Progress 05/01/03 to 05/01/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: This project has been terminated. The research will continue in RMRS Project 4157-1
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
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Progress 10/01/06 to 09/30/07
Outputs
This problem deals with restoration of various vegetation types and more specifically, aspen landscapes. Many land managers in the western U. S. are concerned about the decline of aspen that is currently being observed. In part, this problem addresses their concerns. Major efforts are being taken to restore aspen throughout the West, especially the Intermountain Region, Regions 5 and 6. Program development in the form of proposals for outside dollars is an ongoing process. Cooperative work on restoration of aspen and tall forbs has been initiated or is being carried out with the Black Hills N. F.; South Dakota Game and Fish; Custer State Park, CMI/USU-Logan, Utah; Wasatch-Cache N. F.; Dixie N. F.; Lassen N. F.; WO; etc. During this year, as in past years, numerous workshops, field tours, and discussions of the aspen problems have occurred. A two day aspen summit meeting dealing with sudden aspen decline (SAD) was held in Salt Lake City, Dec. 2006. This event was
attended by 40 managers and researchers from numerous western states. A GTR has been prepared from this meeting and is currently in the Editorial process. Technology transfer continues to play a very important role in this problem area. Numerous inquires on a weekly basis are received that are dealt with. Also, many field trips with managers were carried out which were well attended. Many researchable problems have been identified and reconfirmed by the recent SAD meeting. These include: 1) impacts of treatment techniques on the restoration of degraded sites of aspen and tall forbs; 2) necessary time span to protect treated areas from excessive use by animals; 3) success ional timelines in the treatment process; 4) development of techniques to determine if individual ramets are from the same clone; 5) occurrence of soil property changes on decadent sites of aspen and tall forbs; 6) water and forage losses from the system as aspen converts to conifers; 7) what are the causes for sudden
aspen decline and the impacts on the landscape; etc. A GTR detailing the Aspen Summit meeting on SAD is at Editorial and will be published early in 2008. Also, RMRS-GTR-202 was published entitled "Fire ecology and management of the major ecosystems of southern Utah" that contains a chapter on aspen. A master's thesis on animal preference for aspen regeneration that was conducted on Cedar Mountain in southern Utah was completed at Utah State University and was successfully defended.
Impacts
Restoration of declining aspen systems in the western U.S. will cause, in part, an increase in water forage, and biodivesity. These increases will have a direct or indirect impact on the resource user in their decision making. The potential increased water will have the capacity to influence forage growth, recharge soil profile, and increase water yields for downstream users. These restored sytems will impact the economics of the areas with additional livestock and wildlife production, increases in recreational use and tourism, and will add diversity to the landscape.
Publications
- Winter, Damon A. 2007. Interclonal variation of primary and secondary chemistry in western quaking aspen and their influence on ungulate selection. Logan, UT: Utah State University. 78 p. Thesis.
- Shepperd, Wayne D.; Rogers, P.c.; Burton, D.; Bartos, D.L. 2006. Ecology, biodiversity, management, and restoration fo apsen in the Sierra Nevada. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-178. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 122 p.
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Progress 10/01/05 to 09/30/06
Outputs
Problem 2 deals with restoration of various vegetation types especially aspen. Many land managers in the western U. S. are concerned about the decline of aspen and more recently, the die-off that is currently being observed. In part, this problem addresses their concerns about aspen. Major efforts are being taken to restore aspen throughout the West, especially the Intermountain Region, Regions 5 and 6. Program development in the form of proposals for outside dollars is an ongoing process. Cooperative work on restoration of aspen and tall forbs has been initiated or is being carried out with the Black Hill NF; South Dakota Game and Fish; Custer State Park; CMI/USU Logan,UT; Wasatch-Cache NF; Dixie NF; Lassen NF; WO; etc. During 2006, as in past years, numerous workshops, field tours, and discussions of the aspen problems occurred. A two day workshop on aspen restoration was held in Ely, NV with approximately 50 attending. Several one day events were also held (Challis
NF, Caribou-Targhee NF, Uinta NF,& Ashley NF) In September, a two day Aspen Restoration Conference was held in conjunction with Utah State University at Logan, UT with approximately 200 attendees. All of these events will benefit efforts in restoring aspen. Additional, technology transfer continues to play a very important role. Numerous inquires on a weekly basis were received, many field trips with managers were carried out, and invited lectures were given at Utah State University. Many news articles were written concerning the current aspen die-off. At the direction of RMRS leadership, an Aspen Summit was held December 18 and 19. Results from this meeting of approximately 40 aspen experts resulted in a more detailed assessment of the problem(s) and, and in the near future, a plan of action will be developed. Points that were considered included; is this die-off real, how does it differ from aspen decline, is this phenomenon a result of drought/diseases, etc? Many researchable
questions were identified and will be addressed as funds become available. A synthesis of literature for aspen in the Sierra Nevada was published as RMRS GTR-178 and is currently being widely distributed. A master's thesis on barriers to protect aspen regeneration in the Black Hills of South Dakota was completed at Utah State University.
Impacts
Restoration of declining aspen systems in the western U.S. will cause, in part, an increase in water, forage, and biodiversity. These increases will have a direst or indirect impact on the resource user in their decision making. The potential increased water will have the capacity to influence forage growth, recharge soil profile, and increase water yeild for downstream users. These restored systems will impact the economics of the areas with additional livestock and wildlife production, increases in recreastional use and tourism, and will add diversity to the landscape.
Publications
- Sexton, Joseph O.; Ramsey, Douglas R.;Bartos, Dale L. 2006. Habitone analysis of quaking aspen in the utah Book Cliffs: Effects of site water demand and conifer cover. Elsevier. 198:301-311.
- Shepperd, Wayne D.; Rogers, Paul C.; Burton, David; Bartos, Dale L. 2006. Ecology, Biodiveristy, Management, and Restoration of Aspen in the Sierra Nevada. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-178. U.S. Department of Agricultural, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 122p.
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Progress 10/01/04 to 09/30/05
Outputs
This problem deals with restoration of various vegetation types and more specifically, aspen landscapes. Many land managers in the western U.S. are concerned about the decline of aspen that is currently being observed. In part, this problem addresses their concerns. Major efforts are being taken to restore aspen throughout the West, especially the Intermountain Region,Regions 5 and 6. Program development in the form of proposals for outside dollars is an ongoing process. Cooperative work on restoration of aspen and tall forbs has been initiated or is being carried out with the Black Hills N.F.; South Dakota Game and Fish; Custer State Park; CMI and USU, Logan, UT; Wasatch Cache N.F.; Dixie N.F.; Lassen N.F.; WO; etc. During this year, as in past years, numerous workshops, field tours, and discussions of the aspen problems have occurred. A two day workshop on aspen restoration was held in western WY. This event was attended by 65 managers from 4 states. A second event,
Aspen Summit-10 years later) was held in cooperation with the Fishlake N.F. Both events should benefit efforts in restoration of aspen. Technology transfer continues to play a very important role in this problem area. Numerous inquires on a weekly basis are received that are dealt with. Also, many field trips with managers were carried out which were well attended. Many researchable problems have been identified and reconfirmed by the recent Aspen Summit. These include: 1.Impacts of treatment techniques on the restoration of degraded sites of aspen and tall forbs. 2.Necessary time span to protect treated areas from excessive use by animals. 3.Successional timelines in the treatment process. 4.Development of techniques to determine if individual ramets are from the same clone. 5.Occurrence of soil property changes on decadent sites of aspen and tall forbs. 6.Water and forage losses from the system as aspen converts to conifers; etc. A synthesis of aspen literature for the Greater Lake
Tahoe Basin is in draft form and out for review. This document will be published at a RMRS-GTR during FY06.
Impacts
Restoration of declining aspen systems in the western U.S. will cause, in part, an increase in water, forage, and biodiversity. These increases will have a direst or indirect impact on the resource user in their decision making. The potential increased water will have the capacity to influence forage growth, recharge soil profile, and increase water yeild for downstream users. These restored systems will impact the economics of the areas with additional livestock and wildlife production, increases in recreastional use and tourism, and will add diversity to the landscape.
Publications
- Kota, Andrew M. 2005. Fences and On-Site Forest Materials as Ungulate Barriers to Promote Aspen Persistance. Logan, UT: Utah State University. 74p. Thesis.
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Progress 10/01/03 to 09/30/04
Outputs
This problem deals with restoration of various vegetation types and more specifically, aspen landscapes. Many land managers in the western U. S. are concerned about the decline of aspen. In part, this problem addresses their concerns. Major efforts are being taken to restore aspen throughout the Intermountain West, as well as, in Regions 5 and 6. Program development in the form of proposals for outside dollars has continued. Cooperative work on restoration of aspen and tall forbs has been initiated with the Black Hills N. F.; South Dakota Game and Fish; Custer State Park, CMI/USU-Logan, Utah; Wasatch-Cache N. F.; Dixie N. F.; Lassen N. F.; WO; etc. During this year, as in past years, numerous workshops, field tours, and discussions of the aspen problems have occurred. The project participated in two workshops; one in northern California and one in eastern Nevada. Both of the workshops were well attended and they should benefit efforts in restoration of aspen in these
specific areas. Technology transfer continues to play a very important role in this problem area. Upwards of six inquiries a week are received that are dealt with by project personnel. In addition, field tours were conducted on the Caribou/Targhee N.F., Bridger-Teton N.F., and Sawtooth N.F. These were well attended and information was shared with the managers. As defined in the RWU description, several researchable problems were identified. These include: 1) impacts of treatment techniques on the restoration of degraded sites of aspen and tall forbs; 2) necessary time span to protect treated areas from excessive use by animals; 3) successional timelines in the treatment process; 4) development of techniques to determine if individual ramets are from the same clone; 5) occurrence of soil property changes on decadent sites of aspen and tall forbs; 6) water and forage losses from the system as aspen converts to conifers; etc. Synthesis and analysis of data collected on natural succession
on severely disturbed lands has continued. Summary documents are being developed to transfer information to the land manager. One of these summary publications (Brown et al., 2003) concerning restoration of alpine sites was published in FY04.
Impacts
Restoration of declining aspen systems in the western U.S. will cause, in part, an increase in water, forage, and biodiversity. These increases will have a direct or indirect impact on the resource user in their decision making. The potential increased water will have the capacity to influence forage growth, recharge soil profile, and increase water yields for downstream users. These restored systems will impact the economics of the areas with additional livestock and wildlife production, increases in recreational use and tourism, and will add diversity to the landscape.
Publications
- Sexton, Joseph O. 2003. Models for the distribution of quaking aspen in geographic and potential evapotranspiration spaces relevant to The Book Cliffs (Utah), 2000-2002. Logan, UT: Utah State University. 127 p. Thesis.
- Laycock, W.A.; Bartos, D. L.; K.D. Klement. 2004. Species richness inside and outside long-term exclosures. In: Hild, A. L.; Shaw, N. L.; Meyer, S. E.; Booth, D. T.; McArthur, E. D., comps. 2004. Seed and soil dynamics in shrubland ecosystems: proceedings: 2002 August 12-16: Laramie, WY. Proceedings RMRS-P-31. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 183-188.
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Progress 10/01/02 to 09/30/03
Outputs
This problem deals with restoration of various vegetation types and more specifically, aspen landscapes. The aspen program for the wetern U. S. continues to be a concern to many land managers and this problem addresses some of their concerns. There continues to be a decline of aspen in the west and there have been major efforts with aspen restoration throughout Regions 1, 2, 3, and 4 where a majority of the aspen occurs. In addition, vigorous actions are being taken in Regions 5 and 6 even though there are not large acreages of aspen. Program development in the form of proposals for outside dollars has continued. Cooperative work on restoration of aspen and tall forbs has been initiated with the Black Hills National Forest; South Dakota Game and Fish; Custer State Park, CMI/USU-Logan, Utah; Wasatch-Cache National Forest; Dixie National Forest; WO; etc. During this past year, as has occurred in the past, numerous workshops, field tours, and discussions of the aspen
problems have occurred. The Project participated in two workshops held in Region 5 and consultation with personnel at the University of Alberta. Both of the workshops were well attended and should benefit efforts in restoration of aspen in northern California. Technology transfer continues to play a very important role in this problem area. Upwards of six inquiries a week are received that are dealt with by Project personnel. In May, 2003, the RWU description was approved. This description incorporated input from our various customers and WO personnel who participated in a formal TAV that was held in July 2001. Examples of researchable problems include: 1) impacts of treatment techniques on the restoration of degraded sites of aspen and tall forbs; 2) necessary time span to protect treated areas from excessive use by animals; 3) successional timelines in the treatment process; 4) development of techniques to determine if individual ramets are from the same clone; 5) occurrence of soil
property changes on decadent sites of aspen and tall forbs; 6) water loss from the system as aspen converts to conifers; etc. An additional 1,000 copies of a professionally developed video, "Fading Gold --- The Decline of Aspen in the West", were made and are being distributed as requested. Synthesis and analysis of data collected on natural succession on severely disturbed lands has continued. Summary documents are being developed to transfer information to the land manager. One publication concerning restoration of alpine sites will be finalized by the end of the FY.
Impacts
Restoration of declining aspen systems in the western U.S. will cause, in part, an increase in water, forage, and biodiversity. These increases will have a direct or indirect impact on the resource user in their decision making. The potential increased water will have the capacity to influence forage growth, recharge soil profile, and increase water yields for downstream users. These restored systems will impact the economics of the areas with additional livestock and wildlife production, increases in recreational use and tourism, and will add diversity to the landscape.
Publications
- Laycock, W.A., D. Bartos, and K. Klement. 2001. Species richness has not increased after long-term protection from grazing on sagebrush, aspen and tall forb rangelands. p. 615. In: Proceedings, 1st National Conference on Grazing Lands., Dec. 5-8, 2000. Las Vegas, NV. Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative, Washington, D.C.
- Ohms, S.R. 2003. Restoration of aspen in different stages of mortality in southern Utah. M.S. Thesis. Utah State University, Logan, UT. 88 pp.
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