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Lower treeline limber pine woodlands have received little attention in peer-reviewed literature and in management strategies. These ecologically distinct systems are thought to be seed repositories between discontinuous populations in the northern and central Rocky Mountains, serving as seed sources for bird dispersal between distinct mountain ranges. Their position on the lower treeline and foothills in semi-arid climate systems is predicted to be particularly vulnerable to climate change. The genetic variation within these stands is viewed as important to conservation geneticists in developing seed sources resistant to blister rust.

The isolated locations and different climatic conditions of these woodlands may have provided them some protection in the past from the mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosas) and white pine blister rust (Cronartium ribicola) that are threatening upper treeline limber pine forests region-wide. But, recent studies show that the lower treeline woodlands are just as, or more, susceptible to white pine blister rust infections and mountain pine beetle infestations.

Lower treeline woodlands are often thought to be "invading" more desirable sagebrush and grass vegetation types, so eradication via chaining, mastication, and burning have been accepted practices to limit woodland growth or "encroachment." The lack of economic value has led to the common perception that these lower treeline woodlands are "weeds" which need to be controlled to prevent their expansion into more economically valuable grazing lands. The common perception of these woodlands is that they should be maintained only on steep rocky slopes that will not support other vegetative types. Their expansion into grass and shrublands is thought to be from wildland fire suppression and other management actions such as livestock grazing. This view does not account for the dynamic relationships among vegetation, climate and wildland fire. It also does not take into account that these are ecotones between biomes that move elevationally, based on the above conditions. The conditions and characteristics that are used for baseline vegetation developed during the Little Ice Age conditions from approximately 1300 to 1900; a climatic period that was both wetter and cooler than present conditions. Many of the current models for the areas encompassing the lower treeline limber pine woodlands predict an increase in temperature of between 1 degrees to 7 degrees F in the summer and from 1 degrees to 6 degrees F in the winter, which may increase the growing season evapo-transpiration rates. For much of the area, seasonal changes in precipitation are also predicted, including a summer precipitation decrease from 10 to 50 percent and winter precipitation increase from 10 to 25 percent.

Not enough is known ecologically about the lower treeline limber pine and its relationship to upper treeline populations and the biotic communities dependent upon them, to assume "business as usual" activities and management. In order to change the management paradigms that exist for the lower treeline woodlands, a series of carefully delineated basic and applied research questions need to be formulated for these stands. Answering these questions will provide managers with a fuller understanding of the ecological role(s) of the lower treeline limber pine woodlands, resulting in more informed management decisions on the ground.