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Item Restoration of whitebark pine on a burn site utilizing native Ectomycorrhizal suilloid fungi(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 2017) Jenkins, Martha Lee; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Cathy L. CrippsThe compilation of threats both natural and anthropogenic and the resulting loss of whitebark pine has led scientists and land managers to actively pursue a strategy for restoration of this keystone species. A range-wide strategy for restoration has been developed by leading managers in the field and focuses on promoting rust resistance, conserving genetic diversity, saving seed sources, and employing restoration treatments (Keane et al. 2012). These strategies are applied across the range of whitebark pine and rely on the collaboration of land managers, scientists, and academics. Seed Source The most promising strategy for restoration of whitebark pine is the out-planting of blister rust resistant seedlings (Keane et al. 2012). Due to the continuous loss of mature cone-bearing whitebark pine, it is necessary to collect seed for blister rust resistance screening, genetic conservation, and out-planting... For the large-scale planting of 36,000 whitebark pine seedlings on the Eureka Basin Burn in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, the first year survival of the 800 seedling subsample was high overall (94%). A method for examining how seedling-level planting variables such as colonization by suilloid ectomycorrhizal fungi, microsite type and position, slope, and potential soil moisture (TWI) affect seedling health and survival was developed and seedlings were monitored 3 and 14 months after planting. Further monitoring will continue to examine how long term seedling success is affected by these variables.Item Effects of fire and logging on landscape structure in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Letters & Science, 2000) Wilmer, Henry BondItem Run-time optimization of a radiation driven crown fire model(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Engineering, 1997) Call, Patrick TimothyItem Effects of wildfire on first order stream channel morphology Yellowstone National Park, USA(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Letters & Science, 1999) Ernstrom, Kim J.Item The effect of fire on Yellowstone ecosystem seed banks(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Letters & Science, 1991) Clark, David LeeItem Soil and plant response to slash pile burning in a ponderosa pine forest(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 2009) Meyer, Natalie Jo; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Catherine A. Zabinski; Thomas DeLuca (co-chair)Slash pile burning is the most common method of forest residue disposal following ponderosa pine restoration harvests, which are intended to reduce the risk of catastrophic fire and restore the historical structure and function of forests in western Montana. The impact of high-intensity, long-duration fire (pile burning) on soil processes and plant community dynamics is not well understood. The objectives of this study were: (1) to characterize the influence of slash pile burning on soil nutrient availability, soil microbial activity, and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) infection; (2) to compare seeding and soil amendment effects on burn scars. In May 2006, slash piles were burned in a ponderosa pine stand near Florence, Montana and 45 scars were sampled. Soil samples were collected from three locations in each slash pile to a depth of 10 cm and characterized for available soil NH 4 + -N, NO 3 - -N, potentially mineralizable nitrogen (PMN), and total C and N, water-soluble PO 4 ³- -P, microbial biomass, and mycorrhizal inoculum potential (MIP). In the burned center, soil NH 4 + -N was greatest one month post-burn and remained elevated one year later. There was no observable increase in NO 3 - -N until one year post-burn. Soluble PO 4 ³- -P was not impacted by burning. Microbial biomass was reduced by burning and did not recover one year later. Pile burning greatly reduced MIP. In October 2006, fire scars were either seeded with native graminoids or left non-seeded, divided into subplots, and assigned to one of five treatments: control, addition of local organic matter, scarification, scarification and organic matter addition, or scarification and commercial compost addition. Soils were monitored for the previously measured soil parameters and resin-sorbed inorganic N. Scarification with organic matter amendment and scarification with compost amendment both ameliorated soil properties. Seeding most effectively increased plant cover and suppressed non-native invasive species, while scarification or scarification with organic matter amendment further improved early plant establishment. Collectively, these data help characterize the impacts of slash pile burning as a management technique in ponderosa pine forests and illustrate potential treatments for restoring burn pile scars.Item Impact of severe fire on ectomycorrhizal fungi of whitebark pine seedlings(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 2009) Trusty, Paul Evan; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Cathy L. Cripps.Whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis) is a threatened keystone species in subalpine zones of Western North America critical to watersheds and maintenance of high elevation biodiversity. Pine nuts are an important food for wildlife including grizzly bears. Whitebark pine stands have experienced losses up to 90% due to white pine blister rust, mountain pine beetles and replacement due to fire suppression. Active management strategies include letting natural fires burn or applying prescribed fires to clear understory fir, stimulate seedling regeneration and provide openings for nutcrackers to plant seeds. However, post-fire plantings of rust-resistant seedlings have low survival rates. This study evaluated the impact of fire on the mycorrhizal fungi which are obligate mutualists with whitebark pine and to address management concerns. The 2001 Fridley fire burned a portion of a mature whitebark pine forest and a year later 20,000 seedlings were planted. After four years, natural and planted seedlings, on the burn and controls in the adjacent unburned forest were well colonized by mycorrhizal fungi (>90%) although a portion may be nursery E-strain. The severe burn reduced mycorrhizal diversity 27% on natural and planted seedlings and caused a significant shift in mycorrhizal species (determined by ITS sequencing, principal component analysis and multidimensional scaling). Seedlings in the burn (natural and planted) were dominated by Pseudotomentella nigra, Wilcoxina species and Amphinema byssoides while natural seedlings in unburned forest hosted mainly Cenococcum geophilum and Piloderma byssinum. Differences were minimal between planted and natural seedlings in the burn, but roots of planted pines retained the container shape. The functional significance of a species shift to seedling survival is not yet known. Seedlings in all treatments hosted suilloid fungi (Rhizopogon, Suillus) important in pine establishment. A greenhouse bioassay of burned and unburned soils using nursery seedlings did not reflect the full diversity found in the field study, but did reveal suilloid fungi indicating that bioassays can be used as a pre-planting assessment tool for this group. Despite high mycorrhization and availability of suilloids, seedling survival was low (22-42%) suggesting the timing/type of mycorrhization and/or other biotic/abiotic factors are a concern.