Natural areas are important as reference points or as baseline controls 

 against which man-caused changes can be measured. These areas are 

 required as controls for manipulative research experiments and 

 management testing. Such areas are of value for studying the structure 

 and function of natural ecosystems. They are of value in the preserva- 

 tion of biotic communities, of rare and endangered species of plants 

 and animals, and of gene pools, and research methods for their protec- 

 tion. Natural areas are of educational and training value. They may 

 also contribute directly to environmental quality by serving as ecolog- 

 ical buffers to modulate the environment and support diversity. 



Natural areas should be protected as much as possible from human 

 intervention and pollution. The areas should be of suitable size to allow 

 cycling of materials within the system. Species diversity should be 

 maintained and collecting and destructive research prohibited. Some 

 management may be required to maintain the desired ecosystem status 

 or successional stages. 



Complete the National System of Ecological Research Areas to Recommendation 8 

 provide sites for manipulative experiments, management 

 testing, and observations of the results of human impact. 

 Utilize existing Federal lands to the maximum extent. 



The purpose of ecological research areas is to develop techniques for 

 qualitative and quantitative continuous assessment of the ecological 

 impact of man's activities and technology, and to serve as living 

 demonstrations of effective ecosystems management. 



In ecological research, emphasis is placed on quantitative studies of 

 ecosystems with special attention given to the study of interactions 

 among the components. These insights are frequently gained most effi- 

 ciently by imposing a stress on the ecosystem experimentally. 

 Quantitative research on entire ecosystems must be based on the 

 observed response of landscape units exposed to experimental 

 manipulation. The experimental unit may consist of an entire 

 watershed or body of water. By measuring the ecological response of 

 the unit of inputs of man-caused disturbances, valuable empirical data 

 can be collected for management use. 



Availability of landscape units of suitable size for experimentation is 

 central to the ecosystem experimental approach. In addition, these 

 ecosystems should be representative of much larger units so that 

 information gained may be extrapolated with greater confidence 

 throughout the region. 



Ecological research areas should be in locations where the area and 

 experiments will be little altered by inadvertent releases of pollutants 

 or by uncontrolled human activity. They may be areas which are 

 relatively unmodified or greatly modified or polluted. They should be of 

 sufficient size so materials which cycle (e.g., nutrients and pollutants) 

 can do so largely within the system. Many potential areas exist within 

 the public lands and some are already reserved for research. A suitable 

 network of such research ecosystems should be designated in appro- 

 priate areas. 



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