Aspen Response to Prescribed Fire, Mechanical Treatments, and

• Main Authors: Ungulate Herbivory, Steve Kilpatrick, Dean Clause, Dave Scott
• Other Authors: The Pennsylvania State University CiteSeerX Archives
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alces alces
• Online Access: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.518.2937; http://www.fs.fed.us/rm/pubs/rmrs_p029/rmrs_p029_093_102.pdf

Abstract—Land management agencies in northwestern Wyoming have implemented vegetation treatment programs to stimulate aspen (Populus tremuloides) regenera-tion. Treated clones are susceptible to extensive browsing from elk (Cervus elaphus) concentrated on adjacent supplemental feedgrounds, wintering moose (Alces alces shirasi), and livestock. We sampled eight treated (mechanical cutting and prescribed fire) aspen clones (stands) to determine treatment response 3-9 years post-treatment. A sampling design was tested for monitoring pre- and post-treatment stem densities. Total aspen sucker densities ranged from 3,480 to 29,688 stems/ac (8,600 to 73,360 stems/ha). Two 9-year-old treatments and one 7-year-old treatment achieved> 1,000 stems> 10 ft in height /acre (> 2,710 stems> 3.1 m/ha), the objective for successful clone reestablishment. Mean annual leader growth was 7.2 inches (18.3 cm) and ranged from 4.9 to 12.9 inches (12.4 to 32.8 cm). Treated clones are all expected to reestablish successfully. Stem density, clone homogeneity, and plot size influenced sampling efficiency.