Investigating Early Detection and Management Tools for Mountain Pine Beetle

Presentation Summary:

Mountain pine beetle populations in its expanded range in Alberta are generally at low levels now following the outbreak that started in 2006. These low populations offer an opportunity to enact control measures to slow the eastern spread. However, current monitoring and detection tools have been developed for larger population levels and not in the novel habitat of Alberta. This presentation will describe research projects that improved the efficacy of commercial lures used to detect and monitor these low populations and optimized configuration of how they are used across the landscape. Factors that impact suitability of pine in Alberta will also be discussed. The goal of this research program is to start filling in uncertainties of how mountain pine beetles behave at low populations and interact with hosts in a novel habitat to improve early detection and management before populations erupt.

Presenter:

Jennifer Klutsch is a forest entomologist at the Northern Forestry Centre. Prior to her work at the Canadian Forest Service, she identified factors that impact mountain pine beetle populations in lodgepole pine and jack pine ecosystems while working on her PhD and postdoc at University of Alberta with Dr. Nadir Erbilgin. She has also done research on the impact of mountain pine beetle on fuels and fire hazard. Her current research focuses on early detection of mountain pine beetle and understanding biotic factors that may allow mountain pine beetles to expand its current range.

Thank you to NSERC and our sponsors of ‘Partners in Boreal Education’ for supporting the Boreal Nature Series: Canadian Forest Products Ltd., Mercer Peace River Pulp Ltd., West Fraser Manning Timber Co., Boucher Bros Lumber Ltd., Zavisha Sawmills Ltd., and FRIAA.