Importance of Aspen Explained

Aging, declining stands of quaking aspen can have a lot to do with habitat trouble for deer, elk and other animals in Idaho. Aspen will be the subject of a seminar set for the Red Lion Hotel in Pocatello, on March 10 at 5:30 p.m.. The seminar is free to the public. The aspen tree (Populus tremuloides) is the most common, widely distributed deciduous tree in North America. It is estimated that Idaho has lost about 60 percent of the amount of aspen that grew here at the turn of the century. Aspen and aspen habitats are the homes and major food sources for countless large and small mammals, birds and wild creatures of all sorts, and other wild, native plants of many kinds. A panel of four aspen ecology researchers and experts is slated for this event: With more than 30 years of expertise, Dr. Dale L. Bartos, Ecologist and Project Leader for the Restoration of Disturbed Ecosystems Project, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Logan, Utah, will be addressing a broad spectrum of aspen related issues. Miriam L. Austin is a professional field biologist who provides help to state, tribes, federal agencies, conservation groups and to private industries throughout the Intermountain West. Lonn Kuck is a private wildlife consultant. He retired from the Idaho Fish and Game Department after 32 years with the Department. During his career with the Idaho Fish and Game, he worked as a big game research biologist, conducting research on the impacts of hunting on mountain goats near Salmon, Idaho. He also evaluated the impacts of phosphate mining on mule deer, elk and moose in Southeastern Idaho and led the state's elk research team in Northern Idaho. Kuck's presentation will focus on the role of aspen on the ecology of mule deer, elk, and moose populations in Southeast Idaho. Aspen habitats are heavily used by these three native ungulates. The changes of wild ungulates--deer, elk and moose--opulation numbers is in direct response to the dynamics of the quality and quantity of forage produced in aspen communities. Sarah Crocker Heide is a Fire Ecologist for the Southeastern BLM regional office in Pocatello. Dr. M. Keene Hueftle, Chair of the South East Idaho Environmental Network, is producing and facilitating this seminar.