White Pine in the American West: A Vanishing Species. Can We Save It

摘要

Western white pine (Pinus monticola). For centuries white pine dominated the211u001emoist forest ecosystems of the Inland Northwest, and for decades Americans 211u001edepended on these dense white pine forests. One of the region's largest species, 211u001ewhite pine produces some of the world's most desirable wood. This species used to 211u001edefine the economic scene in Northwestern towns. Then its history began to 211u001eparallel the human culture around it--boom, then bust. As the white pine 211u001epopulation began to wither, it took a big chunk of history with it. White pine's 211u001edecline put major timber companies out of business and spurred important shifts 211u001ein forest management ideology. Now the future of western pine is uncertain. Not 211u001emuch of the former forest remains. The alliance of blister rust, beetles, and 211u001elogging killed over 90 percent of white pines in less than 70 years. Lone white 211u001epines in forests crowded with smaller shade-tolerant species are often the only 211u001esymbols left of the mighty woods that once dominated the Inland Northwest. And 211u001ethe mortality rate for these remaining trees is high.