Dukes Research Natural Area facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dukes Research Natural Area |
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 Dukes Research Natural Area
Location in Michigan
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| Location | Marquette County, Michigan |
| Nearest city | Chatham |
| Area | 233 acres (0.94 km2) |
| Designated: | 1974 |
The Dukes Research Natural Area is a special forest area in Michigan. It covers about 233 acres (0.94 km²), which is like 176 football fields! This area is part of a bigger forest called the Upper Peninsula Experimental Forest. Both are located in the Upper Peninsula of the United States.
In 1974, the Dukes Research Natural Area was named a National Natural Landmark. This means it's a really important natural place in the country. It's protected because it shows what a northern hardwood forest looks like when it hasn't been disturbed by people for a long time.
What Makes This Forest Special?
The Upper Peninsula Experimental Forest is known for its "undisturbed" areas. This means parts of it have not been changed by humans. It has many white cedar trees and other mixed evergreen trees. There are also very old hardwood trees growing in swampy areas.
The Dukes Research Natural Area has several groups of hardwood trees. These trees grow on higher, drier spots within the swampy forest. The U.S. Forest Service says this area is a great example of "mature northern hardwood forests." These forests have been left alone for over 90 years. Before 1920, much of the Upper Peninsula's forests were changed by logging, which is when trees are cut down for wood.
Trees You Can Find Here
In this special natural area, you can find many types of trees. Some of them are:
These trees are important because some of them, like black ash, American elm, and eastern hemlock, are facing problems in other places. They are being harmed by tiny invasive species (plants or animals that don't belong there and cause harm). Because the Dukes Research Natural Area has these trees growing well, it helps scientists study them.
Where Is Dukes Research Natural Area Today?
The Upper Peninsula Experimental Forest and the Dukes Research Natural Area are located near M-94. This is a highway close to the eastern edge of Marquette County. They are about 10 miles (16 km) west of a town called Chatham.
The 233-acre Dukes Research Natural Area is used as a "control plot" for the experimental forest. This means it's a place that scientists keep natural and untouched. They compare it to other parts of the forest where logging or other experiments are happening. This helps them learn how forests grow and change over time. Logging still happens in other parts of the experimental forest, but not in the Dukes Research Natural Area.
