Predictions of southern pine beetle populations using a forest ecosystem model

Abstract

Dendroctonus fiontaiis Zimm. (southern pine beetle (SPB)) has caused over $900 million in damage to pines in the southern United States between 1960 and 1990 (Price et al.. 1992). The damage of SPB to loblolly (Pinus tuedu L.), shortleaf (Pinus echinata Mill.), and pitch (Pinus rigida Mill.) pine has long been established (Hopkins. 1899), however, extensive mapping of SPB infestations has only existed since 1960 (Price and Doggett, 1982). Early detection of SPB outbreak areas is essential to controlling population increases (Swain and Remion, 198l), but the range of SPB is large, SPB have six to eight generations per year, and there is inconsistency in the monitoring methods used to measure SPB populations across its range. Therefore, various models have been developed that attempt to predict SPB outbreak severity across the region. (Hansen et al., 1973; Kalkstein, 1973; Michaels. 1984).

Citation

McNulty, S.G.; Lorio, P.L., Jr.; Ayres, M.P.; Reeve, J.D. 1998. Predictions of southern pine beetle populations using a forest ecosystem model. Pages 617-634 in R.A. Mickler and S. Fox, eds. The Productivity and Sustainability of Southern Forest Ecosystems in a Changing Environment. Springer-Verlag, New York, Inc.