Timing of organic carbon release from mountain pine beetle impacted ponderosa pine forests in South Dakota

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...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Water and environment journal : WEJ 2017-08, Vol.31 (3), p.375-379
Main Authors: Vik, Erik S., Sieverding, Heidi L., Punsal, Jesse J., Kenner, Scott J., Kunza, Lisa A., Stone, James J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Coastal inlets
dissolved organic carbon
Forests
Lumber
Mortality
mountain pine beetle
Organic carbon
Pine
Pine trees
ponderosa pine
runoff
Total organic carbon
Water quality
Watersheds
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Summary: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.
ISSN:1747-6585
1747-6593
DOI:10.1111/wej.12253