Sustainability and drivers of aspen regeneration and recruitment near the southwestern edge of its range

Thursday, October 26, 2023

1:30pm - 2:00pm PST

Location: A5

CFE .5 / ISA CEU .5 / ESA CEU .125

Speaker(s)

Kristen M. Waring, PhD (she/her/hers)

Professor
Northern Arizona University
SAF Forest Science and Technology Board Chair, United States

Co-Author(s)

CC

Connor Crouch, PhD (he/him/his)

Graduate Research Assistant
Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, Arizona, United States
NW

Nicholas Wilhelmi
MM

Margaret M. Moore, PhD (she/her/hers)

Professor
School of Forestry - Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, Arizona, United States
PR

Paul C. Rogers, PhD (he/him/his)

Director, Western Aspen Alliance, Ecology Center Associate, Adj. Prof.
Western Aspen Alliance & Dept. Env. & Society, Utah State University
Logan, Utah, United States

Aspen (Populus tremuloides) populations have experienced extensive mortality in Arizona, and many areas lack adequate regeneration and recruitment to replace dying overstory trees. In this presentation, we identify which biotic and abiotic factors drive regeneration and recruitment and discuss which strategies are appropriate for managing aspen in an uncertain future.

Learning Objectives:

explain the importance of conserving aspen ecosystems in the southwestern US and identify the various threats that aspen is facing on the southwestern edge of its range
identify which biotic and abiotic factors are limiting successful aspen regeneration and recruitment in Arizona, with important implications for management of aspen ecosystems in Arizona and beyond