Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Forests in Alaska - July 27, 2010

As we came through the upper Mid-west of the US in June we saw, here and there in the trees, purple bags about the size of grocery bags. We found out these were traps for the Emerald Ash Borer that has caused great destruction in many states and two provinces in Canada. The traps were set up to give a indication of the population of these insects. Sort of like fly paper with a particular scent for the one beetle. The Emerald Ash Borer is an invader from Asia.
In Alaska, the Spruce trees have their destroyer in the Spruce Bark Beetle. In recent years the beetles have caused great areas of trees to die. The insect is a native to this area but have been more widespread than in the past. Some reasons given are: forest fire suppression, warmer weather year-round, human habitat development and timbering residue.

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