Abstract
The persistence of quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) is of significant importance to land managers in the Rocky Mountain region. Fire suppression in the past century has been implicated as a mechanism influencing aspen population dynamics, as aspen are generally considered an early seral disturbance adapted species. The heterogeneity of aspen community assemblages and fire regimes makes it difficult to discern what the result of fire suppression has been at large spatial and temporal scales. Decision makers should investigate the questions at hand at the stand level in their study location to best determine the mechanisms at play, as well as consider future potential changes to the system.
Highlights
It is well documented in a variety of ecosystems worldwide that anthropogenic influences have been causing changes in vegetation community assemblages and dynamics
The grouping of aspen stands into low, mid- or high elevations would be wise as fire regimes, and aspen regenerative processes, will be highly variable between groups but somewhat similar within groups
A potential hindrance to this achievement is the lack of methodologies that accurately date historic fire in aspen stands, as stated by Shinneman et al (2013), “New techniques are needed to provide more robust interpretations of stand age structures and estimates of fire rotation, to reduce speculative assumptions about fire regimes caused by a lack of obvious fire evidence.”
Summary
It is well documented in a variety of ecosystems worldwide that anthropogenic influences have been causing changes in vegetation community assemblages and dynamics. In the Rocky Mountains of the western United States, apparent decline of quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) has been a topic of significant importance and debate to scientists and land managers for multiple reasons. Altered Fire Regimes and the Persistence of Quaking Aspen in the Rocky Mountains: A Literature Review. Fire suppression in the Rocky Mountains beginning in the late 1880’s has been implicated by many studies as a possible cause of aspen decline. This is due to the ecology of aspen as it relates to fire disturbance. This paper will review the literature and describe the current knowledge of different aspen community types, fire regimes and regeneration methods. It will attempt to reconcile divergent findings and make recommendations for management and future areas of study
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