Ecology > MPB Effects on Stand Dynamics

Effects of Mountain Pine Beetle Outbreaks on Lodgepole Pine Stand and Woody Debris Dynamics

Project Summary

20 years after MPB infestation - Waterton National Park. R Schwanke photo.

Mountain pine beetle (MPB) and forest fires are the two major natural disturbance agents in lodgepole pine forests in British Columbia. MPB-induced tree mortality strongly influences forest dynamics, both as a natural thinning agent, and by changing the fuel loading in stands, thus affecting fire behaviour. Since 1960, about 4.7 million hectares of the approximately 14 million hectares of lodgepole pine dominated forest in British Columbia has been affected by mountain pine beetle.

The effect of MPB outbreaks on lodgepole pine stand dynamics has not been well quantified in western Canada. Empirical data on levels of mortality, growth of residual stands, and fuel loading and regeneration are needed to develop and calibrate models of MPB effects on forest stand dynamics, fuels succession, and fire behaviour potential in stands affected by MPB.

Canadian Forest Service researchers began to examine stands affected by MPB over 75 years ago. Between 1935-42 surveys were carried out in 10 stands in Kootenay National Park. During the past 20 years researchers have established permanent sample plots in 50 stands affected by MPB.

For information contact:

Brad Hawkes
bhawkes@pfc.cfs.nrcan.gc.ca