Home / Resources and Writings / Weblog / Plant Conservation / Burning to Regenerate Aspen Woodlands
Burning to Regenerate Aspen Woodlands
Aspen woodlands are declining in western Canada and the US. The hardwood groves provide a wildlife habitat that is much more diverse than the coniferous forests that are replacing them in many areas. Populus tremuloides reproduce primarily by vegetative means, sprouting suckers from existing root systems after fires or other disturbances. Without periodic wildfires aspen groves become dominated by conifers that tower over them, blocking needed sunlight.
Aspen bark and saplings are attractive foods for ungulates and other forest animals. Human settlement has wiped out wolves and grizzly bears in many areas. Without natural predators, populations of deer and elk have expanded, further pressuring aspen groves.
Researchers are studying different methods and the timing of controlled burns to restore aspen woodlands to give forestry officials and landowners options that fit their land management objectives.
Groups studying the effects of large predators on forest ecosystems are encouraging the reintroduction of wolves to public lands to control elk populations.
Links:
- Return of the Native: ARS Scientists Stimulate Growth of Native Aspen Trees from the Agricultural Research Service of the US Department of Agriculture
- Biogeography of Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides) from San Francisco State University
- Aspen Restoration in the Western United States from the USDA Forest Service
- The Aspen Project from Oregon State University
Posted by Eric La Fountaine at 11:39 AM on October 11, 2005
Want to talk about this weblog entry? As of August 22, 2006, all new entries and most older entries are cross-posted to the UBC Botanical Garden Discussion Forums for discussion (you might need to use the search function to find the thread you are looking for).
This is an effort to reduce the amount of time spent dealing with spam (the forums are very good at stopping spam, the weblog commenting system is not so good).
Older entries already containing comments remain open for discussion.
