M. Perez Forests are dynamic—they respond to challenge and disturbance everyday that go unnoticed to us. Large-scale forest disturbance, like that caused by current spruce beetle infestation, can be unnerving from a human perspective. Sometimes changes come with little warning and dramatically alter landscapes we live in, recreate in, and love. While this may be disheartening to some, changing our perspective and remembering the benefits of disturbance in forested systems may help us to better understand the world around us. Let’s take a look on how: 1) Denali’s forests are in good position to regenerate naturally: Many species of this area are adapted to disturbances like fire or insect outbreaks. Allowing these events to occur can promote the growth of diverse and resilient forest ecosystems. 2) Disturbances maintain Ecological Integrity: Human intervention can disrupt complex ecological relationships. A hands-off approach helps preserve the intricate web of interactions between plants, animals, and other organisms. 3) Challenges facilitate adaptation and resilience: By fostering forests to respond naturally to changing conditions, we increase their chances of adapting to the challenges of a warming planet and the next disturbance to come their way. As a National Park, Denali NPP manages land “...to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wild life therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations” (Organic Act of 1916). Part of this work is to promote and preserve natural processes—where possible—by limiting human interference. Through monitoring and minimal human interaction, spruce beetle disturbance can provide insight to how wildlife, plants, and habitats adapt and survive to sudden change. Across the state of Alaska, university researchers and forest managers are using their short- and long-term research to study spruce beetle effects while also applying new scientific methods to better understand spruce beetle population dynamics and the implications of high spruce mortality. National Parks, like Denali National Park and Preserve, can be excellent laboratories to conduct this type of research in, in part because past natural processes have been monitored and respected. |
Last updated: April 18, 2025