Sierra Nevada Network white pine monitoring: 2016 annual report

Nesmith, Jonathan

Five-needle white pines (Family Pinaceae, Genus Pinus, Subgenus Strobus), and in particular whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis), limber pine (P. flexilis), and foxtail pine (P. balfouriana) are foundational species in upper subalpine and treeline forests of several National Park Service Pacific West Region parks, including Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks (SEKI) and Yosemite National Park (YOSE). The Sierra Nevada Network Inventory & Monitoring Program, in collaboration with the Klamath Network and the Upper Columbia Basin Network have implemented a joint long-term monitoring protocol to assess the current status and future trends in high elevation white pine communities. Key demographic parameters within white pine forest communities will be estimated by monitoring individual trees within permanent plots through time. This report documents the results of the 2016 field season, which is the fifth year of monitoring in SEKI and YOSE. The 2016 goal was to complete installation of the second of three rotating panels (Panel 2) and perform the first re-read of previously installed plots in this panel for each park-species population: YOSE-whitebark pine, SEKI-whitebark pine, and SEKI-foxtail pine. Each panel consists of 12 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 36 whitebark pine plots in YOSE, 36 whitebark pine plots in SEKI, and 36 foxtail pine plots in SEKI. Data from plot surveys will be used to characterize white pine forest community dynamics in SEKI and YOSE, including changes in tree species composition, forest structure, forest health, and demographics. This is the second year where previously installed plots have been re-measured to track changes in white pine populations through time. Parameters estimating rates of change are not reported in this report, however, as currently only a small subset of Panel 2 plots have been visited twice. In addition, 2016 was the second year of data collection for a separate but related project to examine changes in white pine blister rust (WPBR) severity and distribution within SEKI. SIEN employed two separate forest crews and collaborated with another USGS field crew to collect data on both projects. The results of that project are not included in this report. In total, the crews visited 53 sites during the 2016 field season and completed installation or re-reads of 34 of 36 Panel 2 plots. Within these plots, they measured 5,843 trees. Species composition, forest structure, and factors affecting tree health and reproduction including incidence and severity of WPBR caused by Cronartium ribicola, mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae) infestation, dwarf mistletoe (Arceuthobium spp.) infection, canopy kill, and female cone production were recorded. In YOSE, 11 whitebark pine plots were re-measured and one plot was installed to complete work in Panel 2. In these 12 plots, 1,037 live whitebark pine trees and 1,815 other conifers were sampled. Signs of WPBR or dwarf mistletoe were not found, but there was one live whitebark pine and one live lodgepole pine that showed symptoms of mountain pine beetle activity. The average number of live whitebark pine trees per plot was 86 (SD = 112). Fifteen percent of live whitebark pine trees produced female cones. No cones were recorded in three of the twelve plots. Whitebark pine seedling

Sierra Nevada Network white pine monitoring: 2016 annual report

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