(Courtesy photo | Kate Magargal, University of Utah) Scientists and federal land managers are scrambling to investigate widespread juniper mortality in southeast Utah. Researchers shot this photo last month on Cedar Mesa, where junipers started dying in droves in September after the driest and warmest year on record. Foresters are stumped because juniper is seen as a drought-tolerant species.
Brian Maffly has worked for The Tribune off and on since 1994. Maffly roams Utah, covering public land and environment.