SPBCMP—A Program to Assess the Likelihood of Major Changes in the Distribution of the Southern Pine Beetle
Abstract A statistical model has been developed that relates percentage change in the large area coverage of southern pine beetle outbreaks (Dendroctonus frontalis Zimm.) to temperature and moisture status indices. It is applicable over the entire range of epidemic outbreaks during the last quarter-century. The interactive computer program, SPBCMP, can be used to assess the likelihood of major changes in coverage several months prior to the period of maximum activity. SPBCMP requires only location and four easily accessed climatic parameters. Climatic data for these driving variables can be supplied by the user obtained from a file maintained on the University of Virginia Academic Computing System. The program instructs the user on how to access that data. An additional feature of SPBCMP is that it allows for sensitivity analyses based on weather scenarios for upcoming months. South. J. Appl. For. 10:158-61, Aug. 1986.