The U.S. Forest Service's renewed focus on gene conservation of five-needle pine species

Abstract

The U.S. Forest Service (FS) has been actively working with five-needle pine species for decades. The main focus of this interest has been in restoration efforts involving disease-resistance screening activities in western white (Pinus monticola), sugar (Pinus lambertiana), and eastern white (Pinus strobus) pines in the face of white pine blister rust (WPBR), caused by the non-native invasive pathogen, Cronartium ribicola. There has also been some effort in whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis) and limber pine (Pinus flexilis) disease-resistance work, but to a lesser degree. Recently the FS has been actively pursuing a gene conservation effort in whitebark, Rocky Mountain (RM) bristlecone (Pinus aristata), southwestern white (Pinus strobiformis), foxtail (Pinus balfouriana) and limber pines to conserve germplasm as a result of increased mortality from WPBR, mountain pine beetle (Dendrotonus ponderosae) (MPB) and the warming effects of climate change. This paper will describe the renewed focus of gene conservation of these iconic species.

Parent Publication

• The future of high-elevation, five-needle white pines in Western North America: Proceedings of the High Five Symposium

Citation

Mangold, Robert D. 2011. The U.S. Forest Service's renewed focus on gene conservation of five-needle pine species. In: Keane, Robert E.; Tomback, Diana F.; Murray, Michael P.; Smith, Cyndi M., eds. The future of high-elevation, five-needle white pines in Western North America: Proceedings of the High Five Symposium. 28-30 June 2010; Missoula, MT. Proceedings RMRS-P-63. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 151.