The Pando aspen grove is currently undergoing a decline and ecologists are rushing to save what is often cited as the world's largest living organism. But a recent restoration program done by Utah State University may save the large colony of Quaking Aspen.
Trees usually follow the same structure, some leaves, roots and a trunk. But the Pando doesn't follow the same formula according to businessinsider.com. The Pando in Latin means "I spread" which is fitting for Pando as it is said that it follows a single massive underground network of roots that has sprouted genetically identical trunks across 100 acres in Utah.
The decline was brought about by different causes according to sciencedaily.com. These include a combination of drought, hungry herbivores and fire suppression and development. According to Utah State University researcher Paul Rogers, the Pando is undergoing rapid decline due to overstay mortality and chronic recruitment failure.
According to Rogers, restoration treatments done by USU scientists and colleagues may be working. Rogers and Jody Gale of USU Extension Sevier County published their findings that indicate Pando's recovery from the treatment in the Jan 19, 2017 issue of 'Ecosphere.' The research was supported by various organizations including the US Forest Service and Utah Forest Restoration Group.
The recovery treatment for Pando involved monitoring a portion of the grove with the intent of recording regeneration responses in preparation for a larger scale application. Rogers and his team placed 27 randomly stratified monitoring plots across a 43 hectares to monitor the recovery process. Treatment included plots left unprotected and protected by fencing, passive and active treatment such as burning, shrub removal and selective cutting.
Extensive measurements of treatment were recorded and showed signs of regeneration for the Pando in some methods of treatment. Results show that there was a positive regeneration response to limiting herbivores from entering the plots with fences. Active and passive treatments also produced sufficient levels of regeneration to protect young aspen trees.
On the other hand, plots that weren't protected by fences showed no improvement for Pando's growth. With these results, ecologists can now use the findings to help stop Pando's decline.
