SOLE SOURCE:

Project

Charcoal analysis for Monongahela National Forest Seed Bank and Soils Project University of Wisconsin

1.0 Scope of Work

Our general goal is to determine the amount of charcoal in soil from fire-prone sites in the Monongahela National Forest.

Our objectives include:

1. Compare charcoal amounts between shale barrens and sites dominated by mixed oaks on Weikert-Channery soils.

2. Compare tree species identified from the charcoal and charcoal age between shale barrens and sites dominated by mixed oaks on Weikert-Channery soils.

2.0 Background

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville has done charcoal analyses previously for the Northern Research Station and specializes in identifying charcoal to tree species. This work resulted in a publication that led to additional funding to do this work.

Contractor Requirements

3.0 Technical Requirements / Tasks

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville requires no direct government supervision. Job requires travel to the sites in WV, and specialized tools (e.g., tubiform root auger) to extract soil at 10 cm intervals down to parent material rock or 1 m deep. Ten cores will be collected at each site and transported back to the University of Wisconsin. Samples will be evaluated for macroscopic charcoal (weight and species identification) in the laboratory at the University of Wisconsin by staff who have developed this skill. At least 20 random charcoal fragments will then be randomly selected from each site for radiocarbon dating. Species identification requires cutting the charcoal fragments transversely to analyze wood morphology. Radiocarbon dating requires pretreatment with an acid- alkali-acid protocol to remove allochthonous sources of carbon, all skills this contractor can provide. Our NRS staff and laboratories do not have the equipment or expertise to conduct this work.

4.0 Government Furnished

We will provide the site location information and may assist with some sampling. The University of Wisconsin-Platteville will provide all the necessary equipment and staff to do the requested work and will not require access to government facilities.

5.0 Deliverables / Schedule

The University of Wisconsin-Plattevile will analyze approximately 60 cores from 6 sites approximately 0.5 acres in size (10 cores per site). New supplies (collection bags, paper towels to clean auger between samples) will be purchased by the University of Wisconsin Progress reports will be provided quarterly once samples are collected. Soil collection is anticipated to take place between May and September 2024 or could be extended over three years; charcoal analyses will take longer, possibly as long as a year or longer after collections are made, thus necessitating this contract to last through 2029. The cost of supplies and radiocarbon dating will be factored into the total cost per sample.