Status of whitebark pine in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem: A step-trend analysis with comparisons from 2004 to 2015
Shanahan E, Legg K, Daley R. 2017. Status of whitebark pine in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem: A step-trend analysis with comparisons from 2004 to 2015. Natural Resource Report. NPS/GRYN/NRR—2017/1445. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado
Whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis) is a foundation and keystone species in upper subalpine environments of the northern Rocky Mountains that strongly influences the biodiversity and productivity of high-elevation ecosystems (Tomback et al. 2001). Throughout its historical range, white-bark pine has decreased significantly as a major component of high-elevation forests. As a result, it is critical to under-stand the challenges to whitebark pine—not only at the tree and at the stand level, but also as these factors influence the distribution of whitebark pine across the Greater Yellow-stone Ecosystem (GYE). In 2003, the National Park Service (NPS) Greater Yel-lowstone Inventory and Monitoring Network identified whitebark pine as one of twelve significant natural resource indicators or vital signs. This designation initiated a long-term, collaborative monitoring program of whitebark pine in the GYE. In this report we summarize the past 12 years (2004–2015) of whitebark pine status and trend monitoring in the GYE di-vided into three time-steps: Time-Step 1 (2004–2007; herein referred to as Time 1), Time-Step 2 (2008–2011; herein referred to as Time 2), and Time-Step 3 (2012–2015; herein referred to as Time 3).
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Shanahan, Erin; Legg, Kristin; Daley, Robert
- Date of Issue
- 2017-05
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- Units
- GRTE , GRYN , NRSS , YELL
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Infestations and Disease | Plant Diseases , Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Forest/Woodland Communities