Partnering for Healthy Forests Research and the Healthy Forests Restoration Act The Southern Pine Beetle Integrated Pest Management Program: A Coalition Response to the Healthy Forests Restoration Act Robert N. Coulson: Professor, Knowledge Engineering Laboratory, Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University Frederick M. Stephen: University Professor and Acting Head, Department of Entomology, University of Arkansas Kier D. Klepzig: Project Leader, USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station Forrest L. Oliveria: Field Office Representative, USDA Forest Service, Forest Health Protection

Southern Pine Beetle IPM Program Healthy Forests Restoration Act - Title 4 The Southern Pine Beetle Research Development and Applications for Southern Pine Beetle IPM Call For Action

The Healthy Forests Restoration Act Title 1: Hazardous Fuel Reduction on Federal Land: Title 4: Insect Infestations and Related Diseases: –Purposes: 1. To develop an accelerated basis and applied assessment program to combat infestations by forest- damaging insects and associated diseases. 2. To engage the stakeholders (including universities, state agencies, and private landowners) to carry out the program. 3. To implement applied silvicultural assessments.

The term “forest-damaging insect” means: Southern pine beetle; Mountain pine beetle; gypsy moth; Hemlock woolly adelgid; Emerald ash borer; Red oak borer; I. Etc.

Southern Pine Beetle IPM Program Healthy Forests Restoration Act - Title 4 The Southern Pine Beetle Research Development and Applications for Southern Pine Beetle IPM Call For Action

Why the Southern Pine Beetle? The economic, social, and ecological impact of the SPB is catastrophic across the Southern US. Recent damage caused by this insect exceeds all historical records. Ca. 89 million acres of forest land in the South are at risk to the SPB. Timber losses alone attributable to the SPB outbreaks exceed 2.5 billion $$. Outbreaks cycle within the Southern region and we cannot anticipate when or where they will occur or predict their severity. Consequently, when outbreaks do occur the effects on forest health are devastating.

The number of years in which the southern pine beetle reached outbreak status since 1960 (USDA-FS 2004).

Why the Southern Pine Beetle? The economic, social, and ecological impact of the SPB is catastrophic across the Southern US. Recent damage caused by this insect exceeds all historical records. Ca. 89 million acres of forest land in the South are at risk to the SPB. Timber losses alone attributable to the SPB outbreaks exceed 2.5 billion $$. Outbreaks cycle within the Southern region and we cannot anticipate when or where they will occur or predict their severity. Consequently, when outbreaks do occur the effects on forest health are devastating. The geographic range of the insect continues to expand and new host tree species are being infested. The existing knowledge base for the insect is inadequate to explain the causes for the epidemic or provide insight into how it can be managed.

R. Coulson R. Billings R. Billlings How can depredations caused by the southern pine beetle be managed within tolerable limits?

Southern Pine Beetle IPM Program Healthy Forests Restoration Act - Title 4 The Southern Pine Beetle Research Development and Applications for Southern Pine Beetle IPM Call For Action

Research Development and Applications for Southern Pine Beetle IPM In August of 2004 representatives of the stakeholder community (Southern State Agricultural Experiment Stations, USDA Forest Service, State Forestry Agencies, and Industry) participated in a facilitated workshop: –To define the RD&A Agenda for a SPB IPM program. –To develop a plan to implement the program. The goal of this workshop was to provide the technical underpinning for a region-wide RD&A initiative directed to integrated management of the SPB.

The Organizational Framework

The Approach: A facilitated workshop

Facilitation Approach Evaluate the scope and bounds of each IPM activity. Define the RD&A questions associated with each IPM activity. Prioritize the RD&A questions. Identify products that would be delivered from a targeted RD&A program.

Proportion of Effort Needed in the SPB RD&A Program ResearchAcquisition of new knowledge 38% DevelopmentIntegration and interpretation of new and existing knowledge 40% ApplicationUse of knowledge for planning, problem solving, decision support 22% The priorities for the SPB IPM program involve a blend of activities associated with research, development, and applications.

Products of the Workshop

Southern Pine Beetle IPM Program Healthy Forests Restoration Act - Title 4 The Southern Pine Beetle Research Development and Applications for Southern Pine Beetle IPM Call For Action

A representative cross-section of the stakeholder community objectively evaluated the SPB problem and concluded that a centrally organized and specifically targeted RD&A program, based on concepts of IPM, would provide the means to directly and measurably reduce impacts of the SPB. The RD&A agenda, implementation plan, and a list of deliverable produces that would follow from a SPB IPM program were defined and summarized. The Agricultural Experiment Stations from the Southern and adjacent regions are requesting $30 million ($6 million/yr for five years) through the USDA Forest Service to fund a centrally managed RD&A program to address SPB IPM. Administration of the program will be through the Southern Regional IPM Center at NC State University.

Questions?