Mountain top sentinels

Abstract

The High-5 comprise a subset of a unique group of related white pine species in the subgenus Strobus that grow across the high mountains of western North America. They include whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis), limber pine (P. flexilis), southwestern white pine (P. strobiformis), Rocky Mountain bristlecone pine (P. aristata), Great Basin bristlecone pine (P. longaeva), and foxtail pine (P. balfouriana) (Fig. 1). These species grow in small groups on ridges as well as components of extensive forest communities. They have a disproportionally large effect on ecosystem functioning and biodiversity relative to their abundance (i.e., serving as keystone species) and they often define ecosystem structure and functional dynamics (i.e., serving as foundation species). Most of the High-5 can grow in harsh habitats providing critical slope stabilization and watershed protection in high mountain areas. They also add roughness to otherwise barren slopes which contributes to snow capture and slows snowrnelt dynamics.

Citation

Schoettle, Anna W. 2023. Mountain top sentinels. Nutcracker Notes. 44: 4-8.