Mountain pine beetle impacts on vegetation and carbon stocks

Fact Sheet 2013-3095
By: , and 

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Abstract

In the Southern Rocky Mountains, an epidemic outbreak of mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae; MPB) has caused levels of tree mortality unprecedented in recorded history. The impacts of this mortality on vegetation composition, forest structure, and carbon stocks have only recently received attention, although the impacts of other disturbances such as fires and land-use/land-cover change are much better known. This study, initiated in 2010, aims to increase our understanding of MPB outbreaks and their impacts. We have integrated field-collected data with vegetation simulation models to assess and quantify how long-term patterns of vegetation and carbon stocks have and may change in response to MPB outbreaks and other disturbances.

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Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Mountain pine beetle impacts on vegetation and carbon stocks
Series title Fact Sheet
Series number 2013-3095
DOI 10.3133/fs20133095
Year Published 2013
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center
Description 2 p.
Country United States
State Colorado
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