Whitebark pine stand condition, tree abundance, and cone production as predictors of visitation by Clark's nutcracker.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Accurately quantifying key interactions between species is important for developing effective recovery strategies for threatened and endangered species. Whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis), a candidate species for listing under the Endangered Species Act, depends on Clark's nutcracker (Nucifraga columbiana) for seed dispersal. As whitebark pine succumbs to exotic disease and mountain pine beetles (Dendroctonus ponderosae), cone production declines, and nutcrackers visit stands less frequently, reducing the probability of seed dispersal.

Methodology/principal findings

We quantified whitebark pine forest structure, health metrics, and the frequency of nutcracker occurrence in national parks within the Northern and Central Rocky Mountains in 2008 and 2009. Forest healt

SUBMITTER: Barringer LE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3360761 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature