Mule Deer and Cattle Threaten 14,000-Year-Old Pando Aspen Clone Across 106 Acres
Updated
Updated · spacedaily.com · Jun 22
Mule Deer and Cattle Threaten 14,000-Year-Old Pando Aspen Clone Across 106 Acres
3 articles · Updated · spacedaily.com · Jun 22
Summary
Pando’s immediate risk is failed regeneration: mule deer browsing, with cattle adding pressure, is eating young shoots before they can mature into replacement stems.
A 2018 PLOS ONE study found recovery depended heavily on protection from herbivory, with fenced sections producing far stronger young growth than unprotected or penetrable areas.
The Utah grove in Fishlake National Forest spans 106 acres and about 47,000 genetically identical stems linked by one root system, making it a single male quaking aspen clone.
Scientists say the root network may be as much as 14,000 years old and weigh about 13 million pounds, but its long-term survival now hinges on whether new stems can grow beyond animals’ reach.
Is the slow death of a single, 13-million-pound tree a warning sign for the future of America's national forests?
Pando survived the ice age, but not hungry deer. Is fencing a cure, or just life support for this ancient giant?
Saving Pando: Intensive Protection, Scientific Insights, and the Future of the World’s Largest Aspen Clone
Overview
Between 2015 and 2025, Pando underwent a major turnaround thanks to the Pando Protection Plan, which guided intensive protection and restoration efforts. This plan focused on reversing the decline of the unique aspen clone by addressing key threats, especially unsustainable herbivory from domestic and wild ungulates. Conservation actions included measures like fencing and stopping cattle grazing, all aimed at allowing natural regeneration. The strategy was shaped by expert input and ongoing monitoring, ensuring that actions could be adapted as needed. These efforts marked a pivotal decade for Pando, setting the foundation for its recovery and future resilience.