1. Reciprocal Disturbance Interactions in Pinus albicaulis Ecosystems Nancy Bockino – M.S. Candidate Daniel Tinker – Advisor University of Wyoming Department of Botany

2. Ecosystem Introduction –Function –Disturbance Quantitative Analysis & Results Implications –Ecosystem –Management

3. Black Bear Harvesting Cones Photo: Ryan Sims Seed Dispersal Vector Clark’s Nutcracker Photo: A. Wilson

4. Whitebark Distribution Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem – Northwest Wyoming Ecological Background

5. Photo from Allen Carroll Mountain Pine Beetle Native insect

6. Ecological Background Blister Rust Exotic Pathogen Photo Susan Hagle, USFS

7. Which tree & stand characteristics determine beetle selection and the resulting mosaic of mortality?

8. Project Objectives Quantify 1.Whitebark characteristics related to beetle selection 2.Beetle host-selection patterns 3.Relationship between blister rust & beetle selection Provide 1. Summary of whitebark condition in the GYE 2.Predictions of beetle selection 3.Ecosystem familiarity to aid restoration strategies

9. Study Sites #Site NameStand Type 1 BrecciaPure Whitebark BrecciaNon-Host 2 Mt. LeidyPure Whitebark Mt. LeidyNon-Host 3 TeewinotPure Whitebark TeewinotNon-Host 4 Sylvan Pass Whitebark & Lodgepole Teewinot Breccia Mt. Leidy Sylvan Pass

10. Three Stand Types Pure Whitebark Whitebark & Alternate Beetle Host Whitebark & Non-Beetle Host

11. Data Collection Each Tree Species Tree Diameter Blister Rust (Six & Newcomb, 2005) Crown Color Live or Dead Beetle Entrance Sites Within A Stand (2-3 ha) 24 plots systematically distributed Variable radius Tree = replicate

12. Whitebark Status in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem Sample Size1,947 Dead52 % Blister Rust Symptomatic83 % Selected by Beetle69 % Rust & Beetle61 %

13. Step 1: Chi-Square Category Selected by Beetle Characteristic BrecciaMt. LeidyTeewinotSylvan Pass Whitebark Density in Pure stands medium NA Blister Rust Severity heavy NA Tree Species (whitebark vs lodgepole) NA whitebark

14. Step 2: Selection Ratio (# preferred host attacked ÷ total attacked) (# preferred host available ÷ total available) Accounts for: 1. stand density 2. species composition 3. sequence of attack Selection Ratio 1.0 = No Preference Host characteristics blister rust severity tree species =

15. Step 2: Selection Ratio Sylvan Pass Host Characteristic Mean Selection Ratio Deviates from 1.0? Species = whitebark 1.3yes* Rust severity = heavy 1.28yes* Beetles prefer: 1. whitebark over lodgepole 2. whitebark with heavy blister rust Teewinot Mt. Leidy Breccia Selection Ratio 1.0 = No Preference *α = 0.05

16. Step 2: Selection Ratio 1.0

17. Response Variable Binary – Selected OR Not Selected Predictor Variables 1.Stand type (pure vs. non-host mix) 2.Blister rust severity (light vs. heavy) 3.Tree diameter Step 3: Multiple Logistic Regression

18. Heavy/Pure Heavy/Non-Host Light/Pure Light/Non-host

19. Conclusions 1.Beetles select whitebark over lodgepole 2.Blister rust influences selection probability Positive relationship between heavy rust & beetle selection. Interactions Between Blister Rust & Beetle Selection Enhance Disturbance Severity

20. “Barometer of change” Spatial & temporal prioritization of restoration sites Alteration of genetic structure of remaining seed source Redirection of succession Implications

21. Acknowledgements Funding sources: Joint Fire Science Program Grant # H1200040001 UWYO – NPS Research Grant Wyoming Native Plant Society Dan Tinker Ken Gerow David Legg Cory Bolen Bill Romme Kelly McCloskey – Grand Teton NP Liz Davey Andy Norman Contact Info: nbockino@uwyo.edu Ryan Sims My Mom, Alida Michael Straw CSU Bridger-Teton NF UWYO