Whitebark Pine Conservation for the Canadian Rocky Mountain National Parks

Wilson, Brendan; Stuart-Smith, G.

Whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis) is an essential part of subalpine ecosystems in the Canadian Mountain National Parks. This high elevation keystone species’ seeds provide an important food source for a number of animals including squirrels, bears, and in particular, the bird species Clark's nutcracker (Nucifraga columbiana). Whitebark pine is the only North American stone pine – a subsection of the pines whose cones remain closed at maturity and seeds are wingless. Clark’s nutcracker is thought to have co-evolved with the pine as its only effective seed disperser. Furthermore, whitebark pine plays an important role in watershed protection by aiding soil stability and facilitating a more rapid return to forested landscapes following disturbances on southern exposures where harsh conditions may otherwise limit seed germination. Whitebark pine is threatened by a number of anthropogenic factors. These include an introduced blister rust species (Cronartium ribicola), fire suppression and associated seral replacement by more shade tolerant tree species, and by rapid global climate change. However, the most serious of these problems is the threat of widespread mortality due to blister rust infection. This is more pronounced in the southern regions of the Canadian Rockies, but has serious ramifications for all of the Mountain National Parks. In 1998, the Lake Louise, Yoho and Kootenay National Parks Field Unit (LLYK) initiated a prescribed burn and monitoring program to aid in the restoration of whitebark ecosystems. In 1999, Waterton Lakes National Park joined in the developing program. This report introduces the background information on the conservation problem and outlines a number of options for developing a broader, more effective approach to the conservation of the ecosystem including: 1. Initiating a detailed inventory of the species throughout the federally administered land base 2. Continuing the prescribed burn restoration efforts 3. Seed collection 4. Studying the geographic distribution of adaptive traits 5. Forming partnerships with other interested agencies and organisations 6. Exploring existing data resources to generate hypotheses about relationships between the pine, its environment, and its stressors 7. Examining potential provincial and federal species at risk listing for whitebark pine Most importantly, however, is the need for a holistic approach that encompasses all of these aspects into an interagency strategy for the conservation of whitebark pine ecosystems.