Vol. 32 (2009)
Yellowstone Ecosystem Report

A Conceptual and Mechanistic Approach to Understanding Interactions Among Multiple Disturbance Agents: Compound Effects of Fire on Resource Availabilty to Bark Beetles

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  • Erinn Powell,
  • Suming Jin,
  • Phil Townsend,
  • Ken Raffa
Erinn Powell
University of Wisconsin
Suming Jin
University of Wisconsin
Phil Townsend
University of Wisconsin
Ken Raffa
University of Wisconsin
DOI: https://doi.org/10.13001/uwnpsrc.2009.3767

Published 2009-01-01

Abstract

Population eruptions by native bark beetles are intermittent and can cause wide spread forest disturbance. The mountain pine beetle (MPB), Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins, is one such bark beetle currently affecting all species of pine in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE). MPB populations erupt after generating positive feedback once thresholds are surpassed. Population eruptions require a combination of factors such as favorable weather, tree susceptibility, and the reduced competitors and predators.

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