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Abstract
This work developed a precipitation-based forest exposure indicator that identified warm season (May-Sept.) changed conditions between the multidecadal wet cycle from 1940s-1999 and dry cycle from 2000-2021 for the conterminous USA. Changed moisture conditions were validated for disturbance connection by assessing bark beetle and wildfire disturbance spatial records by severity of dry exposure. Results indicated 2-fold increase in wildfire and bark beetle disturbances from 2017-2022, respectively, for western U.S. locations with highest dry exposure classes vs. where dry exposure was limited. Geospatial data identify locations with chronic dry exposure rates where forest management may be needed to reduce elevated disturbance potential. This product can inform State Forest Action Plans, Federal Out-Year Planning, and Forest Health Risk Assessments.
Parent Publication
Citation
Egan, J.M.; Lestina, J.; Holden, Z.; Kalachev, L.; Smirnova, E.; Kaiden, J. 2024. Association of multidecadal repeat dryness with wildfire and bark beetle forest disturbances in the conterminous United States, 2000–2022. 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: 131–155. Chapter 7. https://doi.org/10.2737/WO-GTR-105-Chap7.
