Unmanaged Lodgepole Pine Stands Do Not Recover After Mountain Pine Beetle Attack

Thursday, September 19, 2024

1:30 PM – 2:00 PM MST

Location: Embassy Suites, River Birch C

Speaker(s)

Sarita Bassil, PhD (she/her/hers)

Postdoctoral Research Scientist
Forest Growth & Yield Lab, University of Alberta
edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Co-Author(s)

Robert Froese, PhD RPF CF

Professor and Endowed Chair in Forest Growth and Yield
University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
BP

Bradley Pinno, PhD

Associate Professor - Silviculture
University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Long-term field data from mature, fire-origin lodgepole pine stands in northern Rockies reveal a lack of recovery, 11 to 15 years after mountain pine beetle attack. Contradicting existing studies, we found ongoing pine mortality and insufficient regeneration and ingrowth of shade-tolerant conifers failed to form future mixed stands.

Learning Objectives:

This presentation presents outcomes from research on the dynamics of unmanaged pine dominated mature stands after attack by mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins) in the Rocky Mountain foothills. Participants will be able to describe the variability in response of theses stands compared to previous studies and explain the observed differences and similarities.
At the end of the presentation, participants will be able to discuss outcomes displaying the stagnation of residual stands in terms of timber production, and the need for long term periods of time for these stands to transition to a productive mixed species uneven-aged stands as discussed in previous research. They will see how in absence of stand-replacing disturbance, these stands form degraded mixed stands with insufficient regeneration and ingrowth of understory, and ongoing mortality of pine overstory.