To facilitate its research on dynamic processes in forested environments,
the White Mountain National Forest is working to identify ecologically-diverse
areas in the forest that are minimally affected by human activities. As part
of this effort, the WMNF has identified management areas (categories 5.1, 6.1,
6.2, 6.3, 8.1, 9.1, and 9.3) that may serve as potential locations for the
establishment of study sites called research natural areas (RNAs). Because
little or no active silvicultural management occurs in these areas, the effects
of human disturbance on ecological processes are expected to be minimal. However,
a second preliminary step in the establishment of RNAs is the identification of
areas within the selected management areas that have low trail density and a
large number of different ecological land types (ELTs). Theoretically, such
areas will provide the desired combination of minimal human influence and high
ecological diversity
The following map provides a combined index of trail density and ELT richness: