Global warming: Pine beetles turn forests into carbon source

The Santa Fe New Mexican ^ | April 23, 2008 | Catherine Tsai

[moondoggie]

In the Sierra Nevada Mountains, where I use to own property, all the smart stewards of the land would immediately cut down an infected tree. They would also cut down any trees near the infected one, to prevent the spread of the bark beetle. Guess what? It worked.

It only works if everybody does it.

We live on 40 acres of heavily forrested ponderosas, but our property abutts the San Isabel National Forest.

They aren't doing a darn thing in the forest to eradicate the spread of pine beetles.

In fact, our state officials have admitted defeat in the fight against the beetles....too costly now, etc.

At the rate they're spreading, we won't have a single healthy tree on our property in another 10 years.

[1FreeAmerican]

Got just one word for you - FIRE!!!
That natural process is what kills the infestations and then allows healthy trees to prosper. 80+ years of poor forest managment has turned the trees into matchsticks and the ground cover -the duff- into fuel storage.

[Flycatcher]

You’re right on the money. Unfortunately, I don’t foresee, at least anytime soon, a wholesale change in the way our government manages our western forests.

The best we can do is manage our own private parcels in ways we know that work. Which is to say: Lead by example.

[CedarDave]

Quick questions

I don't have any quick answers. However, you might find some here:

Environmental Effects of Increased Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide

[USFRIENDINVICTORIA]

You're probably right about that. In other words — three pet causes of the “environmental movement” (no pesticides, no logging, and no forest fires) conspired to create an environmental disaster — which then gets blamed on global warming. The latest "environmentalists&rsquo"; cause.

[wally_bert]

My looney DIM bitter Obama supporter neighbor loves bugs so much that the exertminators are over a few times each month.

Since there is so much dead brush and wood that he won't lift a finger to do anything about, it is no surprise. However, a BIG truckload of brush that has been in his backyard for years has magically moved several feet downhill to right up against the fence separating his disaster area from my yard.

I had the day off today so I did some productive yard work and put a few hours on the old Stihl saw. He will probably have seizures over the summer as I intend to re work the chain link fence for vehicle access to the back yard. That will mean more weeds, briars, vines, and ivy will die. Too bad...

[steelyourfaith]

Here.

 

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