Influence of ozone and nitrogen deposition on bark beetle activity under drought conditions

Jones, ME; Paine, TD; Fenn, ME; Poth, MA

HERO ID

72744

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2004

Language

English

HERO ID 72744
In Press No
Year 2004
Title Influence of ozone and nitrogen deposition on bark beetle activity under drought conditions
Authors Jones, ME; Paine, TD; Fenn, ME; Poth, MA
Journal Forest Ecology and Management
Volume 200
Issue 1-3
Page Numbers 67-76
Abstract Four years of severe drought from 1999 through 2003 led to unprecedented bark beetle activity in ponderosa and Jeffrey pine in the San Bernardino and San Jacinto Mountains of southern California. Pines in the San Bernardino Mountains also were heavily impacted by ozone and nitrogenous pollutants originating from urban and agricultural areas in the Los Angeles basin. We studied bark beetle activity and bark beetle associated tree mortality in pines at two drought-impacted sites in the San Bernardino Mountains, one receiving high levels of atmospheric pollutants, and one with more moderate atmospheric input. We also investigated the effects of nitrogen addition treatments of 0, 50 and 150 kg N ha-1 year-1 at each site. Tree mortality and beetle activity were significantly higher at the high pollution site. Differences in beetle activity between sites were significantly associated with ozone injury to pines, while differences in tree mortality between sites were significantly associated with both ozone injury and fertilization level. Tree mortality was 9% higher and beetle activity 50% higher for unfertilized trees at the high pollution site compared to the low pollution site. Tree mortality increased 8% and beetle activity increased 20% under the highest rates of nitrogen additions at the low pollution site. The strong response in beetle activity to nitrogen additions at the low pollution site suggests that atmospheric nitrogen deposition increased tree susceptibility to beetle attack at the high deposition site. While drought conditions throughout the region were a major factor in decreased tree resistance, it appears that both ozone exposure and atmospheric nitrogen deposition further increased pine susceptibility to beetle attack.
Doi 10.1016/j.foreco.2004.06.003
Wosid WOS:000224682400006
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Is Public Yes
Language Text English
Keyword nitrogen deposition; ozone; ponderosa pine; Jeffrey pine; western pine beetle; Mountain Pine beetle; San Bernardino mountains; mixed conifer forest