Utah Issues
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2010: Changing forest management to restore recruitment of cottonwood, aspen, and willow
Utah Forest Restoration Working Group (UFRWG)
Aspen has declined by about 35 percent in Utah, and much of what remains is threatened by conifer encroachment, poorly understood dieback, and heavy browsing of sprouts by elk, cattle, and other ungulates. The multi-stakeholder UFRWG has been meeting since April 2009 to develop guidelines for restoring aspen on all five national forests in Utah. Co-convened by the Trust and the Rural Life Foundation, UFRWG includes two forest supervisors (Dixie and Ashley National Forests), as well as representatives from the wood-products industry; conservation, livestock, and wildlife groups; and state and local governments. Our report is on target for completion by April 2010, and the UFRWG is now contemplating continuing the collaboration with the Forest Service on particular aspen restoration projects within one or more national forests in Utah.
What does it take to restore cottonwood, aspen, and willow recruitment?
Mindy Wheeler, Utah Forest Program Associate, is reviewing the scientific literature to identify livestock and other management practices that have resulted in restoration of cottonwood, aspen, and willow when sprouts were not recruiting into mature heights. The goal will be to recommend specific changes in monitoring and management to restore recruitment.
Monitoring the browsing and recruitment of riparian cottonwood, aspen, and willow
Throughout the growing season of 2008–2009, the Trust has been intensively measuring the level of browsing on cottonwood, aspen, and willow at targeted sites within all three national forests. We are continuing this work in 2010. We have found that trees between 4 and 6 feet tall are largely absent in riparian areas and pure aspen stands because of excessive browsing by elk and cattle. This means that too few aspen, cottonwood, and willow are available to replace the old, large, tall “overstory” aspen, cottonwood, and willow as they inevitably die.
Changing forest management
Partially in response to our 2009 report on problems with recruitment among riparian cottonwood, aspen, and willow on their forests, the Dixie and Fishlake forest supervisors have agreed to revise their standards for livestock and other uses of riparian areas to insure ongoing recruitment of cottonwood, aspen, and willow. The Trust will be offering suggestions and proposals for this welcome revision of riparian utilization standards.
Click here to volunteer for our 2010 volunteer riparian assessment trip.
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