Biodiversity: Aspen stands have the lead, but will nonnative species take over?

Geneva W. Chong; Sara E. Simonson; Thomas J. Stohlgren; Mohammed A. Kalkhan

Treesearch

Biodiversity: Aspen stands have the lead, but will nonnative species take over?

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Geneva W. Chong, Sara E. Simonson, Thomas J. Stohlgren, Mohammed A. Kalkhan

Year:

2001

Type:

Proceedings

Station:

Rocky Mountain Research Station

Source:

In: Shepperd, Wayne D.; Binkley, Dan; Bartos, Dale L.; Stohlgren, Thomas J.; Eskew, Lane G., comps. Sustaining aspen in western landscapes: Symposium proceedings; 13-15 June 2000; Grand Junction, CO. Proceedings RMRS-P-18. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 261-272.

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Abstract

We investigated vascular plant and butterfly diversity in Rocky Mountain National Park. We identified 188 vascular plant species unique to the aspen vegetation type. The slope of the mean species-area curve for the aspen vegetation type was the steepest of the 10 types sampled, thus, an increase in aspen area could have much greater positive impacts on plant species richness than other vegetation types. Aspen plots contained the greatest number of butterfly species and ranked highest with all diversity indices tested. However, aspen plots were the most heavily invaded by nonnative plant species, which could have negative effects on native plant and butterfly species diversity.

Parent Publication

Sustaining aspen in western landscapes: Symposium proceedings; 13-15 June 2000; Grand Junction, CO

Keywords

ecosystem management, ecosystem research, sustainable forests, quaking aspen, Populus tremuloides

Citation

Chong, Geneva W.; Simonson, Sara E.; Stohlgren, Thomas J.; Kalkhan, Mohammed A. 2001. Biodiversity: Aspen stands have the lead, but will nonnative species take over? In: Shepperd, Wayne D.; Binkley, Dan; Bartos, Dale L.; Stohlgren, Thomas J.; Eskew, Lane G., comps. Sustaining aspen in western landscapes: Symposium proceedings; 13-15 June 2000; Grand Junction, CO. Proceedings RMRS-P-18. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 261-272.