Great Basin aspen ecosystems

The health of quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) in the Great Basin is of growing concern. The following provides an overview of aspen decline and die-off in areas within and adjacent to the Great Basin and suggests pos-sible directions for research and management. For more detailed information, please see the list of references and recommended links below. Aspen Distribution and Value Quaking aspen is widespread throughout North America and is found in the Rocky Mountains from Canada through the United States and into northern Mexico. In the west-ern United States, aspen is most abundant in Colorado and Utah. In most of its western range, aspen is a mid-elevation, shade-intolerant species that is a relatively minor component of more widespread conifer forests. Aspen occurs in clones, which are a group of genetically similar stems originating from a seed that germinated some time in the past. These clones are perpetuated through vegetative reproduction. Aspen does not occupy a large area of the west; how-ever, it is a very important tree species on the landscape. It is one of the few broad-leaved hardwood trees in many western forests. Aspen is a valuable ecological compo-nent of many landscapes, occurring in pure forests as well as growing in association with many conifer and other hardwood species. While aspen provides desirable scenic value, the diversity of understory plants that oc-cur in the filtered light under the aspen canopy supply critical wildlife habitat, valuable grazing resources, and protection for soil and water. Although aspen is a crucial component of many western landscapes, it may be even more valuable in the Great Basin Region where it is less common or extensive than elsewhere. The most current literature pertaining to aspen has been summarized by Shepperd and others (2006) for the Sierra Nevada area. Most of this information is applicable to Great Basin aspen.