Planning and Implementing Whitebark Pine Protection and Restoration Efforts in the GYA

Transcription

1 Planning and Implementing Whitebark Pine Protection and Restoration Efforts in the GYA GYCC Whitebark Pine Subcommittee Overall (long-term) Strategy Action Plan Ongoing Efforts Funding

2 Overall Strategy

3 Strategic Objectives Protect the remaining cone-bearing whitebark pine trees throughout the GYA. Maintain and restore the role of whitebark pine in ecosystem function. Ensure whitebark pine regeneration and genetic variability through natural and assisted regeneration. Promote population resilience through genetic conservation and planting of rust resistant seedlings. Promote fire planning and use that protects high value whitebark pine resources and provides for long-term restoration Work collaboratively across administrative boundaries to implement the strategy for the GYA.

4 Methods

5 Prioritization

6 Prioritization

7 Protection Primarily funded by FHP western pine beetle $, but also clearing around WBP seed trees to protect from fire (Caribou-Targhee NF)

8 Long-term Monitoring National Park Service Inventory and Monitoring Program Objectives estimating the proportion of live whitebark pine trees >1.4m tall infected with white pine blister rust and the rate at which infection changes over time; determining the relative severity of infection of white pine blister rust in whitebark pine trees; estimating the survival of whitebark pine trees >1.4m tall, taking into account effects of white pine blister rust, mountain pine beetle, and fire; and assessing and monitoring whitebark pine recruitment in the understory.

9 Cone Collection Cones collected from phenotypically disease-resistant trees for producing seedlings for general reforestation efforts

10 Action Plan

11 Action Plan Burned areas with high priority for restoration Also areas with high beetle mortality, but need to survey for advanced regeneration

12 Action Plan Planting: Goal of 40,000 acres, 2000 ac/yr by Spring: Ski areas/c-t, B-T, Gallatin 7,000 seedlings Fall: Caribou-Targhee 15,000 seedlings Fall: Bridger-Teton 6,700 seedlings Total Acres Planted 2012: Spring: Shoshone 6,700 seedlings Spring: Gallatin 17,000 seedlings Fall: Bridger-Teton 24,400 seedlings Fall: Grand Teton NP 2,500 seedlings Potential Acres Planted 2013: Spring: Shoshone 42,800 seedlings Spring: Gallatin 16,000 seedlings Spring: Caribou-Targhee 5,000 seedlings Spring: Beaverhead-Deerlodge/BLM 5,000 seedlings Fall: Bridger-Teton 50,000 seedlings Fall: Caribou-Targhee 30,000 seedlings Potential Acres Planted 2014: 744

13 Hardscrabble Fire, Jackson RD, BTNF 2-0 containerized seedlings Timber Fire, Dubois RD, CTNF

14 Planting density: shoot for 200/ac (15 ft. spacing), but more important to take advantage of microsites.

15 Cooke City, Gallatin NF Grouse Mountain, Bridger-Teton NF Stand Treatments Daylighting (sapling to mature) Nutcracker openings

16 Seed Orchard Selected Plus Trees progeny are tested for resistance to white pine blister rust. Proven resistant parents are grafted and included in the seed orchard (Gallatin NF) to produce a supply of disease resistant seedlings for outplanting. 240 grafts planted in June 2013

17 Regeneration Surveys

18 Regeneration Surveys

19 Regeneration Surveys

20 Regeneration Surveys

21 Regeneration Surveys

22 Costs Estimated planting costs 2012 through (131 acres) 2013 (380 acres) 2014 (619 acres) 2015 (500 acres) 2016 (2000 acres) $128,000 $370,000 $603,000 $487,000 $2,024,000 Estimated genetic conservation costs 2012 through $154,000 $164,000 $168,000 $115,000 $117,000 Estimated costs of specific restoration projects 2012 through $338,000 *($121,500) $151,000 $469,000 $120,000 $610, 000 Costs of the GRYN WbP monitoring program 2012 through $90,000 $80,000 $82,000 $83,000 $95,000 *($27,900) *($40,000) *($41,000) *($42,000) Restoration planning, coordination and data management 2012 through $106,000 $109,000 $142,000 $145,000 $178,000 Summary of estimated program costs 2012 through $816,000 $874,000 $1,464,000 $950,000 $3,024,000

23 GYCC (2014) - $30,950 Funding Forest Health Protection, WBP Restoration fund (2013) - $63,698 Also MOU covers $22,000 (est.) of Seed Orchard expenses per year Units $5K - $150K per year from project funds and Partnership Funds from Arbor Day and American Forests (sow & grow, planting, plus tree fieldwork, cultural treatments, admin, etc.) Total: ~ $532K

24 QUESTIONS? GYCC Whitebark Pine Subcommittee