BLM Utah Assessment and Management of Aspen Ecosystems on Public Lands for the 21st Century.

Background: Quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) is known throughout the West as an icon of mountain scenery and among managers and scientists, aspen is revered for its resource value and important contributions to regional biodiversity and water conservation. Recent documentation of cover loss and decline of stands has raised concern about the future of aspen on the landscape and values associated with these communities. Management practices and recent drought are thought to have contributed to declines. However, much is still unknown about aspen systems and, in turn, appropriate management to sustain these communities in the face of expected climate warming and intensified drought. Quaking aspen cover is found predominantly on federally managed lands in the western United States. Land managers are challenged with making informed decisions concerning natural and human induced disturbances related to the ecology and processes for this species. Many land management agencies and educational institutions have joined forces to bridge the gap in literature and professional expertise concerning the future of this unique ecosystem. The proposed partnership would stream line the expertise, professional knowledge, scientific literature, understanding of past and future management outcomes, and address the complex issues surrounding the management of aspen on public lands. Objectives: The BLM is looking to form a partnership to facilitate effective and appropriate management and conservation of aspen ecosystems in the Western U.S. through coordinated scientific efforts and shared information. The BLM is charged with managing public lands, which include many aspen ecosystems in the West. Many aspen forests, particularly on BLM lands, are expected to undergo repeated drought cycles. Use of functionally-based aspen management techniques will assist BLM managers in resilience management practices in all aspen stands, but particularly in those exposed to heightened threat of forest decline. This synergistic relationship is expected to result in more efficient technology transfer of contemporary aspen science to land managers facing critical concerns in these (and adjacent) ecosystems within the National Forest System. The underlying tenet for all parties is enhancement of sustainable aspen ecosystems. The BLM and the recipient will gain further understanding of Aspen ecosystems and incorporate research findings into long term management goals for the species. It is anticipated that the proposed partnership would: ⿢ Gain an understanding for assessment of ⿿at risk⿝ aspen stands. It is anticipated that critical elements of this method will be model based encompassing climate projections, remote sensing techniques, and physical measures of aspen stand sustainability. ⿢ Further the understanding and development of assessments of aspen health ⿿ current and expected conditions (e.g., under changing climate scenarios) ⿿ at state or BLM district scales. ⿢ Participate in Ecoregion Assessments (i.e., Great Basin and/or Colorado Plateau). Cooperate in development of aspen component of these assessments; in particular, use rapid assessment techniques and database requirements to classify, inventory, and assess aspen condition across large geographic regions. Public Benefit: Public benefits from this project would be derived by establishing a framework and vehicle for cooperative and collaborative efforts involving the recipient and the BLM regarding aspen research, inventory, management, and restoration. Public benefits include improved vegetative health, cover and composition and will provide a diversity of habitat for wildlife species, recreational opportunities and natural biological diversity, including water quality and conservation, soil stability and overall improved Aspen ecosystem health. This partnership will be used to guide BLM in making land management decisions for the restoration and maintenance of aspen communities in concert with other renewable and non-renewable resource values and opportunities. The information obtained through this partnership will assist the BLM in gaining a firm understanding concerning management priorities and approaches in aspen communities that directly affect the public. Through this collaboration, the maintenance and improvement of public land renewable resources will provide improved and consistent recreational and consumptive benefits to public land users.