitat in second and third-growth
forests by thinning the under story and inoculating trees with fungus to
create nesting cavities.
Next: Olympic
Peninsula
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For more information, contact Dr. Tim Lincoln, Institute for
the Study of the Environment, Albion College, Albion MI 49224.
Phone (517) 629-0486 – e-mail tlincoln@albion.edu
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