[7] During their formative years, major areas of research in these two experiment stations included:[8] Initiated in 1921, the SFES was responsible for research in southern pine types within the states of South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, East Texas and southern Arkansas.

[9] The SEFES began as the Appalachian Station in 1921,[4] with its research scope being generally limited to mountain hardwood types.

[7] Research was expanded into new fields to address "...how climate change, human population growth, invasive plants, pathogens, and fire affect the provision of timber, wildlife, clean air and water, and recreation, as well as other ecosystem services.

[14] These experimental forests and rangelands provide a network for conducting long-term research studies and are a treasure trove of accumulated historical sampling data that span a time period of up to 100 years.

[15] In 2022, there were 33 established Research Natural Areas (RNA) located within 12 southeastern US states, excluding Tennessee.