Forest Health Research Update: Seed & Cone Pests, Genetics, Growth & Yield, Silviculture, Climate Change, White Bark Pin

1. Research Branch Forest Health Research January 30, 2008 Gerry Still (presentation prepared by Jennifer Burleigh)

2. Presentation Objectives • Overview of research Branch-related forest health activities • Update on status of activities re: MPB stewardship research strategy

3. Seed & Cone Pests Continued development of the Cone & Seed Pest research program, with an office and lab at the Kalamalka Research Station. Established a host-finding study for the western conifer seedbug, in partnership with SFU. This project has strong management implications for the monitoring and control of this insect. A major breakthrough in 2007 was the discovery that Leptoglossus finds cones by detecting the infra-red radiation they emit. (Ward Strong, Dr Gries, SFU)

4. Seed & Cone Pests Completed a life history and pheromone characterization study of the Douglas-fir coneworm, with the University of California and the CFS. A description of phenological trends across BC contributed to the development of effective pheromone trapping protocols (Ward Strong). Continued systemic pesticide trials to test sprayable and injectable formulations at both interior and coastal British Columbia orchards (Ward Strong).

5. Genetics The supply of weevil resistant Sitka spruce seed for the coast continues to increase, and for interior spruce, weevil tolerant seed is plentiful (John King). • Working on technical report summarizing work Recently completed selections for a western gall rust resistance seed orchard for the Prince George low elevation Seed Planning Unit (Mike Carlson). White pine blister rust resistance material is increasing in availability, and should see wider use soon (John King).

6. Genetics MPB resistance research is continuing; current studies are looking at the physical features of bark and it’s chemical composition of genotypes that are avoided by MPB within seed orchards. (Alvin Yanchuk) Two small research projects in root rot resistance continue in conjunction with the CFS. Phellinus on the coast (Michael Stoer) and Armillaria in the interior (Barry Jaquish). Developing markers to select for deer and heartwood rot-resistant individual from the Western Red Cedar breeding programs. (FIA - Jim Mattsson, SFU, with John Russell)

7. Growth and Yield Incorporating the effects of windthrow after variable retention harvesting into TASS and TIPSY (Mario Di Lucca) Development of residual trees and regeneration following MPB attack in thinned lodgepole pine stands - stand recovery after mountain pine beetle attack; rates of natural regeneration by species and quality (FIA - Rob Brockley).

8. Silviculture Effects of different post-thinning densities on the susceptibility of lodgepole pine to attack by the mountain pine beetle (Rob Brockley). Effects of different fertilizer regimes on the susceptibility of young lodgepole pine to attack by the mountain pine beetle (Rob Brockley). To determine if MPB killed pines are less effective repositories of Armillaria inoculum.A new trial will be established in cooperation with BCTS to assess Armillaria caused mortality in the vicinity of stumps of MPB killed trees versus trees killed by logging. (Bill Chapman)

9. Silviculture Recently completed projects: Relationship between boron deficiency and top-dieback in lodgepole pine (Rob Brockley). Interactions between fertilization and white pine weevil attack in young interior spruce plantations (Rob Brockley). Effects of thinning and fertilization on feeding damage by red squirrels in lodgepole pine stands (Rob Brockley).

10. Climate Change Linking Dothistroma outbreaks to climate variability through establishment of regional paleoclimate baseline: Skeena Stikine Climate Network. (FIA, Bulkley Valley RC (Rick Budhwa, FIA). Another project will develop standard climate spatial databases and climate change projection databases, and use them to predict the impacts of climate change on forest pests, using the western spruce budworm and spruce bark beetle as test cases. (FIA, Harry Swain – UVIC/Pacific Climate Impacts Consortium & CFS)

11. White Bark Pine Assessing the threat of MPB outbreaks to whitebark pine. A three-day workshop was held in Whistler to discuss research efforts in whitebark pine genetics, ecology and developments in restoration activities. (Elizabeth Campbell) Field testing the climate change range-shift predictions for whitebark pine . Seeds from 7 populations are being planted in 18 common gardens, distributed within the current range, areas that are predicted to have climates suitable under future climate scenarios, and areas outside the current & predicted range of the species. (Sally Aiken – UBC)

12. MPB Research Strategy HydrologyCurrently undertaking a review of research undertaken since 2006 in support of strategy43+ projects initiated since 2006 that related to any one of a number of high priority hydrology knowledge gapsGoal of the review is to identify where research has addressed high priority gaps and where additional works still needs to be done.Results will help focus future spending priorities

13. MPB Research Strategy SilvicultureWill be undertaking a review of research undertaken since 2006 in support of thr research strategy.Bulk of work to date has focused on identifying and quantifying secondary structure across the outbreak area.Extending secondary structure analysis to Quesnel, Williams Lake and 100 Mile TSAs (Fed MPB, Coates et al.) Development of Complex Stands Working Group through FAIB to coordinate various aspects of secondary structure work (Graham Hawkins).

14. Secondary Structure Project Flathead Valley - MBP outbreak 1978-1980 • Current stand composition • Current stand volumes • Growth release of existing stems • Regeneration delay (FIA - Dave Coates)

15. MPB Research Strategy Silviculture Current project is under taking modelling of MPB affected stands using SORTIE to: • “grow” existing secondary structure to produce future forest scenarios, • adapt model to better track wildlife attributes (CWD, snags, crown closure) to feed into habitat supply models (Don Morgan)

16. MPB Research Strategy Wildlife, ecology, range and biodiversitySeveral projects examining effectiveness of WTPs and reserves in meeting biodiversity and habitat requirementsGreater coordination with MOE to integrate projects of mutual interest. Example: Collaborating with MOE and NCC to develop habitat supply models for 13 wildlife species within the MPB outbreak area (Don Morgan).

17. MPB Research Strategy SoilsRefining a model that predicts loss of summer operating groundsbased on soil conditions (Stephane Dube). Entomology (high priorities wihtin MPB stewardship strategy) Much of the work spearheaded by Lorraine and colleagues (young stands) along with researchers at UNBC (dispersal and genetics) and the CFS (jack pine and climate change).

18. Summary • Seed/cone pests • Genetics • Growth and Yield • Silviculture • Climate change • MPB Stewardship Research Strategy • Hydrology • Silviculture • Wildlife/biodiversity • Soils