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Assessment of the 1998–2001 drought impact on forest health in southeastern forests: an analysis of drought severity using FHM data

Informally Refereed

Abstract

Analyses of forest health indicators monitored through the Forest Health and Monitoring (FHM) program suggested that weather was the most important cause of tree mortality. Drought is of particular importance among weather variables because several global climate change scenarios predicted more frequent and/or intense drought in the Southeastern United States. During the years of 1998-2001, extensive forest areas within the Southeastern United States experienced severe drought conditions (defined by the Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI)). In this study, we used FHM data to examine the effect of drought induced moisture stress on forest growth, mortality and changes in crown condition at a regional scale.

Parent Publication

Citation

Klos, R.J.; Wang, G.G.; Bauerle, W.L. 2010. Assessment of the 1998–2001 drought impact on forest health in southeastern forests: an analysis of drought severity using FHM data. In: Stanturf, John A., ed. 2010. Proceedings of the 14th biennial southern silvicultural research conference. Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS–121. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station. 553-554.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/35945