Document Type
Newsletter
Volume
2
Issue
2
Editor
Paul Rogers
Publisher
Western Aspen Alliance
Publication Date
5-2011
First Page
1
Last Page
4
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Abstract
Landscape genetic studies raise new questions about old paradigms
Karen E. Mock
James N. Long
Conventional wisdom on the management of aspen is based on a long history of solid research and a wealth of practical experience. However, recent discoveries using molecular tools are changing our understanding of aspen regeneration ecology in ways that could change management practices. Our traditional view of aspen dynamics is that aspen forests consist of small numbers of large clones, that reproduction from seed is negligible, and has been so since perhaps the Pleistocene, and that aspen is best regenerated by coppicing. According to this traditional view, aspen cannot effectively be re-established once it is lost from a landscape, and the decline of genetic diversity over time is inevitable. Consequently, the management of western aspen has been focused on vegetative regeneration (suckering), and genetic diversity has never been a major management concern.
Recommended Citation
Western Aspen Alliance, "Tremblings, May 2011" (2011). Tremblings. Paper 9.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/tremblings/9