Download the Excel file and read worksheet 'Field Descriptions'

Download the Excel file and read worksheet 'Field Descriptions'

Invasive white pine blister rust (Cronartium ribicola, WPBR) threatens white pine populations throughout North America. Sugar pine (Pinus lambertiana), for example, has been declining in Sequoia and King Canyon National Parks (SEKI) due to WPBR, as well as other mortality agents, including fire, drought, and mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae, MPB). Whether these declines reflect population trends farther north in Yosemite National Park, however, is largely unknown. To this end, we surveyed 56 plots between June and October, 2023 in Yosemite. To test whether fire impacted WPBR or sugar pine recruitment, 23 plots were established in the Rim Fire footprint. Average extent (% of plots with ≥ 1 infection) and infection rate (% of all live stems with ≥ 1 infection) was 48.2% and 3.7%, respectively, though the extent was much lower in the Rim Fire plots (26.1%) compared to the primary plots (63.6%). Our generalized linear mixed models of infection rate suggested that fire and the presence of alternate hosts were important correlates of WPBR. As fire severity increased, WPBR infections declined, suggesting that high severity fire may dampen infection rates. Additionally, MPB was typically found in larger diameter stems, and the extent was higher in primary plots (54.6%) compared to the Rim Fire plots (30.4%). Recent surveys from SEKI show that sugar pine and WPBR infection rates are declining, likely due to complex interactions with drought, MPB, and fire. Comparable infection rates in Yosemite suggest that both sugar pine and WPBR may be following a similar trajectory. Though long-term monitoring is needed to quantify trends, our results underscore that restoration will help ensure the persistence of this ecologically important species.

Invasive white pine blister rust (Cronartium ribicola, WPBR) threatens white pine populations throughout North America. Sugar pine (Pinus lambertiana), for example, has been declining in Sequoia and King Canyon National Parks (SEKI) due to WPBR, as well as other mortality agents, including fire, drought, and mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae, MPB). Whether these declines reflect population trends farther north in Yosemite National Park, however, is largely unknown. To this end, we surveyed 56 plots between June and October, 2023 in Yosemite. To test whether fire impacted WPBR or sugar pine recruitment, 23 plots were established in the Rim Fire footprint. Average extent (% of plots with ≥ 1 infection) and infection rate (% of all live stems with ≥ 1 infection) was 48.2% and 3.7%, respectively, though the extent was much lower in the Rim Fire plots (26.1%) compared to the primary plots (63.6%). Our generalized linear mixed models of infection rate suggested that fire and the presence of alternate hosts were important correlates of WPBR. As fire severity increased, WPBR infections declined, suggesting that high severity fire may dampen infection rates. Additionally, MPB was typically found in larger diameter stems, and the extent was higher in primary plots (54.6%) compared to the Rim Fire plots (30.4%). Recent surveys from SEKI show that sugar pine and WPBR infection rates are declining, likely due to complex interactions with drought, MPB, and fire. Comparable infection rates in Yosemite suggest that both sugar pine and WPBR may be following a similar trajectory. Though long-term monitoring is needed to quantify trends, our results underscore that restoration will help ensure the persistence of this ecologically important species.

This record contains three zip files of data. First, for the file treeGeneticISSRData, the data consists of genetic ISSR band scores. Two sets of trees were sampled for genetic analyses - large trees surviving mountain pine beetle and 'general population' trees that we just a little to small to be attacked that served as a proxy for the population without beetle selection. Second, for the file Treegrowthdata_, this dataset includes files that record tree ring widths of trees by year from two sites, Vipond Park and Lacey Creek, in Montana. Third, the file monoterpeneConcentrationsData contains spreadsheets of monoterpene concentrations from surviving and susceptible whitebark pine after a mountain pine beetle outbreak at Vipond Park, Montana. All data takes the form of Excel spreadsheets.

This dataset represents inputs into a spatial model associated with a publication that assesses trends and vulnerabilities in the mutalism between whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis) and Clark’s nutcracker (Nucifraga columbiana, CLNU) in national parks of the Sierra-Cascade region. The study uses avian point-count data, whitebark pine distribution, and foxtail pine distribution data provided in collaboration through The Institute for Bird Populations and the U.S. National Park Service. These data are associated with national parks within the Sierra region, including Yosemite National Park (YOSE) and Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks (SEKI). For data associated with national parks within the Cascade region, including Mount Rainier National Park and North Cascades National Park Service Complex, please refer to: https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/Reference/Profile/2277917 The avian survey data represent the count of Clark's nutcracker individuals at observed at point-count monitoring stations, 2011-2016. Avian survey covariates include: ambient noise level, observer, date, hour, presence of forest cover, presence of dense vegetation cover, elevation, aspect, and slope. Whitebark pine coverage (YOSE and SEKI) and foxtail pine coverage (SEKI) are calculated using park vegetation mapping inventories. Vegetation data are provided here as links. YOSE: https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/Reference/Profile/2252295 SEKI: https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/Reference/Profile/2252079 For more information, please refer to: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0227161

This dataset represents inputs into a spatial model associated with a publication that assesses trends and vulnerabilities in the mutalism between whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis) and Clark’s nutcracker (Nucifraga columbiana, CLNU) in national parks of the Sierra-Cascade region. The study uses avian point-count data, whitebark pine distribution, and foxtail pine distribution data provided in collaboration through The Institute for Bird Populations and the U.S. National Park Service. These data are associated with national parks within the Sierra region, including Yosemite National Park (YOSE) and Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks (SEKI). For data associated with national parks within the Cascade region, including Mount Rainier National Park and North Cascades National Park Service Complex, please refer to: https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/Reference/Profile/2277917 The avian survey data represent the count of Clark's nutcracker individuals at observed at point-count monitoring stations, 2011-2016. Avian survey covariates include: ambient noise level, observer, date, hour, presence of forest cover, presence of dense vegetation cover, elevation, aspect, and slope. Whitebark pine coverage (YOSE and SEKI) and foxtail pine coverage (SEKI) are calculated using park vegetation mapping inventories. Vegetation data are provided here as links. YOSE: https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/Reference/Profile/2252295 SEKI: https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/Reference/Profile/2252079 For more information, please refer to: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0227161

This dataset represents inputs into a spatial model associated with a publication that assesses trends and vulnerabilities in the mutalism between whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis) and Clark’s nutcracker (Nucifraga columbiana, CLNU) in national parks of the Sierra-Cascade region. The study uses avian point-count data, whitebark pine distribution, and foxtail pine distribution data provided in collaboration through The Institute for Bird Populations and the U.S. National Park Service. These data are associated with national parks within the Sierra region, including Yosemite National Park (YOSE) and Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks (SEKI). For data associated with national parks within the Cascade region, including Mount Rainier National Park and North Cascades National Park Service Complex, please refer to: https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/Reference/Profile/2277917 The avian survey data represent the count of Clark's nutcracker individuals at observed at point-count monitoring stations, 2011-2016. Avian survey covariates include: ambient noise level, observer, date, hour, presence of forest cover, presence of dense vegetation cover, elevation, aspect, and slope. Whitebark pine coverage (YOSE and SEKI) and foxtail pine coverage (SEKI) are calculated using park vegetation mapping inventories. Vegetation data are provided here as links. YOSE: https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/Reference/Profile/2252295 SEKI: https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/Reference/Profile/2252079 For more information, please refer to: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0227161