Using Scanning Electron Microscopy to Identify Animals Associated
with Limber Pine Damage in Yellowstone National Park
Voiceover
Presenter Information(s)
Sachiel Oberto
Secondary Mentor
Dr. Holly Lutz
Supplementary Materials
Field observation of American bison (Bison bison) engaging in vegetation damage: https://youtube.com/shorts/tS0NfssosxA?feature=share
References:
- Schoettle, A. W., Burns, K. S., McKinney, S. T., Krakowski, J., Waring, K. M., Tomback, D. F., & Davenport, M. (2022). Integrating forest health conditions and species adaptive capacities to infer future trajectories of the high elevation five-needle white pines. Forest Ecology and Management, 521, 120389. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2022.120389
- Painter, L. E., Beschta, R. L., & Ripple, W. J. (2023). Bison alter the northern Yellowstone Ecosystem by breaking Aspen Saplings. Ecology and Evolution, 13(8). https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.10369
- Madkour, F. A., & Abdelsabour‐Khalaf, M. (2022). Performance scanning electron microscopic investigations and elemental analysis of hair of the different animal species for forensic identification. Microscopy Research and Technique, 85(6), 2152–2161. https://doi.org/10.1002/jemt.24073
- Debelica, A., & Thies, M. L. (2009). Atlas and key to the hair of terrestrial Texas mammals. Museum of Texas Tech University.
Abstract or Description
Limber pine (Pinus flexilis) populations in Yellowstone National Park are declining due to mountain pine beetle outbreaks, introduced white pine blister rust, more severe and frequent fires, and climate change. Additionally, recent severe bark damage may further impact limber pine survival in the park. We investigated the extent and cause of this damage in an old growth stand in the Lamar Valley; in some cases, we found some trees likely to die in the coming years. Hair was adhered to the wounds of 22 of 23 pines examined, suggesting wildlife were associated. Seven Yellowstone mammals are potentially capable of such damage: American bison (Bison bison), white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), elk (Cervus canadensis), moose (Alces alces), black bear (Ursus americanus), and grizzly bear (Ursus arctos horribilis). Given rising bison populations in the Lamar valley, as well as research and field observation documenting their vegetation damage, we hypothesize bison are more associated than other mammals. To investigate this, we collected hairs from 14 limber pines and used scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to compare morphology of collected hairs from the Denver Museum of Nature & Science mammalogy collection. We assessed qualitative (scale shape) and quantitative (scale height, hair width) characteristics of hairs to distinguish species. Identifications were made using the constructed key. One elk, four black bear, and seven bison were observed, with two unable to be identified. 50% of the observations were bison, suggesting an association between them and limber pine damage. Understanding how wildlife alter forest structure is crucial for informing conservation strategies of keystone forest species. We hope our research can identify which limber pine communities are at-risk of this type of wildlife damage and inform management actions in Yellowstone National Park.
Mentor
Dr. Diana Tomback