Whitebark Pine an Endangered Species?

In early December, the National Resource Defense Council submitted petitions to have the whitebark pine listed as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Program. In light of this petition, it seems timely to point toward several interesting science articles available regarding whitebark pine, the species that depend on it, and the potential impacts of climate change on the species.
Several species have close relationships with whitebark pine. In the early 1980's, the symbiotic relationship between whitebark pine and Clark's nutcracker birds was established: the birds help disperse seeds (which are not released from the cone and spread by wind) by creating seed caches for their winter food supply. The seeds that are not eaten have a chance to germinate. Because of the high fat and protein content, grizzly and black bears also use whitebark pine seeds as a significant component of their annual calorie intake.
Journal Article: “Use of sulfur and nitrogen stable isotopes to determine the importance of whitebark pine nuts to Yellowstone grizzly bears”, Laura Felicetti, et al.
Journal Article: One of several articles published in 1982 that established the interconnection between whitebark pine and Clark's nutcracker birds.
Two major threats faced by whitebark pine trees, and cited in the NRDC press release, are mountain pine beetles (earlier post) and white pine blister rust. Mountain pine beetles, a native species, bore under a tree's bark and disrupt the nutrient flow, causing fairly quick tree mortality. Blister rust, a non-native fungus, is recognizable by its orange color.
Journal Article: “The influence of white pine blister rust on seed dispersal in whitebark pine”, authored by Shawn McKinney and Diana Tomback
NRDC press release: Article on the NRDC petition to have the whitebark pine listed as an endangered species.
Whitebark Pine Ecosystem Foundation: While this nonprofit organization does have an advocacy bent, they also provide excellent scientific information on the whitebark pine. The Director of their Board of Directors is University of Colorado Professor Diana Tomback, a prominent whitebark pine scientist, with more than a handful of scientists filling in other board positions.
General Audience Article: A general introduction to whitebark pine trees, the animals they support, and the threats they face.
Recommended Book: A remarkably complete survey of the science on whitebark pine.