Assessment of the Potential Role of Blizzard Damage in the Spatial Distribution of Southern Pine Beetle Infestation in Unicoi County, Tennessee.

<p>The Southern Pine Beetle, or SPB, (<em>Dendroctonus frontalis</em> Zimmerman) is a bark beetle that is endemic to the Southern forest ecosystem. Beetle populations remain stable for years at a time; however, for reasons not fully understood the beetle undergoes accelerated population growth on approximate ten-year cycles, culminating in increased beetle activity. Although most trees can withstand a beetle assault when populations are reduced, healthy trees, and even pine species that are not generally attacked can become a host tree for millions of beetles during infestations.</p><p>Much of Appalachia was paralyzed by an unusually heavy snowstorm on January 27, 1998, resulting in major power failures and tremendous tree damage. Environmental hazards such as this storm have historically been a factor with southern pine beetle populations. This study hypothesizes that the blizzard of January 27, 1998, significantly increased the southern pine beetle population. The evidence, however, did not support this hypothesis.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

MS (Master of Science)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis - restricted

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2002

Author dc:creator

• Jennings, David Scott

• Southern Pine Beetle
• Geography
• GIS
• Remote Sensing
• Geographic Information Systems
• Biology
• Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
• Life Sciences

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright by the authors.

Repository record dc:identifier

https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/670

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dc.etsu.edu:etd-1827