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Chapter 14 - Effects of spruce beetle (Dendroctonus rufipennis) outbreaks on fuels, carbon, and stand structure and composition in Utah and Western Wyoming (Project INT-EM-F-13-02)

Informally Refereed

Abstract

Spruce beetle (Dendroctonus rufipennis) is the primary mortality agent of mature spruce species in Western North America (Jenkins and others 2014a, Schmid and Frye 1977). The species preferentially colonizes hosts with reduced defenses, including diseased trees or downed material produced by wind events, snow avalanches, and landslides, as well as trees affected by abiotic stressors, such as high temperature, drought, and/or fire. The majority of colonization of live spruce occurs following downed tree disturbances in mature spruce forests. Outbreaks modify stand structure and composition by causing tree mortality and impact timber and fiber production, fuel conditions, fire risk and severity, water quality and quantity, fish and wildlife populations, recreation, grazing capacity, real estate values, human safety, biodiversity, carbon pools, aesthetics, endangered species, and cultural resources, among other factors (Jenkins and others 2014a). These impacts have been frequently observed in Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii) forests of the Intermountain West (Hebertson and Jenkins 2008, Holsten and others 1999). Describing and quantifying these changes provide land managers guidance for future management actions.

Parent Publication

Citation

Ott, Daniel S.; Fettig, Christopher J.; Ross, Darrell W.; Munson, A. Steven. 2018. Chapter 14 - Effects of spruce beetle (Dendroctonus rufipennis) outbreaks on fuels, carbon, and stand structure and composition in Utah and Western Wyoming (Project INT-EM-F-13-02). In: Potter, Kevin M.; Conkling, Barbara L., eds. 2018. Forest health monitoring: national status, trends, and analysis 2017. General Technical Report SRS-233. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station.  Pages 177-182.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/56310