Dendroctonus Beetles and Old-Growth Forests in the Rockies

Document Type

Contribution to Book

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Old-growth Forest in the Southwest and Rock Mountain Regions, Proceedings of a Workshop

Publication Date

1992

First Page

51

Last Page

59

Abstract

Dendroctonus beetles (Coleoptera : Scolytidae) are a major mortality agent in old growth pine, spruce-fir, and Douglas-fir forests of the Rocky Mountains. The frequency of recurring bark beetle epidemics depends on the size of the area being considered, how extensively the stand(s) was decimated by a previous epidemic(s), and how fast the stand(s) grows into the hazardous condition. Predictions of when epidemics will occur, their impact, and their duration are tenuous. Partial cutting may perpetuate old growth.

Comments

This item was written and prepared by U.S. Government employees on official time, and is therefore in the public domain.

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