Responses of soil and water chemistry to mountain pine beetle induced tree mortality in Grand County, Colorado, USA

摘要: Abstract Pine forest in northern Colorado and southern Wyoming, USA, are experiencing the most severe mountain pine beetle epidemic recorded history, possible degradation of drinking-water quality is a major concern. The objective this study was to investigate changes soil water chemistry Grand County, response epidemic, identify controlling influences on stream-water nutrients C areas affected by beetle. Soil moisture N increased soils beneath trees killed beetle, reflecting reduced evapotranspiration litter accumulation decay. No significant NO 3 - or dissolved organic were observed; however, total P increased, possibly due breakdown productivity related warming air temperatures. Multiple-regression analyses indicated that % basin beetles had minimal influence C; instead, other characteristics, such as percent classified forest, much more important.