Causes and Consequences of Bark Beetle Epidemics on Tree, Forest and Ecosystem Processes

A special issue of Forests (ISSN 1999-4907). This special issue belongs to the section "Forest Ecophysiology and Biology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2018) | Viewed by 21293

Special Issue Editor

USDA, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fort Collins, CO 80526, USA
Interests: ecophysiology; plants role in regulating hydrologic processes

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Bark beetles have coevolved with pine species for millennia, yet over the past decade and a half we have witnessed mountain pine beetle outbreaks at unprecedented scales throughout Western North America forests. Millions of hectares of pine forests have been affected and the outbreak and subsequent management response will impact ecosystem processes and forest growth trajectories at multiple scales for decades. Although this unparalleled outbreak and subsequent forest mortality has generated a large body of research spanning multiple disciplines, there are knowledge gaps in our understanding of the causes and effects of this widespread and intense forest disturbance. These knowledge gaps, coupled with the fact that beetle impacted forests will regenerate under a changing climate with potentially novel growing conditions, suggests a critical need for more research. We seek papers that identify environmental or ecological factors that contributed to the recent epidemic, describe mountain pine beetle impacts on ecosystem processes or identify management opportunities that may prevent or limit the extent of future outbreaks. We welcome papers from all fields of study including experimental, monitoring and modeling approaches for this Special Issue in order to further our understanding of the causes and consequences of large scale bark beetle epidemics.

Dr. Robert M. Hubbard
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • Dendroctonus ponderosae
  • Lodgepole Pine
  • Pinus contorta
  • Ponderosa Pine
  • Pinus ponderosa
  • Blue Stain Fungi

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 1630 KiB  
Article
Biological Aspects of Mountain Pine Beetle in Lodgepole Pine Stands of Different Densities in Colorado, USA
by José F. Negrón
Forests 2019, 10(1), 18; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/f10010018 - 29 Dec 2018
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2850
Abstract
Research Highlights: The biology of mountain pine beetle (MPB), Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins, in Colorado’s lodgepole pine forests exhibits similarities and differences to other parts of its range. Brood emergence was not influenced by stand density nor related to tree diameter. The probability of [...] Read more.
Research Highlights: The biology of mountain pine beetle (MPB), Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins, in Colorado’s lodgepole pine forests exhibits similarities and differences to other parts of its range. Brood emergence was not influenced by stand density nor related to tree diameter. The probability of individual tree attack is influenced by stocking and tree size. Findings have implications for understanding MPB as a disturbance agent and for developing management strategies. Background and Objectives: MPB causes extensive tree mortality of lodgepole pine, Pinus contorta Douglas ex Loudon, across the western US and Canada and is probably the most studied bark beetle in North America. However, most of the current knowledge on the biology and ecology of MPB in lodgepole pine comes from the Intermountain Region of the US and western Canada. Little information is available from Colorado. This is the first study addressing effects of stand stocking levels on the biology of MPB and quantifying phloem consumption. In addition, although data are available on the conditions that foster stand infestation, this is the first study estimating the probability of individual tree attack among stands of known different stocking. Materials and Methods: Studies were conducted in managed lodgepole pine stands in Colorado. Unbaited traps were used to monitor MPB flight across stands of different densities. Cages were used to monitor emergence and bark samples to determine attack densities, and phloem consumption in trees growing under different stocking. Beetle collections were used to determine emergence across the growing season. Tree mortality data from plots of different densities were used to examine the probability of individual tree infestation. Results: More beetles were caught flying through higher density stands. More attacks were observed in lower stocking stands but there were no differences in the number of insects emerging nor phloem consumption. There was no relationship between tree size and beetle emergence. Peak flight occurred in early to mid-August and only one peak of beetle emergence occurred. The probability of tree attack was influenced by stand stocking and tree diameter. Conclusions: In general, aspects of the biology of MPB in Colorado exhibit similarities and differences with other regions. The data suggest the need to more closely examine how MPB functions in stands of different stocking and how the distribution of tree sizes influence the probability of infestation and extent of mortality in stands. Biological characteristics of MPB in Colorado need further examination, particularly as climate change continues to manifest. Baseline information will be critical to refine management approaches, and extend the understanding of how MPB contributes to shape forest composition and structure in Colorado. Full article
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17 pages, 5944 KiB  
Article
Anatomical and Chemical Responses of Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus L.) to Blue-Stain (Ophiostoma minus) Inoculation
by Adriana Arango-Velez, Sourav Chakraborty, Kevin Blascyk, Mi T. Phan, Joseph Barsky and Walid El Kayal
Forests 2018, 9(11), 690; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/f9110690 - 06 Nov 2018
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3908
Abstract
The increases in temperature have recently allowed the southern pine beetle (Dendroctonus frontalis Zimm.; SPB) and its associated fungi to expand its natural range to northern pine forests. In this study, vigorous eastern white pine mature trees were used to evaluate constitutive [...] Read more.
The increases in temperature have recently allowed the southern pine beetle (Dendroctonus frontalis Zimm.; SPB) and its associated fungi to expand its natural range to northern pine forests. In this study, vigorous eastern white pine mature trees were used to evaluate constitutive and induced response to the southern pine beetle, using O. minus as a proxy. We evaluated histological and chemical changes in P. strobus in response to the fungus at 28- and 65-days post inoculation (dpi). Inoculation with O. minus resulted in an induced defense response as evidenced by the increased production of traumatic resin duct, and lesion development surrounding the site of infection. Starch granules accumulated in the epithelial cells surrounding the resin ducts of inoculated trees. Chemical analyses showed that among phloem phenolics, epi/catechin and three unknown compounds were significantly upregulated at 28 dpi due to fungal inoculation. Several phloem terpenoids (α-pinene, β-myrcene, limonene, terpinolene and β-pinene) were significantly increased in inoculated trees compared to controls at both, 28- and 65-dpi. Continuous production of these terpenoids (up to 65 dpi) can be energetically costly for P. strobus as carbohydrate reserves fund monoterpene synthesis, reducing carbon availability necessary for tree development. Induced phenolics along with monoterpenes production and traumatic resin ducts observed in these trees, suggests that vigorous white pine may sustain endemic populations of southern pine beetle and vectored fungi. Full article
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12 pages, 2502 KiB  
Article
Is Resistance to Mountain Pine Beetle Associated with Genetic Resistance to White Pine Blister Rust in Limber Pine?
by Christine T. Holtz and Anna W. Schoettle
Forests 2018, 9(10), 595; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/f9100595 - 25 Sep 2018
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2787
Abstract
Limber pine (Pinus flexilis James) co-evolved with the mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins; MPB) and is now also challenged by the non-native pathogen Cronartium ribicola (J.C. Fisch.) that causes the lethal disease white pine blister rust (WPBR). Previous research suggests [...] Read more.
Limber pine (Pinus flexilis James) co-evolved with the mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins; MPB) and is now also challenged by the non-native pathogen Cronartium ribicola (J.C. Fisch.) that causes the lethal disease white pine blister rust (WPBR). Previous research suggests that trees infected with WPBR can be preferred hosts for MPB. Using resin duct traits associated with MPB resistance, we tested for a relationship between resistance to MPB and WPBR in limber pine, in the absence of either biological agent. These analyses will help evaluate if MPB historically may have contributed to natural selection for WPBR resistance in advance of WPBR invasion, and could help explain the unusually high frequency of the dominant Cr4 allele for complete resistance to WPBR in limber pine populations of the Southern Rocky Mountains. Resin duct production, density and relative duct area did not differ between healthy trees previously inferred to carry the dominant Cr4 allele and trees that lack it at 22 sites, though some duct traits varied with elevation. MPB resistance does not appear to have played an evolutionary role in contributing to the high frequency of Cr4 in naïve populations, however, MPB may affect the future evolution of resistance to WPBR in the pines where the two pests coincide and WPBR will affect forest recovery after MPB epidemics. MPB-WPBR interactions in a changing climate will affect the future trajectory of limber pine. Full article
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17 pages, 5037 KiB  
Article
Subwatershed-Level Lodgepole Pine Attributes Associated with a Mountain Pine Beetle Outbreak
by Howard Williams, Sharon M. Hood, Christopher R. Keyes, Joel M. Egan and José Negrón
Forests 2018, 9(9), 552; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/f9090552 - 09 Sep 2018
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2954
Abstract
Mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins; MPB) is an aggressive bark beetle that attacks numerous Pinus spp. and causes extensive mortality in lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Douglas ex Loudon; LPP) forests in the western United States and Canada. We used pre-outbreak [...] Read more.
Mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins; MPB) is an aggressive bark beetle that attacks numerous Pinus spp. and causes extensive mortality in lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Douglas ex Loudon; LPP) forests in the western United States and Canada. We used pre-outbreak LPP attributes, cumulative MPB attack severity, and areal extent of mortality data to identify subwatershed-scale forest attributes associated with severe MPB-caused tree mortality that occurred across the Northern Rockies, USA from 1999–2014. We upscaled stand-level data to the subwatershed scale to allow identification of large LPP areas vulnerable to MPB. The highest mortality occurred in subwatersheds where LPP mean basal area was greater than 11.5 m2 ha−1 and LPP quadratic mean diameter was greater than or equal to 18 cm. A coarse assessment of federally-owned LPP-dominated forestland in the analysis area indicated about 42% could potentially be silviculturally treated. Silvicultural management may be a suitable option for many LPP forests, and our hazard model can be used to identify subwatersheds with LPP attributes associated with high susceptibility to MPB across landscape spatial scales. Identifying highly susceptible subwatersheds can help prioritize general areas for potential treatments, especially where spatially extensive areas of contiguous, highly susceptible LPP occur. Full article
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11 pages, 2325 KiB  
Article
Severity of Overstory Mortality Influences Conifer Recruitment and Growth in Mountain Pine Beetle-Affected Forests
by Kristen A. Pelz, Charles C. Rhoades, Robert M. Hubbard and Frederick W. Smith
Forests 2018, 9(9), 536; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/f9090536 - 01 Sep 2018
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 2761
Abstract
The severity of lodgepole pine mortality from mountain pine beetle outbreaks varies with host tree diameter, density, and other structural characteristics, influencing subcanopy conditions and tree regeneration. We measured density and leader growth of shade-intolerant lodgepole pine, shade-tolerant Engelmann spruce, and very shade-tolerant [...] Read more.
The severity of lodgepole pine mortality from mountain pine beetle outbreaks varies with host tree diameter, density, and other structural characteristics, influencing subcanopy conditions and tree regeneration. We measured density and leader growth of shade-intolerant lodgepole pine, shade-tolerant Engelmann spruce, and very shade-tolerant subalpine fir regeneration beneath stands that experienced moderate and high overstory lodgepole pine mortality (average 40% and 85% of total basal area) a decade earlier. Lodgepole comprised >90% of the overstory basal area and mature spruce and fir were present in both mortality levels, though live basal area and disturbance history differed. Post-beetle outbreak recruitment was high in both mortality levels, but there were more lodgepole in high than moderate mortality plots (1140 stems ha−1 vs. 60 stems ha−1) and more subalpine fir in moderate than high mortality plots (4690 stems ha−1 vs. 2870 stems ha−1). Pine advance regeneration, established prior to outbreak, was more dense in high mortality than moderate mortality sites (930 stems ha−1 vs. 310 stems ha−1), but the trend was generally the opposite for the other conifers. Lodgepole recruitment increased and subalpine fir decreased with greater forest floor light availability. All species grew faster in high mortality areas than their counterparts in moderate mortality areas. However, in high mortality areas pine grew faster than the more shade tolerant species, and in moderate mortality areas spruce and fir grew faster than pine. These species-specific responses to the degree of overstory mortality will influence future stand composition and rate of forest recovery after mountain pine beetle outbreaks. Full article
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12 pages, 1434 KiB  
Article
Effects of Stand Structure, Browsing, and Biophysical Conditions on Regeneration Following Mountain Pine Beetle in Mixed Lodgepole Pine and Aspen Forests of the Southern Rockies
by Kristen A. Pelz and Frederick W. Smith
Forests 2018, 9(9), 525; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/f9090525 - 30 Aug 2018
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2474
Abstract
Aspen (Populus tremuloides) and lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. latifolia) co-occur in the southern Rocky Mountains (USA), where mountain pine beetle (MPB, Dendroctonus ponderosae) has caused extensive lodgepole pine mortality since the late 1990s. Both species excel in [...] Read more.
Aspen (Populus tremuloides) and lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. latifolia) co-occur in the southern Rocky Mountains (USA), where mountain pine beetle (MPB, Dendroctonus ponderosae) has caused extensive lodgepole pine mortality since the late 1990s. Both species excel in post-disturbance high-light environments, but lodgepole pine has generally been thought to establish poorly on undisturbed seedbeds, and aspen suckering may be inhibited by intact aspen overstory. We ask whether lodgepole pine and aspen will regenerate in sufficient quantities to revegetate these forests. We visited a random sample of aspen and lodgepole pine stands across the affected landscape in northern Colorado and southern Wyoming to measure regeneration and overstory mortality. Lodgepole pine regeneration is occurring in 85% of stands, and most stands have >550 stems ha−1. The median aspen sucker density was 6175 stems ha−1. Surprisingly, neither lodgepole pine nor aspen regeneration density was related to overstory mortality level. Animal damage is currently affecting aspen in these forests. Over 50% of stands had damage to 60% or more of their suckers, but 30% of stands had <20% of their stems damaged. Browsed stems were significantly shorter for their ages and were shorter than the 2.5-m height threshold for possible elk browsing. However, the results suggest that sufficient quantities of down lodgepole pine may protect aspen from damage and allow aspen to successfully recruit to the overstory. Multiple regression analysis showed that down lodgepole pine basal area, followed by browsing pressure, were the most important predictors of sucker height and the proportion of suckers browsed. Although 15% of stands had no lodgepole pine regeneration, aspen and lodgepole pine forests are generally regenerating despite animal browsing on aspen. This study is the first to present a regional perspective on regeneration in MPB-affected lodgepole pine and aspen forests, and overall, intervention does not seem necessary to ensure a mix of both species in the future. Full article
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16 pages, 2845 KiB  
Article
Fungal Frequency and Mite Load Trends Interact with a Declining Mountain Pine Beetle Population
by Javier E. Mercado, Beatriz Ortiz-Santana and Shannon L. Kay
Forests 2018, 9(8), 484; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/f9080484 - 09 Aug 2018
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3049
Abstract
The mite and fungal biota associated with the mountain pine beetle (MPB) (Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopk.) may not be stable throughout an irruptive event. In congeneric beetles, variations in the frequency of their associated organisms affect population trends and similar effects may occur [...] Read more.
The mite and fungal biota associated with the mountain pine beetle (MPB) (Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopk.) may not be stable throughout an irruptive event. In congeneric beetles, variations in the frequency of their associated organisms affect population trends and similar effects may occur in MPB. We studied fungi and mite trends in a declining irruptive MPB population as it attacked three different pine hosts in the Colorado Front Range. During the study, we found two new associates including one biologically relevant mite and one beneficial blue-stain fungus. Fungi hyperphoretic on mites were also documented. This included beneficial and potentially detrimental species to the MPB. The frequency of several organisms varied between some years or pine hosts but not within male or female beetles. A large increase of Trichouropoda sp. and T. ips mites trended inversely with the declining beetle population, while a decrease in the beneficial blue-stain fungi trended similarly to the declining beetle population. We discuss the interactions and potential effects of phoretic biota in relation to (1) the MPB associates’ population trends, (2) the MPB incursions into cooler areas, and (3) the redundancy of blue-stain fungi carried by the MPB holobiont. These findings increase our knowledge of the mechanisms that influence MPB populations. Full article
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