For my final project, I aim to document the devastating impact of pine beetle infestation on the Rocky Mountains through historical data mapping. From my childhood memories of family trips to the region, I have witnessed firsthand the catastrophic spread of pine beetles and their effect on the local ecology. This issue is of utmost importance to me as the beetles’ invasion has resulted in a surge of dying trees, which has contributed to the accumulation of dry, dead vegetation. Given the recent bouts of severe drought and historic wildfires, the situation is becoming more alarming. The threat of extreme flooding during monsoon seasons poses a severe threat to our infrastructure. It is even more concerning as we grapple with climate change and unpredictable weather patterns.
To gather comprehensive information, I employed various tools such as project raster, clip, minus tool, NDVI, among others, to identify the affected areas accurately. While pinpointing the exact extent of the damage is challenging due to the various factors involved, including drought conditions and wildfires, the maps clearly depict the spatial distribution of tree mortality over ten years.