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The Boise Basin Experimental Forest (BBEF) near Idaho City, Idaho, was established in 1933 to study management of ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa). The forest is 8,740 acres, which is divided into three units. The largest unit is a research natural area that has never been logged.

Ecology

Ponderosa pine is the predominant forest cover type on the experimental forest. Currently, however, much of this type contains an undergrowth of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii). The presence and abundance of Douglas-fir reflects the lack of fire in the area over the last 100 years. Mountain shrub communities occur on shallow soil sites and on upper slopes and ridges.