Whitebark pine in Crater Lake and Lassen Volcanic National Parks: Initial assessment of stand structure and condition
Jules ES, Jackson JI, Smith SB, Nesmith JC, Starcevich LA, Sarr DA. 2017. Whitebark pine in Crater Lake and Lassen Volcanic National Parks: Initial assessment of stand structure and condition. Natural Resource Report. NPS/KLMN/NRR—2017/1459. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado
Whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis) is vulnerable to a number of threats including an introduced pathogen (Cronartium ribicola), epidemic levels of native mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae), fire suppression, and climate change. To describe the structure of whitebark pine populations in two parks in the southern Cascades (Crater Lake [CRLA] and Lassen [LAVO] National Parks), we surveyed trees in 30 50×50 m plots in both parks. We used these plots to describe the extent of white pine blister rust (the disease caused by Cronartium ribicola), mountain pine beetle occurrence, and mistletoe infestation, and to elucidate factors influencing the presence of pests and pathogens, cone production, and canopy kill. In each plot, we recorded both tree-level and stand-level data related to tree health, including symptoms of blister rust and mountain pine beetle, and reproductive vigor (cone production). In both parks, encroachment from other species, particularly mountain hemlock (Tsuga mertensiana), was negatively associated with cone production. In CRLA, water stress was a good predictor of blister rust infection and cone production. The presence of mountain pine beetle and blister rust was associated with higher canopy kill for whitebark pine in both parks. Lastly, we found evidence for a pest-pathogen interaction; mountain pine beetle attack was greater for trees that showed symptoms of blister rust infection in CRLA. Our results indicate that whitebark pine populations in the southern Cascade range are experiencing moderate levels of blister rust infection compared with other sites across the species range, and that competition from shade-tolerant species may be presenting an additional threat in both parks.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Jules, Erik; Jackson, Jenell; Smith, Sean; Nesmith, Jonathan; Starcevich, Leigh; Sarr, Daniel
- Date of Issue
- 2017-06
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- Units
- CRLA , KLMN , LAVO , NRSS
- Keywords
- Crater Lake National Park, Klamath Network (NW), Lassen Volcanic National Park, Monitoring Pilot Study, Whitebark Pine, Whitebark Pine Monitoring
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Infestations and Disease | Plant Diseases , Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Forest/Woodland Communities