Ecological succession in aspen and its consequences on multiple use values

Aspen can be categorized as (1) seral-- successional to conifer, (2) stable--regenerates to aspen, or (3) decadent--successional to brush, forbs, or grasses. Succession to conifers reduces understory production, plant and wildlife diversity, water yields, and aesthetic values while it increases timber values. Stable aspen stands, except possibly for timber values, maintain these multiple use values if grazing is not excessive. In decadent aspen stands all of the multiple use values except water are reduced. Management expectations and returns for multiple use values would depend on the successional status of the aspen