Climate, People, and the Environment Program Seminar Series - Sarah Hart

Recent warm temperatures and drought have been linked to increased tree mortality around the world. In the continental western United States, native bark beetles (Dendroctonus spp.) have killed conifer trees across 22.5 M hectares since 2000. Here I’ll discuss the role of drought in driving outbreaks spruce beetles (Dendroctonus rufipennis) and the ecologic and hydrologic consequences of this widespread and severe tree mortality.