OBJECTIVES:
To develop
understanding of the historical dynamics of insects (primarily bark beetles)
and diseases (primarily root disease and decays) in forest ecosystems of
the McGregor Model Forest as a basis for interpreting behaviour of these
agents today relative to natural processes and management interventions.
DESCRIPTION:
Insects and diseases are natural and important components of the evolutionary history, biological diversity, disturbance ecology, and overall "sustainability" of forest ecosystems. Forest management practices sometimes cause changes that are outside the normal range of variation of forest conditions. Such perturbations may contribute to forest health problems that challenge forest management today.
One component
of this project consisted of a dendrochronological analysis of increment
cores for evidence of the roles of spruce beetle and root disease in the
disturbance ecology of the historical McGregor landscape. Another
component examined relationships of the incidence of tomentosus root disease
to ecological site series and features to better understand the behaviour
of the disease and the conditions in which it occurs. The investigators
also sought to determine if there is a consistent association between bark
beetles and tomentosus root disease, and to characterize the nature of
that association. Project collaborators are examining areas treated
in the past by partial cutting, to determine effects on root disease development.
REPORTS AND PRODUCTS:
CONTACTS:
Kathy Lewis
and Staffan Lindgren, University of Northern British Columbia, 3333 University
Way, Prince George, BC
PARTNERS:
Canadian
Forest Service, University of Northern British Columbia
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