Increased whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis) growth and defense under a warmer and regionally drier climate

Masting in whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis) depletes stored nutrients.

• In masting trees, synchronized, heavy reproductive events are thought to deplete stored resources and to impose a replenishment period before subsequent masting. However, direct evidence of resource depletion in wild, masting trees is very rare. Here, we examined the timing and magnitude (local vs individual-level) of stored nutrient depletion after a heavy mast event in Pinus albicaulis. • I...

Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Whitebark Pine (Pinus albicaulis Engelm.) in Western North America

Whitebark pine (WBP, Pinus albicaulis Engelm.) is an endangered conifer species due to heavy mortality from white pine blister rust (WPBR, caused by Cronartium ribicola) and mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae). Information about genetic diversity and population structure is of fundamental importance for its conservation and restoration. However, current knowledge on the genetic const...

Effects of whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis) restoration treatments on the distribution of bark beetle attacks

Whitebark pine is an important component of high elevation ecosystems in the western United States and Canada. Many wildlife species, including grizzly and black bears, squirrels, and birds, forage on the large, wingless seed. Whitebark pine relies heavily upon the Clark's nutcracker for seed dispersal and regeneration. Due to fire exclusion, white pine blister rust, and the mountain pine beetl...

A Comparison of Fire Regimes and Stand Dynamics in Whitebark Pine (Pinus albicaulis) Communities in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem

Cone and seed trait variation in whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis; Pinaceae) and the potential for phenotypic selection.

Phenotypic variation among individuals is necessary for natural selection to operate and is therefore essential for adaptive evolution. However, extensive variation within individuals can mask variation among individuals and weaken the potential for selection. Here we quantify variation among and within individuals in female cone and seed traits of whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis). In many pla...