Impacts of mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae) outbreaks on forest conditions in the Intermountain West
| Authors: | Christopher J. Fettig, Kenneth E. Gibson, Carl L. Jørgensen, Steven Munson, Jose F. Negrón, Justin B. Runyon, Brytten E. Steed |
| Year: | 2015 |
| Type: | Book Chapter |
| Station: | Washington Office |
| Source: | Potter, K.M., and B.L. Conkling, editors. 2015. Forest Health Monitoring: National Status, Trends and Analysis, 2014. General Technical Report SRS-209. Asheville, North Carolina: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station. 190 p. |
Abstract
Mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae) is a major disturbance in conifer forests of western North America, where it colonizes several tree species, perhaps most notably lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta). Recent outbreaks have been severe, long lasting, and well documented, with more than 27 million ha impacted (British Columbia Ministry of Forests 2012, USDA Forest Service 2012). Mountain pine beetle is an important part of the ecology of these forests, but extensive levels of tree mortality resulting from outbreaks may have undesirable impacts, e.g., negatively affecting aesthetics, recreation, re risk and severity, human safety, timber production, and real estate values, among many other factors. In some areas, the magnitude of recent outbreaks has exceeded the range of historic variability, triggering concerns about short- and long-term impacts (Bentz and others 2009).