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Whitebark Pine in Region 6 Background, Status, & Restoration

This article provides information on the background, current status, and restoration efforts for Whitebark Pine in Region 6. It discusses the distribution, threats, and key actions for restoration, as well as genetic diversity testing and population structure analysis. The article concludes with recommendations for seed movement within the region.

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Whitebark Pine in Region 6 Background, Status, & Restoration

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  1. Whitebark Pine in Region 6Background, Status, & Restoration Andy Bower Area Geneticist – western Washington Olympic NF Regional Silviculture Meeting Bend, OR November 16, 2010

  2. WBP Distribution

  3. Whitebark Pine 101 • Only north American stone pine • Cones that do not open when ripe • Wingless seed • Seed dispersed by Nutcrackers • Caches of multiple seed results in clumpy growth structure • Proposed for ESA listing – in 12 month review

  4. Clark’s Nutcracker

  5. Clumpy growth structure

  6. Threats • Mountain Pine Beetle • White Pine Blister Rust • Successional replacement • Climate change

  7. Region 6WBPRestorationStrategy

  8. Key Actions Prescribed • Collect seed for gene conservation and rust resistance screening • Assess stand conditions in priority management units • Develop plans for planting seedlings in priority management units • Continue a rust screening program with emphasis on seed zones in grizzly bear areas • Treat for mountain pine beetle in high risk management units • Develop an approach for planting seedlings in designated wilderness areas

  9. Region 6 ex situ gene conservation plan • 20 collection areas • Minimum of 25 trees per collection area • Min. 30 cones per tree • 800 seed for ex situ gene conservation • 500 to ARS NCGP in Ft. Collins, CO • 300 held in storage at Dorena GRC

  10. Gene Conservation Cone Collections

  11. Gene Conservation Cone Collections Target Met? Yes Almost No WBP Range Cone collection site

  12. Accomplishments – 2009-2010 • 464 seedlots from over 50 locations for gene conservation • 62 permanent monitoring plots at >25 different locations • ~100 site surveys • Verbenone treatments on Fre-Win • Seed planting trials on Mt. Bachelor & Mt. Hood

  13. WBP Planting Projects • 2009: “Opportunistic” planting projects on Fre-Win, Des, and GP • 12,000 seedlings on 37 acres on Mt. Hood NF • 2010: 50 accessions added to DES preservation arboretum • 2011: ~3000 seedlings on 5 ac. On Black Butte • Long term rust validation planting on Davis Mtn. and 2nd replicate • 2012: – 1000-2000 seedling from resistant families being grown for outplanting on DES

  14. Permanent Plots • 181 plots on Malheur NF installed mostly in 2004 some in 2009 • 200 plots on WAW NF – 100 in Eagle Cap, 100 in Elkhorns • 78 plots on DES, WIL, MAL, COL, OKA-WEN in 2008 • 62 plots in 2009 in OR and WA • 3 on Mt. Hood plus elsewhere?

  15. Permanent Plot Data – K. Chadwick and C. Jensen • Blister rust infection, regeneration, WBP stand density and mortality are highly variable especially in Oregon • Density – Avg: 350 wbp/acre (0-1442) • Mortality (WPBR & MPB) – 19% (0-77%) • WPBR – Avg: Cent OR: 25% (0-86) Malheur: 55% (35-71%) Oka-Wen: 56% (33-71%)

  16. Perm. Plot Results • Advanced regeneration was through out all plots, leaving us hopeful in the face of MBP • We have two non-natives changing these stands, Balsam Woolly Adelgid in subalpine fir and Whitepine blister rust. • Database to house region 6 data, across all land ownerships is currently being developed. • Now have regional protocol for installation and damage codes

  17. Genetic Diversity TestingMolecular Markers 4 marker types 88 populationsSeedling Traits 92 Families 50 locations

  18. Population Structure • Isozymes – • 2 population “groups” • cpDNA – • 3 population “groups”

  19. Date of needle flush

  20. Conclusions:Molecular markers • Average levels of genetic diversity overall • Genetic diversity lower in Olympic populations • Olympic populations genetically differentiated from “main” range • Limited genetic structure in non-Olympic populations

  21. Conclusions:Quantitative traits • Significant genetic variation among and within populations • Olympic populations not differentiated based on quantitative traits • Local adaptation driven by winter temperature • Population differentiation greater than “selectively neutral” molecular markers

  22. Conclusions • Info from molecular markers and quantitative traits is complimentary but incomplete independently • Olympic populations need special attention • Seed should not be moved into/out of Olympics • Seed can be moved within N. Cascades and SW Washington/Oregon, but probably not into/out of NE Washington and E. Oregon

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