2008 Restoration Strategy for the Caribou-Targhee National Forest

Project: Whitebark Pine Restoration Strategy for the Caribou-Targhee NF

Agency/Forest or Park/District: Caribou-Targhee NF

Project coordinator: Melissa Jenkins

Contact: Melissa Jenkins, 406 758-5333, mmjenkins@fs.fed.us

Cooperators

Robert Keane, RMRS Fires Sciences Lab, Missoula, MT and other co-authors of the GTR, for guidance on implementation of the draft range-wide restoration strategy.  Co-authors include: Mary Manning USFS R1, Diana Tomback, Professor at University of Colorado and Director of the Whitebark Pine Ecosystem Foundation, Dan Reinhart, NPS Yellowstone; Melissa Jenkins, Caribou-Targhee NF; Katherine Kendall, USGS, Glenda Scott, USFS R1; and Ward McCaughey, RMRS. Carol Aubry, R6 Geneticist- Consultation on R6 restoration strategy which follows a similar process to that being proposed for the range-wide strategy GTR.

Source of funding

FHP: $10,500

Supplemental funding: $10,500 from FS and GYCC

Dates of restoration efforts

See outcome

Objectives

To complete a whitebark pine restoration strategy for the Caribou-Targhee NF and contribute toward the completion of a multiple scale range-wide restoration strategy for whitebark pine.

Acres/ha treated

Aproximately 40,000 acres

Methods

Step 1

To determine existing condition of whitebark pine on the C-T and estimate historic range of variability, we will use the extensive whitebark mapping and monitoring that has been done on the Targhee.  A Forest-wide ecological unit inventory (EUI) has mapped all habitat types where whitebark pine can occur to a high degree of accuracy.  Other spatial data sources would be intersected with the EUI mapping for cross verification.  Other sources of data include approximately 8,000 acres of stand examination FSVeg tabular data and corresponding spatial data from stands containing whitebark pine, Lisa Landenberger’s (USGS) model that predicts whitebark presence, and extensive wbp field knowledge of C-T personnel.

Step 2

Using the draft GTR, A Multiple Scale Restoration Strategy for Whitebark Pine Forests in the Western United States, we will go through steps in the strategy to identify high priority areas for whitebark pine restoration on the C-T.  Potential problems with the draft process will be identified and authors of the strategy will be consulted to develop recommended changes.  We will review the Forest Service Region 6 restoration strategy and use it to help refine the range-wide strategy.  Mid-scale level areas such as watersheds with whitebark pine will be prioritized and then stands within the watershed would be prioritized. The type(s) of restoration needed would be identified for the higher priority stands.  A table would be developed that identifies restoration priorities by watershed on the C-T.  The results would be compiled in a suitable format to use as an example in the appendices of the GTR.

Planting? If so, source of seedlings? Resistance?   No

Outcome

Completed an existing whitebark pine map for the TNF. The whitebark pine restoration strategy was worked through at the broadscale for the TNF.  The strategy was then worked through for the stands within one watershed.  Problems with the restoration strategy were identified.  Jenkins updated the strategy to incorporate improvements identified during the process.

Monitoring since completion of the project   See last sentence of document.

            Dates

            Plans for future monitoring?   The product was a document therefore no monitoring is required.

Will outcome meet goals?

Yes, the outcome was a final analysis of restoration priorities on the C-T that was used as an example of a forest scale analysis in the GTR:  A Range-wide Restoration Strategy for Whitebark Pine, Keane et al., 2012. RMRS-GTR-279.

Future actions/follow up?

Complete. None needed.

Miscellaneous comments

Personnel transfer to another national forest and fire transfer of funding kept this project form being completed to the degree it should have.  The funds were not actually transferred with the fire transfer, but the forest was instructed to put them on hold and not use them. Project partially complete.  The remainder of the project will not be completed and the money will not be spent.

Update:  The remainder of the document was completed.  Melissa Jenkins returned to the C-T for a week to work with the GIS specialist to finish it in July 2008.