Southwestern white pine (Pinus strobiformis) regeneration ecology along disease and management gradients in the southwestern United States

Abstract

Southwestern white pine (Pinus strobiformis, SWWP) is a component of dry and wet mixed-conifer forests in the southwestern United States and provides ecological function and diversity. The species is geographically limited to Arizona, New Mexico, parts of Texas, southern Colorado, and northern Mexico, but occurs on a wide range of habitats within its distribution. Historically, SWWP regeneration has not been well studied or monitored in mixed-conifer forests of the Southwest, although our understanding of the species’ ecology is increasing. Introductions of Cronartium ribicola, the pathogen responsible for causing white pine blister rust (WPBR), are fairly recent compared to other areas in North America, and disease intensity is variable in the Southwest. Heavy disease occurs in south-central New Mexico, whereas many forests in Arizona are not affected yet. However, the disease continues to spread west through isolated mountain ranges in the Southwest.

Parent Publication

• Proceedings of the IUFRO joint conference: Genetics of five-needle pines, rusts of forest trees, and Strobusphere; 2014 June 15–20; Fort Collins, CO

Citation

Goodrich, B. A.; Waring, K. M. 2018. Southwestern white pine (Pinus strobiformis) regeneration ecology along disease and management gradients in the southwestern United States. In: Schoettle, Anna W.; Sniezko, Richard A.; Kliejunas, John T., eds. Proceedings of the IUFRO joint conference: Genetics of five-needle pines, rusts of forest trees, and Strobusphere; 2014 June 15-20; Fort Collins, CO. Proc. RMRS-P-76. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 9.