Fishlake National Forest Pando Clone

Summary

The Pando Clone, a 106-acre aspen stand on Fishlake, is recognized as the world's largest living organism by DNA testing, with an estimated 50,000 trees. However, it faces a regeneration crisis, with old trees dying and no new growth. Scientists hypothesize that herbivory, age, and fungal infections may be factors. To combat this, the area has been partially fenced to prevent browsing by cattle and deer, and various treatments including prescribed burns and selective cutting are being tested to stimulate regeneration. As a keystone species, aspen stands like Pando are crucial for biodiversity and watershed health, prompting efforts to understand and preserve them for future generations.

Takeaways

• 🌳 The Pando Clone is an aspen stand located on the Fishlake, spanning 106 acres with an estimated 50,000 trees, making it one of the largest living organisms based on DNA testing.
• 🚗 People often drive through the Pando Clone without realizing its significance as the largest living organism of its kind.
• 📊 The Pando Clone is facing a regeneration issue, with the older trees dying and not being replaced by new growth, which is atypical for aspen stands.
• 🔬 Scientists hypothesize that the Pando Clone could be over eighty thousand years old, indicating its ancient origins.
• 🌱 Aspen stands typically regenerate on their own, but the Pando Clone is not showing this natural process, raising concerns about its root systems' ability to produce new growth.
• 🐃 The study suggests that herbivory, such as browsing by cattle and deer, may be inhibiting the growth of new aspen trees in the Pando Clone.
• 🦠 There are concerns that fungal infections and diseases, like shepherd's crook caused by a fungus, are affecting the regeneration of the Pando Clone.
• 🔥 Management strategies include prescribed burns and removal of juniper to reduce competition and promote regeneration of the aspen stand.
• 🏵 The Pando Clone is considered a keystone species, providing high biodiversity and productivity, important for the landscape and watersheds.
• 🛡️ Fencing off portions of the Pando Clone is an attempt to control the browsing issue and study its impact on regeneration.
• 🌐 The goal of the Forest Service is to maintain and preserve the Pando Clone for future generations, emphasizing the importance of sustainable land management.

Q & A

What is the Pando Clone?

The Pando Clone is an aspen stand located on the Fishlake, covering 106 acres with an estimated 50,000 trees, and is considered the largest living organism in the world that has been DNA tested.

Why is the Pando Clone significant?

The Pando Clone is significant because it is believed to be the world's largest living organism based on DNA testing, and it is named after the Latin word 'Pando', which means 'I spread'.

What is the main problem with the Pando Clone?

The main problem with the Pando Clone is the lack of regeneration to replace the parts that are dying, which is a concern from a Forest Service perspective.

Why is regeneration important for the Pando Clone?

Regeneration is important because it allows the aspen stand to replace old trees that die, maintaining the health and continuity of the stand.

How old is the Pando Clone estimated to be?

The Pando Clone is estimated to be upwards of eighty thousand years old, although this is a guess and indicates the stand's great age.

What is the role of herbivory in the Pando Clone's regeneration issue?

Herbivory, such as browsing by cattle and deer, is theorized to be a factor in the lack of regeneration, as these animals may be consuming the new growth before it can mature.

What measures have been taken to address the browsing issue?

Approximately 90 acres of the Pando Clone have been fenced off to remove the browsing issue by cattle and deer, allowing for a study of the impact of these grazers on regeneration.

What other factors could be affecting the Pando Clone's regeneration?

Other factors include the clone's advanced age potentially lacking energy reserves to send up new growth, the presence of fungus causing issues, and competition from common juniper.

What treatments are being used to promote regeneration in the Pando Clone?

Three treatments are being used: prescribed burns, removal of juniper, and selective cutting to remove some of the overstory, all aimed at promoting succoring and regeneration.

Why are aspens considered a keystone species on the landscape?

Aspen stands are considered keystone species because they are highly productive, support high diversity in plant and animal life, and are important to watersheds.

What is the goal of the Forest Service regarding the Pando Clone?

The goal of the Forest Service is to maintain the Pando Clone for future generations, understanding its functions, and addressing the problems it is facing to ensure its sustainability.

Outlines

00:00

🌳 The Pando Clone: World's Largest Living Organism and Its Regeneration Challenges

The Pando Clone, located on the Fishlake, is a 106-acre aspen stand with an estimated 50,000 trees, considered the world's largest living organism based on DNA testing. Despite its impressive size, the Pando Clone faces a significant regeneration problem, with old trees dying and few new ones emerging to replace them. This is unusual for aspen stands, which typically regenerate naturally. Scientists hypothesize that herbivory, the Pando Clone's age, or fungal infections might be hindering the growth of new trees. To address this, the area has been partially fenced off to protect against browsing by cattle and deer and to allow for comparative studies. Various treatments, including prescribed burns and selective cutting, are being tested to stimulate regeneration. The Pando Clone's health is crucial not only for its ecological value but also for its status as a unique natural wonder.

05:03

🌿 Aspen Stands as Keystone Species and the Importance of Pando Clone Conservation

Aspen stands, including the Pando Clone, are vital to the Fishlake landscape due to their role as a keystone species. Aspens are known for their high productivity and biodiversity, supporting a rich array of plant and animal life and playing a critical role in watershed health. The Pando Clone, in particular, has garnered attention due to its unique status and the interest it has attracted. As land managers and scientists, the goal is to understand and preserve the aspen stands, ensuring their sustainability for future generations. The Fishlake National Forest Service is committed to maintaining the Pando Clone not only for its current inhabitants but also for the generations to come, reflecting the broader mission of the Forest Service to protect and manage natural resources for the benefit of all.

Keywords

💡Pando Clone

The term 'Pando Clone' refers to a specific aspen stand located on the Fishlake, which is considered the largest living organism based on DNA testing, with an estimated 50,000 trees spread over 106 acres. The Pando Clone is central to the video's theme, illustrating the unique ecological phenomenon of a single organism consisting of many genetically identical trees. The script mentions the Pando Clone's size, age, and the challenges it faces with regeneration.

💡Aspen Stand

An 'aspen stand' is a group of aspen trees that are genetically identical and share the same root system, forming a clone. In the context of the video, the Pando Clone is an example of an aspen stand. The script discusses the natural cycle of aspen stands, where old trees die and new ones regenerate from the root system, a process that is not occurring effectively in the Pando Clone.

💡Regeneration

Regeneration in the script refers to the process by which new trees grow to replace older ones that die. It is a critical concept in the video, as the lack of regeneration in the Pando Clone is a significant concern. The script mentions that the root systems are not producing new shoots, which is unusual for an aspen stand and suggests potential issues with the health and sustainability of the Pando Clone.

💡Herbivory

Herbivory is the consumption of plants by animals, such as cattle and deer. In the video, it is theorized that herbivory might be inhibiting the regeneration of the Pando Clone by browsing off new growth. The script describes efforts to fence off parts of the clone to study the impact of herbivory on the stand's ability to regenerate.

💡Fungus

The script mentions a type of fungus that could be affecting the regeneration of the Pando Clone. Fungi can have various impacts on plant health, including diseases that hinder growth or kill plants. The term 'Shephards crook,' a condition caused by a fungus, is used in the script to describe a specific impact on the aspen trees within the Pando Clone.

💡Beetles

Beetles are insects that can bore into trees, potentially causing damage that affects the health and regeneration of the forest. The script refers to 'different varieties of beetles' that bore into the trees of the Pando Clone, suggesting they may be a factor in the decline of the stand.

💡Juniper

Juniper is a type of plant that, according to the script, may compete with the aspen regeneration in the Pando Clone. The script mentions the removal of juniper as a management strategy to improve the conditions for aspen regeneration, indicating that juniper could be outcompeting the aspen trees for resources.

💡Prescribed Burn

A prescribed burn is a controlled fire used to manage vegetation and promote the growth of certain species, such as aspen. The script discusses a prescribed burn as one of the strategies being employed to stimulate regeneration within the Pando Clone, suggesting that disturbance through fire can be beneficial for aspen stands.

💡Selective Cutting

Selective cutting is a forest management practice where certain trees are removed to improve the overall health and growth of the remaining trees. In the context of the video, selective cutting is mentioned as a method to reduce competition and promote the regeneration of the Pando Clone by allowing more light and space for new growth.

💡Keystone Species

A keystone species is one that has a disproportionately large effect on its environment relative to its abundance. In the script, aspen is referred to as a keystone species due to its importance in supporting biodiversity and ecosystem health. The preservation and understanding of the Pando Clone are emphasized as part of managing this keystone species.

💡Land Management

Land management involves the oversight and care of land resources to ensure their sustainable use and preservation. The script discusses the role of land managers in understanding and addressing the issues faced by the Pando Clone, highlighting the importance of sustainable practices for the benefit of future generations.

Highlights

The Pando Clone is a 106-acre aspen stand located on the Fishlake, with an estimated 50,000 trees.

Pando Clone is considered the largest living organism in the world based on DNA testing.

The name 'Pando Clone' derives from the Latin word 'I spread', reflecting its expansive nature.

A significant concern is the lack of regeneration in the Pando Clone, with old trees dying and no new growth.

Aspen stands typically regenerate on their own, but the Pando Clone is not showing this behavior.

Scientists estimate the Pando Clone could be over eighty thousand years old.

The root systems of the Pando Clone are not effectively producing new growth.

A study is being conducted to understand the lack of regeneration, with herbivory suspected as a contributing factor.

The Pando Clone's age could be a factor in its inability to regenerate, due to depleted energy reserves.

Fungal infections may be impacting the Pando Clone's health and regeneration capabilities.

Aspen stands thrive on disturbance, such as fire or mechanical treatments, which can stimulate regeneration.

A fence has been placed around 90 acres of the Pando Clone to study the impact of grazing by cattle and deer.

Beetles and other insects, as well as bacterial infections, are suspected to affect the Pando Clone's health.

A prescribed burn and removal of juniper have been implemented as part of the regeneration strategy.

Selective cutting is being used to remove parts of the overstory to encourage new growth.

Aspen stands function as clones, sharing the same DNA and root system, leading to synchronized growth and behavior.

Aspen is considered a keystone species in the Fishlake forest, contributing to biodiversity and watershed health.

The Pando Clone has been named and is of interest to the public, prompting efforts to preserve and understand it.

The goal of the Forest Service is to maintain the Pando Clone for future generations, reflecting a commitment to sustainability.

Transcripts

So we're here in the pando clone.

People drive through it, don't even realize they're in the pando clone.

Or we'll get phone calls and people really wondering what is this pando clone and it's

an aspen stand here on the Fishlake.

You have highway 25 that goes right through the middle of it.

The pando clone is 106 acres.

Scientists say there is an estimated 50,000 trees here in the pando.

The interesting fact about the pando clone is that scientists are claiming that it's

the largest living organism in the world that has been DNA tested.

So there might be other larger organisms but based on DNA, this is the largest living organism

in the world.

The pando clone is as the latin word frames it as "I spread".

The problem with the pando clone it's not that necessarily that the overstory is dying,

or some of the clone is not doing well, but we're not getting any regeneration to replace

the parts that are dying.

So from a Forest Service perspective, yeah, that's a problem.

When there's no regeneration to replace those that die.

This behaves in a lot of ways like any other aspen stand.

They get old, they die, new stuff comes up to replace the old.

And in this case, the old stuff is dying, there's not much new stuff to replace it.

Typically we would expect aspen stands should be able to regenerate on their own.

I've heard it estimated by scientists that this stand could be upwards of eighty thousand

years old.

That's a guess, but it gives us an indication that they're very, this stand is very old.

And when you see the pando, there's no regeneration for the most part occuring and that's not

typical of what you would expect from an aspen stand so, that's the problem is the root systems

are not sending up the succors or if they are, they're not having success in being able

to grow into mature trees to perpetuate itself.

Yeah, so, that's why we're doing this study, we have a theory, that herbivory is playing

a role in it, as the plants come up.

They're browsing the plants off.

And so that's one reason.

Another thought is that the pando is just old.

And doesn't have the energy reserves to send up succoring.

Other ideas are that it has fungus and a type of fungus that's causing it's problems.

Just one other item too is that aspen stands like disturbance.

When they're disturbed through fire, mechanical, different types of treatments, they regenerate.

And so that's, those are the things we're looking at with the pando clone to try to

figure out why it's not regenerating as well as it should on it's own.

The fence that we've placed around portions of the pando clone, there's 106 acres and

we've fenced off approximately 90 acres of it.

To remove the browsing issue.

The cattle and the deer.

And to be able to see what role that was playing in this.

Then we can compare it to areas that are not fenced off.

And get a better feel for the browsing part of it.

So the fence was to address the grazers.

So as you know when you run some scientific tests, you try to eliminate something so you

can get a better or a more accurate reading on what that test is.

So I think what we're going to find as we do the studies in here, although the grazers

may play a role in it, they aren't the only thing that's causing the decline.

There are different varieties of beetles, bores, some of these trees here, with the

black on them and what not are caused by a bacterial infection.

When we had our insect and disease specialist here, she suspects this is what's called shephards

crook, caused by a fungus that's effecting the regeneration, or atleast the top leader.

The top leader would be something like this.

This is your top leader.

So it effects it.

Comes down to about this point here on the tree, causes the top of it to bend over like

this called shephards crook.

So some of that is going on in here, not affecting all of the regeneration, but some.

So there was a prescribed burn, removal of juniper.

Which the suspicion there is that the common juniper that you're seeing here competes with

and or can outcompete regeneration and the third one was selective cutting to remove

some of the overstory to promote succoring.

So those are the three things we're trying right now and we'll see how that shakes out.

This is likely a regeneration response from the burn that was done in the spring of the

year.

Like all aspen stands, they function as clones.

So they reproduce by succoring.

So the root system under the ground is all one family or they all are of the same DNA

makeup.

And so that's how all aspen stands are.

A clone all looks the same.

Basically they, when they leaf out in the spring they do it at the same time, and as

you look out across the landscape you'll see one clone leafing another clone next to it

not leafing in the fall when they change colors.

The clone will typically look the same and then be different than another clone right

next to it.

So you can, just by looking at a clone kind of begin to say that's an aspen clone in itself.

Certainly aspen is an important plant community and species that we have on the Fishlake and

on most of our forests.

We look at the aspen as a keystone species for what they provide on the landscape, aspen,

they're highly productive areas, they have high diversity in plant and animal life, they

are important to our watersheds.

And so as managers and as scientists, we want to understand how aspens function so that

we can make good decisions in the way that we preserve and utilize our aspen stands and

because pando was assigned a name and people have taken interest, we decided on the Fishlake

that it was important that we preserve the pando clone and try to better understand how

it functions and also to understand the problems that the pando's having.

I think that's a role we have as land managers to be mindful of the uniqueness of this area

and try to sustain it.

The goal obviously is to maintain the pando clone.

And from my perspective that's always meant not just maintaining it for us here, but our

kids and their kids because the mission of the Forest Service is to maintain these types

of things as well as the rest of the Forest for future generations and not just for ourselves.

So that's my hope and goal.

We'll see if we're successful.