Ray Mesa, near the La Sal mountains on the Colorado-Utah border is notable for its old-growth Ponderosa pines (estimated to be several hundred years old) that are growing in cool drainages amongst pinyon-juniper woodlands. Recent Ponderosa tree mortality raised concerns among land managers and Larissa Yocom, a fire ecologist at Utah State University, began exploring the potential causes of these deaths. These include drought, insect attacks, and increased competition due to fire suppression over the last 140 years. This research underscores the challenges of ecosystem management, particularly under changing climates, and highlights the unique importance of these rare old Ponderosa stands.

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