Programming supports a comprehensive network of cooperative study units to facilitate cooperative research, technical assistance, education, and training to inform science-based management of the…

The U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service Midwest Region awarded a $200,000 Cooperative Agreement under the Cooperative Research and Training Programs – Resources of the National Park System (CFDA 15.945) to the Regents of the University of Minnesota to facilitate cooperative research, technical assistance, education, and training to inform science-based management of the National Park System. The award supports a network of Cooperative Study Units that conduct multi-disciplinary science and integrated information products across multiple geographic regions of the National Park System. As part of this effort, the University of Minnesota established a long-term research experiment in the floodplain forests of the Upper Mississippi River to study the adaptive silviculture for climate change and provide quantitative data to managers on which tree species and seed zones will perform best under changing climate conditions and invasive species pressures. The research results will be collected over 4-6 growing seasons and provide actionable information to state, local, and federal land managers to support restoration planning.

Programming supports a comprehensive network of cooperative study units to facilitate cooperative research, technical assistance, education, and training to inform science-based management of the national park system. The study units facilitate multi-disciplinary science and integrated information products across multiple geographic regions of the national park system. To begin to provide quantitative and long-term data to what species and stock will do best in a changing climate and with the pressure of invasive species, a long-term experiment was established in the floodplain forests of the upper mississippi river as part of the adaptative silviculture for climate change (ascc) network. The site is located at crosby farm regional park which is part of the broader mississippi national river and recreation area (mnrra) in minnesota. The research site was established in the spring of 2020 and includes 18 different species and seed zone types. Initial survival (1- and 2 year) of many of the species is promising. However, in a dynamic ecosystem like the floodplains, longer term results are needed so managers can be more confident about species and seed zone types as they plan restoration efforts. We will continue to assess the research results, collecting the end of the 4TH, 5TH, and 6TH growing seasons for this project, and provide novel, quantitative information with actionable information to floodplain and wet forest managers across the region. Beneficiaries include state and local governments, federally recognized indian tribal governments, public private nonprofit organizations, nonprofit institutions of higher education, and the general public).