Maine's Ecological Reserves: A Scientific Wellspring for Monitoring Natural Forest Dynamics

Maine's Ecological Reserve system provides an important baseline for monitoring changes in ecosystem composition and function in a relatively unmanaged landscape setting. Ecological reserves are areas where timber harvesting and other forms of resource extraction are prohibited, and where natural disturbances may proceed without significant human influence. Since 2002, the Maine Natural Areas Program and The Nature Conservancy have been conducting a continuous forest inventory in Maine's ecological reserves and encouraging the use of inventory data in research projects.