Download or read book The Regeneration Niche of Whitebark Pine written by Matthew Scott Gelderman and published by . This book was released on 2015 with total page 147 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Understanding the regeneration stage of any species is key to determining the processes that lead to population persistence and structure, community development, and succession. In the case of the endangered whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis), knowledge of regeneration processes will be important for developing approaches for recovery and restoration of the species. I investigated biophysical drivers of whitebark pine seedling presence, abundance, and growth in the northern Alberta Rocky Mountains where mortality from white pine blister rust (caused by the fungus Cronartium ribicola) and mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae) remains low and whitebark pine regeneration is poorly studied. Transects were established in different mesohabitats (community type and elevation) to determine how these factors influence whitebark pine regeneration. Mesohabitat-scale conditions and seedling density along each transect were measured and microsites with and without whitebark pine seedlings were characterized along each transect. The height, age and health of each whitebark pine seedling found in each microsite was recorded and a subset of seedlings was destructively sampled in order to analyze annual growth and release. In forest mesohabitats canopy gaps at microsite scales favored occurrence, growth rate and growth release. However, at the mesohabitat scale seedling abundance was positively related to canopy cover. Whitebark pine seedlings in open habitats below treeline were negatively associated with cover of rock, graminoids and seedlings of other tree species, grew fastest at intermediate values of temperature and dryness, and exhibited release in microsites with little other understory cover. These results suggest that at the northern portion of its range, whitebark pine grows best in conditions that limit competitors but still allow for sufficient growth. This contrasted with the situation in alpine and treeline mesohabitats, where increased growth rates, growth release and seedling presence were associated with warmer microsites that had higher vegetation cover. Seedling density in both open and treeline environments was highest along southwest facing slopes. That release and general success of seedlings was better in canopy gaps supports the use of restoration activities such as thinning overstory trees and planting in open mesohabitats or microsites. As the regeneration niche of whitebark pine differed among mesohabitats and biophysical drivers of success differed among presence, abundance and growth of whitebark pine, I suggest that it is critically important to consider the mesohabitat and all factors of regeneration success when restoring whitebark pine.

Download or read book Whitebark Pine Communities written by Diana F. Tomback and published by Island Press. This book was released on 2001 with total page 462 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Whitebark pine is a dominant feature of western high-mountain regions, offering an important source of food and high-quality habitat for species ranging from Clark's nutcracker to the grizzly bear. But in the northwestern United States and southwestern Canada, much of the whitebark pine is disappearing. Why is a high-mountain species found in places rarely disturbed by humans in trouble? And what can be done about it.Whitebark Pine Communities addresses those questions, explaining how a combination of altered fire regimes and fungal infestation is leading to a rapid decline of this once abundant -- and ecologically vital -- species. Leading experts in the field explain what is known about whitebark pine communities and their ecological value, examine its precarious situation, and present the state of knowledge concerning restoration alternatives. The book. presents an overview of the ecology and status of whitebark pine communities offers a basic understanding of whitebark pine taxonomy, distribution, and ecology, including environmental tolerances, community disturbance processes, regeneration processes, species interactions, and genetic population structure identifies the threats to whitebark pine communities explains the need for management intervention surveys the extent of impact and losses to dateMore importantly, the book clearly shows that the knowledge and management tools are available to restore whitebark pine communities both locally and on a significant scale regionally, and it provides specific information about what actions can and must be taken.Whitebark Pine Communities offers a detailed portrait of the ecology of whitebark pine communities and the current threats to them. It brings together leading experts to provide in-depth information on research needs, management approaches, and restoration activities, and will be essential reading for ecologists, land managers, and anyone concerned with the health of forest ecosystems in the western United States.

Download or read book A Review of the Literature on Seed Fate in Whitebark Pine and the Life History Traits of Clark s Nutcracker and Pine Squirrels written by Teresa J. Lorenz and published by . This book was released on 2008 with total page 68 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Whitebark pine is a critical component of subalpine ecosystems in western North America, where it contributes to biodiversity and ecosystem function and in some communities is considered a keystone species. Whitebark pine is undergoing rangewide population declines attributed to the combined effects of mountain pine beetle, white pine blister rust, and fire suppression. The restoration and maintenance of whitebark pine populations require an understanding of all aspects of seed fate. In this paper, we review the literature on seed dispersal in whitebark pine. Clark's nutcracker, pine squirrels, and scatter-hoarding rodents are all known to influence whitebark pine seed fate and ultimately affect the ability of whitebark pine populations to regenerate. We also provide a general overview of the natural histories of the most influential species involved with whitebark pine seed fate: Clark's nutcracker and the pine squirrel.

Download or read book The Effects of Seed Source Health on Whitebark Pine Pinus Albicaulis Regeneration Density After Wildfire written by Signe B. Leirfallom and published by . This book was released on 2015 with total page 10 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis Engelm.) populations are declining nearly rangewide from a combination of factors, including mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins, 1902) outbreaks, the exotic pathogen Cronartium ribicola J.C. Fisch. 1872, which causes the disease white pine blister rust, and successional replacement due to historical fire exclusion practices. With high mortality in cone-bearing whitebark pine, seed production may not be sufficient to support natural regeneration after disturbance such as wildfire. Our objective was to examine the relationship between whitebark pine seed source health and whitebark pine regeneration density in adjacent burns. We sampled regeneration and seed source health in 15 burns within six national forests and three Wilderness Areas in Montana, ranging from 5 to 23 years old. We found a significant, positive relationship between seed source health and seedling density in adjacent burns. Natural regeneration was sparse when the proportion of damaged or dead whitebark pine in the seed source exceeded 50%. Factors that influenced the presence of whitebark pine regeneration within a burn included both vegetation cover and potential solar radiation. Sites closer to seed sources had higher probabilities of seedling occurrence, but seedlings were present throughout most burns. Our results suggest that managers can prioritize restoration plantings of whitebark pine seedlings after wildfire based on the health status of the nearest seed sources.

Download or read book Management Guide to Ecosystem Restoration Treatments written by Robert E. Keane and published by CreateSpace. This book was released on 2013-01-21 with total page 142 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Whitebark pine is declining across much of its range in North America because of the combined effects of mountain pine beetle epidemics, fire exclusion policies, and widespread exotic blister rust infections. This management guide summarizes the extensive data collected at whitebark pine treatment sites for three periods: (1) pre-treatment, (2) 1 year post-treatment, and (3) 5 years post-treatment (one site has a 10 year post-treatment measurement). Study results are organized here so that managers can identify possible effects of a treatment at their own site by matching it to the most similar treatment unit in this study, based on vegetation conditions, fire regime, and geographical area. This guide is based on the Restoring Whitebark Pine Ecosystems study, which was initiated in 1993 to investigate the effects of various restoration treatments on tree mortality, regeneration, and vascular plant response on five sites in the northern Rocky Mountains. The objective was to enhance whitebark pine regeneration and cone production using treatments that emulate the native fire regime. Since data summaries are for individual treatment units, there are no analyses of differences across treatment units or across sites.

Download or read book Post fire Regeneration Dynamics in Whitebark Pine Pinus Albicaulis Forests in Wind River and Absaroka Mountains Wyoming USA written by Jennifer G. Klutsch and published by . This book was released on 2015 with total page 15 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis) populations are in decline across the species? range due to historic wildfire exclusion, mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae, MPB) outbreaks, and an invasive fungal pathogen causing the disease white pine blister rust (Cronartium ribicola, WPBR). Despite reliance on stand-replacing fires, information on whitebark pine regeneration occurrence is limited and the trajectory of future forests is largely unknown in some areas of the range. Regeneration densities were assessed in burned and adjacent non-burned areas at six high elevation locations in northwest Wyoming where stand-replacing fires occurred 8?32 years before the surveys. In these locations at the eastern extent of the species range, we assessed what site factors were associated with regeneration success. Whitebark pine regeneration density was greater and seedlings were older in non-burned compared to burned areas. Within burns, north aspects had more regeneration than south aspects. Potential seed source densities and other species? regeneration were positively related to whitebark pine regeneration densities in burned areas. South facing slopes or grass covered areas may have either delayed or no regeneration of whitebark pine without the help of artificial planting.

Download or read book Post fire Regeneration of Whitebark Pine written by Diana F. Tomback and published by . This book was released on 1989 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book A Range Wide Restoration Strategy for Whitebark Pine Pinus Albicaulis written by U.s. Department of Agriculture and published by Createspace Independent Pub. This book was released on 2012-10-19 with total page 118 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis) forests are declining across most of their range in North America because of the combined effects of mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae) outbreaks, fire exclusion policies, and the exotic pathogen Cronartium ribicola, which infects five-needle white pines and causes the disease white pine blister rust. The loss of this high-elevation tree species poses serious consequences for upper subalpine ecosystems, both in terms of impacts on biodiversity and losses in ecosystem processes; whitebark pine is now a candidate species for listing under the Endangered Species Act. Large, nutritious seeds produced by whitebark pine are an important food for many bird and small mammal species, as well as grizzly (Ursus arctos horribilis) and black bears (Ursus americanus), and whitebark pine communities provide habitat for many additional wildlife species. Whitebark pine seed dispersal by Clark's nutcrackers (Nucifraga columbiana) combined with hardy seedlings results in early whitebark pine community development after fire and other disturbances; whitebark pine seedlings survive on harsh, arid sites and may act as nurse trees to less hardy conifers and vegetation. Whitebark pine at higher elevations, where it is common in many regions, helps regulate snow melt and reduce soil erosion. For these collective functions, whitebark pine is considered both a keystone species for promoting community diversity and a foundation species for promoting community stability. Since more than 90 percent of whitebark pine forests exist on public land in the United States and Canada, it is important that government natural resource management agencies play an important role in ensuring future presence of this tree species by initiating concerted, coordinated, and comprehensive restoration efforts. This is best accomplished through a coordinated, trans-boundary restoration strategy that includes shared infrastructure and expertise for conserving seeds, growing blister rust-resistant seedlings, protecting trees, restoring ecosystem processes, and promoting natural regeneration. We detail a multi-scale strategy for restoring whitebark pine across its range in the western United States and Canada. The strategy was compiled by researchers, land managers, and resource specialists for use as a reference for prioritizing, designing, and implementing successful whitebark pine restoration activities across many scales from stands to landscapes to its entire range. The whitebark pine restoration strategy consists of the following principles: (1) promote rust resistance, (2) conserve genetic diversity, (3) save seed sources, and (4) employ restoration treatments. These guiding principles are then used to implement the whitebark pine restoration strategy using a set of possible actions: 1. assess condition, 2. plan activities, 3. reduce pest impacts, 4. gather seed, 5. grow seedlings, 6. protect seed sources, 7. implement restoration treatments, 8. plant burned areas, 9. support research, and 10. monitor activities. The strategy is also organized by six spatial scales of analysis and organization: 1. range-wide, 2. region (National Forest Region or Provincial Regions), 3. forest (National Forest, National Park, and Canadian Forest District), 4. landscape (watershed or landform), 5. stand, and 6. tree. At each scale, we present four important factors in the restoration strategy: (1) assessment, (2) restoration actions, (3) management concerns, and (4) an example. Strategic restoration plans are presented for the coarse-scale strategies, while illustrated examples are presented for the finer scales (tree, stand, and landscape).

Download or read book Proceedings Symposium on Whitebark Pine Ecosystems written by and published by . This book was released on 1990 with total page 396 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Delayed Seed Germination in Whitebark Pine and Regeneration Patterns Following the Yellowstone Fires written by Diana F. Tomback and published by . This book was released on 2001 with total page 14 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis) seeds are dispersed by Clark's Nutcracker (Nucifraga columbiana), a bird that makes caches under 2-3 cm of soil. Cached seeds may delay germination for one or more years in part because of underdeveloped embryos at the time of seed dispersal. Consequently, whitebark pine may show a soil seed bank strategy that is unique among pines (Pinaceae, Pinus). From 1990 to 1995 we studied natural whitebark pine regeneration following the 1988 Yellowstone fires to determine: (1) whether whitebark pine typically exhibits delayed seed germination and, if so, (2) how this affects patterns of regeneration over time, and (3) whether germination is the result of seed maturation or is stimulated by high levels of moisture availability. We established 275 permanent plots, each 20 m2 in area, divided between Henderson Mountain, Gallatin National Forest, Montana, and Mt. Washburn, Yellowstone National Park. In the Henderson Mountain study area, the ecological conditions or "treatments'' included: dry, burned; moist, burned; dry, unburned; and moist, unburned. In the Mt. Washburn study area, the ecological treatments were dry, burned; moist, burned; and moist, moderately burned. Synchronous delayed seed germination occurred throughout both study areas. The greatest densities of new seedlings appeared in the summers of 1991 and 1993, but the greatest cone crops were produced in 1989 and 1991. Most germination followed two winters of seed dormancy. Regeneration densities were consistently highest on the Mt. Washburn moist treatments. High correlation between weighted means for new regeneration and March-plus-April precipitation, as well as the results of residual and multiple regression analyses, suggests that cone production two years prior and March-plus-April precipitation together account for the regeneration patterns in the Mt. Washburn study area. The role of precipitation requires a further study.

Download or read book Whitebark Pine at the Northern Edge written by Alana Clason and published by . This book was released on 2017 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Understanding the role of climate in shaping species ranges will be critical in forecasting range shifts with changing climate. The factors influencing the niche and distribution of species include climate at a broad scale; topography, land-use, dispersal and many other biotic and abiotic interactions will further constrain species distributions within a spatially-hierarchical ecological system. Whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis) is an endangered high elevation tree species of western North America. Anticipated climate change effects predict the migration of whitebark pine to suitable habitat north of its current range limits. However, the cause of the current northern range limit in north-central British Columbia is previously unresolved, so it is unclear whether there will be northward migration with changing climate. I used a hierarchically-structured statistical model across regional (climate) and local (climate and topography) scales and found that occurrence and abundance of whitebark pine is best predicted by cold temperatures and associated low growing degree-days. This analysis also indicates ample suitable climatic habitat north of the current distributional limit of whitebark pine. By including seed dispersal via Clark's nutcracker (Nucifraga columbiana), I showed that the northern range is likely directly limited by low seed dispersal and by an indirect interaction with Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), the dominant alternative food source for Clark's nutcracker. I applied future potential scenarios of climate change, mortality and active restoration to evaluate the consequences on whitebark pine species distribution, and my results indicate that a range contraction to core habitat areas further south appears to be a potential outcome of climate change and ongoing mortality. The northern-most populations were the most vulnerable, but most responsive to restoration (seedling planting) and Douglas-fir management scenarios. Overall, my research provides a better understanding of how abiotic and biotic processes interact to shape species distributions across scales. Ultimately, these findings can inform conservation planning for whitebark pine, a highly endangered and ecologically valuable tree species.

Download or read book Post fire Regeneration of Whitebark Pine written by Diana F. Tomback and published by . This book was released on 1990 with total page 15 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Whitebark Pine Regeneration After Fire written by Diana F. Tomback and published by . This book was released on 2004 with total page 25 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Transplanted Whitebark Pine Regeneration written by Janet Howard and published by . This book was released on 1999 with total page 76 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Effective Methods of Regenerating Whitebark Pine Pinus Albicaulis Through Direct Seeding written by Clay Robert DeMastus and published by . This book was released on 2013 with total page 228 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Rapidly diminishing populations of whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis) have sparked efforts to restore this ecologically important species and the communities they support. Current restoration efforts have proven to be costly, time consuming, and labor intensive. Implementation of direct seeding as a restoration method, if found effective, would likely decrease the amount of time, money, and labor expended on these efforts. This study looks at the effectiveness of direct seeding through a series of tests performed at six sites throughout the northern Rocky Mountains. The tests consist of a complete randomized block design with five blocks of eight treatments at each site. Treatments include seed treatments of warm stratification, scarification, and both warm stratification and scarification combined. Caging treatments are also implemented into each block. Testing the effectiveness of seed caching and long term survival rates of outplanted nursery grown seedling versus directly sown seeds was also carried out by planting caches next to nursery seedlings throughout each site. A logistic regression analysis consistently estimated seeds undergoing the warm stratification treatment to have the highest combined germination and survivalrates. Caging was found to be effective at increasing germination under certain circumstances as well as increasing survival possibly due to the shading properties the cages provided. Seed caching did not appear to have an effect on survival of directly sown seeds. Caching also did not appear to have an effect on germination with the exception of one site. Initial results of long term survival rates of outplanted nursery grown seedlings compared to germination and survival rates of directly sown seeds showed higher rates for the nursery grown seedlings. Additional monitoring will be needed to determine long-term survival differences. From the results of this study, it is felt that the implementation of direct seeding of warm stratified seed as a restoration method will be successful and cost effective. Caging, although found effective in this study, is felt to posses more disadvantages than advantages. Its advantages in the aspect of survival could be replaced with other microsite planting techniques. Seed caching, at this time, is not recommended as more research is needed.

Download or read book Clark s Nutcrackers and Whitebark Pine written by Taza D. Schaming and published by . This book was released on 2016 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In the face of widespread environmental change, understanding and promoting resilience and stability of plant-animal seed disperser mutualisms is key to effective conservation strategies. My two primary objectives were to (1) investigate the response of the keystone mutualism between whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis) and Clark's nutcrackers (Nucifraga columbiana) to declining habitat in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, and (2) suggest management strategies to help ensure persistence of Clark?s nutcrackers, and their important seed dispersal function. Between 2009 and 2016, I studied Clark?s nutcracker demography and behavioral plasticity by evaluating breeding ecology, space use, seasonal habitat selection and use, foraging ecology, and emigration, as a function of habitat quality and abundance. I carried out occupancy surveys, tracked individuals via radio and satellite, conducted behavioral observations, and monitored nests. Clark?s nutcracker demography and behavior was intimately associated with whitebark pine habitat. Population-wide failure to breed followed low whitebark pine cone crops, and in breeding years, fledging success increased with whitebark pine abundance, but decreased in higher mortality stands. Clark?s nutcracker occurrence was associated with both presence of cone-bearing whitebark pines, and landscape-scale abundance of the pines, suggesting conservation strategies should focus efforts at the landscape scale. The birds selected disproportionately high amounts of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) habitat for their home range, and foraged heavily on Douglas-fir cones, suggesting that whitebark pine should be managed within a habitat mosaic with Douglas-fir. The Clark?s nutcracker-whitebark pine mutualism appears functional in the region because birds were available to disperse seeds. However, it is unclear whether the mutualism is stable. Clark?s nutcrackers are highly mobile facultative migrants, and the majority of radio- and satellite-tagged birds disappeared during both the 2012 high and 2015 moderate whitebark pine cone crops. Managing Clark?s nutcrackers presents a complex conservation challenge, but I suggest promoting stability of Clark?s nutcracker populations, and focusing on the metapopulation in particular, is necessary for effective whitebark pine conservation. In this dissertation, I conclude by outlining recommended management strategies and key research questions that still need to be answered, finishing with important considerations that should be taken into account when designing a conservation plan for plant-animal seed disperser mutualisms.

Download or read book Fire Ecology of the Forest Habitat Types of Northern Idaho written by Jane Kapler Smith and published by . This book was released on 1997 with total page 148 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Provides information on fire ecology in forest habitat and community types occurring in northern Idaho. Identifies fire groups based on presettlement fire regimes and patterns of succession and stand development after fire. Describes forest fuels and suggests considerations for fire management.