page_title: Environmental issues in Wyoming
section_title: Ecological effect
hierarchical_section_title: Environmental issues in Wyoming / Wildlife / Pine beetles / Ecological effect
caption_attribution_description: English: Bark beetle galleries Galleries formed by the larvae of the conifer bark beetle [Tomicus minor]. The female lays her eggs under the bark of a conifer [in this case pine] and the larvae, as they emerge, eat their way away from the laying point, to leave the characteristic pattern when the bark finally falls off. These beetles are scolytids, as are those that transmit dutch-elm disease.
context_page_description: The U.S. state of Wyoming faces a broad array of environmental issues stemming from environmental changes including species introduction, endangered species, global climate change, and natural resource extraction. These changes have led to varying ecological harm to the forests and natural species of wildlife that call Wyoming home. Within the state organizations and governments are working to combat these environmental threats and restore balance to the ecology.
context_section_description: This combination of mismanaged forests and deadfall caused by pine beetle adds up to an inevitable conclusion that fires will destroy these forests. These fire risks and falling trees caused by the beetle infestation have the ability to affect over 3,700 miles of roads, 1,300 miles of trails, and 69 miles of transmission and distribution power lines. Consequently, it is important that the forest service manages these falling trees by cutting certain sections of forest down to aid in the safety of these areas.
  
  This catastrophe will severely impact the wildlife of the region. Many animal species rely on these forests for both predation and climate protection. American Elk populations will likely decrease due to the loss of protection as will American Marten populations due to the Marten's reliance on thick, heavily forested areas to hunt. Pine squirrel populations will likely experience the most dramatic decrease because the squirrels rely on pine seeds to survive the harsh winters. Other animal populations that will be effected include the Northern goshawk and the snowshoe hare as their habitats are destroyed and their nutrition resources disappear.
caption: Bark beetle galleries - geograph.org.uk - 516322
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