Mountain Pine Beetle Attack In Ponderosa Pine Comparing Methods For Rating Susceptibility

Two empirical methods for rating susceptibility of mountain pine beetle attack in ponderosa pine were evaluated. The methods were compared to stand data modeled to objectively rate each sampled stand for susceptibly to bark-beetle attack. Data on bark-beetle attacks, from a survey of 45 sites throughout the Colorado Plateau, were modeled using logistic regression to estimate the probability of attack on individual trees from tree and stand variables. The logistic model allowed flexibility to easily scale results up to a stand level for comparison to the empirical methods. The empirical method, developed by Munson and Anhold, most closely correlated to the logistic regression results. However, the Munson/Anhold method rated all 45 study sites as either moderately or highly susceptible to bark-beetle attack, which raises concern about its lack of sensitivity. Future work on evaluating risk of bark-beetle impact should consider more than stand characteristics.

Ten-year diameter and basal area growth were determined for partially cut stands at 4 locations. Average diameters in the partially cut plots generally increased by 1 inch or more, while average diameter in the uncut controls increased by 0.9 inches or less. Individual tree growth is discussed in relation to potential susceptibility to mountain pine beetle infestation. Basal area increases ranged from 0.9 to 1.9 ft2/acre/ yr in partially cut plots, while basal area increases in the control plots ranged from 0.4 to 1.4 ft2/acre/yr. Endemic mountain pine beetle infestations and snow breakage accounted for most of the mortality on the plots, which decreased the residual basal area and basal area growth. Increases in basal area are used to estimate the length of time required for various stand densities to reach the susceptibility thresholds for mountain pine beetle infestation. Stand marking may influence future susceptibility to beetle infestations.

Periodic diameter and basal area growth were determined for partially cut stands of lodgepole pine at five locations over approximately 10 year periods. After cutting, average diameters in the partially cut plots generally increased by 0.8 inches or more, while average diameter in the uncut controls increased by 0.6 inches or less. Diameter growth in the partially cut plots was generally significantly greater than diameter growth in the controls. Individual tree growth is discussed in relation to potential susceptibility to mountain pine beetle infestation. Basal area decreased in three of the four GSL (growing stock level) 40 stands because of windthrow. Basal area generally increased >1.0 ft 2 / acre/year in partially cut plots except in the GSL 40 stands with substantial windthrow and one GSL 100 with an Armillaria infection pocket. Basal area increases in the control plots ranged from 0.2 to 1.1 ft 2 /acre/year, although the one control with a BA growth rate of 1.1 ft 2 /acre/year had a relatively low initial BA. Data from the stands are employed in the susceptibility rating methods of Amman et al.(1977), Shore and Safranyik (1992),and Anhold et al. (1996 to determine stand susceptibility and the results discussed in terms of general applicability of these methods to partially cut stands. Basal area growth is used to estimate the length of time required for various stand densities to reach specific susceptibility thresholds for mountain pine beetle infestation. Several of the GSL 40 stands are not projected to reach the susceptibility thresholds in 100 years because of windthrow. Barring mortality 1%,GSL 80 stands are estimated to reach the basal area threshold of 120 ft 2 per acre in

This study is part of a series of research papers that explore the biological, social, and economic aspects of British Columbia's mountain pine beetle epidemic. In this paper, an established decision support system was evaluated for operational use. Digital forest inventory and beetle-impact survey data were integrated in standard GIS software for rating susceptibility and risk of mountain pine beetle infestation. The beetle-impact data, collected over a three-year period, provided an opportunity to generate risk on a given year and compare it to attacks in the subsequent year.--Includes text from Government of Canada publications site and from document.

"This book presents a synthesis of published information on mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins [Coleoptera: Scolytidae]) biology and management with an emphasis on lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud. var. latifolia Engelm.) forests of western Canada. Intended as a reference for researchers as well as forest managers, the book covers three main subject areas: mountain pine beetle biology, management, and socioeconomic concerns. The chapters on biology cover taxonomy, life history and habits, distribution, insect-host tree interactions, development and survival, epidemiology, and outbreak history. The management section covers management strategy, survey and detection, proactive and preventive management, and decision support tools. The chapters on socioeconomic aspects include an economic examination of management programs and the utilization of post-beetle salvage timber in solid wood, panelboard, pulp and paper products."--Publisher's description.

The annual national report of the Forest Health Monitoring (FHM) Program of the Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, presents forest health status and trends from a national or multi-State regional perspective using a variety of sources, introduces new techniques for analyzing forest health data, and summarizes results of recently completed Evaluation Monitoring projects funded through the FHM national program.