Long-term landscape changes in a subalpine spruce-fir forest in central Utah, USA

Jesse L. Morris; R. Justin DeRose; Andrea R. Brunelle

doi:10.1186/s40663-015-0057-0

Treesearch

Long-term landscape changes in a subalpine spruce-fir forest in central Utah, USA

Formally Refereed

Authors:

Jesse L. Morris, R. Justin DeRose, Andrea R. Brunelle

Year:

2015

Type:

Scientific Journal

Station:

Rocky Mountain Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1186/s40663-015-0057-0

Source:

Forest Ecosystems. 2: 35.

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Abstract

In Western North America, increasing wildfire and outbreaks of native bark beetles have been mediated by warming climate conditions. Bioclimatic models forecast the loss of key high elevation species throughout the region. This study uses retrospective vegetation and fire history data to reconstruct the drivers of past disturbance and environmental change. Understanding the relationship among climate, antecedent disturbances, and the legacy effects of settlement-era logging can help identify the patterns and processes that create landscapes susceptible to bark beetle epidemics.

Keywords

spruce beetle, climate change, dendroctonus, engelmann spruce, logging, western North America, wildfire

Citation

Morris, Jesse L.; DeRose, R. Justin; Brunelle, Andrea R. 2015. Long-term landscape changes in a subalpine spruce-fir forest in central Utah, USA. Forest Ecosystems. 2: 35.