Roundheaded Pine Beetle Epidemic: Coconino National Forest Flagstaff, Arizona

Abstract

Flagstaff, Arizona has one of the largest ponderosa forests in the U.S that consists of 1.8 million acres. The Coconino National Forest extends from western New Mexico to north-central Arizona, and he area is currently being attacked by numerous anthropogenic stresses that are killing the pondersoa pine trees. This study examines the Coconino National Forest, there are many different stresses that are now killing the trees. This study examines stress is the roundheaded pine beetle that is negatively impacting this forest structure of the ponderosa pine (Pinus pondersoa) forest. Roundheaded pine beetles are shiny dark-brown to black insects that attacks the ponderosa pine trees by eating into the moist tissue of the tree, soon enough stressing out the tree and leaving a snag behind. After examining the results Diameter at Breast Height (dbh) and Lean were significant. This sub-study is part of a larger study done on snags killed by bark beetles and wildlife use of snags, which includes the Coconino and Kaibab National Forest. It was funded by a grant from the Natural Science Foundation given to Joy Mast (Carthage College) and Carol Cambers (Northern Arizona University). Therefore, this study examines factors that influence whether or not a tree is susceptible to roundheaded pine beetle attacks.