Plant pathologist Holly Kearns discusses blister rust-pine interactions during the high elevation five-needle pines (High Five) symposium field trip. Montana Snowbowl ski area, Missoula, Montana.
Photo by: Kristen Chadwick
Date: June 30, 2010
Photo credit: USDA Forest Service, Region 6, State and Private Forestry, Forest Health Protection, Westside Forest Insect and Disease Service Center.
Source: Kristen Chadwick collection; Sandy, Oregon.
"High elevation five-needle pines are rapidly declining throughout North America. The six species, whitebark (Pinus albicaulis Engelm.), limber (P. flexilis James), southwestern white (P. strobiformis Engelm.), foxtail (P. balfouriana Grev. & Balf.), Great Basin bristlecone (P. longaeva D.K. Bailey), and Rocky Mountain bristlecone pine (P. aristata Engelm.), have limited timber value but are of great ecological and symbolic importance to both the U.S. and Canadian West. A comprehensive International symposium, called the High Five symposium, was held June 28-30, 2010, in Missoula, Montana to: (1) bring together scientists, managers, and concerned citizens to exchange information on the ecology, threats, and management of these pines; (2) learn about the threats and current status of pine populations; (3) describe efforts to mitigate threats through restoration techniques and action plans; and, (4) build a foundation for the synthesis of research efforts and management approaches." Abstract is from: Keane, Robert E.; Tomback, Diana F.; Murray, Michael P.; and Smith, Cyndi M., eds. 2011. The future of high-elevation, five-needle white pines in Western North America: Proceedings of the High Five Symposium. 28-30, June 2010; Missoula, MT. Proceedings RMRS-P-63. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 376 p. located here:
www.fs.fed.us/rm/pubs/rmrs_p063.pdf "The third day of the conference entailed a field trip to the Montana Snowbowl ski area. Despite forecasts for rain, sunny skies prevailed. Four school busses carried about 100 participants to drop-off points within the ski area, located approximately 10 miles northwest of Missoula. Participants were divided into eight “color-coded” groups, and then led by designated guides for 20-minute visits at each of eight stations scattered across the mountainside. At each station, one or more speakers made a presentation in their area of expertise, and then answered questions or directed discussion. At Station 1, Bob Keane gave an overview of his whitebark pine restoration project at the ski area. Station 2 featured Holly Kearns and John Schwandt presenting the latest findings on blister rust-pine interactions, including resistance, host species, and spread. At Station 3, Mary Frances Mahavolich, David Foushee, John Errecart, and Mike Mueller described the whitebark pine genetic restoration program in the Inland Northwest. At Station 4, Shawn McKinney presented the latest findings on pine/nutcracker/squirrel interactions, and associated research and management implications under changing climatic conditions. At Station 5, Dan Reinhart discussed operational and philosophical challenges to restoring whitebark pine ecosystems in wilderness, backcountry, and roadless areas. At Station 6, Glenda Scott described operational whitebark pine regeneration strategies, from cone collection to regeneration success. At Station 7, Jane Kapler Smith directed an interactive discussion of educational opportunities in high-elevation pine ecosystems. Finally, at Station 8 John Waverek discussed prescribed burning as a tool for restoring whitebark pine ecosystems. The field trip was organized and orchestrated by Bryan Donner, and returned to the UM campus at exactly 5:00 pm." Excerpted from Nutcracker Notes, Issue 19, Fall/Winter located here:
whitebarkfound.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Nutcracker-... Image provided by USDA Forest Service, Region 6, State and Private Forestry, Forest Health Protection:
www.fs.usda.gov/main/r6/forest-grasslandhealth
