Forest Health of the Rincon Mountains, Saguaro National Park, Arizona Results of Systematic Surveys 2017
Swann D, O'Brien K, Kramer L, Palmer T. Forest Health of the Rincon Mountains, Saguaro National Park, Arizona Results of Systematic Surveys 2017. National Park Service
The purpose of this study was to create the first-ever comprehensive, field-based assessment of the forest health of the Rincon Mountains in Saguaro National Park to help guide future management actions. As part of systematic surveys of natural and cultural resources on Mica Mountain (the north end of the range) surveyors mapped forest health measures such as prevalence of dwarf mistletoe and bark beetle infestation. The park is concerned about long-term health of its forest ecosystem. Results suggest that that the forest health of the northern portion of the Rincon Mountains is generally good, with the caveat that dwarf mistletoe is widespread and that bark beetles are present and may be increasing. As temperatures have increased in recent decades, the Rincons face warmer winter and summer temperatures, decreased snowpack; earlier springs and later winters; and potential changes in plant and animal communities.
- Type
- Survey
- Authors
- Swann, Don; O'Brien, Kara; Kramer, Lauren; Palmer, Tony
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- Units
- SAGU
- Keywords
- beetle infestation, climate change, disease, fire, forest health, insects, Mica Mountain, mistletoe, Rincon Mountains, Saguaro National Park. Rincon Mountain District, Sky Islands, surveys, US Forest Service