Part 2 of 2
Chuck Rhoades, watershed biogeochemistry researcher, talks about the Mountain Pine Beetle (MPB) effects in Colorado lodgepole pine ecosystems, and the research that has been completed in the last ten years focused on understanding the factors that control water supply from high-elevation forests, as it relates to trees, snow and streamflows.
In this presentation he focuses on watershed responses & forest recovery, and management alternatives, consequences and challenges. Regarding management on the Southern Rockies after the MPB, the focus is on safety – specifically ensuring people and infrastructures are protected from tree-fall hazards and wildlife potential. Management tailoring may need to be done through the control of the type of tree species planted in forests that were damaged by the MPB. Riparian fuel management and corridor clearing options were also discussed. This presentation was a part of the Mountain Pine Beetle Information Exchange Forum in April of 2014.
