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Overview
In the Northern Rocky Mountains, high-elevation forests make up the core range of whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis), a threatened, keystone species. Whitebark pine regeneration is often considered fire-dependent, with fire removing competing vegetation and encouraging seed caching by Clarkâs Nutcrackers (Nucifraga columbiana). Yet, whitebark pine are highly vulnerable to fire mortality, and losing cone-bearing trees has grown more consequential as populations have declined due to infection by invasive white pine blister rust (Cronartium ribicola) infection and native mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae) outbreaks. This research brief explores how fire and site conditions govern the presence and abundance of juvenile whitebark pine and co-occurring tree species.