California Forests Show Extensive Damage from Insects, Fungi and Marijuana Cultivation (ContributorNetwork)

The USDA Forest Service released its 2010 "Forest Pest Conditions in California" report. Facts and figures indicate that the Golden State's forests are imperiled by native and invasive insect species. Adding insult to injury, invasive plants and fungi are also taking their tolls; so are the drug cartels.

* The invasive gold-spotted oak borer was imported via cut firewood from Arizona to California. Although its actual arrival time cannot be conclusively pinpointed, experts do suggest that its import happened "several years ago." In 2010, the insect was responsible for the deaths of approximately 1,500 oaks in the state.

* Root diseases also adversely affect California's trees. Port-Orford-cedar root disease has been found near the Fish Lake Campground in Humboldt County. Forest experts believe that human activity actually introduced the disease into the area. Containing the spread of the pathogen requires cooperation from locals and visitors. Signs in the area ask visitors to only travel on paved roads and trails; travel on soil -- especially when wet -- is highly discouraged. The spores are thought to travel on shoes and even tools; spread to healthy stands must be avoided.

* The native Jeffrey pine beetle killed fewer trees in California's northeastern portion last year. The same did not hold true for the San Gabriel Wilderness area, where the beetle's activity spiked. Roughly 299 trees were affected in this area alone; experts attribute the damage pattern to "high tree densities around Wrightwood."

* California's pine trees face their greatest danger from the mountain pine beetle. Around 2.800 lodge-pole pines in Siskiyou County alone became victims of the insects. Other areas are also affected, albeit to lesser extents. Aerial photos show large areas of forest where pines have died off and now stand out as brown spots among the green of still healthy specimens.

* The western pine beetle also damages large quantities of California pines. It is interesting to note that pine plantations record losses just like natural forest areas do. In addition, there are reports that associate marijuana site cleanup activities with an aggravation of beetle activity.

* Clandestine marijuana cultivation is an entirely man-made danger to California's trees. The US Forest Service highlights that -- aside from the danger to forest rangers and visitors from drug cartels -- the unchecked use of pesticides and herbicides in pot farming adversely affects soil, water and desirable plants. Endangered animals are killed as well. Estimates suggest that growers use as much as one pound of fertilizer for each six plants they tend during the growing seasons; with more than 30,000 plants grown, damage to groundwater quality and marine life is inevitable.

Sylvia Cochran is a Los Angeles area resident with a firm finger on the pulse of California politics. Talk radio junkie, community volunteer and politically independent, she scrutinizes the good and the bad from both sides of the political aisle.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/environment/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ac/20110826/us_ac/9027661_california_forests_show_extensive_damage_from_insects_fungi_and_marijuana_cultivation

weather philadelphia detroit lions usain bolt ocean city maryland msp cruises shooter