1 - Tree Mortality Following Drought in the Central and Southern Sierra Nevada

Saturday, October 28, 2023

8:00am - 8:15am PST

Location: A3

Speaker(s)

CF

Christopher Fettig, PhD

Pacific Southwest Research Station, USDA Forest Service
Davis, California, United States

Co-author(s)

LM

Leif Mortenson, MS

Ecologist (forest health & disturbance focused)
USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Research Station
Placerville, California, United States
BB

Beverly Bulaon, MS

Entomologist
Forest Health Protection, USDA Forest Service

Mortality of ponderosa pine was highest at the lowest elevations, concentrated in large trees, and attributed mostly to western pine beetle. Tree mortality was positively correlated with initial live tree density and slope. Tree regeneration was dominated by incense cedar and oak, representing a potential shift in overstory composition.

Learning Objectives:

Upon completion, participants will be able to identify the causes and consequences of this large-scale tree mortality event.