INSECTS & DISEASE SYMPTOMS OF A WARMING PLANET Under the long-term climatic stresses faced by western forests, it is more and more difficult for trees to defend themselves against insect and disease infestations. Statewide, 897,900 acres of Colorado forests were affected in 2014. Roaring Fork Watershed forests saw a 19,000-acre increase in damage in 2014 compared with 2013, with 45,787 impacted acres. Most of this damage can be attributed to a dramatic increase in subalpine fir decline, discussed in more detail on the following page. It is important to note that at natural, or endemic levels, the following insects and diseases are native to our area, and play an important role by introducing natural disturbance to local ecosystems. However, rising global temperatures are allowing epidemic levels of insects and disease to flourish, with profoundly harmful consequences to the health of our forests and the critical ecosystem services they provide. ACES is closely monitoring insect and disease activity in our watershed. ››› 10
a s p e n c e n t e r for e n v i r o n m e n t a l s t u d i e s
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2 0 1 6 s t a t e of the f o r e s t r e p o r t