While the PandoThe colony appears like a tightly packed bunch of aspen trees. However, it is generally considered to be one large plant.
This is one of the largest, most ancient, and largest organisms on the planet. It was created from a single complex root system that covers more than 100 acres (more 430,000 square metres).
The Trembling giant, also known as The Trembling Giant. A new study has revealed how ‘the one-tree forests’ is breaking down into smaller individuals.
Pando is under threat from many sources, including Climate change and diseaseThese are just a few of the many issues, but the main issue is that browsing cattle and deer can chew up tree sprouts, preventing the replacement of dying trees.
This issue Several times this has been mentioned before – but fencing designed to keep out animals hasn’t been fully successful in its aims, the new study reports. If current management strategies fail, this study suggests that a new approach will be required to save Pando for future generations.
Paul Rogers, an ecologist from Utah State University, writes that “Findings indicate that the genetically identical Pando is breaking up’ due to herbivory, fencing.” Publication of paper.
“Initial successes in fenced zones are dampened by almost half of Pando, which remains unprotected from domestic and wild herbivory.”
After analyzing 64 different plots across Pando, around 16 percent of it is well protected by fencing, Rogers reports – with new trees growing quickly enough to replace older ones. A third of the area’s fencing was also reinforced recently after it fell into disrepair. However, the forest is still in decline.
The remaining 50 percent of Pando is not fenced, and deer or cattle continue to eat most of the sprouts that grow. The amount of sunlight reaching the ground increases as mature trees die without being replaced. This changes the organism’s composition and biodiversity.
Rogers says fencing is dividing Pando into three parts, each with their own ecological path, rather than creating a single resilient forest. Unfenced areas are most likely to die quickly, but even well-fenced areas’ growth patterns are inconsistent with the forest’s long history.
“I believe we will end up creating something like a wild zoo if we save the organism by putting up fences.” Rogers.
“Although we are admiring the fencing strategy, we will eventually need to address the root problems caused by too many browsing cattle and deer on this landscape.”
New research is now available A 2018 studyRogers was involved with, and many of those same areas have been checked for growth. A similar study was done in an earlier time Starting in 2017There were signs of recovery in the fenced areas.
Rogers claims that Pando’s fragmentation could lead to the loss of hundreds of species. Aspen forests are rich in biodiversity, Rogers believes this.
It’s not immediately clear what the solution is, but it seems likely that more management of cattle, deer and other livestock is the best option. Even human numbers can be a problemThe conservation of Pando is going to depend on the activities around it. As it is always the case, more thorough monitoring will also prove helpful.
As conservation projects go, Pando is relatively small – but it’s indicative of the way that human interactions are disturbing a delicate natural balance. This could serve as a test case to conservationists who are trying to protect similar areas around the globe.
“Lessons from Pando can be applied to struggling, often-species rich, aspen system facing similar challenges globally.” Rogers writes.
The research was published in Conservation Science and Practice.
