Mortality of Aspen on the Gros Ventre Elk Winter Range
Mortality of Aspen on the Gros Ventre Elk Winter Range

Author: Richard G. Krebill

Publisher:

Published: 1972

Total Pages: 26

ISBN-13:

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Stands of aspen on the Gros Ventre elk winter range of northwestern Wyoming are suffering high mortality and are not regenerating satisfactorily. If the 1970 mortality rate (3.6 percent) continues, about a two-thirds reduction in the numbers of tree-sized aspen can be expected by year 2000. Collected evidence suggests that the mortality rate is unusually high because of a combination of pathogenic fungi, injurious insects, and physiological stress that follow bark wounding of tree trunks. Elk and possibly moose are suspected of causing most of these severe trunk injuries. Sooty bark canker, Cytospora canker, and stem-boring insects were the most common pests associated with tree mortality. The prospect for aspen on the elk winter range is especially critical because of the heavy impact of browsing and pests on aspen sprouts which prohibits natural replacement of the dying aspen overstory.

Mortality of Aspen on the Gros Ventre Elk Winter Range (Classic Reprint)
Mortality of Aspen on the Gros Ventre Elk Winter Range (Classic Reprint)

Author: Richard G Krebill

Publisher: Forgotten Books

Published: 2018-03-17

Total Pages: 28

ISBN-13: 9780364786451

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Excerpt from Mortality of Aspen on the Gros Ventre Elk Winter Range The study described herein was initiated to provide an up-to - date prediction of the future of aspen in the Gros Ventre area. Emphasis was placed on determining the rate of mortality of the aspen overstory, its causes, and the likelihood of overstory replacement by natural sprouting. Hopefully, these findings will inform resource managers about the severity of the aspen deterioration problem so that they might better determine whether modifications in current management might be necessary to maintain the pleasing diversity of forest types now present in the Gros Ventre. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

Aspen Age Structure and Stand Conditions on Elk Winter Range in the Northern Yellowstone Ecosystem
Aspen Age Structure and Stand Conditions on Elk Winter Range in the Northern Yellowstone Ecosystem

Author: Eric J. Larsen (Geographer)

Publisher:

Published: 2001

Total Pages: 202

ISBN-13:

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Aerial photographs and field sampling were used to compare aspen (Populus tremuloides) age structure and stand conditions on elk winter range in the northern Yellowstone ecosystem. The elk winter ranges studied were the northern range in Yellowstone National Park (YNP) and the Gallatin National Forest and the Sunlight/Crandall elk winter range in the Shoshone National Forest. I found significant differences when comparing aspen stands inside and outside of YNP borders. The aspen stands in the Gallatin and Sunlight/Crandall areas had a greater incidence of tall aspen suckers and stems in the 1-4, 5-9, and 10-19 cm DBH classes. Aspen stems within YNP had a significantly higher percentage of stems with high levels of bark damage (>66% of bark surface damaged on the lowest 3 m of stem) than aspen stems in stands in the Gallatin or Sunlight/Crandall. An aspen age structure was developed using 598 increment cores. The aspen age structure in YNP was significantly different than the age structures of the Gallatin and Sunlight/Crandall elk winter ranges. The Gallatin and Sunlight/Crandall areas did not have significant differences in their age structures. The greatest differences between YNP and the National Forest areas was in the younger age classes, measured as aspen stems originating between 1920-1989. Within YNP, I found that the aspen age structure, size class distribution, incidence of tall suckers, and the percentage of browsed suckers of the scree habitat type was significantly different than the xeric and mesic habitat types. Scree forms a "natural exclosure" where ungulate browsing is reduced. Aspen stands have successfully recruited new stems into their overstories in all habitat types from 1880-1989 on the Sunlight/Crandall elk winter range and the Gallatin's portion of the northern range. Within YNP, aspen stands successfully recruited new overstory stems between 1860-1929 in all habitat types. Since 1930, YNP aspen have successfully recruited overstory stems mostly in scree habitat type stands and other areas of reduced browsing pressure. I discussed several potential ecological factors impacting aspen overstory recruitment and conclude that changes in ungulate browsing patterns best explains the spatial and temporal pattern I observed.

Aspen Age Structure and Stand Conditions on Elk Winter Range in the Northern Yellowstone Ecosystem
Aspen Age Structure and Stand Conditions on Elk Winter Range in the Northern Yellowstone Ecosystem

Author: Eric J. Larsen

Publisher:

Published: 2001

Total Pages: 202

ISBN-13:

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Aerial photographs and field sampling were used to compare aspen (Populus tremuloides) age structure and stand conditions on elk winter range in the northern Yellowstone ecosystem. The elk winter ranges studied were the northern range in Yellowstone National Park (YNP) and the Gallatin National Forest and the Sunlight/Crandall elk winter range in the Shoshone National Forest. I found significant differences when comparing aspen stands inside and outside of YNP borders. The aspen stands in the Gallatin and Sunlight/Crandall areas had a greater incidence of tall aspen suckers and stems in the 1-4, 5-9, and 10-19 cm DBH classes. Aspen stems within YNP had a significantly higher percentage of stems with high levels of bark damage (>66% of bark surface damaged on the lowest 3 m of stem) than aspen stems in stands in the Gallatin or Sunlight/Crandall. An aspen age structure was developed using 598 increment cores. The aspen age structure in YNP was significantly different than the age structures of the Gallatin and Sunlight/Crandall elk winter ranges. The Gallatin and Sunlight/Crandall areas did not have significant differences in their age structures. The greatest differences between YNP and the National Forest areas was in the younger age classes, measured as aspen stems originating between 1920-1989. Within YNP, I found that the aspen age structure, size class distribution, incidence of tall suckers, and the percentage of browsed suckers of the scree habitat type was significantly different than the xeric and mesic habitat types. Scree forms a "natural exclosure" where ungulate browsing is reduced. Aspen stands have successfully recruited new stems into their overstories in all habitat types from 1880-1989 on the Sunlight/Crandall elk winter range and the Gallatin's portion of the northern range. Within YNP, aspen stands successfully recruited new overstory stems between 1860-1929 in all habitat types. Since 1930, YNP aspen have successfully recruited overstory stems mostly in scree habitat type stands and other areas of reduced browsing pressure. I discussed several potential ecological factors impacting aspen overstory recruitment and conclude that changes in ungulate browsing patterns best explains the spatial and temporal pattern I observed.