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Timing of organic carbon release from mountain pine beetle impacted ponderosa pine forests in South Dakota
Author(s) -
Vik Erik S.,
Sieverding Heidi L.,
Punsal Jesse J.,
Kenner Scott J.,
Kunza Lisa A.,
Stone James J.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
water and environment journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.437
H-Index - 37
eISSN - 1747-6593
pISSN - 1747-6585
DOI - 10.1111/wej.12253
Subject(s) - mountain pine beetle , watershed , environmental science , dendroctonus , total organic carbon , forestry , water quality , bark beetle , ecology , geography , biology , bark (sound) , machine learning , computer science
The decay of mountain pine beetle (MPB) ( Dendroctonus ponderosae ) affected ponderosa pine ( Pinus ponderosa ) forests has increased organic carbon (OC) loading within the Rapid Creek watershed in the Black Hills of South Dakota, with total OC (TOC) concentrations up to 6.2 mg L −1 observed in 2015. The impacts of large‐scale tree mortality on water quality were delayed. OC concentrations in the watershed correlated with recent MPB impact stage progression. Regional ponderosa pine forests that were 3 and 6 years after MPB infection (grey and snagfall phases) exhibited increased OC loading within the Rapid Creek watershed. A better understanding of regional watershed response patterns for MPB tree mortality may assist with mitigating ancillary water quality impacts.