Elakha Alliance’s Post

Whitebark pines (Pinus albicaulis) are a keystone species in high-altitude ecosystems of the western United States and Canada, playing a crucial role in these environments. Here are some interesting facts about these majestic trees: 🌲Ecological Keystone Species: Whitebark pines are considered a keystone species because they significantly influence their ecosystems. They help stabilize soil, regulate snowmelt, and provide food and habitat for various wildlife, including the Clark's nutcracker, grizzly bears, and other animals. 🌲Mutualistic Relationship with Clark's Nutcracker: These pines have a unique mutualistic relationship with Clark's nutcracker birds, which are critical to the species' reproduction. The birds harvest the seeds from whitebark pine cones and cache them in the soil. Some of these seeds are forgotten or not retrieved, leading to new tree growth. 🌲Adaptation to Harsh Environments: Whitebark pines thrive in harsh, high-altitude environments where few other trees can survive. They are often found at the tree line, where their presence is essential for maintaining the ecosystem's health and stability. 🌲Role in Hydrology: The trees play a crucial role in the hydrology of mountainous regions by regulating snowmelt, which contributes to a steady water supply throughout the year. 🔥🔥Why Wildfires are Particularly Damaging to Whitebark Pines🔥🔥 🌲Slow Growth and Long Lifespan: Whitebark pines are slow-growing and can live for centuries, with some trees reaching over 1,000 years old. Their slow growth means that recovery from fire damage can take an exceptionally long time, making wildfires particularly devastating. 🔥Vulnerability to High-Severity Fires: Unlike some other pine species, whitebark pines are not well-adapted to frequent or high-severity fires. They have thick bark, which provides some protection, but intense wildfires can kill mature trees, especially when combined with other stressors like disease. 🌱Impact on Seed Dispersal: Severe wildfires can decimate entire stands of whitebark pines, leading to a loss of seeds that are vital for regeneration. Without the trees, Clark's nutcrackers have fewer seeds to cache, which hinders the natural regeneration process. 🕷️Other Threats: Whitebark pines are already under significant stress from other factors, such as white pine blister rust (a non-native fungal disease), bark beetle infestations, and climate change. Learn more about whitebark pines and how to help them with this handy one-pager from American Forests: https://lnkd.in/gnHGMvZ2 #Planscape #WhitebarkPine #KeystoneSpecies #ForestConservation #WildfireImpact #Biodiversity #WildlifeHabitat #ConservationEfforts #ProtectOurForests #ForestRestoration

Artecology NatureBricks used to help White-claw crayfish in the River Lugg Wildlife Corridor. “Where a concrete walkway was needed for outfall inspections, the face of this was laid with NatureBricks. The random cracks and fissures displayed on each nature brick may seem haphazard however they act to disperse flow and provide shelter for invertebrates such as white-clawed crayfish. Plants can also establish in these crevices, increasing habitat niches which would be absent if smooth concrete was used.” https://lnkd.in/eRkRfCpW

It’s #WildlifeWednesday! Today we’re talking Trout! There are 9 native species of native trout in North America and the Eastern brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) is one of many sub-species within the char family. Found from Maine to Georgia, and in cold water lakes and streams and additional states at high elevation, this species is an environmental indicator of excellent water quality. The conservation status of brook trout is not listed, indicating a healthy species population. The population remains healthy thanks to populations within pristine habitat undergoing natural reproduction. Where stream substrate or environmental conditions inhibit successful reproduction, various state fish & game organizations intervene with stocking efforts, which maintain healthy populations while offering viewing and angling opportunities. Many states recognize high quality waterways by implementing special regulations; these regulations either reduce creel limits, require immediate catch and release, or close the waterway entirely during spawning periods or during high day time temperatures in the summer to ensure a sustainable population for the future. Brook trout are opportunistic feeders and have been known to consume a variety of aquatic insects and small fish when tempted. Seasonal reproduction of brook trout varies due to geographic location, however most brook trout spawn in the fall and hatching occurs around January, producing 50 to at least 2,000 eggs. Although brook trout populations are stable, many threats exist, such as; human overharvest, changes in thermal ecology, introduced aggressive species, floods, and droughts. If you would like to discuss improving habitat on your land with one of our biologists, reach out at info@nalt.org, or visit our website to learn more about our conservation management plans: https://lnkd.in/gpKW6ufv #nativewildlife #habitat #nativehabitat #wildlifeconservation #wildlifewednesday #wildlife #northamericanwildlife #northamericanlandtrust #landconservation #landpreservation #privatelandconservation #fisheries #conservationmanagement #trout #ecosystems #wildlands #rivers

NEWS: Artificial Water Sources Help Migrating Cranes Reservoirs, stock ponds and agriculture flooded meadows provide water in parched landscapes. "A pair of recent studies reveal how both #whoopingcranes and #sandhillcranes make use of artificial water sources as they make long migrations across the #GreatPlains and arid West. The findings could have implications for water management in a part of the United States where water is often scarce. Researchers looking at greater sandhill cranes (Antigone canadensis tabida) found the birds make use of irrigated grass hay patches as they make their way across West. “The population really benefits from the availability of water in those landscapes,” said Patrick Donnelly, a landscape ecologist at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the Intermountain West Joint Venture. In an initial study published in Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, Donnelly and his team first characterized how much of the Intermountain West—a region between the Rockies and the ranges of eastern California, Oregon and Washington state—was taken up by grass hay agriculture. This unique type of farming’s effects on the ecology of migrating birds is understudied, Donnelly said. When ranchers divert water to seasonally flood their fields, some of the water is absorbed into the ground, recharging aquifers that sustain wetland habitats in riparian floodplains." Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/eq3aidQN #agriculture #waterconservation #endandgeredspecies #climatechange

Man has lived with and managed fire for thousands of years. I think the message concerning wildfire management should not be so focused on the role of wildfires in ecology but what are the multiple impacts wildfire can have on the various vegetative communities and ecosystems that man lives in. The role that wildfires play in the ecological process of the establishing and sustaining ecosystem/vegetative communities is not as simple as introducing fire back on the land and we will see a beneficial ecological result in all ecosystems all the time. Fire impacts on the landscape are so variable, and depend upon so many variable factors, that once lit, a wildfire (under whatever name you may want to call it) can be very difficult and even impossible to manage. When I hear the term "role of fire in ecology" as something we need to live with and blindly accept as being a natural force that somehow is always in tune with nature, I often wonder if we need to also accept the role of floods, erosion, invasive plants, wildlife/insect/ microorganism damage, and a host of other "natural disturbances" as being beneficial, and in tune with nature.

WHF is focused on improving #ecosystems through nature-based solutions to support native grassland species and #restorehabitat. We will be working with landowners to achieve this goal with funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation through the America the Beautiful Challenge, supporting on-the-ground #conservation work across a 17-county area of the Texas mid-coast. WHF will address your specific land use issues and provide best management practices as solutions. Common management practices include seed selection and planting, brush control, invasive species removal, prescribed burning, and rotational grazing strategies to develop habitat and encourage native grassland species to flourish. A well-managed grassland habitat can increase pollinator activity and grassland-dependent bird species, while also creating a more sustainable and resilient ecosystem for all natural resources present, including you. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gZdYJxJh

WWF-Australia's work at the intersection of nature, communities and climate means we get creative. Systems-level environmental innovation, through Caring for Country, ensures one species' solve isn't at the expense of another species. #regeneratenature #caringforcountry #wildlife #threatenedspecies #turtles #quolls

A Hopeful Story on Amphibian Conservation: The California red-legged frog. Once on the brink of extinction, the California red-legged frog is making a remarkable comeback thanks to dedicated conservation efforts. With 70% of its habitat lost, this iconic amphibian faced numerous challenges, from habitat destruction to invasive species. Initiated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, along with partners like the Land Trust of Napa County and Yosemite Conservancy, the project began in the early 2000s. Significant progress has been made, including the reintroduction of the frog in Southern California and the creation of new breeding ponds in Yosemite. Key achievements include: - Over 800 frogs grown from tadpoles in Napa. - Successful reintroduction in Southern California after 20 years. - Establishment of multiple breeding ponds in Yosemite. Despite challenges like wildfires and invasive species, the future looks promising with continued habitat restoration and monitoring. This effort showcases the potential for humanity to restore and regenerate our planet's ecosystems. #ConservationSuccess #WildlifeRecovery #EcologicalRestoration #EndangeredSpecies #SustainableFuture #Biodiversity #ClimateAction #NatureConservation #EnvironmentalProtection #EarthRegeneration #California #US #RedLeggedFrog

Our "Plant This, Not That" series aims to help you find a native plant instead of an invasive species for your yard. These plants often provide the same look and texture, similar features, and growing habits, all while providing critical habitat for native wildlife. Help improve native plant supply by asking for native plant species! Butterfly Bush (Buddleja sp.) has been a "first choice" for those looking to attract pollinators to their yard due to it's availability, but it is far from the "best choice" for our native butterflies. While it does provide a nectar resource to adult insects, it doesn't provide food for larvae. It produces an abundance of seed which spreads far and wide into natural areas. A better choice is a native milkweed (Asclepias sp.) of which there are so many regional choices to choose from. Native milkweeds provide nectar to a variety of insects and also act as a host plant for an insects like the Monarch Butterfly, as well as a number of other insects. There are also a number of other native shrubs and wildflowers that can offer a similar look and structure to Buddleja without having invasive potential. Check out the resources below for more suggestions. To learn more about Butterfly Bush, check out this resource from the Brandywine Conservancy Inc.: https://lnkd.in/e2NwStwS. Learn about our native milkweeds, including a regional milkweed finder tool, with Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation: https://lnkd.in/eebufK3V While these plants may not be in your area, send us a message if you would like suggestions for your region. To learn more about eradication of invasive species on your property, improvement of your habitat with native plants, or other habitat management questions, reach out to us at info@nalt.org and www.nalt.org. #invasivespecies #grownative #nativeplants #grownativeplants #nature #brp #naturelovers #outdoors #eradicateinvasives #plantthisnotthat #habitatmanagement #restoration #landconservation #conservation #privatelands #landconservation #northamericanlandtrust #milkweeds #monarchs