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Résumé :
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This document includes 52 papers and 14 poster synopses that present current knowledge about ecosystems where whitebark pine and associated flora and fauna predominate. The 1st section examine worldwide ecosystems that are similar to the high-mountain whitebark pine ecosystems of North America, providing an international perspective at a time of increasing concerns with changes in global environments. The purpose is to learn from the research and management of "Old World" ecosystems that have had many centuries of use and abuse, and attempt to capitalize on the knowledge gained there to better manage high-mountain ecosystems of the "New World" in North America. Papers in this session dealt with European and Asian findings and provided a glimpse into the future of high-mountain biological research in North America. The United States and Canada have much in common with the geology and biology in the high mountains of the West that span the borders of these two countries - both can benefit from the knowledge gained on either side of the border. The 2nd session aimed at describing what resources result from this commonly shared environment and how resources are viewed under different public land management objectives. The 3rd session provided state-of-the-art physical and biological information about the high-mountain ecosystems of whitebark pine. Included are papers describing geology, climate, fire, succession, seeds and seedlings, insects and diseases, ecological interactions of birds, squirrels, and grizzly bears, and modeling. Invited and volunteer papers provide a surprising amount of qualitative and quantitative information about high-mountain ecosystems and serve as the basis for management implications in the following session. Papers in the 4th section examine the ecological background of the various resources of high-mountain ecosystems and their implications for management. Included are wildlife, livestock, fisheries, hydrology, recreation, and timber resources and how these interact with changes in biological diversity, fire behavior, and silvicultural practices. There is little experience in active management of whitebark pine ecosystems, so the management implications presented are essentially charting new ground. The 5th session served as a wrap-up for the symposium and described how the Forest Service and National Park Service, who manage the preponderance of whitebark ecosystem lands in the United States, view the management and goals for these lands. It also includes an examination of the knowledge gaps and research needs that became apparent as a result of the symposium as well as some highlights of what was learned.
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