Herbage production under ponderosa pine killed by the mountain pine beetle in Colorado

Abstract

Herbage growth increased steadily over 4 years, beginning the year after beetle attack. Yields of forbs, sedges, and grasses contributed most to the gains of between a quarter and a half ton per acre of dry herbage. Yields of herbage were not increased in the shade of saplings where overstory trees were killed by beetles. Rapid herbage growth and the mulch provided by the fallen dead pine needles appeared to help prevent soil erosion.