Date of Award:

5-2010

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Science (MS)

Department:

Wildland Resources

Committee Chair(s)

Ronald J. Ryel

Committee

Ronald J. Ryel

Committee

Dale L. Bartos

Committee

R. Douglas Ramsey

Abstract

Quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) is the most widespread deciduous tree species in North America and aspen ecosystems are highly valued for multiple use, being noted for forage production, understory diversity, wildlife habitat, timber, hydrological assets, and aesthetics. However, aspen communities in the Intermountain Region of the western United States are in evident decline, with certain areas experiencing rapid mortality over the past decade. One location of special interest is the quaking aspen on Cedar Mountain in Southern Utah, USA, an isolated population in the southwestern portion of aspen's geographic range.

Lacking critical information on the location, extent, and magnitude of declining stands, land managers could utilize detailed spatial information to manage aspen on Cedar Mountain. To inform land managers of Cedar Mountain and develop methodologies applicable for aspen landscapes across the Intermountain West, a spatially explicit aspen stand type classification using multi-spectral imagery, digital elevation models, and ancillary data was produced for the 27,216-ha pilot study area. In addition, a statistical analysis was performed to assess the relationships between landscape parameters derived from the geospatial information (i.e. slope, aspect, elevation) and aspen on the Cedar Mountain landscape.

A supervised classification composed of three aspen stand types (1-healthy, 2- damaged, 3-seral) was produced using Classification and Regression Tree (CART) analysis and validated using National Agriculture Imagery Program (NAIP) imagery. Within Cedar Mountain aspen cover, classification estimates were 49%, 35%, and 16% for healthy, damaged, and seral aspen stand types, respectively. Validation measures yielded an overall accuracy measure of 81.3%, (KHAT=.69, n = 446).

Important landscape metrics for the three health classes were found to be significantly different. Damaged stands were found primarily at lower elevations on south-to-west (drier) aspects. Within the aspen elevation range, the mean elevation of damaged stands (2,708 m) was significantly lower than that of the mean elevation of healthy stands (2,754 m). Aspect (moisture index) was also significantly different, with damaged stands primarily on southerly (drier) aspects and healthy stands generally on northerly (wetter) aspects. Slope, however, was not found to be significantly different among aspen types.

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