Aspen's Ecological Role in the West

Authors

William H. Romme
Lisa Floyd-Hanna
David D. Hanna
Elisabeth Bartlett

Document Type

Contribution to Book

Editor

WD Shepperd, D Binkley, DL Bartos, TJ Stohlgren, and LG Eskew compilers

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Sustaining Aspen in Western Landscapes: Symposium Proceedings

Volume

Proceedings RMRS-P-18

Publisher

USDA Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station

First Page

243

Last Page

259

Publication Date

2001

Abstract

Aspen exhibits a variety of ecological roles. In southern Colorado, the 1880 landscape mosaic contained a range of stand ages, of which half were >70 years old and half were younger. Pure aspen stands in southern Colorado are widespread and may result from previous short fire intervals that eliminated local conifer seed sources. Aspen regeneration in northern Yellowstone Park is controlled by ungulate browsing pressure and fire, so it has been limited since 1920. However, an episode of aspen seedling establishment occurred after the 1988 fires. We urgently need additional detailed, local case studies of aspen ecology to inform management decisions.

Recommended Citation

Romme, WH et al. 2001. Aspen's ecological role in the west. WD Shepperd et al (compilers). Sustaining Aspen in Western Landscapes: Symposium Proceedings. Proceedings RMRS-P-18. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. Fort Collins, CO.