Mountain Pine Beetle and Climate Change in British Columbia By Ben Brunsvold May 7th, 2008 Forestry 495

Mountain Pine Beetle: Biology Dendroctonus Ponderosae Attack Phloem of the tree (inner bark). May produce up to three generations per year! Can survive overwintering temperatures as low as -40˚C

Hosts and Range Host species, mainly Lodgepole pine, Ponderosa pine, and White Bark pine. Various other pine species. Scientists are worried that any further Temp increase would allow shift to Jack Pine infecting farther North and East! MPB are found across Western North America from Mexico to Northern British Columbia! Limits of range?

Effect of Climate Change Warmer temps have allowed for less over-winter kill by cold snaps! Expansion into new ranges at higher elevations where previously not found. Cold snaps in spring are crucial for keeping beetle populations down.

Effect of Climate Change Total Pine Volume = 1.35 billion m3 By 2004 approximately 330 millions m3 of pine killed! By Fall of 2005 an additional 120 million m3 was killed during the summer of 2005! Total 420 million m3 dead standing timber through 2005, represents 1/3 of total pine volume. Expected to continiue at a rate of 100 million m3 every year through 2008!

More Scary Statistics Estimated that pine makes up 30-40% of BC’S forests 80 % of the pine volume will be killed by 2013! Infestation Expected to return to pre-epidemic levels by 2015! Epidemic could continue if temps continue to rise.

Major Economic Problem Forest products make up 11.6% of all exports from Canadian Provincial Government! BC accounts for 33% of the total 11.6% of these forest exports. Killed trees are worth less due to blue stain fungus, and the resulting strength of wood.

Value Loss in Affected Lumber Affected lumber is more costly to process throughout harvest and production phases. Loading and unloading Milling Kiln drying Market Demand

Looking to the Future With expected losses of approximately 80% of pine in British Columbia-long term outlook is Grim! Lodgepole pine need a minimum of 60-80 years before viable for timber production. May see large influx of timber products, but this will be short lived. Could be devastating to many economies if not diversified.

Questions or Comments?