Aspen recovery in northern Yellowstone: A comment on Brice et al. (2021)

Aspen sapling recruitment increased as browsing by elk decreased, following the 1995-96 reintroduction of wolves in Yellowstone National Park. We address claims by Brice et al. (2021) that previous studies exaggerated recent aspen recovery. We conclude that their results actually supported previous work showing a trophic cascade benefiting aspen. Aspen sapling recruitment increased as browsing by elk decreased, following the 1995-96 reintroduction of wolves in Yellowstone National Park. The photos show aspen stands with various levels of recovery: (a) no young aspen exceeded 200 cm in height, an indicator of potential recruitment, (b) many young aspen exceeded 200 cm, and (c) a group of young aspen were much taller than the rest in the stand. Two different sampling methods agreed in the first two stands, but not in the third stand where growth was patchy. We address claims by Brice et al. (2021) that previous studies exaggerated recent aspen recovery. We conclude that their results actually supported previous work showing a trophic cascade benefiting aspen.image