Dr. Behan has suggested that the minerals removed in timber harvest and otherwise lost might be replaced by direct fertilization which would also increase tree growth. There are some unanswered questions in this area that probably need clarification, It has been shown, for example, that the addition of nitrogen to a range ecosystem may create an immediate response, but in the process native legumes are placed at such a competitive disadvantage that continued fertilization becomes necessary. Could this situation occur in a forest community? Presuming that herbaceous legumes are not nearly as significant in forest situations as on the range, what might be the effect of fertilization on nitrogen fixing bacteria in the soil? Several investigators have reported an almost explosive development of soil microbial populations following fire-are these buildups simply a direct result of the change in pH and available nutrients, or a result of reductions in antagonistic fungi? Can we supply microbial and mycorrhizal populations in lieu of burning as we do minerals? Most basically, can an ecosystem be driven-rather than steered?