North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and insect damage in serbian forests

Abstract

This paper examines the relationship between North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and damage made by insects in Serbian forests. The damage has been separated into three groups: bark beetles, gypsy moth and damage made by other insects. For North Atlantic Oscillation the NAO index is used. The period of investigation was 1969-2001. Data were studied on an annual scale as well as with five-year moving averages. Analysis showed a statistically significant correlation for NAO index and gypsy moth.