Abstract
Quaking or trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) is a foundational tree species, which is native, common, and broadly distributed in North America. The ecology of aspen has been extensively studied throughout its range, but both research and forest management practices have focused primarily on its ability to regenerate asexually via root suckering. The seed-based reproductive ecology of aspen has received comparatively little attention, and information on the underlying processes, mechanisms, and requirements of seed regeneration tends to be scattered, somewhat anecdotal, or based only on localized research efforts.Here we review and explore some of the variables that influence the sexual reproduction and early establishment of aspen. We focus this review on western North America, where trembling aspen plays a dominant ecological role and may be disproportionately impacted by climate change. This synthesis presents existing information and identifies critical knowledge gaps in our understanding of seed –based aspen regeneration, in particular as it relates to flowering and seed production, as well as germination, first year growth, and survival of aspen seedlings. This information is discussed further in the context of aspen ecology and its application in both passive and active management approaches to aspen seedling regeneration and restoration.
Highlights
Quaking or trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) is the most broadly distributed native tree species in North America, with a range spanning 111° of longitude and 48° of latitude (Little, 1971), occurring from sea level to 3505 m (Perala, 1990)
We have focused our review on western North America because of the ecological dominance and importance of aspen in these landscapes; there are parallels to other regions in the northern hemisphere where other closely related species such as Populus tremula L. and P. grandidentata Michx. dominate
Seedlings are unlikely to become the dominant form of aspen regeneration of existing aspen forests across its range, given the prolific suckering potential of many stands
Summary
Quaking or trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) is the most broadly distributed native tree species in North America, with a range spanning 111° of longitude and 48° of latitude (Little, 1971), occurring from sea level to 3505 m (Perala, 1990). In Canada, Alaska, and the Eastern and Upper Midwestern portions of the U.S, seedling recruitment appears to be more common than in the southwestern U.S; there is increasing evidence of aspen seedling establishment in recent post-burn areas in the Intermountain West (Kay and Bartos, 2000; Turner et al 2003; Fairweather et al 2014; KM personal observation) This regional difference in seed-based recruitment rates may be a reason for the larger clone sizes (i.e. greater age) frequently observed in the southwestern U.S compared to the much smaller clone sizes elsewhere (Kemperman and Barnes, 1976). We synthesize existing information on (1) flowering and seed production, (2) germination, and (3) first year growth and survival, which we discuss in the context of both passive and active aspen restoration approaches
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