Document Type

Article

Author ORCID Identifier

Anna B. Miller https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4919-8156

Paul C. Rogers https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5978-8910

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Land

Volume

13

Issue

7

Publisher

MDPI AG

Publication Date

7-6-2024

Journal Article Version

Version of Record

First Page

1

Last Page

21

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Abstract

Quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) landscapes are valued for their biodiversity, water retention, fire mitigation, aesthetics, and recreation opportunities. Across North America, some aspen populations are experiencing population declined as they face uninhibited ungulate browsing, drought, fire suppression, insects, disease, and inappropriate management. Increased human development and recreational use within aspen landscapes can serve as additive stressors, though there is a dearth of literature examining these elements. At a popular recreational area in Utah, USA, identifying the cause of apparent decline within a larger aspen community is complicated by development upstream and recreation-related activities. We sought to (1) assess the overall condition of the aspen at the site, (2) understand key variables that influence aspen conditions, and (3) elucidate how aspen fitness varies across the site. We collected data from forty-five plots using established aspen sampling methods, including ungulate presence, tree characteristics, soil chemistry, and environmental descriptors. Results suggest that a combination of higher levels of browsing and elevated soils sodium may be causing premature mortality and limiting aspen recruitment in a portion of the study area. These findings will inform future management at this site, as well as similar recreational forest settings experiencing compound stressors.

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