Whitebark Pine recovery in St’at’imc Traditional Territory
Whitebark Pine is an endangered keystone species of high elevation ecosystems. It is an important food source of many species of wildlife, most notably the Grizzly Bear and Clark’s Nutcracker. It is endangered due to the introduced White Pine Blister Rust, Mountain Pine Beetle, fire, and climate change. The most effective means for Whitebark Pine recovery is through promoting the regeneration of blister rust-resistant seedlings via planting or natural means, retaining healthy trees on the landscape, and ensuring the perpetuation of natural recruitment. This project will directly aid in recovery by planting seedlings grown from potentially rust-resistant parent trees and by surveying past planting to determine success level of plantings.
Update: 3,248 at-risk Whitebark Pine seedlings planted
3,248 at-risk Whitebark Pine seedlings planted The objective of this project was to survey previous planting sites and to restore Whitebark Pine sites through planting. Surveyed densities identified survival rates of 55% and 74%. Although these survival rates are acceptable, improvements can be made by producing more robust seedlings and increasing planting densities at sites with easy access. All seedlings planted were from putatively resistant parents. A total of 3,248 seedlings were planted over 6.87 ha. This project aligns with the Bridge Seton Watershed Plan BRG.UAD.SB.38.01 (pg 41).
Final report: executive summary
Whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis) is a blue-listed species in British Columbia and listed as endangered under the Species at Risk Act (SARA) due to the impacts of: white pine blister rust, mountain pine beetle, fire suppression, and global climate change.
This project aligns with the Species Based Actions of the Upland and Dryland Ecosystem Chapter of the Bridge Seton Watershed Plan: ‘BRG.UAD.SB.38.01: Build upon previously-funded Whitebark Pine workP1.’
Click the provincial database link below to read the full final report for this project.