Skip to main content

Forest Management Affects how Beetle Outbreaks and Wildfire alter Ecosystems: Lessons from Northern Colorado and the Fraser Experimental Forest

Unlike the predictable vegetation and ecosystem changes typical after wildfire or timber harvesting, the outcomes of insect outbreaks remain poorly understood. Historic forest management alters stand structure, species composition and tree susceptibility during beetle outbreaks. For example, forest mortality and stream N export are lower in multiple-age stands compared to old-growth watersheds with proportionally more, large lodgepole pine trees. Tree regeneration and nutrient cycling following combined bark beetle and wildfire disturbances are also modified by historic harvesting. These current studies underscore the legacy of forest management and how it contributes to post-disturbance responses.

Chuck Rhoades studies the biogeochemical processes that regulate delivery of clean water and that sustain productive soils and forests. His current research involves soil and water responses to fuel reduction treatments, post-fire rehabilitation activities, and wild and prescribed fires. For the past decade, much of his research has related to the watershed effects of extensive bark beetle outbreaks and associated forest management activities.

https://youtu.be/4Ff-5RdYDoU

Who Is Attending

Add Comment

Comments (0)

Post

About the Extension Foundation

This website is supported in part by New Technologies for Ag Extension (funding opportunity no. USDA-NIFA-OP-010186), grant no. 2023-41595-41325 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or the Extension Foundation. For more information, please visit extension.org. You can view the terms of use at extension.org/about/terms.

×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×