Influence of fire and mountain pine beetle on the dynamics of lodgepole pine stands in British Columbia,Canada

An outbreak of the mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins; MPB), currently affecting over 10.1 million hectares of lodgepole pine forests (Pinus contorta Dougl.) in British Columbia, Canada, is the largest in recorded history. We examined the dynamics of even-aged lodgepole pine forests in southern British Columbia, which were undergoing this MPB outbreak. Using dendroecology and forest measurements we reconstructed the stand processes of stand initiation, stand disturbances, tree mortality, and regeneration, and explained the current stand structure and the potential MPB impacts in selected stands. Our results indicate that stand-replacing fires initiated even-aged seral lodgepole pine stands in this region. In the absence of fire in the 20th century, multiple MPB disturbances, which each resulted in partial canopy removal, modified the simple one-layer structure of the fire-origin stands by the initiation of post-MPB disturbance regeneration layers, transforming the stands into complex, multi-aged stands. Despite high overstory mortality due to the current MPB outbreak, regeneration layers, which are likely to survive the current outbreak, will provide important ecological legacies and will contribute to mid-term timber supply.     

Stand characteristics and downed woody debris accumulations associated with a mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins) outbreak in Colorado

Lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud.)-dominated ecosystems in north-central Colorado are undergoing rapid and drastic changes associated with overstory tree mortality from a current mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins) outbreak. To characterize stand characteristics and downed woody debris loads during the first 7 years of the outbreak, 221 plots (0.02 ha) were randomly established in infested and uninfested stands distributed across the Arapaho National Forest, Colorado. Mountain pine beetle initially attacked stands with higher lodgepole pine basal area, and lower density and basal area of Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii [Parry]), and subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa (Hook.) Nutt. var. lasiocarpa) compared to uninfested plots. Mountain pine beetle-affected stands had reduced total and lodgepole pine stocking and quadratic mean diameter. The density and basal area of live overstory lodgepole declined by 62% and 71% in infested plots, respectively. The mean diameter of live lodgepole pine was 53% lower than pre-outbreak in infested plots. Downed woody debris loads did not differ between uninfested plots and plots currently infested at the time of sampling to 3 or 4–7 years after initial infestation, but the projected downed coarse wood accumulations when 80% of the mountain pine beetle-killed trees fall indicated a fourfold increase. Depth of the litter layer and maximum height of grass and herbaceous vegetation were greater 4–7 years after initial infestation compared to uninfested plots, though understory plant percent cover was not different. Seedling and sapling density of all species combined was higher in uninfested plots but there was no difference between infested and uninfested plots for lodgepole pine alone. For trees ≥2.5 cm in diameter at breast height, the density of live lodgepole pine trees in mountain pine beetle-affected stands was higher than Engelmann spruce, subalpine fir, and aspen, (Populus tremuloides Michx.), in diameter classes comprised of trees from 2.5 cm to 30 cm in diameter, suggesting that lodgepole pine will remain as a dominant overstory tree after the bark beetle outbreak.     

Competitive interactions between juvenile trembling aspen and lodgepole pine: A comparison of two interior British Columbia ecosystems

To facilitate ecosystem-specific management of juvenile mixtures of lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. Ex Loud. Var. latifolia Engelm.) and trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) in south-central British Columbia, we compared the characteristics of pine–aspen competition between a moist sub-boreal spruce and a dry interior Douglas-fir ecosystem. A total of 252 lodgepole pine and their neighbourhoods were examined across four untreated stands, each of which was sampled three times between ages 12 and 24 years. Pine diameter and height decreased with increasing density of trembling aspen at least as tall as the target pine (tall aspen) in both ecosystems. Regression analysis was used to examine the ability of tall aspen density and four competition indices (CIs) to predict pine size. Tall aspen density, which is easily assessed in the field, accounted for 63% and 69% of the variation in pine diameter and height in 20–24 year-old stands, respectively. The most successful competition index, based on the basal diameter ratio (BDR) of trembling aspen to pine accounted for, respectively, 78% and 73% of the variation. In the same stands, R² values were 1–5% lower when tall aspen density and BDR at age 15–19 years were used to predict size of 20–24-year-old pine.     

Bark beetle community structure under four ponderosa pine forest stand conditions in northern Arizona

We studied the bark beetle guild (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) in the ponderosa pine forests of northern Arizona to explore if the species assemblages and relative abundance differ between managed and unmanaged stands. Four stand conditions were assessed: (1) unmanaged stands with high tree density, (2) thinned stands, (3) thinned and burned (with prescribed fire) stands and (4) stands that had been burned by stand replacing wildfires. The study was conducted in the ponderosa pine forests of the Coconino Plateau, northern Arizona. For several decades this area has been relatively free of bark beetle outbreaks despite the current overstocked condition of many stands. We found that a similar species assemblage composed of Dendroctonus frontalis, D. brevicomis, D. valens, D. approximatus, D. ponderosae, and Ips pini occurred across all four stand conditions over 3 years of study. The population levels of all these species were endemic across all stand conditions. The non-aggressive D. approximatus and D. valens were indicator species for thinned and unmanaged stands, respectively, but this was not consistent among years. The ambrosia beetle Gnathotrichus sp. and the bark beetle predator Enoclerus sp. consistently indicated stands burned by wildfire. In addition to our field experiment, we analyzed the historical pattern of attacks of bark beetles in our area of study. Our findings suggest that the pattern of attack of D. brevicomis (the only Dendroctonus species for which attacks have been reported) and Ips spp. has been through scattered small infestations in groups of 1–10 trees. Whereas small infestations by Ips spp. are increasing, those for D. brevicomis are decreasing. Although we agree that the high density stands in northern Arizona are in an “unhealthy” condition, our results do not show that they were supporting large bark beetle outbreaks. Our results challenge the theoretical assumptions about the relationship between stand structure, tree resistance and bark beetle performance.     

A comparison of lodgepole pine responses to varying levels of trembling aspen removal in two dry south-central British Columbia ecosystems

We used manual cutting to manipulate trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) density and spatial arrangement in relation to crop lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. Ex Loud. var. latifolia Engelm.) on two sites in contrasting dry, cool to cold ecosystems of south-central British Columbia. In the dry, cool interior Douglas-fir ecosystem (IDFdk3), we reduced the density of tall aspen (aspen at least as tall as target pine) to 0 (broadcast removal), 1000, 2500, or 4000 stems/ha when the planted lodgepole pine was 6 years old. Eight years later, pine height/diameter ratio (HDR) was significantly lower in the broadcast removal and 1000 stem/ha treatments than in the control. There were no other significant growth responses and pine survival and vigour were good regardless of treatment. In contrast, in a dry, cold sub-boreal pine spruce ecosystem (SBPSxc) where treatments were applied at a stand age of 11 years, naturally regenerated lodgepole pine stem diameter increased significantly in the broadcast removal treatment relative to the untreated control within 2 years. After 4 years, HDR had declined significantly relative to the control where tall aspen density was ≤1000 stems/ha. There were no significant pine responses where 2500 tall aspen stems/ha were retained or where tall aspen were removed only within a 1-m radius around pine. The greater difference in height (height differential) between aspen and pine at the SBPSxc than the IDFdk3 site may partly explain the differing response of lodgepole pine to treatment. Trends of decreasing sucker density with increasing aspen retention were evident at both sites, but differences were significant (p ≤ 0.05) only at the SBPSxc site.     

Bark beetle-caused mortality in a drought-affected ponderosa pine landscape in Arizona,USA

Extensive ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Dougl. ex Laws.) mortality associated with a widespread severe drought and increased bark beetle (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae) populations occurred in Arizona from 2001 to 2004. A complex of Ips beetles including: the Arizona fivespined ips, Ips lecontei Swaine, the pine engraver beetle, Ips pini (Say), Ips calligraphus (Germar), Ips latidens (LeConte), Ips knausi Swaine and Ips integer (Eichhoff) were the primary bark beetle species associated with ponderosa pine mortality. In this study we examine stand conditions and physiographic factors associated with bark beetle-caused tree mortality in ponderosa pine forests across five National Forests in Arizona. A total of 633 fixed-radius plots were established across five National Forests in Arizona: Apache-Sitgreaves, Coconino, Kaibab, Prescott, and Tonto. Prior to the bark beetle outbreak, plots with mortality had higher tree and stocking compared with plots without pine mortality. Logistic regression modeling found that probability of ponderosa pine mortality caused by bark beetles was positively correlated with tree density and inversely related with elevation and tree diameter. Given the large geographical extent of this study resulting logistic models to estimate the likelihood of bark beetle attack should have wide applicability across similar ponderosa pine forests across the Southwest. This is particularly true of a model driven by tree density and elevation constructed by combining all forests. Tree mortality resulted in significant reductions in basal area, tree density, stand density index, and mean tree diameter for ponderosa pine and for all species combined in these forests. Most of the observed pine mortality was in the 10–35 cm diameter class, which comprise much of the increase in tree density over the past century as a result of fire suppression and grazing practices. Ecological implications of tree mortality are discussed.     

Thermal-death kinetics of the bark beetle (Dendroctonus armandi; Coleoptera: Scolytidae)

Data on thermal-death kinetics of bark beetles are essential to develop phytosanitary heat treatments for pine wood and pine wood packaging materials. Using a heating block system, effects of different heating rates between 44 and 50°C at 2°C intervals on destruction of Dendroctonus armandi adult insect were examined. Heat resistance of the insects was found to increase at low heating rates (0.1 or 0.5°C/min). Therefore, the thermal-death kinetics of the beetles were determined at a high heating rate of 5.0°C/min which simulated the rapid dielectric heating of wood products. Results showed that the thermal death curve of D. armandi followed a zero-order reaction kinetic model, indicating the heat destruction rate of the beetle at different treatment temperatures to be independent of their population size. The required thermal holding times to result in destruction of the entire population were 40, 8, 4, and 2?min at 44°C, 46°C, 48°C, and 50°C, respectively. The evaluated thermal-death kinetic data are useful in developing effective beetle elimination quarantine protocols for the wood. A 50°C ?2?min heat treatment with a heating rate of ～5°C/min can be effectively used for disinfesting bark wood materials.     

The effects of mechanical fuel reduction treatments on the activity of bark beetles (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) infesting ponderosa pine

Selective logging, fire suppression, forest succession and climatic changes have resulted in high fire hazards over large areas of the western USA. Federal and state hazardous fuel reduction programs have increased accordingly to reduce the risk, extent and severity of these events, particularly in the wildland–urban interface. In this study, we examined the effects of mechanical fuel reduction treatments on the activity of bark beetles in ponderosa pine, Pinus ponderosa Dougl ex. Laws., forests located in Arizona and California, USA. Treatments were applied in both late spring (April–May) and late summer (August–September) and included: (1) thinned biomass chipped and randomly dispersed within each 0.4 ha plot; (2) thinned biomass chipped, randomly dispersed within each plot and raked 2 m from the base of residual trees; (3) thinned biomass lopped-and-scattered (thinned trees cut into 1–2 m lengths) within each plot; (4) an untreated control. The mean percentage of residual trees attacked by bark beetles ranged from 2.0% (untreated control) to 30.2% (plots thinned in spring with all biomass chipped). A three-fold increase in the percentage of trees attacked by bark beetles was observed in chipped versus lopped-and-scattered plots. Bark beetle colonization of residual trees was higher during spring treatments, which corresponded with peak adult beetle flight periods as measured by funnel trap captures. Raking chips away from the base of residual trees did not significantly affect attack rates. Several bark beetle species were present including the roundheaded pine beetle, Dendroctonus adjunctus Blandford (AZ), western pine beetle, D. brevicomis LeConte (AZ and CA), mountain pine beetle, D. ponderosae Hopkins (CA), red turpentine beetle, D. valens LeConte (AZ and CA), Arizona fivespined ips, Ips lecontei Swaine (AZ), California fivespined ips, I. paraconfusus Lanier (CA) and pine engraver, I. pini (Say) (AZ). Dendroctonus valens was the most common bark beetle infesting residual trees. A significant correlation was found between the number of trees chipped per plot and the percentage of residual trees with D. valens attacks. A significantly higher percentage of residual trees was attacked by D. brevicomis in plots that were chipped in spring compared to the untreated control. In lopped-and-scattered treatments, engraver beetles produced substantial broods in logging debris, but few attacks were observed on standing trees. At present, no significant difference in tree mortality exists among treatments. A few trees appeared to have died solely from D. valens attacks, as no other scolytids were observed in the upper bole. In a laboratory study conducted to provide an explanation for the bark beetle responses observed in this study, monoterpene elution rates from chip piles declined sharply over time, but were relatively constant in lopped-and-piled treatments. The quantities of β-pinene, 3-carene, -pinene and myrcene eluting from chips exceeded those from lopped-and-piled slash during each of 15 sample periods. These laboratory results may, in part, explain the bark beetle response observed in chipping treatments. The implications of these results to sustainable forest management are discussed.     

Effects of temperature on the site productivity of Pinus sylvestris and lodgepole pine in Finland and Sweden

The influence of temperature regime on forest production in the northern boreal forest was studied by analysing the variation in site index for 20 provenance tests of lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. var. latifolia Engelm.) in Finland and Sweden with respect to temperature. The site indices were regressed with several different temperature variables, which were obtained from interpolated monthly averages over 30 years from permanent meteorological stations nearby. There were strong correlations between all tested temperature variables and site index (r = 0.80–0.94). Site fertility influenced site index to some extent but the slope of the test sites did not. An increase in temperature sum from 600 to 1200 degree days (corresponding to an increase of the mean temperature in July from 13 to 15°C) was associated with an increase in site index of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) from 12.2 to 21.6 m (77%). Such an increase in site index can be assumed to correspond to an increase of 6.5 m³ ha^?1 wood (183%) in mean annual increment. The effect of temperature was greater on poor sites than on fertile sites, and in harsh temperature regimes than in mild.     

Effect of management on the spatial spread of mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae) in Banff National Park

To evaluate control measures, the spread of mountain pine beetles, Dendroctonus ponderosae, in management and monitoring regions in Banff National Park was analyzed for years 1997 to 2004. The Park allowed mountain pine beetles to follow their natural course in a monitoring zone (74,041 ha), whereas in a management zone (45,997 ha) an extensive eradication program was established in 2001 which included baiting mountain pine beetles and cutting and burning all colonized trees. We used data collected from an annual aerial survey and the geo-referenced location of trees that were cut and removed to assess if the area colonized and the spatial extent of mountain pine beetles differed between the two zones. After 4 years, the control measures did not significantly affect the area colonized by mountain pine beetles, and in 2004 mountain pine beetles were still expanding in both zones, although at a slow rate (1.23 ha per year). The spatial extent and the rate at which 500 m × 500 m cells (25 ha) were colonized were much reduced in the management zone. Thus, the management program appeared to have reduced the success of long distance movement as measured by colonizing new 25 ha cells, but short distance dispersal remained successful as indicated by the continued increase in area colonized. The effectiveness of control measures was probably limited by the number of colonized trees that were missed and by survival rates determined by other untested factors.     

Annual variation of pathogen occurrence and pathogen prevalence in<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Ips typographus</Emphasis> (Coleoptera,Scolytidae) from the BOKU University Forest Demonstration Centre

Four different pathogen species (Gregarina typographi, Chytridiopsis typographi, Unikaryon montanum and Menzbieria chalcographi) were found in adult Ips typographus from the Forest Demonstration Centre, BOKU University in the course of a 7-year period of investigation (1995–2001). Annual variations were found in both the spectrum and prevalence of pathogen species. Variations were found in the number of infected male and female beetles as well as the infections of beetles with different dates of emergence.     

Susceptibility of ponderosa pine, Pinus ponderosa (Dougl. ex Laws.), to mountain pine beetle, Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins,attack in uneven-aged stands in the Black Hills of South Dakota and Wyoming USA

Mountain pine beetle, Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins can cause extensive tree mortality in ponderosa pine, Pinus ponderosa Dougl. ex Laws., forests in the Black Hills of South Dakota and Wyoming. Most studies that have examined stand susceptibility to mountain pine beetle have been conducted in even-aged stands. Land managers increasingly practice uneven-aged management. We established 84 clusters of four plots, one where bark beetle-caused mortality was present and three uninfested plots. For all plot trees we recorded species, tree diameter, and crown position and for ponderosa pine whether they were killed or infested by mountain pine beetle. Elevation, slope, and aspect were also recorded. We used classification trees to model the likelihood of bark beetle attack based on plot and site variables. The probability of individual tree attack within the infested plots was estimated using logistic regression. Basal area of ponderosa pine in trees ≥25.4 cm in diameter at breast height (dbh) and ponderosa pine stand density index were correlated with mountain pine beetle attack. Regression trees and linear regression indicated that the amount of observed tree mortality was associated with initial ponderosa pine basal area and ponderosa pine stand density index. Infested stands had higher total and ponderosa pine basal area, total and ponderosa pine stand density index, and ponderosa pine basal area in trees ≥25.4 cm dbh. The probability of individual tree attack within infested plots was positively correlated with tree diameter with ponderosa pine stand density index modifying the relationship. A tree of a given size was more likely to be attacked in a denser stand. We conclude that stands with higher ponderosa pine basal area in trees >25.4 cm and ponderosa pine stand density index are correlated with an increased likelihood of mountain pine beetle bark beetle attack. Information form this study will help forest managers in the identification of uneven-aged stands with a higher likelihood of bark beetle attack and expected levels of tree mortality.     

华山松16种小蠹(鞘翅目:象虫科:小蠹亚科)前胃结构的形态学

通过光学显微和扫描电镜技术,对危害华山松的16种小蠹前胃形态结构进行观察.根据前胃板的结构特征可以将16种小蠹前胃分成3个类型,这些前胃形态结构的差异可以作为小蠹分类鉴定的辅助手段,且前胃类型与韧皮部小蠹虫在华山松树干上的空间分布相吻合,华山松韧皮部小蠹前胃结构的特化是适应食物类型(营养的累积和质地)的结果.     

Influence of conventional and chemical thinning on stand structure and diversity of plant and mammal communities in young lodgepole pine forest

Silvicultural practices that provide a wide variety of vegetative composition and structure (habitats) in young stands should help manage for biological diversity across forested landscapes. This study was designed to test the hypotheses that: (i) abundance and diversity of stand structure attributes (species diversity and structural diversity of herb, shrub and tree layers) and forest floor small mammal communities, and (ii) relative habitat use by large herbivores, will increase from unthinned to conventionally thinned to chemically thinned stands of young lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) forest. Replicate study areas were located near Summerland, Kelowna and Williams Lake in south-central British Columbia, Canada. Each study area had three treatments: a conventionally thinned, a chemically thinned and an unthinned stand. Pre-commercial thinning was conducted in 1993. Coniferous stand structure and understory vegetation were measured prior to thinning in 1993 and 5 years later in 1998. Small mammal populations were sampled intensively from 1993 to 1998. Relative habitat use by large herbivores was sampled in 1998.

Our results indicate that chemical thinning of young lodgepole pine stands produced an aggregated pattern of crop trees compared with stands subjected to conventional thinning. Diameter growth of crop trees in the chemically thinned stands was similar to that in the conventionally thinned, but also to that in unthinned stands. Although horizontal stratification (aggregates of trees) was enhanced, vertical stratification (structural diversity of vegetation) was less in the chemically than conventionally thinned stands. Abundance and diversity of understory vegetation and small mammal communities were generally unaffected by stand thinning in these particular installations. Relative habitat use by mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) occurred in a gradient from highest in the conventionally thinned stand to lowest in the unthinned stand. Habitat use by snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus) tended to have the opposite trend. Moose (Alces alces) exhibited no difference in habitat use among stands. Thus, although there were few differences among treatment stands, chemical thinning could be used to develop an aggregated pattern of crop trees in pre-commercially thinned stands to maintain habitat for herbivores such as snowshoe hares and mule deer. Understory plant and forest floor small mammal communities would be maintained in these stands as well.     

Effects of crown-pruning on seed and pollen cone production in two lodgepole pine seed orchards in British Columbia

The effects of top pruning on subsequent seed and pollen cone production in lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl.) grafted clones in two seed orchards were evaluated. In the older orchard (14 years old), three pruning regimes were applied: an untreated control, a moderate pruning where 25% of the crown was removed and a severe pruning where 40% of the crown was removed. In the younger orchard (ten years old), only a control pruning and a severe pruning (50% of crown removed) were applied. Five-year seed cone production was lower in treated ramets compared to controls in both orchards. However, when cumulative seed cone yields were adjusted for reduced tree heights after pruning, differences were no longer significant in the older orchard. Strong clonal variation was observed in seed cone yields in both orchards. Pollen cone development was less variable among treatments in the older orchard. In the younger orchard, controls consistently produced heavier pollen crops. Pruning recommendations for similar orchards are made and results discussed for reducing the impacts of losses in seed cone yields.Deceased     

Comparison of potential non-timber forest products in intensively managed young stands and mature/old-growth forests in south-central British Columbia

Development of understory vegetation has been influenced by the many densely stocked second-growth forest stands in North America, which have an extended stem exclusion successional stage. Understory composition and structure is important for ecosystem functioning, while also having social and economic value through the harvest of certain herb and shrub species. The potential for co-management of young and mature, managed and unmanaged stands for timber and non-timber forest products (NTFPs) was assessed in two separate replicated experiments. Experiment A examined pole-sized lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) stands that had been pre-commercially thinned (PCT) to target densities of 250, 500, 1000, and 2000 stems/ha. Half of each of these four thinning units was repeatedly fertilized, resulting in eight experimental units. Experiment B examined six different stand types: young plantations, pole-sized lodgepole pine stands either PCT, PCT plus repeated fertilization, or unthinned, mature, and old growth. Fifty-four herb and shrub species were identified as potential NTFPs, with the responses of individual species, as well as mean total herb, shrub, berry-producing and overall total NTFPs being assessed. In Experiment A, mean total abundance (crown volume index) of NTFPs, as well as mean total herb NTFPs were significantly greater in fertilized than in unfertilized stands. Thinning treatments did not significantly affect NTFP volume, however, fertilization treatments produced five significant responses by individual species (Achillea millefolium, Epilobium angustifolium, Taraxacum officinale, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Rubus idaeus). In Experiment B, four of the six species responses that were significant had greater abundance in young, managed stands (young plantation, thinned, or thinned-fertilized) than in the unmanaged stands. Mean total NTFP volume and mean total herb NTFP volume also followed this pattern. A. uva-ursi, E. angustifolium, Lonicera involucrata, Sorbus sitchensis and Thalictrum occidentale all had significantly higher abundance in young, managed stands than in all other treatments. Results suggest that co-management for timber and NTFPs is possible in this ecosystem, with further research needed to evaluate livelihood values of these crops.     

Determining the vulnerability of Mexican pine forests to bark beetles of the genus Dendroctonus Erichson (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae)

Bark beetles of the genus Dendroctonus are natural inhabitants of forests; under particular conditions some species of this genus can cause large-scale tree mortality. However, only in recent decades has priority been given to the comprehensive study of these insects in México. México possesses high ecological diversity in Dendroctonus–Pinus associations. The geographic coexistence of 12 Dendroctonus species suggests greater vulnerability or threat of tree mortality relative to other areas. We use a biogeographic strategy to identify and rank the areas most vulnerable to tree mortality caused by bark beetles in México. We aim to define the areas that might experience high impact by these insects and also to provide a geographic database useful to forest resource management and conservation policies in México. Using collection records of bark beetles and pines, we develop a quantitative estimate of the threat of beetle infestation of forest areas based on factors including pine and beetle species density, host preference and level of mortality caused by beetle species. A quantitative estimate of forest area vulnerability, the Bark Beetle Threat Index (BBTI) was calculated. Despite the vast area of geographic coincidence of Pinus and Dendroctonus in México, the regions of highest bark beetle pressure are restricted to small zones within some mountain systems. The region that has been most affected by this insect group during the past hundred years is the Transverse Volcanic Belt, followed by the Sierra Madre Occidental and Sierra Madre del Sur. Pine diversity is the major determining factor of BBTI at the regional level, while disturbances from extensive logging and ecosystem change are the key factors behind high BBTIs at the local level.     

Blue stain fungi associated withTomicus piniperda (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) on Japanese red pine

A number of various species of blue-stain fungi were isolated fromTomicus piniperda adults at various stages of development, as well as from the galleries, pupal chambers and sapwood underneath galleries on Japanese red pine. This study was an attempt to identify the species, composition of blue-stain fungi associated withT. piniperda, the frequency of occurrence of the fungi, and their role in the sapwood-staining of Japanese red pine in Tsukuba City, central Japan. Among the seven species of blue-stain fungi isolated, an undescribed species ofOphiostoma together withO. minus were the dominant species and closely associated withT. piniperda. These two species occurred on newly emerging adults more frequently than the overwintered adults.Hormonema dematioides was also associated with the beetle, however, its frequency of occurrence from the emerged new adults was very low. Although the two other species,O. ips andGraphium sp. were also isolated from emerged beetles, the frequency of these fungi from gallery systems suggested that they were accidentally carried byT. piniperda. Leptographium wingfieldii, known to be associated with the beetle in Europe, was also isolated at a very low frequency and the fungus seemed not to be closely associated with the beetle.Ophiostoma sp. andO. minus appear to be the most important causes of blue-stain of Japanese red pine sapwood after infestation byT. piniperda.     

Pathogenicity of canadian isolates of the Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (pinewood nematode) to provenances of Pinus sylvestris and Pinus contorta as grown in Finland: A greenhouse study

Seedlings of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and lodgepole pine (P. contorta Dougl.) provenances, as grown in Finland, were inoculated with “m”; and “r”; “forms”; of the pinewood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus) from Canada, an m form isolate from France and an r form isolate from Missouri, USA. Scots pine was highly susceptible to an Alberta r form and a British Columbia m form isolate and moderately susceptible to two Quebec m form isolates. Lodgepole pine was higly susceptible to the two r form (Alberta and Missouri) isolates and moderately susceptible to the British Columbia m form and the two Quebec m form isolates. Mortality of both pines after inoculation with the French isolate was inconsistent. Mortality of both pines occurred more rapidly following inoculation with r form than with m form nematodes. Large numbers of nematodes were generally found in the tissues of both pines. Our results with seedlings need to be corroborated by inoculating larger field‐grown trees.