October 14, 2007--Beetle may kill 90 percent of Summit's forest (Vail Daily)
Mountain pine beetles are still finding new trees to kill at an unprecedented rate in local forests, with no signs that the infestation will slow down any time soon. The bugs are expected to kill 90 percent of the lodgepole trees in the area, decimating the predominant tree species at the mid-elevations in Summit County. Along with the potential wildfire danger, another huge concern is the impact to local watersheds. The change in the structure of the forest is bound to have significant effect on snowpack and runoff. The lack of shade means the snow will melt much faster under direct sunlight, and as the trees fall down, the wind will also play more of a role in transporting snow. Peak runoff could come much earlier in the spring and at higher levels, leading to erosion issues.
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