Editing Juniper (section)

==Ecology==
Juniper plants thrive in a variety of environments. The junipers from [[Lahaul and Spiti district|Lahaul]] valley can be found in dry, rocky locations planted in stony soils. Grazing animals and the villagers are rapidly using up these plants. There are several important features of the leaves and wood of this plant that cause villagers to cut down these trees and make use of them.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|last1=Rawat|first1=Yashwant S.|last2=Everson|first2=Colin S.|date=2012-10-01|title=Ecological status and uses of juniper species in the cold desert environment of the Lahaul valley, North-western Himalaya, India|journal=Journal of Mountain Science|language=en|volume=9|issue=5|pages=676–686|doi=10.1007/s11629-012-2274-0|bibcode=2012JMouS...9..676R |s2cid=129730525|issn=1672-6316}}</ref> Additionally, the [[Juniperus occidentalis|western juniper]] plants, a particular species in the juniper genus, are found in [[woodland]]s where there are large, open spaces. Junipers are known to encompass open areas so that they have more exposure to rainfall.<ref name=":9" /> Decreases in fires and a lack of livestock grazing are the two major causes of western juniper takeover. This invasion of junipers is driving changes in the environment. For instance, the ecosystem for other species previously living in the environment and farm animals has been compromised.<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal|last=Belsky|first=A. Joy|date=1996|title=Viewpoint: Western Juniper Expansion: Is It a Threat to Arid Northwestern Ecosystems?|journal=Journal of Range Management|volume=49|issue=1|pages=53–59|doi=10.2307/4002725|jstor=4002725|hdl=10150/644347|s2cid=55314700|hdl-access=free}}</ref> When junipers increase in population, there is a decrease in woody species like mountain big [[sagebrush]] and [[aspen]]. Among the juniper trees themselves, there is increased competition, which results in a decrease in berry production.<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal|last1=Miller|first1=Richard F.|last2=Svejcar|first2=Tony J.|last3=Rose|first3=Jeffrey A.|date=2000|title=Impacts of Western Juniper on Plant Community Composition and Structure|journal=Journal of Range Management|volume=53|issue=6|pages=574–585|doi=10.2307/4003150|jstor=4003150|hdl=10150/643810|hdl-access=free}}</ref> Herbaceous cover decreases, and junipers are often mistaken for weeds. As a result, several farmers have thinned the juniper trees or removed them completely. However, this reduction did not result in any significant difference on wildlife survival. Some small mammals found it advantageous to have thinner juniper trees, while cutting down the entire tree was not favorable.<ref name=":3">{{Cite journal|last1=Bombaci|first1=Sara|last2=Pejchar|first2=Liba|title=Consequences of pinyon and juniper woodland reduction for wildlife in North America|journal=Forest Ecology and Management|volume=365|pages=34–50|doi=10.1016/j.foreco.2016.01.018|year=2016|doi-access=free|bibcode=2016ForEM.365...34B }}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite journal|last1=Gallo|first1=Travis|last2=Stinson|first2=Lani T.|last3=Pejchar|first3=Liba|title=Pinyon-juniper removal has long-term effects on mammals|journal=Forest Ecology and Management|volume=377|pages=93–100|doi=10.1016/j.foreco.2016.06.029|year=2016|bibcode=2016ForEM.377...93G }}</ref>

Some junipers are susceptible to ''[[Gymnosporangium]]'' rust disease and can be a serious problem for those people growing [[apple]] trees, an alternate [[host (biology)|host]] of the disease.

Juniper is the exclusive food plant of the [[larva]]e of some [[Lepidoptera|moths and butterflies]], including ''[[Bucculatrix inusitata]]'', [[juniper carpet]], ''[[Chionodes electella]]'', ''[[Chionodes viduella]]'', [[juniper pug]], and [[pine beauty]]. Those of the [[tortrix moth]] ''[[Cydia duplicana]]'' feed on the bark around injuries or [[canker]].