FIELD ASSESSMENT OF WHITEBARK PINE IN THE SIERRA NEVADA

Sara Taylor, Daniel Hastings, and Julie Evens

Purpose of field work:

1. Verify distribution of whitebark pine in its southern extent (pure and mixed stands)

2. Assess the health and status of whitebark pine

3. Ground truth polygons designated by CALVEG as whitebark pine Regional Dominant

4. Conduct rapid assessment or reconnaissance surveys California National Forest Overview Areas surveyed: July 2013

Sequoia National Forest Areas surveyed: August 2013

Eldorado National Forest Areas surveyed: September 2013

Stanislaus National Forest Field Protocol and Forms: • Modified CNPS/CDFW Vegetation Rapid Assessment protocol

Additions to CNPS/CDFW Rapid Assessment protocol: CNDDB • Individuals/stand • Phenology • Overall viability (health/status) Marc Meyer • Level of beetle attack • % absolute dead cover • % of whitebark cones CNPS • Impacts and % mortality from rust and beetle Field Protocol and Forms: • CNPS/CDFW Field Reconnaissance (recon) protocol is a simplified Rapid Assessment (RA) protocol

3 reasons to conduct a recon:

1. WBP stand is largely diseased/infested 2. CALVEG polygon was incorrect 3. WBP stand was close to other RA

Results: Sequoia National Forest • Whitebark pine was not found during survey in Golden Trout Wilderness • Calveg polygons assessed (36 total) were mostly foxtail pine (Pinus balfouriana) • Highest survey conducted was at 11,129 ft at the SEKI and NF border

Results: Eldorado National Forest (N to S)

Desolation Wilderness: • 3 rapid assessments and 8 recons were conducted • 9,061 to 9,225 ft in elevation • Lower elevation stands were more impacted from MPB

Mokelumne Wilderness: • 5 rapid assessments and 10 recons were conducted • 8,673 to 9,566 ft. in elevation • whitebark pine stands abundant and healthy

Results: Eldorado National Forest Results: Eldorado National Forest Results: Eldorado National Forest Results: Eldorado National Forest Results: Stanislaus National Forest (N to S) Mokelumne Wilderness: • 4 rapid assessments and 3 recons were conducted • 8,854 to 9,370 ft in elevation • Beetle attacks and stem mortality evident

Carson-Iceberg Wilderness: • 2 rapid assessments and 6 recons were conducted • 8,651 to 10,242 ft in elevation • Rust was found on Ribes montigenum leaves • Little beetle attack or stem mortality

Results: Stanislaus National Forest Results: Stanislaus National Forest Results: Stanislaus National Forest Results: Stanislaus National Forest

WPBR Results: Stanislaus National Forest Results: Stanislaus National Forest Conclusions

Sequoia NF: • Negative data on Calveg WBP polygons • Extent of whitebark pine is further north than expected

Eldorado NF: • Positive and negative data on Calveg WBP polygons • An additional 420 acres of whitebark pine dominant was mapped • Overall, stands had good to excellent viability

Stanislaus NF: • Positive data collected on Calveg WBP polygons • An additional 1,000 acres of whitebark pine dominant was mapped • Stands north of Sonora Pass had good viability • Areas near Reynolds Peak (Mokelumne Wilderness) and Airola Peak (Carson-Iceberg Wilderness) with poor to good viability Future Monitoring & Assessment Priority Assessment:

Sierra NF • Calveg polys near Florence Lake (Mt. Hooper, Mt. Madera) and Lake Edison (Volcanic Knob) Northern Sequoia NF • Monarch and Jennie Lakes Wilderness (near 10,000 ft.) Lake Tahoe Basin • Relay and Freel Peaks Southern Inyo NF • Golden Trout Wilderness

Priority Long Term Monitoring:

1. Stanislaus NF-Carson-Iceberg Wilderness (Airola Peak and St. Mary’s Pass) 2. Eldorado NF-Mokelumne Wilderness (Round Top Botanical Area)

Priority Assessment for Southern Extent