18 Alaskan Science Conference 



biology work, totally out of a forester's line, and advice of water 

 resource experts of the U. S. Geological Survey aids in the water 

 flow, water stage measurements. A fairly good picture of normal 

 stream changes has been obtained during the past three years. 

 After logging starts on certain of these watersheds any changes 

 in the stream regimen will be observed. 



Measurements on 4 test streams taken in the study of the 

 effect of logging on salmon streams indicate that in this region 

 of heavy rainfall watersheds remain almost constantly saturated. 

 Because of this the watersheds have little extra storage capacity 

 during the seasons of heaviest rainfall, hence fall floods are 

 normal. Total rainfall on the watersheds of streams without 

 sizeable lakes drains out within a few hours after it falls. 



Basic studies. The silvics and silviculture of the tree species 

 of Alaska— familiar species, but growing under Alaska con- 

 ditions—must be the subject of long and intensive study. The 

 effect of the various site factors on growth is complicated by 

 such conditions as permafrost in the Interior and deep acid 

 humus layers in Southeast Alaska. Along with studies of im- 

 mediate importance we must carry on this long range work in 

 silvics dealing with seed production, dissemination, germina- 

 tion, seedling survival and tree growth. Only a good basic 

 knowledge of silvics will insure proper forest management 

 practices. 



The small staff of the Alaska Forest Research Center has 

 plenty of problems but we can tackle only a few at a time. Per- 

 haps we will have a small but effective basis for expansion of 

 research when the time comes to broaden the scope of our 

 program. Wise use of Alaska's forest resource must depend on 

 research. 



REFERENCES 



1. Heintzleman, B. F. Pulptimber resources of Southeastern 



Alaska. May 1937. 



2. McLintock, T. F. Mapping vulnerability of spruce-fir stands 



in the Northeast to spruce budworm attack. Northeastern 

 Forest Expt. Station Paper No. 21. Jan. 1949. 



3. Sundborg, George. Opportunity in Alaska. New York. 1946. 



