Rangeland Ecology & Management

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ASPEN CLIMATE RESILIENCE IN AN OREGON BUNCHGRASS ECOSYSTEM
Author
Neary, Andrew D.
Mata-Gonzalez, Ricardo
Schmalz, Heidi
Publisher
Society for Range Management
Publication Year
2018
Body

Quaking aspen, Populus tremuloides, has experienced severe declines in recent years in part due to the effects of changing climate and drought. As the dominant deciduous tree in Western North American, aspen plays a critical role in biodiversity and ecosystem function. Therefore, the persistence of this species under changing climate patterns is a topic of critical concern. While previous research has investigated the effects of drought on aspen decline, few studies have sought to integrate this approach with physiological indicators to characterize aspen resiliency under specific site conditions. This presentation will detail the initial findings of a study of aspen communities on a pacific northwest bunchgrass prairie in northeastern Oregon. Here, aspen stands are found in topographical niches associated with late season snow patches and provide key ecosystem function to this rangeland ecosystem. Field measurements of soil moisture, physical soil characteristics and drought stress were collected over the course of the 2017 growing season and will be analyzed to assess the climate resiliency of aspen stands across the study site. Additionally, using historical spatial imagery to detect changes in late-season snow cover, the project seeks to assess the relationship between snow cover and seasonal soil moisture availability. Ultimately, these modeled relationships will be used to predict which individual sites have the greatest potential for sustaining aspen. By underscoring the importance of aspen communities in rangeland systems and the threats to these systems by climate change, this project seeks to used applied ecological science to help land managers strategically direct conservation efforts in a grassland system.

Language
English
Resource Type
Text
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Conference Name
SRM Reno, NV