Return to the Learning Resource College of Natural Resources
Ecology  
 

 

HOME
ECOLOGY
LESSONS
CONTACT
HELP
 

 

 © 2007
 University of Idaho
 All rights reserved.

 Web Design - CTI

 

Lesson 6: Disturbance Ecology
7 Insects and Disease < Back | Next >

Insects and pathogens are major regulators of forest in many ecosystems, each year there are millions of hectors affected by insects and pathogens throughout North America. Although the visual effect of insects and pathogens is less dramatic than that of fire or mass land movements their ability to kill either individual trees or small groups of trees in a forest has a major influence in controlling forest succession. However recent outbreaks of bark beetles and the introduction of invasive pathogens have greatly influenced forest succession on large scales. There ability to have dramatic influences on forest succession is even more pronounced due to the fact that many insects and pathogens attack only one species. Insects and diseases like all other disturbance agents tend to work together this is particularly true with respect to fire, although little information is available about this relationship.


James Solomon, USDA Forest Service, www.forestryimages.org
LESSON 6
1 Disturbance Ecology
2 Disturbance as a Ecosystem Process
3 Types of Disturbance
5 Fire
6 Wind
7 Insects and Disease
8 Human Disturbances
< Back | Next >

horizontal rule

HOME | ECOLOGY | LESSONS | CONTACT | HELP

 

horizontal rule

HOME | ECOLOGY | LESSONS | CONTACT | HELP