Matthew Berger:
"It appears that bark beetles are attacking more than just the trees.
Research conducted outside Steamboat Springs has found that the beetles that have decimated pine and spruce forests throughout the western United States have also inadvertently contributed to the air quality problems that plague much of the region.
Lodgepole pines infested with bark beetles can release 5 to 20 times the amount of gases that can contribute to haze and airborne particulate matter than non-infested trees, according to a study published last week in the journal Environmental Science & Technology.
“When thinking about bark beetle infestations maybe we need to think about not just the forest but what is it going to do to air quality and climate change,” said Kara Huff Hartz, one of the study’s authors, from Southern Illinois University Carbondale, where she is an assistant professor.
The gases released by the infested trees, called volatile organic compounds, can contribute to the formation of particulate matter air pollution, which can cause human health problems and affect climate change.
Why exactly the infestations result in higher emissions of these volatile organic compounds is still not clear, said Huff Hartz.
One of several possibilities is that when the beetles bore into the bark they are creating a sort of pipeline for the compounds in the tree’s resin to escape into the atmosphere, she said...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."
Showing posts with label pine bark beetle. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pine bark beetle. Show all posts
May 28, 2012
March 18, 2012
SandBoxBlogs: Coloradoan "Double trouble from Colorado pine beetles"
"BOULDER (AP) -- University of Colorado researchers say mountain pine beetles that are devastating forests across the West are now breeding twice in some years.
Researchers say the beetles usually lay their eggs in late July or August. The larvae then burrow deeper into the bark, where they spend the winter...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
Researchers say the beetles usually lay their eggs in late July or August. The larvae then burrow deeper into the bark, where they spend the winter...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
February 13, 2012
SandBox Comments: Summit Daily News/Summit Outside "How to love a dead tree"
Dr. Joanne Stolen:
"We bemoan all the dead lodgepole pines killed by the fungus introduced by the beetle in our area, but where there is death there is also life and sustenance. Dead trees provide vital habitat for more than 1,000 species of wildlife. Dead wood contributes to biological richness as substrate, cavity sites, foraging sites, shelter and cover. Last week I wrote about a lichen species (Usnea) that prefers to grow on dead trees. This lichen provides food for deer and nesting materials for birds.
There are terms used by wildlife biologists for dead wood. A “snag” is the name for dead trees that are left upright to decompose naturally. When a snag (or part of a snag) falls on the ground it becomes a “log.”
Who uses dead wood? Birds are the most obvious creatures, as they use limbs, branches and logs for perching, foraging and nesting materials. Birds, such as ruffed grouse, will use logs for drumming and courtship displays.
In many forests, 30 to 45 percent of the bird species are cavity nesters. In North America alone, 55 avian species nest in cavities. Birds that use cavities in trees are divided into several categories. Cavity-nesting birds are classified as “primary excavators” — those which can excavate hard wood; “weak excavators” — those species which can excavate soft, dead wood; or “secondary cavity-users” — those which can utilize existing cavities. Another 80 animal species depend upon previously excavated or natural tree holes for their nests..." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"We bemoan all the dead lodgepole pines killed by the fungus introduced by the beetle in our area, but where there is death there is also life and sustenance. Dead trees provide vital habitat for more than 1,000 species of wildlife. Dead wood contributes to biological richness as substrate, cavity sites, foraging sites, shelter and cover. Last week I wrote about a lichen species (Usnea) that prefers to grow on dead trees. This lichen provides food for deer and nesting materials for birds.
There are terms used by wildlife biologists for dead wood. A “snag” is the name for dead trees that are left upright to decompose naturally. When a snag (or part of a snag) falls on the ground it becomes a “log.”
Who uses dead wood? Birds are the most obvious creatures, as they use limbs, branches and logs for perching, foraging and nesting materials. Birds, such as ruffed grouse, will use logs for drumming and courtship displays.
In many forests, 30 to 45 percent of the bird species are cavity nesters. In North America alone, 55 avian species nest in cavities. Birds that use cavities in trees are divided into several categories. Cavity-nesting birds are classified as “primary excavators” — those which can excavate hard wood; “weak excavators” — those species which can excavate soft, dead wood; or “secondary cavity-users” — those which can utilize existing cavities. Another 80 animal species depend upon previously excavated or natural tree holes for their nests..." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
October 27, 2011
SandBox Comments: Summit County Citizens Voice "Breckenridge: Forest summit meeting comes to CMC"
"SUMMIT COUNTY — Conservation experts, forest managers, loggers and scientists will gather at Colorado Mountain College in Breckenridge this week to pow-wow once again on the condition of Colorado’s devastated lodgepole pine stands.
A science panel will discuss the ecology of lodgepole pine forests and the future of post-beetle forests from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
"The Colorado Bark Beetle Collaborative summit meeting is set for Friday, October 28, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Colorado Mountain College in Breckenridge.
A science panel will discuss the ecology of lodgepole pine forests and the future of post-beetle forests from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
The next session is a Q & A moderated by Dr. Tony Cheng, associate professor in forest policy and director of the Colorado Forest Restoration Institute at Colorado State University...."
(Bob Berwyn)
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"Truth goes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Then it is violently opposed. Finally, it is seen as self-evident."
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