Tree mortality

Abstract

Tree mortality is a natural process in all forest ecosystems. High mortality can be an indicator of forest health problems. On a regional scale, high mortality levels may indicate widespread impacts of one or more factors, including insects, disease, fire, drought, or major storms. Regionally high mortality may also occur if a large proportion of the forest in a particular region is made up of older, senescent stands. The approach presented here seeks to detect mortality patterns that might reflect changes to ecosystem processes at large scales that could affect long-term forest sustainability. In many cases, the proximate cause of mortality may be discernable. Understanding proximate causes of mortality may provide insight into whether the mortality is within the range of natural variation or reflects more fundamental changes to ecological processes.

Parent Publication

• Forest Health Monitoring: national status, trends, and analysis 2023

Citation

Ambrose, M.J. 2024. Tree mortality. In: Pandit, K.; Conkling, B.L., eds. Forest Health Monitoring: national status, trends, and analysis 2023. Gen. Tech. Rep. WO-105. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: 87–97. Chapter 4. https://doi.org/10.2737/WO-GTR-105-Chap4.