2005

Whitebark pine is facing significant decline across its range. What happens when a foundation species like whitebark pine is removed from a system? I am using tree rings sampled from stands across the Canadian Rockies to answer this question for my Ph.D. I am looking at: 1) how the role of facilitative versus competitive interactions between whitebark pine and other species may change, 2) how regeneration responds to a mountain pine beetle outbreak in Waterton Lakes National Park in the 1980s, and 3) whether there are distinct models of stand development associated with landscape position. In 2008, I will also be working as one of the monitoring ecologists for Kluane and Vuntut National Parks with Parks Canada.

SELECTION OF PUBLICATIONS:

Wong, C., L. Daniels, V. LeMay. 2007. How many whitebark pine trees are there? A sampling design for estimating their density. Nutcracker Notes. 13.

Wong, C., H. Sandmann, and B. Dorner. 2003. Historical variability of natural disturbances in British Columbia: A literature review. http://www.forrex.org/publications/FORREXSeries/series.asp

Wong, C., H. Sandmann, and B. Dorner. 2003. Estimating Historical Variability of Natural Disturbances in British Columbia. Land Management Handbook #53 B.C. Ministry of Forests, available on-line at: http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfd/pubs/Docs/Lmh/Lmh53.htm.

Wong, C. and K. Iverson 2004. Range of natural variability: applying the concept to forest management in central British Columbia. BC Journal of Ecosystems and Management. 4(1). http://www.forrex.org/jem/2004/vol4/no1/art3.pdf

Wong, C.M. and K.P. Lertzman. 2001. Errors in estimating tree age: Implications for studies of stand dynamics. Canadian Journal of Forest Research, 31: 1262-1271.