Sierra Nevada Network white pine community dynamics 2011 annual monitoring report: Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks (SEKI) and Yosemite National Park (YOSE)

Stucki, Devin; McKinney, Shawn; Nesmith, Jonathan

This is the annual report from the first year of implementation of the Pacific West Region white pine monitoring protocol in Sequoia and Kings Canyon and Yosemite national parks. This report documents the results of the first year of implementation for the National park Service Pacific West Region white pine monitoring protocol in SEKI and YOSE in 2011. Our goal was to establish the first of three rotating panels (panel 1) for each species-park population: YOSE-whitebark pine, SEKI-whitebark pine, and SEKI-foxtail pine. Each panel consists of 16 permanent 50 x 50 m (2,500 m2) plots that were randomly selected for each of the three populations. Thus, there will be a total of 48 whitebark pine plots in YOSE, 48 whitebark pine plots in SEKI, and 48 foxtail pine plots in SEKI. Data from plot surveys will be used to determine white pine forest community dynamics in SEKI and YOSE, including changes in tree species composition, forest structure, rates of birth, death and growth. Factors affecting tree health and reproduction including incidence and severity of white pine blister rust (Cronartium ribicola) infection, mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae) infestation, dwarf mistletoe (Arceuthobium spp.) infection, canopy kill, and female cone production are also recorded. From late July to late August 2011, we established 11 whitebark pine plots in YOSE, and from late August to early September, we established 7 foxtail pine plots in SEKI. We did not establish any whitebark pine plots in SEKI due to a crew-related accident which occurred on September 8th and resulted in the suspension of field work for the remainder of the season. In the 11 YOSE whitebark pine plots, 1,039 whitebark pines trees and 706 other conifers were sampled. An additional 20 dead trees of unidentified species were also sampled. Indications of white pine blister rust or dwarf mistletoe were not found, but there was one live whitebark pine tree that showed signs of mountain pine beetle infestation. The average number of live whitebark pine trees per plot was 94 (±106 [SD]), with a maximum of 299 trees in a single densely populated krummholz stand. Approximately 18% of live whitebark pine trees produced female cones. In the SEKI foxtail pine plots, 225 live foxtail pine trees and 86 whitebark pine trees were measured and tagged. Thirty-one dead trees unassigned to species were also recorded. No signs of blister rust infection or mountain pine beetle infestation were found. The average number of foxtail pine trees per plot was 32 (±19 [SD]), with a maximum of 62 trees counted in one plot. No foxtail seedlings and saplings were recorded within the regeneration plots. Two whitebark pine seedlings and one whitebark pine sapling were recorded in the single plot containing both species. Sixty percent of the foxtail pine trees produced female cones in 2011. Based on this first season of implementation, we made minor adjustments to the monitoring protocol, which has recently been approved through a peer-review process and published (McKinney et al. 2012a and 2012b). The changes primarily pertained to plot orientation and subplot sampling order. Panel 1 plots not established in 2011 will be established during the first revisit cycle, which is projected to be 2015. As a result of the field crew’s serious accident, the Sierra Nevada Network I&M Program has reviewed and improved its safety program, included more safety-related guidance and tools in seasonal training sessions, and refined our field communication procedures.

Sierra Nevada Network white pine community dynamics 2011 annual monitoring report: Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks (SEKI) and Yosemite National Park (YOSE)

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