Insects and disease are both an integral part of forest ecosystems and a potential threat to forest health. Mortality associated with insects and disease has led to the near extinction of entire species of trees, and left forests deprived of a single living tree. Understanding how these factors impact forests, both positively and negatively, is key to increasing the resilience of our forests. Examples of research questions include:

  • What makes a forest susceptible; what makes a forest resilient?
  • Improving forest health and resilience through diversity of species and structure
  • How do interactions between insects, fungi, parasites, and pathogens influence forest health?
  • The effect of management techniques on reducing mortality associated with insects and disease

Selected Publications:

Prescribed fire and mechanical thinning effects on bark beetle caused tree mortality in a mid-elevation Sierran mixed-conifer forest

Full Citation: Stark, Daniel T., David L. Wood, Andrew J. Storer, and Scott L. Stephens. 2013. Prescribed fire and mechanical thinning effects on bark beetle caused tree mortality in a mid-elevation Sierran mixed-conifer forest Forest Ecology and Management 306: 61-67.