Current Research Latitudinal variation in effects of climate warming on torpor and hibernation in chipmunks Craig Frank (Fordham University) - 2007- Using implanted temperature sensors, this study examines physiological functions of chipmunks during winter torpor, and compares dynamics among sites of differing current and anticipated climate. Landscape influences on dissolved organic matter in streams Donna Kashian - 2007- This study compares regional streams with watersheds varying in development, geology, and vegetation, to assess landscape effects on chemical properties of the streams. Groundwater-surface water interactions and coaster trout spawning habitat Alex Mayer (Michigan Technological University) - 2007- Paralleling ecological studies of 'coaster' brook-trout in the Salmon Trout River, this study is designed to assess the role of direct input of groundwater in defining coaster trout spawning habitat. Fire history reconstruction for the Huron Mountains Rose-Marie Muzika, Michael Stambaugh, Richard Guyette (University of Missouri) - 2007- Effects of past fire (and fire suppression) on patterns and dynamics in the Huron Mt. landscape are poorly understood. Researchers will use dated fire-scars from dead trees and wood to analyze frequency and extent of fires over the last 300+ years, thus establishing important base-line information for this old-growth system. Species diversity and abundance of wood-boring beetles. Holly Petrillo (University of Wisc.-Stevens Point) - 2007- Data from these surveys will permit comparison with studies from the 1980s, and establish current baselines for assessment of effects of landscape change and effects of potential invasive species. Bat community surveys Phil Myers and Judy Wan (University of Michigan) - 2007 Using acoustic sampling techniques, Myers and Wan are inventorying the least well-studied group of vertebrates in the Huron Mts. area. Demography of a rare prickly-pear cactus Eric Ribbens (Western Illinois University) - 2006- VIEW RESEARCH PAGE Headwater stream food-webs of the Huron Mountains Bob Stelzer (Univ. of Wisconsin-Oshkosh); Ashley Moerke (Lake Superior State Univ.); Sue Eggert (USDA Forest Service) - 2006- Aquatic invertebrates have been extensively documented in the Huron Mountains, but ecosystem function -- energy flows and nutrient cycling -- in small, headwater streams is poorly understood.  This study addresses this gap and establishes baseline for assessing future changes and comparisons between managed and old-growth watersheds. Land snail inventory and community comparisons Eric North - 2006- North is searching cool talus habitats for unusual land snail species, and will be comparing snail communities with previous studies at the Hurons and with parallel studies elsewhere in the midwest. Dynamics of late-successional white pine-hardwood forests Dennis Riege (University of Maryland University College) - 2006- Riege's work documents changes in pine-hardwood stands since a previous study in the early 1980s, and expands on earlier studies to gain insight into the dynamics of these now-rare forests. Phenotypic differentiation of lake trout in a small, deep lake Mara Zimmerman (Michigan State University), Charles Krueger (Great Lakes Fishiery Commission) - 2006- Rush Lake is unusually deep and hosts two forms of lake trout; similar situations occur elsewhere only in much larger lakes.  Zimmerman and Krueger seek to understand the physiological and genetic correlates of this dimorphism and to gain insight into the evolution of such systems. The Huron Mountain Climate Observation Network Frederick Nelson (University of Delaware) and Kenneth Hinkel (University of Cincinnati) - 2005- VIEW RESEARCH PAGE Effects of canopy gaps on soil properties James Bockheim and Bryant Scharenbroch (University of Wisonsin - Madison) - 2004- This project addresses the impacts canopy gaps have on soil properties and processes, forest biogeochemical cycling, and forest ecosystem diversity and function in old-growth northern hardwood-hemlock ecosystems in the upper Great Lakes region. Ground-water, snow-melt, and hydrology of small streams Jason McClure, Martin Jurgensen (Michigan Technological University), Randy Kolka, and Christian Giardina (USDA Forest Service) - 2004- Using small sampling wells, isotopic analysis of tree ring growth, and stable isotope tracers, this team is assessing the sources and dynamics of water-flow in small streams and movement of dissolved organic carbon between ground-water and streams. Effects of invasive earthworms on ecosystem properties and biodiversity in hemlock-northern hardwood forests Erik Lilleskov, Andrew Storer, and Dana Richter (Michigan Technological University) - 2004- The objective of this long-term study is to assess the impacts of invasive Eurasian earthworms on total biodiversity, biogeochemistry and productivity in mature northern hardwoods and hemlock dominated forests. Life-history of suppressed sugar maple seedlings Kerry Woods (Bennington College) - 2002-2004 VIEW RESEARCH PAGE Long-term changes in small-mammal communities Phil Myers, Allison Poor (University of Michigan), Barb Lundrigan (Michigan State Univ.) - 2002-2004 VIEW RESEARCH PAGE Coaster brook trout in the Salmon Trout River Casey Huckins (Michigan Technological University) - 2000- Since 2000, Professor Casey Huckins (Michigan Technological University) and several of his graduate students have been studying the fish communities of the Salmon Trout River, with a specific focus on the population biology and community ecology of the rare potamodromous 'coaster' brook trout. Surveys of leaf-mining insects Ron Priest (Michigan State University) - 2000- Continuing studies are directed towards inventory of tiny and poorly documented groups of leaf-mining insects and their parasitoids. Mycorrhizal fungi of native red pine stands Dana Richter (Michigan Technological University) - 1996- VIEW RESEARCH PAGE Long-term studies of community dynamics in old-growth forests Kerry Woods (Bennington College) - 1978- Monitoring and expanding on permanent plots established in 1962 and in 1978, this study is one of the longest-term quantitative studies of old-growth forest dynamics in North America. Supercanopy white pine in mesic hemlock-northern hardwood forests Robert Fahey and Craig Lorimer (University of Wisconsin - Madison) - Forests with large, 'emergent' white pine were formerly much more extensive; Huron Mt. forests include some of these now-rare stands.  This study addresses stand history, white pine regeneration dynamics, and overall contributions of large white pines to stand structure.