Stapleton, Michael; DeRose, Justin. (Utah State University)
Faculty Advisor: DeRose, Justin (S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Natural Resources, Wildland Resources Department)
Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) is the most widespread coniferous tree in North America, occurring from Mexico to British Columbia and from California to Nebraska. Surprisingly, however, P. ponderosa is largely absent within the center of this range. Previous studies suggest that this absence may be linked to a range of climatic variables, but collectively fail to identify specific climate-growth responses. Using dendroclimatology, we will analyze how a disjunct population of P. ponderosa in northern Utah responds to local climate conditions. We seek to identify which of these variables the species is most sensitive to by correlating the population's average annual growth to a variety of climate composites. Similar tests will be conducted across three treatment blocks throughout the stand in order to distinguish if previous management altered the population's resilience to climate. Our results will help explain the current distribution of P. ponderosa and suggest how that distribution may respond to changing climate conditions.