Unknown Disturbance in White Pine County, NV

ForWarn detected multiple possible defoliation events in White Pine County, Nevada in July 2015. The pine dominated forest could be affected by insect defoliation and/or severe drought die back. Pinyon pine defoliation is common in this area during this time of year in the warmer, lower elevations. However, higher elevations were also being affected by departure of vegetation greenness. There is still speculation on causality of decline but most likely affected by pinyon pine sawfly insect outbreak defoliation and drought induced die back of vegetation.