Whitebark Pine Restoration, Dunraven Pass (Monitoring Mycorrhizal Status of Seedlings)
Cripps CL, Trusty PE, Hektner M. 2007. Whitebark Pine Restoration, Dunraven Pass (Monitoring Mycorrhizal Status of Seedlings). Montana State University. Yellowstone National Park, WY
Pinus albicaulis (whitebark pine) is a species in decline from white pine blister rust, mountain pine beetles and fire suppression. The planting of nursery grown rust-resistant seedlings is fast becoming a widely implemented restoration strategy for this tree species. This study was generated by the need for more information on factors which affect the survival of planted whitebark pine seedlings. All pines require the appropriate mycorrhizal fungi on their roots to survive in nature; lack of appropriate fungi can adversely affect the restoration process. The removal of mature whitebark pines along Dunraven Pass for road construction in 2004 and subsequent planting of 4,000 of seedlings along the pass provided an opportunity to determine if appropriate mycorrhizal fungi for whitebark pine seedlings were present and if nursery seedlings were colonized in a timely fashion. Secondly, many of these seedlings were planted in “replaced soil” that included wood mulch; this replaced soil was assessed for the presence of appropriate mycorrhizal fungi in a greenhouse study. Third, a concern over the possibility of nursery seedlings harboring and bringing exotic nursery fungi into the Park was addressed.
- Type
- Unpublished Report
- Authors
- Cripps, Cathy; Trusty, Paul; Hektner, Mary
- Date of Issue
- 2007
- Publisher
- Montana State University
- Units
- YELL
- Keywords
- Fire Suppression, Mountain pine beetle, mycorrhizal fungi, Pinus albicaulis, White Pine Blister Rust