Transcript FH Research Branch

Research Branch
Forest Health Research
January 30, 2008
Gerry Still
(presentation prepared by Jennifer Burleigh)
Presentation Objectives
• Overview of research Branch-related
forest health activities
• Update on status of activities re: MPB
stewardship research strategy
Seed & Cone Pests
Continued development of the Cone & Seed
Pest research program, with an office and
lab at the Kalamalka Research Station.
Established a host-finding study for the western conifer
seedbug, in partnership with SFU. This project has
strong management implications for the monitoring
and control of this insect. A major breakthrough in
2007 was the discovery that Leptoglossus finds
cones by detecting the infra-red radiation they emit.
(Ward Strong, Dr Gries, SFU)
Seed & Cone Pests
Completed a life history and pheromone
characterization study of the Douglas-fir
coneworm, with the University of California
and the CFS. A description of phenological trends
across BC contributed to the development of
effective pheromone trapping protocols (Ward
Strong).
Continued systemic pesticide trials to test sprayable
and injectable formulations at both interior and
coastal British Columbia orchards (Ward Strong).
Genetics
The supply of weevil resistant Sitka spruce
seed for the coast continues to increase,
and for interior spruce, weevil tolerant
seed is plentiful (John King).
– Working on technical report summarizing work
Recently completed selections for a western gall rust
resistance seed orchard for the Prince George low
elevation Seed Planning Unit (Mike Carlson).
White pine blister rust resistance material is increasing
in availability, and should see wider use soon (John
King).
Genetics
MPB resistance research is continuing;
current studies are looking at the physical
features of bark and it’s chemical
composition of genotypes that are avoided
by MPB within seed orchards.
(Alvin Yanchuk)
Two small research projects in root rot resistance
continue in conjunction with the CFS. Phellinus on
the coast (Michael Stoer) and Armillaria in the
interior (Barry Jaquish).
Developing markers to select for deer and heartwood
rot-resistant individual from the Western Red Cedar
breeding programs. (FIA - Jim Mattsson, SFU, with
John Russell)
Growth and Yield
Incorporating the effects of windthrow
after variable retention harvesting into TASS and
TIPSY (Mario Di Lucca)
Development of residual trees and regeneration
following MPB attack in thinned lodgepole pine
stands - stand recovery after mountain pine beetle
attack; rates of natural regeneration by species and
quality (FIA - Rob Brockley).
Silviculture
Effects of different post-thinning
densities on the susceptibility of lodgepole pine to
attack by the mountain pine beetle (Rob Brockley).
Effects of different fertilizer regimes on the
susceptibility of young lodgepole pine to attack by
the mountain pine beetle (Rob Brockley).
To determine if MPB killed pines are less effective
repositories of Armillaria inoculum. A new trial will be
established in cooperation with BCTS to assess
Armillaria caused mortality in the vicinity of stumps
of MPB killed trees versus trees killed by logging.
(Bill Chapman)
Silviculture
Recently completed projects:
Relationship between boron deficiency and
top-dieback in lodgepole pine (Rob Brockley).
Interactions between fertilization and white pine weevil
attack in young interior spruce plantations (Rob
Brockley).
Effects of thinning and fertilization on feeding damage
by red squirrels in lodgepole pine stands (Rob
Brockley).
Climate Change
Linking Dothistroma outbreaks to
climate variability through establishment of regional
paleoclimate baseline: Skeena Stikine Climate
Network. (FIA, Bulkley Valley RC (Rick Budhwa,
FIA).
Another project will develop standard climate spatial
databases and climate change projection
databases, and use them to predict the impacts of
climate change on forest pests, using the western
spruce budworm and spruce bark beetle as test
cases. (FIA, Harry Swain – UVIC/Pacific Climate
Impacts Consortium & CFS)
White Bark Pine
Assessing the threat of MPB outbreaks
to whitebark pine. A three-day workshop was held in
Whistler to discuss research efforts in whitebark
pine genetics, ecology and developments in
restoration activities. (Elizabeth Campbell)
Field testing the climate change range-shift predictions
for whitebark pine . Seeds from 7 populations are
being planted in 18 common gardens, distributed
within the current range, areas that are predicted to
have climates suitable under future climate
scenarios, and areas outside the current & predicted
range of the species. (Sally Aiken – UBC)
MPB Research Strategy
Hydrology
Currently undertaking a review of research
undertaken since 2006 in support of strategy
43+ projects initiated since 2006 that related to any
one of a number of high priority hydrology
knowledge gaps
Goal of the review is to identify where research has
addressed high priority gaps and where additional
works still needs to be done.
Results will help focus future spending priorities
MPB Research Strategy
Silviculture
Will be undertaking a review of research undertaken
since 2006 in support of thr research strategy.
Bulk of work to date has focused on identifying and
quantifying secondary structure across the outbreak
area.
Extending secondary structure analysis to Quesnel,
Williams Lake and 100 Mile TSAs (Fed MPB,
Coates et al.)
Development of Complex Stands Working Group
through FAIB to coordinate various aspects of
secondary structure work (Graham Hawkins).
Secondary Structure Project
Flathead Valley - MBP outbreak 1978-1980
– Current stand composition
– Current stand volumes
– Growth release of existing stems
– Regeneration delay
(FIA - Dave Coates)
MPB Research Strategy
Silviculture
Current project is under taking modelling of MPB
affected stands using SORTIE to:
• “grow” existing secondary structure to
produce future forest scenarios,
• adapt model to better track wildlife
attributes (CWD, snags, crown closure) to
feed into habitat supply models
(Don Morgan)
MPB Research Strategy
Wildlife, ecology, range and biodiversity
Several projects examining effectiveness of WTPs
and reserves in meeting biodiversity and habitat
requirements
Greater coordination with MOE to integrate projects
of mutual interest. Example:
Collaborating with MOE and NCC to develop
habitat supply models for 13 wildlife species
within the MPB outbreak area (Don Morgan).
MPB Research Strategy
Soils
Refining a model that predicts loss of summer
operating grounds based on soil conditions
(Stephane Dube).
Entomology (high priorities wihtin MPB
stewardship strategy)
Much of the work spearheaded by Lorraine and
colleagues (young stands) along with
researchers at UNBC (dispersal and genetics)
and the CFS (jack pine and climate change).
Summary
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Seed/cone pests
Genetics
Growth and Yield
Silviculture
Climate change
MPB Stewardship Research Strategy
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Hydrology
Silviculture
Wildlife/biodiversity
Soils