scholarly journals Mountain Pine Beetle Impacts on Health through Lost Forest Air Pollutant Sinks

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 1785
Author(s):  
Benjamin A. Jones
Keyword(s):  
Mountain Pine Beetle ◽  
Tree Mortality ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Forest Health ◽  
Air Pollutant ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Mortality And Morbidity ◽  
Mountain Pine ◽  
Western Us ◽  
Pine Beetle

The mountain pine beetle (MPB) destroys millions of coniferous trees annually throughout Western US forests. Coniferous forests are important air pollutant sinks, removing pollutants from the air such as PM2.5 (particulate matter < 2.5 μm in diameter), O3 (ozone), SO2 (sulfur dioxide), NO2 (nitrogen dioxide), and CO (carbon monoxide). In this paper, US Forest Service data on MPB tree mortality in the Western US is combined with a forest air pollution model (i-Tree Eco) and standard health impact functions to assess the human mortality and morbidity impacts of MPB-induced tree mortality. Modeling results suggest considerable spatial and temporal heterogeneity of impacts across the Western US. On average, MPB is associated with 10.0–15.7 additional deaths, 6.5–40.4 additional emergency room (ER) visits, and 2.2–10.5 additional hospital admissions per year over 2005–2011 due to lost PM2.5 sinks. For every 100 trees killed by MPB, the average PM2.5 mortality health costs are $418 (2019$). Impacts on other criteria pollutants are also estimated. Several sensitivity checks are performed on model inputs. These results have important policy implications for MPB management and on our understanding of the complex couplings between forest pests, forest health, and human health.

scholarly journals How does water yield respond to mountain pine beetle infestation in a semiarid forest?

2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (9) ◽  
pp. 4681-4699
Author(s):  
Jianning Ren ◽  
Jennifer C. Adam ◽  
Jeffrey A. Hicke ◽  
Erin J. Hanan ◽  
Christina L. Tague ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mountain Pine Beetle ◽  
Tree Mortality ◽  
Hydrologic Model ◽  
Water Yield ◽  
Driving Mechanisms ◽  
Mountain Pine ◽  
Pine Beetle ◽  
Interannual Climate Variability ◽  
Hydrologic Responses

Abstract. Mountain pine beetle (MPB) outbreaks in the western United States result in widespread tree mortality, transforming forest structure within watersheds. While there is evidence that these changes can alter the timing and quantity of streamflow, there is substantial variation in both the magnitude and direction of hydrologic responses, and the climatic and environmental mechanisms driving this variation are not well understood. Herein, we coupled an eco-hydrologic model (RHESSys) with a beetle effects model and applied it to a semiarid watershed, Trail Creek, in the Bigwood River basin in central Idaho, USA, to examine how varying degrees of beetle-caused tree mortality influence water yield. Simulation results show that water yield during the first 15 years after beetle outbreak is controlled by interactions between interannual climate variability, the extent of vegetation mortality, and long-term aridity. During wet years, water yield after a beetle outbreak increased with greater tree mortality; this was driven by mortality-caused decreases in evapotranspiration. During dry years, water yield decreased at low-to-medium mortality but increased at high mortality. The mortality threshold for the direction of change was location specific. The change in water yield also varied spatially along aridity gradients during dry years. In wetter areas of the Trail Creek basin, post-outbreak water yield decreased at low mortality (driven by an increase in ground evaporation) and increased when vegetation mortality was greater than 40 % (driven by a decrease in canopy evaporation and transpiration). In contrast, in more water-limited areas, water yield typically decreased after beetle outbreaks, regardless of mortality level (although the driving mechanisms varied). Our findings highlight the complexity and variability of hydrologic responses and suggest that long-term (i.e., multi-decadal mean) aridity can be a useful indicator for the direction of water yield changes after a disturbance.

scholarly journals Evaluating Potential Fire Behavior in Lodgepole Pine-Dominated Forests after a Mountain Pine Beetle Epidemic in North-Central Colorado

2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 101-109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer G. Klutsch ◽  
Mike A. Battaglia ◽  
Daniel R. West ◽  
Sheryl L. Costello ◽  
José F. Negrón
Keyword(s):  
Mountain Pine Beetle ◽  
Tree Mortality ◽  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
Fire Behavior ◽  
Crown Fire ◽  
Tree Species Composition ◽  
Surface Fire ◽  
Mountain Pine ◽  
Pine Beetle ◽  
Fuel Characteristics

Abstract A mountain pine beetle outbreak in Colorado lodgepole pine forests has altered stand and fuel characteristics that affect potential fire behavior. Using the Fire and Fuels Extension to the Forest Vegetation Simulator, potential fire behavior was modeled for uninfested and mountain pine beetle-affected plots 7 years after outbreak initiation and 10 and 80% projected tree fall using measured and projected fuel and stand characteristics. Under 90th percentile weather conditions, uninfested plots exhibited proportionally more crown fire than infested plots. Plots predicted to have crown fire were composed mainly of nonhost conifer species and had a lower and more continuous canopy than infested plots. Where surface fire was predicted to occur, live lodgepole pine was the only conifer present, and plots had significantly lower tree mortality from fire than plots predicted to have crown fire. Mountain pine beetle-induced changes in stand and fuel characteristics resulted in increased intensity of surface fire behavior. Furthermore, with 80% infested tree fall, potential smoke production was predicted to be higher. Tree species composition of stands pre and postbark beetle outbreak is important when identifying mountain pine beetle-caused changes to potential fire behavior.

scholarly journals A Novel Approach to Managing Fuelwood Harvest Using Bark Beetle Pheromones

2000 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 183-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.C. Vandygriff ◽  
L.A. Rasmussen ◽  
J.F. Rineholt
Keyword(s):  
Pinus Contorta ◽  
Mountain Pine Beetle ◽  
Tree Mortality ◽  
Management Tool ◽  
Mountain Pine ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Pine Beetle ◽  
Additional Protection ◽  
Recreation Area ◽  
Potential Use

Abstract A multiyear study of synthesized mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae) pheromones was conducted within lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) stands on the Sawtooth National Recreation Area to demonstrate their potential use as a management tool for fuelwood harvest. The use of mountain pine beetle aggregant baits was shown to be highly effective in relocating beetles into designated bait blocks, dramatically increasing the amount of beetle-related tree mortality. Treatment of blocks with antiaggregant verbenone capsules appeared to provide little or no additional protection when compared with associated control blocks. Given defined objectives and appropriate stand and insect population conditions, pheromone baits can be used to improve management of fuelwood harvest and potentially improve stand health. West. J. Appl. For. 15(4):183–188.

scholarly journals Use of MODIS NDVI Products to Map Tree Mortality Levels in Forests Affected by Mountain Pine Beetle Outbreaks

Forests ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 811 ◽  
Author(s):  
Spruce ◽  
Hicke ◽  
Hargrove ◽  
Grulke ◽  
Meddens
Keyword(s):  
Linear Regression ◽  
Bark Beetle ◽  
Mountain Pine Beetle ◽  
Tree Mortality ◽  
Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Severe Drought ◽  
Modis Ndvi ◽  
Modis Data ◽  
Mountain Pine ◽  
Pine Beetle

Extensive bark beetle outbreaks have recently occurred in western North American forests, resulting in overstory tree mortality across millions of hectares. Annual aerial surveys are currently used to operationally monitor bark beetle induced tree mortality, though this method is subjective and can exclude some forest areas. Daily Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellite data offer a potential alternative means to develop regional tree mortality maps. Accurate methods using such data could aid natural resource managers in surveys of forests with frequent overstory mortality, helping to prioritize forest treatment and restoration activities. This paper discusses a study to test the potential of using MODIS data to detect tree mortality. We developed and tested an approach to use 250-m resolution MODIS Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) data products collected during a mountain pine beetle (MPB) outbreak and related tree mortality event in the northern Rocky Mountains of Colorado, USA. The 94 km2 study area is predominantly lodgepole pine forest with most of the MPB-caused mortality occurring between 2003 and 2008. We used a 2.4-m forest conditions map from 2008 aerial multispectral imagery to calculate percentage of mortality within 240-m pixels for use as reference data. Using either daily or 16-day products, MODIS NDVI change products were calculated for 2008 versus either 2000 or 2003 baselines. MODIS change products were used as predictors in linear regression analysis to assess correlation between MODIS data and the aerial percent forest mortality map. Depending on the MODIS product, linear regression analyses yielded r2 values ranging from 0.362 to 0.544 without outliers removed and from 0.406 to 0.570 with extreme outliers removed. Daily MODIS NDVI products from 2003 and 2008 were used with exponential regression to improve the r2 to 0.593. The project showed some MODIS NDVI data potential for mapping percent tree mortality in forests subjected to regional bark beetle outbreaks and severe drought.

Evaluation of Stem-Injected TREE-äge® (4% Emamectin Benzoate) for Protecting Western White Pines (Pinus monticola) from Mountain Pine Beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins)(Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae)

2020 ◽  
Vol 46 (5) ◽  
pp. 333-346
Author(s):  
Joseph Doccola ◽  
Sheri Smith ◽  
Joseph Fischer ◽  
Brian Strom
Keyword(s):  
Bark Beetles ◽  
Mountain Pine Beetle ◽  
Tree Mortality ◽  
Dendroctonus Ponderosae ◽  
Pathogenic Fungi ◽  
Tree Age ◽  
Pinus Monticola ◽  
Emamectin Benzoate ◽  
Mountain Pine ◽  
Pine Beetle

The protection of high-value trees against bark beetles and the development of alternatives to bole sprays is a priority for the tree manager. The objective of this study was to evaluate stem-injected TREE-äge® (emamectin benzoate [EB]) as a protective treatment for western white pines (Pinus monticola Dougl. ex D. Don) against mountain pine beetle (MPB, Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins). Treatment efficacy was based solely on tree mortality as per Shea protocols (i.e., ≥ 60% check vs. ≤ 20% treated tree mortality). Our first experiment was installed in 2007 and included trees stem-injected with TREE-äge and untreated controls. Bole application of S-(-)-verbenone and green leaf volatile (GLV) blend was included for observational comparison. Pressure from MPB was heavy, as indicated by the number and timing of control tree mortality (90%). Strip attacks by MPB in TREE-äge trees indicated that the impacts of EB, and by inference its distribution, were inconsistent. In 2009, the injection protocol was revised to improve EB distribution in the phloem via closer injection points. In the 2009 TREE-äge-treated trees, adult beetle mining stopped when they contacted phloem and was insufficient to cause tree death by girdling. Blue-stain fungi colonized the sapwood of trees in both studies. Isolates from autopsied trees treated with TREE-äge alone were subsequently identified as Grosmannia clavigera and Leptographium longiclavatum (Ophiostomatales: Ascomycota), species that can incite tree mortality. In 2013, we revised our protocol to include GLV plus verbenone or propiconazole with TREE-äge, wherein these treatments proved effective in protecting trees against MPB and their associated pathogenic fungi.

scholarly journals Albedo-induced radiative forcing from mountain pine beetle outbreaks in forests, south-central Rocky Mountains: magnitude, persistence, and relation to outbreak severity

2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 11935-11968 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Vanderhoof ◽  
C. A. Williams ◽  
Y. Shuai ◽  
D. Jarvis ◽  
D. Kulakowski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rocky Mountains ◽  
Radiative Forcing ◽  
Mountain Pine Beetle ◽  
Tree Mortality ◽  
Temperature And Precipitation ◽  
South Central ◽  
Mountain Pine ◽  
Pine Beetle ◽  
Central Rocky Mountains ◽  
Induced Changes

Abstract. Mountain pine beetle (MPB) outbreaks in North America are widespread and have potentially-persistent impacts on forest albedo and associated radiative forcing. This study utilized multiple datasets, both current and historical, within lodgepole pine stands in the south-central Rocky Mountains to quantify the full radiative forcing impact of outbreak events for decades after outbreak (0 to 60 yr) and the role of outbreak severity in determining that impact. Change in annual albedo and radiative forcing peaked at 14–20 yr post-outbreak (0.06 ± 0.006 and −0.8 ± 0.1 W m−2, respectively) and recovered to pre-outbreak levels by 30–40 yr post-outbreak. Change in albedo was significant in all four seasons, but strongest in winter with the increased visibility of snow (radiative cooling of −1.6 ± 0.2 W m−2, −3.0 ± 0.4 W m−2, and −1.6 ± 0.2 W m−2 for 2–13 yr, 14–20 yr and 20–30 yr post-outbreak, respectively). Change in winter albedo and radiative forcing also increased with outbreak severity (percent tree mortality). Persistence of albedo effects are seen as a function of the growth rate and species composition of surviving trees, and the establishment and growth of both understory herbaceous vegetation and tree species, all of which may vary with outbreak severity. The establishment and persistence of deciduous trees was found to increase the temporal persistence of albedo effects. MPB induced changes to radiative forcing may have feedbacks for regional temperature and precipitation, which could impact future MPB outbreaks dynamics.

scholarly journals Patterns of Diversity in the Symbiotic Mite Assemblage of the Mountain Pine Beetle, Dendroctonus Ponderosae Hopkins

Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 1102
Author(s):  
Sneha Vissa ◽  
Javier E. Mercado ◽  
Danielle Malesky ◽  
Derek A. Uhey ◽  
Boyd A. Mori ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mountain Pine Beetle ◽  
Tree Mortality ◽  
Insect Pests ◽  
Species Turnover ◽  
Dendroctonus Ponderosae ◽  
Coniferous Forest ◽  
Host Tree ◽  
Local Climate ◽  
Mountain Pine ◽  
Pine Beetle

The mountain pine beetle, Dendroctonus ponderosae (Coleoptera: Scolytinae), is an economically important bark beetle species with a wide geographic range spanning from the southwestern United States into northern Canada. This beetle causes extensive tree mortality to 13 pine species. Mites (Acari) are common and abundant symbionts of mountain beetles that may influence their fitness through positive and negative interactions. We present a unique assessment of the mite associates of mountain pine beetles using measures of alpha and beta diversity. We sampled phoretic mites from five beetle populations: Arizona, Colorado, South Dakota, Utah (USA), and Alberta (Canada) that varied in host tree species, local climate, and beetle population level. We collected 4848 mites from 8 genera and 12 species. Fifty to seventy percent of beetles carried mites in flight with the highest mite loads occurring in middle and southern populations; decreasing in northern populations. Mite assemblages (i.e., both richness and composition) varied along a south to north latitudinal gradient and were driven by species turnover (i.e., species replacement). Differences in mite composition increased with distance between populations. We discuss climatic variation, environmental filtering, and host tree differences as factors that could affect differences in mite composition between beetle populations and discuss implications for functional shifts. Our results could represent a model for estimating diversity patterns of mite symbionts associated with other major insect pests in coniferous forest systems.

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