title: Mountain pine beetle infestation of lodgepole pine in areas of water diversion.
abstract: The Rocky Mountains have experienced extensive infestations from the mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins), affecting numerous pine tree species including lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. var. latifolia). Water diversions throughout the Rocky Mountains transport large volumes of water out of the basins of origin, resulting in hydrologic modifications to downstream areas. This study examines the hypothesis that lodgepole pine located below water diversions exhibit an increased incidence of mountain pine beetle infestation and mortality. A ground survey verified diversion structures in a portion of Grand County, Colorado, and sampling plots were established around two types of diversion structures, canals and dams. Field studies assessed mountain pine beetle infestation. Lodgepole pines below diversions show 45.1% higher attack and 38.5% higher mortality than lodgepole pines above diversions. These findings suggest that water diversions are associated with increased infestation and mortality of lodgepole pines in the basins of extraction, with implications for forest and water allocation management.
authors.affiliation: University of Colorado Denver, Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences, Campus Box 172, P.O. Box 173364, Denver, CO 80217-3364, USA. Electronic address: sharon.smolinski@ucdenver.edu.
authors.forename: Sharon L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Smolinski
authors.affiliation: University of Colorado Denver, Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences, Campus Box 172, P.O. Box 173364, Denver, CO 80217-3364, USA. Electronic address: peter.anthamatten@ucdenver.edu.
authors.forename: Peter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Anthamatten
authors.affiliation: University of Colorado Denver, Department of Integrative Biology, Campus Box 171, P.O. Box 173364, Denver, CO 80217-3364, USA. Electronic address: leo.bruederle@ucdenver.edu.
authors.forename: Leo P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Bruederle
authors.affiliation: University of Colorado Denver, Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences, Campus Box 172, P.O. Box 173364, Denver, CO 80217-3364, USA. Electronic address: jon.barbour@ucdenver.edu.
authors.forename: Jon M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Barbour
authors.affiliation: University of Colorado Denver, Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences, Campus Box 172, P.O. Box 173364, Denver, CO 80217-3364, USA. Electronic address: frederick.chambers@ucdenver.edu.
authors.forename: Frederick B
authors.initials: FB
authors.lastname: Chambers
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001517:Coleoptera; D003120:Colorado; D005618:Fresh Water; D028223:Pinus / Q000469:parasitology*; D011156:Population Density; D014872:Water Movements
keywords: Lodgepole pine; Mountain pine beetle; Rocky mountains; Tree mortality; Water diversions; Water management