Emily Chan
Aside from the deadly fungal disease, one of the greatest threats that the species faces is climate change. Increasing global temperatures are most likely affecting the trees’ survival rates.
Since the whitebark pine forest isn’t freezing as often during the fall and spring, a native pine beetle has been able to boost its population and debilitate the trees even further.
Additionally, higher temperatures may cause the trees to need more water than is available to them, making them more susceptible to invasion from the beetles. In order to save the trees, experts must identify which ones are resistant to pine blister rust. Then, they can grow forests that can withstand blister rust.
They are also protecting seed sources from pine beetles by hanging pouches containing synthetic beetles on the trees. This makes the beetles think that the trees are occupied and there aren’t enough seeds for them.
Numerous agencies are now collaborating to obtain more seeds and plant them at the Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks.
