Natural Resources
Conservation Service
High Elevation Volcanic Mountain Slopes
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
Select a state
Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
- Transition T1a More details
- Restoration pathway R2a More details
- Transition T2a More details
- Restoration pathway R3a More details
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No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
Select a state
Description
This state represents the reference conditions for this ecological site. This state occurs in stands of whitebark pine where WPBR is not evident, but it is limited in extent, and most of this ecological site presently exists in the WPBR altered State 2.
Submodel
State 2
Altered State, White Pine Blister Rust
Altered State, White Pine Blister Rust
Description
This state has developed with the introduction of the non-native white pine blister rust. The majority of this ecological site has high incidence and infection rates of WPBR, and exists in this altered state.
Submodel
Description
This state occurs, when there is insufficient regeneration of whitebark pine due to WPBR infection to maintain the stand viability. One whitebark pine stand surveyed on Rifle Peak was below the threshold cone production (Maloney et al. 2012). Cone production varies, but this area may be transitioning into State 3.
Submodel
Mechanism
This transition is triggered by infection of whitebark pine by Cronartium ribicola, cause of white pine blister rust (WPBR), within this ecological site. WPBR affects the crown and cone producing limbs of mature trees, reducing cone production, and can kill younger trees within a year. The decrease in cone production and high mortality of young trees threatens the regenerative success of this species (Maloney et al. 2012). Repeat waves of infection by WPBR under favorable climatic conditions can worsen the situation. Reduced seed production affects the presence and abundance of Clark’s nutcracker, and thus the number and distribution of seed caches (Tomback and Resler 2007, Keane et al. 2012). This can lead to recruitment below the threshold required to sustain populations (McKinney et al. 2009).
Mechanism
Restoration practices that have been experimented with include spraying pesticides for mountain pine beetle, and planting of hopeful, disease resistant whitebark pine.
Mechanism
This transition occurs when WPBR infestation reduces cone production to less than 1000 cones/ Ha and basal area is < .5 m2/ acre. Below this threshold there may be insufficient seeds for dispersal by Clark’s nutcracker (McKinney et al. 2009).
Model keys
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Ecological sites
Major Land Resource Areas
The Ecosystem Dynamics Interpretive Tool is an information system framework developed by the USDA-ARS Jornada Experimental Range, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and New Mexico State University.
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