Disturbance Synergies

Wildfires

Getting bigger, lasting longer, longer fire seasons

• more heavily suppressed

Due to fire suppression, they are characterized by infrequent, high severity fires due to increased fuel loading + climate change

Insects

Bark beetles can account for more area disturbed than fire

• Outbreaks from 1980-2005 affected ~47 million ha Spruce beetle (Dendroctonus rufipennis)
• Warmer summers -> voltinism shift

Mountain Pine Beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae)

• Warmer winters/summers + increased host susceptibility (fire suppression) -> range expansion

Pinyon Ips Beetle (Ips confusus) Warmer summers -> drought -> increased host susceptibility