Whitebark Pine Stand Conditions after Mountain Pine Beetle
Outbreaks in Idaho, Wyoming and Montana
Kendra
1University
1
Schotzko ,
1
Cook ,
2
Jørgensen ,
Stephen
Carl
Sandy
3
2
2
John Schwandt , Laura Lazarus , and Jim Hoffman
2Forest
of Idaho, Moscow, ID
Health Protection, Boise, ID
3Forest
Health Protection, Coeur d’Alene, ID
Whitebark pine has a large natural range but is in serious jeopardy
especially in the Intermountain West. Recent aerial detection surveys have
documented increasing whitebark pine mortality throughout central Idaho.
Whitebark pine is a keystone species of high elevation ecosystems
throughout western North America. It is crucial in watershed stabilization
and creating habitats that support a wide diversity of plants and animals.
The old gnarled relics in remote timberline areas provide important
aesthetic values. (Schwandt 2006, Tomback et al. 2001)
Whitebark pine is currently at risk in much of its natural range due to a
combination of white pine blister rust, forest succession, and recent
outbreaks of mountain pine beetle. (Gibson et al. 2008, Keane et al. 2002).
Objective
The primary goal is to obtain information that will be used to make
recommendations and set priorities regarding restoration of whitebark pine
in Central Idaho and adjacent areas in Wyoming and Montana.
v
Number of Trees with DBH > 5 Inches
Results
80
Conclusions
WBP-LIVE
LPP-LIVE
70
WBP-DEAD
LPP-DEAD
SAF-LIVE
OTHER-LIVE
SAF-DEAD
OTHER-DEAD
60
50
Our results (Figure 2) indicate substantial
mortality of mature whitebark pine in the
majority of sites measured, largely due to
mountain pine beetle.
40
30
20
Our results (Figure 2) also suggest a
widespread decrease in whitebark pine
regeneration relative to subalpine fir.
0
1400
1200
1000
Future Direction
800
Additional sites will be sampled in Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and Nevada.
A summary report for each site will describe current whitebark pine
condition following mountain pine beetle outbreaks as well as condition of
other species.
600
400
200
0
Idaho
Panhandle
NF
Helena
NF
Caribou-Targhee NF &
Jedediah Smith Wilderness
WBP-Rust
WBP-No Rust
SalmonChallis NF
SAF
Sawtooth NF & Sawtooth National
Recreation Area
LPP
OTHER
Figure 1. Relative abundance of mature tree species (top graph) and regenerative tree species (bottom
graph) at all 20 sites, grouped by geographic area. Species codes: WBP = whitebark pine, SAF = subalpine
fir, LPP = lodgepole pine, and Other = all other species.
Methods
Areas in Central Idaho and adjacent areas in Wyoming and Montana where
recent mountain pine beetle outbreaks have occurred were identified from
past ADS, local specialists, or other surveys.
These areas were sampled using modified FINDITS protocols that use
variable radius plots for mature trees and fixed area plots for regeneration.
Data collected included: tree species, diameter at breast height, condition.
During our first field season we visited 20 different sites (Figure 1) to assess
the abundance and condition of mature trees
in mountain pine beetle affected areas, in
addition to the abundance and condition
of regeneration in these areas.
10
Number of Trees with DBH < 5 Inches
Introduction
This poster focuses on three objectives key to this goal:
• Quantify dead and remaining
live mature whitebark pine
• Assess health of whitebark pine
regeneration in these stands
• Determine probable stand
trajectory by recording
abundance of other species
3
Kegley ,
A
B
C
Figure 2. Number of mature tree species (top row) and regenerative tree species
(bottom row) at three representative sites. Species codes as in Figure 1. The
numbers next to the regeneration species indicates the size class, where 1 = trees
less than 6 inches tall, 2 = trees between 6 inches and 4.5 feet tall, and 3 = trees
taller than 4.5 feet with DBH less than 5 inches.
Results will be used to make recommendations regarding restoration
activities and priorities for restoration. Data will also be used to develop
loss prediction models for whitebark pine.
Additionally, tests involving reproduction pests will be initiated under
laboratory conditions to examine the acceptability and suitability of
whitebark pine cones to reproduction pests.
WBP-LIVE
WBP-DEAD
SAF-LIVE
SAF-DEAD
LPP-LIVE
LPP-DEAD
OTHER-LIVE
OTHER-DEAD
Acknowledgements
WBP1-Rust
WBP2-Rust
WBP3-Rust
WBP1-No Rust
WBP2-No Rust
WBP3-No Rust
SAF1
SAF2
SAF3
LPP1
LPP2
LPP3
OTHER1
OTHER2
OTHER3
Deb Taylor, Jim Robertson, and the many others at the regional Forest Service offices in the
Idaho Panhandle National Forest, Helena National Forest, Salmon-Challis National
Forest, Sawtooth National Forest, Sawtooth National Recreation Area, and the CaribouTarghee National Forest.
This project was funded by the USDA-Forest Service, Evaluation Monitoring Program.
Chad Nelson (Forest Health Protection, Boise, ID), Phil Mocettini (Forest Health
Protection, Boise, ID), and Paul Zambino (Forest Health Protection, Coeur d’Alene, ID).
William Sweeney and Colleen Makar, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID
References
Gibson, K.; Skov, K; Kegley, S; Jorgensen, C; Smith, S; and Witcosky, W. 2008. Mountain pine beetle impacts in highelevation five-needle pines: current trends and challenges. USDA Forest Service, Forest Health Protection Report R108-020.
Keane, R.E., Ryan, K.C., Veblen, T.T., Allen, C.D., Logan, J.A., and Hawkes, B. 2002. Cascading effects of fire exclusion in
Rocky Mountain ecosystems. In: Baron, J.S. (Ed.), Rocky Mountain Futures: An Ecological Perspective. Island Press.
Schwandt, J.W. 2006. Whitebark Pine in Peril: A case for restoration. USDA Forest Service, Report R1-0628, Missoula, Montana.
Tomback, D.F., Arno, S.F., Keane, R.E. 2001. The compelling case for management intervention. In: Tomback, D.F.,
Arno, S.F., Keane, R.E. (Eds.), Whitebark Pine Communities: Ecology and Restoration. Island Press.