New Superior National Forest research area protects peatland, forest

DULUTH — The U.S. Forest Service announced a new research natural area in the Superior National Forest to help ecosystem diversity.

The Big Lake-Seven Beaver Research Natural Area now safeguards 5,518 acres. It contains part of the area’s largest peatland and most unfragmented mature upland forest in Minnesota outside of the Boundary Waters.

RNAs are permanently protected areas chosen for their natural state. Big Lake-Seven Beaver joins over 70 RNAs in the Forest Service’s Northern Research Station.

RNAs are ideal benchmarks for measuring long-term environmental and ecological changes compared to unprotected locations. In other words, an "invaluable treasure trove of scientific data," according to a news release from the Forest Service.

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Ethan Perry/MN DNR

"Accessing the Big Lake-Seven Beaver RNA is no easy feat," said Christel Kern, scientist and co-leader of the Nothern Research Station's RNA program, in the release.

"There are no roads or maintained trails leading to the area. This remoteness is actually a key favor in preserving this RNA's pristine condition

One of the unique features of the Big Lake-Seven Beaver RNA is it contains a continental divide, with some water flowing north to ultimately empty in the Arctic Ocean, while some flows south to the St. Louis River and then Lake Superior. This means it is a critical watershed for two very different regions.

"This new RNA is just one piece of a larger natural system," Kern said. "The site is part of the largest, most complex peatland on the Superior National Forest. This vast wetland ecosystem plays an important role in water filtration and carbon storage."

It also appears no invasive species have been observed in the new RNA.

"The absence of these ecological invaders underscores Big Lake-Seven Beaver's truly exceptional integrity," said Jack Greelee, plant ecologist on the Superior National Forest.