A new study finds that climate change may spark more forest fires in the Yellowstone ecosystem, resulting in a shift from mature, old-growth forests to younger forests and woodlands.
Rocky Mountain Forests
CSU: Mountain pine beetle gaining traction in northern Colorado Front Range lodgepole, ponderosa pine forests
The dreaded mountain pine beetle is wreaking havoc on northern Front Range forests, according to aerial detection surveys.
Study: Colorado mountain pine beetle activity likely affects snow accumulation, snowmelt resulting in increased water yields
Measurements at Niwot Ridge research station west of Boulder indicate changes to Colorado mountain zones are underway.
Colorado Roadless Rule protects 500,000 acres of forest, but extraction ‘loopholes’ spark opposition
The proposed Colorado Roadless Rule from the USDA, which drew criticism for resource extraction loopholes, is open for public comment on the federal Regulations.gov website.
Mountain pine beetle moving east in Alberta, jumping species from lodgepole to jack pine
Confirming widely held fears about the migration of the mountain pine beetle, Alberta scientists found that the mighty insect is moving east in Canadian forests.
Mountain pine beetle: Grim Reaper, widowmaker or natural ‘change agent’ for Colorado’s forests?
The tiny mountain pine beetle has feasted on Colorado’s lodgepole pine forests, turning countless acres of trees into dead wood. An autumn presentation on the tiny but powerful bug shed some light on how Colorado’s majestic forests will be impacted by the beetle infestation.
Wildfires in the West: From fanatical fire suppression to ‘stay & defend’
The history of wildfire and fire suppression in the U.S. is replete with stories of hubris, disaster and miscalculation. Stephen Pyne of Arizona State University shared some thoughts during a lecture in Boulder.