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Project ID:

24-1-01-11

Year:

2024

Date Started:

08/01/2024

Date Completed:

Title:

Effect of fire on regeneration in the alpine treeline ecotone and its implications for the Threatened whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis)

Project Proposal Abstract:

1. Problem Statement
Shifting fire regimes and climate change are impacting subalpine forests across the West [1-3], yet significant uncertainty exists surrounding the interactions between these drivers and their outcomes within the alpine treeline ecotone [4]. This includes questions regarding the persistence and regeneration of whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis; WBP) [5,6], which was recently listed as Threatened under the United States Endangered Species Act [7]. New research investigating post-fire forest recovery will support decision-making to manage wildfire for resource benefit in high-elevation forests [8-10] and will inform site-selection for postfire planting of WBP seedlings, a key restoration strategy [10-12].

2. Objectives
This research seeks to address unknowns related to postfire recovery of forests across the alpine treeline ecotone over multiple decades. We will leverage an existing dataset collected by student investigator Josh Beisel as a part of a larger study on the effects of fire on competition and tree growth. This ancillary dataset includes measurements of tree seedlings and saplings and associated non-tree ground cover at 690 georeferenced points across 10 high-elevation study sites in the central Bitterroot Mountains of Idaho and Montana. Sample points are equally divided among paired burned and unburned areas in two elevational zones within each study site. We will aim to answer three questions: (1) How do fire occurrence, severity, time since fire, and association with overstory trees influence composition and density of the post-fire tree seedling community? (2) Does this differ across an elevational gradient? (3) How do these variables influence whitebark pine regeneration? The 2�2 factorial study design (burned/unburned at high/low elevation) will yield strong conclusions about post-fire recovery across the elevational range of WBP.

3. Benefits
This research will provide knowledge supporting federal land and fire managers in making informed decisions regarding managed fire for resource benefit, whitebark pine conservation, and future trajectories of burned high-elevation forests. Results will also support current efforts to restore whitebark pine populations across public land management agencies by parameterizing models for WBP regeneration, aiding in future site selection to help prioritize post-fire restoration planting. Student investigator Beisel will present findings directly to Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness managers (line officers and resource specialists), at a scientific conference, and in a webinar. He will also prepare a summary brief to facilitate management applications and prepare and submit a manuscript for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.

Principal Investigator:

Andrew J. Larson

Agency/Organization:

University of Montana

Branch or Dept:

College of Forestry & Conservation

Other Project Collaborators

Type	Name	Agency/Organization	Branch or Dept
Agreements Contact	Bryson J Hillyard	University of Montana	Office of Research and Sponsored Programs
Budget Contact	Bryson J Hillyard	University of Montana	Office of Research and Sponsored Programs
Student Investigator	Joshua J Beisel	University of Montana	College of Forestry & Conservation