Download Free Estimating The Rate And Amount Of Tree Loss From Mountain Pine Beetle Infestations Book in PDF and EPUB Free Download. You can read online Estimating The Rate And Amount Of Tree Loss From Mountain Pine Beetle Infestations and write the review.

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.
The mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins) is the most destructive insect of mature pine forests in western North America. From a forest management perspective, estimates of the location and extent of mountain pine beetle red-attack are critical; however, the degree of precision required for these estimates varies according to the management objective under consideration and the nature of the mountain pine beetle infestation. This report describes a study to explore the potential of single-date SPOT multispectral imagery to detect and map mountain pine beetle red-attack damage in an area with relatively low infestation levels using an automated classification procedure. In doing so, issues unique to SPOT, and the potential offered by the higher spatial resolution of SPOT compared with Landsat, could be identified. The viability of SPOT as an alternative data source to Landsat could then be assessed.
Mountain pine beetle-killed ponderosa pine trees in three stands of different stocking levels near Bear Mountain in the Black Hills National Forest were surveyed over a 5-year period to determine how long they persisted as unbroken snags. Rate of breakage varied during the first 5 years after MPB infestation: only one tree broke during the first 2 years in the three stands; breakage increased during the third year; the highest percentage of snags broke during the fourth year; and 10% to 14% broke in the fifth year. Cumulatively, snag breakage was 76%, 91%, and 95% in a GSL 80/90, GSL 100/110, and unmanaged stand, respectively. On average, 56% of the snags broke below 25 ft. The rate and height of breakage in mountain pine beetle-killed trees indicates that they are unlikely to persist as suitable snags for more than 5 to 10 years after infestation.
This publication reviews the results of research on the western pine beetle up to July 1, 1952. It shows the progress that has been made in over a half-century of study of this one bark beetle. It also records the trials and errors--the research that ran into blind alleys. The record of this pioneer effort in the field of forest entomology in the United States should be of great help to research workers who are faced with similar problems.