Keyword: ecosystem research

Sustaining aspen in western landscapes: Symposium proceedings; 13-15 June 2000; Grand Junction, CO

The current status and trend of aspen is a topic of debate; some studies have claimed dramatic reductions in aspen stands while others have found no major changes. The actual picture of aspen forests across the West is variable, and the presence of conifers and ungulates in aspen may or may not indicate a progressive loss of aspen.

Toward integrated research, land management, and ecosystem protection in the Malpai Borderlands: Conference summary; 6-8 January 1999; Douglas, AZ

Land management based on sound science is key to increased productivity and biological diversity along the U.S./Mexico border in southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico. The USDA Forest Service's Rocky Mountain Research Station and the non-government Malpai Borderlands Group have sponsored studies and resource inventories in the region.

Summary: Aspen decline in the West?

No other tree in the Rocky Mountain region is more highly valued for its amenities than aspen (Populus tremuloides). In Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and southern Utah, aspen covers entire mountain slopes and plateaus, sometimes forming the landscape matrix in which other cover types occur as patches.

The effect of aspen wood characteristics and properties on utilization

This paper reviews characteristics and properties of aspen wood, including anatomical structure and characteristics, moisture and shrinkage properties, weight and specific gravity, mechanical properties, and processing characteristics. Uses of aspen are evaluated: sawn and veneer products, composite panels, pulp, excelsior, post and poles, animal bedding, animal food supplements, fuel applications, and novelties.

Nitrogen mineralization in aspen/conifer soils after a natural fire

We measured the effects of the 1996 Pole Creek fire, Fishlake National Forest, Utah, on available soil N and net N mineralization for three summers after the fire using an ion exchange membrane (IEM) soil core incubation method. Fire in mixed aspen/conifer increased the amount of available NH4, and a subsequent net increase in soil nitrification was observed.

Multiple factors affect aspen regeneration on the Uncompahgre Plateau, west-central Colorado

In 1996, I inventoried over 90 aspen stands in 12 timber sales that had been clearcut >3 years previously. Units that regenerated adequately were larger, had higher slope angles, and had soils with a thick Mollic surface layer. Units that regenerated inadequately often had plant species that indicated high water tables.

Aspen response to prescribed fire and wild ungulate herbivory

Land management agencies in northwest Wyoming have implemented an active prescribed fire program to address historically altered fire regimes, regenerate aspen, and improve overall watershed functions. Treated clones are susceptible to extensive browsing from elk concentrated on supplemental feedgrounds and from wintering moose.

Aspen regeneration in south-central Colorado, San Isabel National Forest

The potential for aspen regeneration in conifer stands has been underestimated on the Salida Ranger District. Harvest of mature aspen stands on the Salida and San Carlos Districts encouraged regeneration. Following harvest, the Douglas-fir and some Engelmann spruce stands in the Arkansas Hills area regenerated primarily to aspen.

Quaking aspen reproduce from seed after wildfire in the mountains of southeastern Arizona

Quaking aspen regenerated from seed after a stand replacement wildfire in the Chiricahua Mountains of southeastern Arizona. The wildfire had created gaps in the canopy so that aspen were able to establish from seed. Seedlings were found at a mean density of 0.17 m-2, 30 m or more from the nearest potential seed trees. Six clumps of aspen seedlings contained 18-186 trees, occupying areas of 145-500 square meters at densities of 0.09-0.27 m-2.

Dynamics of aspen root biomass and sucker production following fire

Changes in preburn aspen root biomass 8 years following prescribed fire were analyzed for five experimental sites distributed across a moisture gradient. Total root biomass decreased across all sites but was proportionately greater in xeric than mesic sites. Response of post-burn aspen suckers to ungulate browsing varied according to site and treatment.