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Tree mortality from drought, insects, and their interactions in a changing climate
Author(s): William R. L. Anderegg; Jeffrey A. Hicke; Rosie A. Fisher; Craig D. Allen; Juliann Aukema; Barbara Bentz; Sharon Hood; Jeremy W. Lichstein; Alison K. Macalady; Nate McDowell; Yude Pan; Kenneth Raffa; Anna Sala; John D. Shaw; Nathan L. Stephenson; Christina Tague; Melanie Zeppel
Date: 2015
Source: New Phytologist. doi: 10.1111/nph.13477.
Publication Series: Scientific Journal (JRNL)
Station: Northern Research Station
PDF: Download Publication (1.27 MB)Related Research Highlights
RMRS-2016-22Elevational Shifts in Thermal Suitability for Mountain Pine Beetle in a Changing Climate Description
Climate change is expected to drive increased tree mortality through drought, heat stress, and insect attacks, with manifold impacts on forest ecosystems. Yet, climate-induced tree mortality and biotic disturbance agents are largely absent from process-based ecosystem models. Using data sets from the western USA and associated studies, we present a framework for determining the relative contribution of drought stress, insect attack, and their interactions, which is critical for modeling mortality in future climates. We outline a simple approach that identifies the mechanisms associated with two guilds of insects - bark beetles and defoliators - which are responsible for substantial tree mortality. We then discuss cross-biome patterns of insect-driven tree mortality and draw upon available evidence contrasting the prevalence of insect outbreaks in temperate and tropical regions. We conclude with an overview of tools and promising avenues to address major challenges. Ultimately, a multitrophic approach that captures tree physiology, insect populations, and tree-insect interactions will better inform projections of forest ecosystem responses to climate change.Publication Notes
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Citation
Anderegg, William R. L.; Hicke, Jeffrey A.; Fisher, Rosie A.; Allen, Craig D.; Aukema, Juliann; Bentz, Barbara; Hood, Sharon; Lichstein, Jeremy W.; Macalady, Alison K.; McDowell, Nate; Pan, Yude; Raffa, Kenneth; Sala, Anna; Shaw, John D.; Stephenson, Nathan L.; Tague, Christina; Zeppel, Melanie. 2015. Tree mortality from drought, insects, and their interactions in a changing climate. New Phytologist. doi: 10.1111/nph.13477.Cited
Keywords
biosphere-atmosphere feedbacks, carbon cycle, disturbance, dynamic global vegetation model, trophic interactionsRelated Search
- Observed and anticipated impacts of drought on forest insects and diseases in the United States
- Managing air pollution impacted forests of California
- Interactions among fuel management, species composition, bark beetles, and climate change and the potential effects on forests of the Lake Tahoe Basin
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https://www.fs.usda.gov/treesearch/pubs/49632