Quaking aspen and the human experience: Dimensions, issues, and challenges

Humans assign four types of meanings to aspen landscapes: (1) instrumental meanings dealing with the attainment of a goal-such as production of pulp o r provision of recreation opportunities; (2) aesthetic meanings; (3) cultur al/symbolic meanings dealing with spiritual and social attachments to lands capes; and (4) individual/expressive meanings derived out of interactions w ith aspen-landscapes at the personal level. The amount of knowledge availab le for each meaning varies, with most knowledge developed for instrumental meanings. Management of aspen occurs within a dynamic social and political context, with greater emphasis being placed on the latter two meanings, but without the empirical, positivist basis to support actions. Therefore, a c hange in the planning paradigm used to develop decisions is needed. I wonder about the trees. Why do we wish to bear Forever the noise of these More than another noise So close to our Dwelling place? Robert Frost, The Sound of the Trees.