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Abstract
The core distribution of Rocky Mountain bristlecone pine (Pinus aristata) extends from central Colorado into northern New Mexico with a disjunct population in northern Arizona (USA). Populations are primarily at high elevations and often define the alpine treeline, but the species is also found in open mixed-conifer stands with ponderosa (P. ponderosa) or pinyon (P. edulis) pines. On dry, exposed sites the stands are open and bristlecone is commonly the only species present. The combination of the pine’s adaptive traits with infrequent disturbance has enabled trees on these sites to attain ages of more than 2,500 years. These same traits and conditions will inevitably hinder the ability of bristlecone pine to adapt to novel anthropogenic stresses such as climate change and infection by the nonnative pathogen (Cronartium ribicola) that causes the lethal disease white pine blister rust (WPBR). Infection of bristlecone pine by C. ribicola was first documented in the field in 2003 in south-central Colorado (Blodgett and Sullivan 2004). These threats and the species’ unique aesthetic and ecological roles make bristlecone pine a species of conservation interest, and we have begun implementing the Proactive Strategy (Schoettle 2004).
Parent Publication
Citation
Schoettle, A. W.; Sniezko, R. A.; Kegley, A.; Burns, K. S. 2018. Patterns of resistance to Cronartium ribicola in Rocky Mountain bristlecone pine (Pinus aristata). 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. 163-164.
