Aspen seedling establishment, survival, and growth following a high-severity wildfire

Kreider, Mark R.; Yocom, Larissa L.

doi:10.1016/j.foreco.2021.119248

Cited by 8 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…Reinforcing the findings of Kreider and Yocom (2021), we showed that suckers established more readily in arid locations compared to seedlings, which rely on moisture‐dependent seed germination and initially lack shared root reserves (McDonough 1979). Furthermore, our data also support findings that suckers compete with seedlings (Kreider and Yocom 2021); seedling occupancy rates were lower in areas with higher sucker densities. Because sucker‐origin aspen individuals tend to grow faster initially because of shared root resources, they may outcompete seedling‐origin aspen, at least in the first several years.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

“…Future studies that track seedlings through time across climatic gradients are needed to determine whether patterns of low establishment in drier areas are indicative of low survival. For example, Kreider and Yocom (2021) found that although aspen seedlings had increased establishment at upper elevations (with correspondingly higher precipitation), early survival was highest in low‐elevation (drier) sites.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Previous studies have shown microsite conditions to be important predictors of fine-scale seedling establishment patterns (e.g., higher establishment on disturbed soil, in concavities, and next to logs [Landhäusser et al 2010, Fairweather et al 2014, Kreider and Yocom 2021). In our sampling design, we opted to increase the number and extent of sampled plots at the expense of the number of fine-scale predictors.…”

Section: R Eportsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Low‐density aspen seedling establishment is widespread following recent wildfires in the western United States

Kreider

Yocom

2021

Ecology

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Sexual regeneration is increasingly recognized as an important regeneration pathway for aspen in the western U.S., a region previously thought to be too dry for seedling establishment except for during unusually wet periods. Due to this historical assumption, information on aspen seedling establishment and factors influencing its occurrence is limited and frequently anecdotal. We conducted a systematic field survey of 15 recent fire footprints which burned in 2018 in the western U.S. to quantify how common aspen seedling establishment is following fire and to identify factors associated with establishment. We found aspen seedling establishment in 12 of 15 (80%) of fire footprints surveyed, although densities were mostly low. Establishment probability was positively associated with mean annual precipitation and negatively associated with seed-source distance and the density of asexual aspen regeneration. Our results suggest that aspen seedling establishment may be a widespread, if often low-density, feature in post-disturbance areas. Even in low numbers, aspen seedlings may play a disproportionately large role in aspen regeneration ecology, providing adaptive capacity and facilitating local range expansion.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: R Eportsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Low‐density aspen seedling establishment is widespread following recent wildfires in the western United States

Kreider

Yocom

2021

Ecology

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“…Thus, a key element in resilience stewardship is to ensure postdisturbance juvenile suckers attain recruitment stature [9,20]. Conventional aspen management worldwide has focused on asexual stand replacement [1], though we now know regeneration from seed plays some undetermined ecological role, too [21,22]. Monitoring efforts commonly assess sucker regeneration (i.e., < 2 m ht.)…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pando’s Pulse: Vital Signs Signal Course Correction at World-Renowned Aspen Forest

Rogers

2022

Preprint

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Upland aspen (Populus spp.) forests contribute significantly to biodiversity in their circumboreal role as keystone species. As aspen ecosystems flourish or diminish, myriad dependent species follow suit. The 43-hectare Pando aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) clone in Utah, USA, is thought to be the largest living organism on earth, but is faltering due to chronic herbivory. Long-term resilience in aspen communities, including Pando, rests on successful recruitment of vegetative suckers that are nutritiously desirable to browsing ungulates. Here, I evaluate aspen reproduction alongside numerous vital indicators of Pando’s status in the first trend assessment of this embattled iconic forest. I measured 64 plots using 19 indicators to determine current conditions. Findings show that the genetically uniform Pando is “breaking up” because of herbivory and fencing. Initial successes within fenced zones are tempered by nearly half of Pando that remains unprotected from chronic wild and domestic herbivory. I propose a strategy of process-based stewardship informed by adaptive monitoring to restore this famed ‘one-tree forest.’ Lessons from Pando include linkages to struggling, often species rich, aspen systems facing similar challenges globally.

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“…Thus, a key element in resilience stewardship is to ensure post‐disturbance juvenile suckers attain recruitment stature (Kitchen et al, 2019; Shepperd et al, 2006). Conventional aspen management worldwide has focused on asexual stand replacement (Rogers et al, 2020), though we now know regeneration from seed plays some undetermined ecological role, too (Kreider & Yocom, 2021; Long & Mock, 2012). Monitoring efforts commonly assess sucker regeneration (i.e., < 2 m ht.)…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pando's pulse: Vital signs signal need for course correction at world‐renowned aspen forest

Rogers

2022

Conservat Sci and Prac

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Upland aspen (Populus spp.) forests contribute significantly to biodiversity in their circumboreal role as keystone species. As aspen ecosystems flourish or diminish, myriad dependent species follow suit. The 43-hectare Pando aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) clone in Utah, USA, is thought to be the largest living organism on earth, but is faltering due to chronic herbivory. Long-term resilience in aspen communities, including Pando, rests on successful recruitment of vegetative suckers that are nutritiously desirable to browsing ungulates. Here, I evaluate aspen reproduction alongside numerous vital indicators of Pando's status in the first trend assessment of this embattled iconic forest. I remeasured 64 plots from 2017 using 19 indicators to determine current conditions. Findings show that the genetically uniform Pando is "breaking up" because of herbivory and fencing. Initial successes within fenced zones are tempered by nearly half of Pando that remains unprotected from chronic wild and domestic herbivory. I propose a strategy of process-based stewardship informed by adaptive monitoring to restore this famed "one-tree forest." Lessons from Pando may be applied to struggling, often species rich, aspen systems facing similar challenges globally.

show abstract

Aspen seedling establishment, survival, and growth following a high-severity wildfire

Cited by 8 publications

References 32 publications

Low‐density aspen seedling establishment is widespread following recent wildfires in the western United States

Low‐density aspen seedling establishment is widespread following recent wildfires in the western United States

Pando’s Pulse: Vital Signs Signal Course Correction at World-Renowned Aspen Forest

Pando's pulse: Vital signs signal need for course correction at world‐renowned aspen forest

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