Beetle-Induced Forest Die-Off In Canada May Prove Substantial Climate Factor - Vancouver Sun

[hatrack]

Could B.C.'s ever-expanding sea of red-tinged forests caused by pine beetle infestation be contributing to global warming?

Researchers at the University of Northern B.C. think it's possible, with one professor now leading a study on whether beetle activity -- long suspected as being caused by global warming because warmer winters can no longer contain their spread -- is creating additional warming in its own right. "By taking measurements at the same site over a number of years, we're able to track how a pine beetle-infected forest evolves from a sink for carbon to a source," said Art Fredeen, a UNBC professor of ecosystem science and management.

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Fredeen noted that during the past 150 years the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere have risen considerably, with the burning of fossil fuels believed to be the main culprit. However, 25 per cent of the increase is due to deforestation, he added. "The sheer scale of the pine beetle infestation means that salvage logging could have a real impact on the link between forests, harvesting and climate change," Fredeen said.

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An estimated 10 million hectares of the B.C. Interior forest are either dead or imperilled by the beetle, and the provincial government says 25,000 families in 30 Interior communities will suffer as the loss of those forests puts the squeeze on pulp mills, sawmills and logging operations in the region.

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http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/business/story.html?id=005f8cfd-2569-4a13-93a0-6fa49f228407

[philb]

1. Us and my neighbors have beetles in our pine tree acreage, losing lots of trees

The serious drought in the South East (and here in Florida) is putting stress on the trees, which weakens them and makes them
susceptible to beetle damage. Huge infestations occurring, growers like us losing lots of pines and money.