Predicting survival of lodgepole pine stands infected with western gall rust

2006 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 878-885 ◽  
Author(s):  
J M Wolken ◽  
P V Blenis ◽  
I Duncan
Keyword(s):  
Pinus Contorta ◽  
Management Strategy ◽  
Tree Mortality ◽  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
Main Stem ◽  
Iteratively Reweighted Least Squares ◽  
Risk Of Mortality ◽  
Endocronartium Harknessii ◽  
Stem Gall ◽  
Pine Stands

The probability of lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud.) having main-stem galls caused by western gall rust, Endocronartium harknessii (J.P. Moore) Y. Hiratsuka, surviving to rotation is unknown. To evaluate survival, 400 galled trees with at least one stem gall and 400 trees without stem galls were measured in 1992 in two precommercially thinned stands approximately 20 years old. The survival of trees was assessed in 2003. Nonlinear regression using iteratively reweighted least squares was employed to estimate the survival of galled trees as a function of the proportion of the main stem encircled by galls. Galls encircling >79% and >91% of the stem in the two stands increased the risk of mortality relative to non-galled trees, with the risk increasing steeply with percent gall encirclement; smaller stem galls did not cause tree mortality. The 11-year pattern of survival of galled trees was similar for infections that occurred on the main stem and those that had reached the stem from a nearby branch infection. Based on an earlier model of gall expansion, 38%–43% of stem-galled trees would be expected to survive until age 80. Scribing of stem galls to prevent their expansion does not appear to be a feasible management strategy.

Incidence of main stem infections of lodgepole pine by western gall rust decreases with tree age

2005 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. 1314-1318 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter V Blenis ◽  
Wuhan Li
Keyword(s):  
Pinus Contorta ◽  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
Stem Elongation ◽  
Tree Height ◽  
Shoot Elongation ◽  
Main Stem ◽  
Tree Age ◽  
Precommercial Thinning ◽  
Two Factors ◽  
Artificial Inoculations

Infection of lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud. var. latifolia Engelm.) by western gall rust has been shown to decrease with tree height and age, but the effects of those two factors have not been separated. Five replicate artificial inoculations were done on a total of 327 trees of different ages in two height classes. Temperature and percentage of spore germination at the height of inoculation, shoot development (stem elongation at the time of inoculation as a proportion of final shoot elongation), main stem leader length at the time of inoculation, tree height, and tree age were measured. Modeled percentages of infected trees and the number of galls per 10 cm of shoot length decreased by 85% and 88%, respectively, as tree age increased between 2 and 10 years, indicating the undesirability of early, aggressive precommercial thinning of lodgepole pine stands in areas where western gall rust is common. By controlling and (or) statistically accounting for inoculum, microclimate, and phenological factors, it was possible to demonstrate that changes in susceptibility with tree age are sufficient to account for the reduction in infection with tree height.

Lodgepole pine provenances differ in chemical defense capacities against foliage and stem diseases

2010 ◽  
Vol 40 (12) ◽  
pp. 2333-2344 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher M. Wallis ◽  
Richard W. Reich ◽  
Kathy J. Lewis ◽  
Dezene P.W. Huber
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Metabolites ◽  
Pinus Contorta ◽  
Dominant Species ◽  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
Quantitative Resistance ◽  
Foliar Diseases ◽  
Seed Sources ◽  
Endocronartium Harknessii ◽  
Foliar Concentrations ◽  
Foliar Pathogens

Maximization of lodgepole pine ( Pinus contorta Douglas ex Louden var. latifolia Engelm. ex S. Watson) growth in a future climate with increased pest activity requires an understanding of the natural variability of quantitative resistance to disease. Foliar and bark secondary metabolites from different lodgepole pine provenances (populations) were quantified and correlated with severity of foliar diseases caused by Lophodermella spp. ( Lophodermella concolor (Dearn.) Darker or Lophodermella montivaga Petre.) or Elytroderma deformans (Wier) Darker and bark diseases caused by Elytroderma or Endocronartium harknessii (J.P. Moore) Y. Hiratsuka. Greater foliar concentrations of lignin, tannins, and some phenolics were associated with increased resistance to single or multiple foliar pathogens. Bark secondary metabolites levels were generally unassociated with resistance to bark diseases. Provenances appearing to originate in ecosystems where lodgepole pine are not the dominant species generally were more susceptible to foliar diseases and had less foliar defense-associated compounds than trees from areas where pines were the dominant species, yet clear trends proved to be elusive. Regardless, pine provenances with greater foliar levels of identified defense-associated compounds should be preferred seed sources for replanting forests in areas in which foliar disease is expected to be increasingly prevalent.

Comparative assessment of genetic variation of young high-elevation lodgepole pine for height and western gall rust resistance across two sites in Alberta

1998 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 478-484 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rong-Cai Yang ◽  
Narinder K Dhir ◽  
Leonard K Barnhardt
Keyword(s):  
Pinus Contorta ◽  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
Comparative Assessment ◽  
Family Interactions ◽  
Endocronartium Harknessii ◽  
Sib Families ◽  
Natural Stands ◽  
Similar Site ◽  
Interaction Variance

A total of 456 half-sib families of superior lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud. var. latifolia Engelm.) trees found mostly in high-elevation natural stands in west-central Alberta were outplanted in 1990 at two geoclimatically different sites, Norris and Redrock, Alberta. The trials were measured at age 6 for survival, height, and incidence and severity of western gall rust (WGR) (Endocronartium harknessii (J.P. Moore) Y. Hiratsuka). Survival at both sites was very similar (85-87%). Mean family height at Redrock was almost 10 cm higher (60.5 cm) than that at Norris (51.0 cm). Mean family WGR incidence was 25% with a range of 0-76% at Norris, but only 1.6% with a range of 0-27% at Redrock. A similar site difference was also observed for WGR severity. Strong site x family interactions were detected for height growth and WGR infection. The interaction for WGR infection did not seem to involve a change in family ranks because there was very little contribution to the interaction variance from lack of perfect genetic correlation between the two sites. The contrasting patterns of family variation in WGR infection across the two sites may be the outcome of epidemiological (environmental) or genetic causes or both.

scholarly journals Winter Habitat Use by Moose, Alces alces, in Central Interior British Columbia

2005 ◽  
Vol 119 (2) ◽  
pp. 186 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gilbert Proulx ◽  
Rhonda M. Kariz
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Habitat Use ◽  
Pinus Contorta ◽  
Mountain Pine Beetle ◽  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
Alces Alces ◽  
Late Winter ◽  
Winter Habitat ◽  
Pine Beetle ◽  
Pine Stands

In central British Columbia, recent epidemics of Mountain Pine Beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae) have resulted in the use of expansive clearcut areas to remove infested mature and old Lodgepole Pine (Pinus contorta) stands. This study aimed to determine if Moose (Alces alces) use late-successional Lodgepole Pine stands in mid- to late-winter. Moose activity and habitat use was determined during February-March track surveys in 2000 (60 km) and 2001 (55.7 km). In 2000 (69 tracks) and 2001 (313 tracks), Moose track distribution differed significantly (P < 0.05) from random. They were significantly more abundant than predicted in young stands (dominated by Picea spp.), or early seral stages; they were less abundant than predicted in mature and old Lodgepole Pine stands. It is unlikely that harvesting late-successional Lodgepole Pine stands would affect Moose winter habitat supply.

scholarly journals Subwatershed-Level Lodgepole Pine Attributes Associated with a Mountain Pine Beetle Outbreak

Forests ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 552 ◽  
Author(s):  
Howard Williams ◽  
Sharon Hood ◽  
Christopher Keyes ◽  
Joel Egan ◽  
José Negrón
Keyword(s):  
Pinus Contorta ◽  
Mountain Pine Beetle ◽  
Tree Mortality ◽  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Mortality Data ◽  
Mountain Pine ◽  
Pine Beetle ◽  
Pinus Spp

Mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins; MPB) is an aggressive bark beetle that attacks numerous Pinus spp. and causes extensive mortality in lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Douglas ex Loudon; LPP) forests in the western United States and Canada. We used pre-outbreak LPP attributes, cumulative MPB attack severity, and areal extent of mortality data to identify subwatershed-scale forest attributes associated with severe MPB-caused tree mortality that occurred across the Northern Rockies, USA from 1999–2014. We upscaled stand-level data to the subwatershed scale to allow identification of large LPP areas vulnerable to MPB. The highest mortality occurred in subwatersheds where LPP mean basal area was greater than 11.5 m2 ha−1 and LPP quadratic mean diameter was greater than or equal to 18 cm. A coarse assessment of federally-owned LPP-dominated forestland in the analysis area indicated about 42% could potentially be silviculturally treated. Silvicultural management may be a suitable option for many LPP forests, and our hazard model can be used to identify subwatersheds with LPP attributes associated with high susceptibility to MPB across landscape spatial scales. Identifying highly susceptible subwatersheds can help prioritize general areas for potential treatments, especially where spatially extensive areas of contiguous, highly susceptible LPP occur.

Relationships between root form and growth, stability, and mortality in planted versus naturally regenerated lodgepole pine in north-central British Columbia

2006 ◽  
Vol 36 (10) ◽  
pp. 2642-2653 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeanne A Robert ◽  
B Staffan Lindgren
Keyword(s):  
Pinus Contorta ◽  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
Root Characteristics ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Growth Stability ◽  
Risk Of Mortality ◽  
Horizontal Stability ◽  
Lower Height ◽  
Growth Differences ◽  
The Impact

The roots of container-grown and manually planted lodgepole pine, Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud. var. latifolia Engelm., are often deformed, potentially impacting their health relative to that of naturally regenerated trees. We evaluated 12 root characteristics to elucidate the type and severity of root deformities in planted pine aged 3–10 years, as well as to determine the impact of root form on their growth and stability. Results showed that root deformity is widespread: 95.0% of planted trees versus 50.9% of naturally regenerated trees had either moderate or severe root deformities. A logistic regression using the 12 root characteristics strongly distinguished between planted and naturally regenerated trees. Aboveground growth form was affected in that planted trees had a lower height-to-diameter ratio than naturally regenerated trees. In young planted trees with low or moderate root deformities, but not in trees with severely deformed roots (65.0% of all planted trees in our study), both height- and diameter-growth rates were higher than in naturally regenerated trees. Growth differences may be attributed to differential resource allocation resulting from translocation inhibition caused by root deformation. In spite of very different root systems, there was no difference in the horizontal stability of planted versus naturally regenerated trees. However, planted trees have a significantly lower root cross-sectional area and may therefore be at a higher risk of mortality, primarily from attack by the Warren root collar weevil, Hylobius warreni Wood.

Plant community attributes 12 to 14 years following precommercial thinning in a young lodgepole pine forest

2006 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
P M.F Lindgren ◽  
D B Ransome ◽  
D S Sullivan ◽  
T P Sullivan
Keyword(s):  
Species Diversity ◽  
Plant Community ◽  
Pinus Contorta ◽  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
Structural Diversity ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Precommercial Thinning ◽  
Tree Layer ◽  
Moss Layer ◽  
Pine Stands

We investigated plant community responses (abundance, species diversity, and structural diversity) to a range of precommercial thinning densities in young lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud. var. latifolia Engelm.) stands 12 to 14 years after thinning, with both unthinned and old-growth stands for comparison. Abundance of understory plants, especially herbs, appeared to increase dramatically in the thinned stands. The moss layer was significantly more abundant in old-growth stands than in the young pine stands. Of a total of 108 species sampled, only three were introduced species, all of which occurred more frequently in the low-density stands than in any of the other stands. Thinning treatments appeared to increase the abundance of late-seral species. Our results suggest that by disrupting canopy closure, thinning decreased the dominance of tall trees and increased the abundance of herbs, shrubs, and trees in the understory height classes. As a result, thinning to low densities significantly increased the structural richness of the tree layer and caused an increase in total structural diversity, which, although only marginally significant (p = 0.06), was likely biologically important. Our results suggest that thinning will enhance the abundance, species diversity, and structural diversity of the plant community 12 to 14 years postthinning.

Stability of resistance to western gall rust and needle cast in lodgepole pine provenances

1998 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 439-449 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harry X Wu ◽  
Cheng C Ying
Keyword(s):  
Pinus Banksiana ◽  
Pinus Contorta ◽  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
Genetic Selection ◽  
Jack Pine ◽  
Needle Cast ◽  
Geographic Patterns ◽  
Endocronartium Harknessii ◽  
Stability Of Resistance ◽  
Site Evaluation

Stability of 76 interior lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta ssp. latifolia Engelm.) provenances in resistance to western gall rust (Endocronartium harknessii (J.P. More) Y. Hiratsuka) and needle cast (Lophodermella concolor (Dearn.) Darker) was investigated from 19 and 23 sites in the British Columbia interior, respectively. Provenances, sites, and provenance by site interaction had significant effects on severity level of infection of both diseases. Susceptible provenances contributed mainly to the interaction. The resistant provenances to both diseases were very stable and essentially homeostatic across sites (regression coefficient approaching 0). Resistant provenances were concentrated in the jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) - lodgepole pine hybrid zone and adjacent areas, and provenances from the low-elevation interior wetbelt were also very resistant to needle cast. Geographic patterns of provenance variation revealed that the closer a lodgepole pine provenance is to the limit of jack pine distribution, the higher and more stable is its resistance to western gall rust and needle cast. The current multiple-site evaluation supports for the hypothesis that jack pine introgression influences pest defence in lodgepole pine and suggests genetic selection can be effective.

Foliage and stand growth responses of semimature lodgepole pine to thinning and fertilization

1998 ◽  
Vol 28 (12) ◽  
pp. 1794-1804 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard C Yang
Keyword(s):  
Pinus Contorta ◽  
Tree Mortality ◽  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
Volume Growth ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Dry Mass ◽  
N Fertilization ◽  
Growth Responses ◽  
Fascicle Length ◽  
Stand Growth

The aim of this study was to quantify the interactive response of lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. var. latifolia Engelm.) to thinning and nitrogen (N) fertilization in midrotation stands by assessing foliar and stand growth response relationships and determining the optimum fertilizer regime. The experiment design was a factorial arrangement of treatments with two thinning intensities (thinned and unthinned control) and four N levels (0, 180, 360, and 540 kg·ha-1). Foliage was sampled annually from trees in buffers for 4 years following treatment and plot trees measured at a 5-year interval. Results indicated that the effect of fertilization on fascicle length and needle dry mass disappeared 2 years after N treatment, while thinning effects on foliage emerged 3 years after fertilization. Both first year fascicle length and dry mass were reliable predictors (r2 = 0.87 and 0.82, respectively) of subsequent stand volume growth. Applications of N at 360 kg·ha-1 to thinned and unthinned plots, respectively, improved 10-year periodic height increment by 20 and 19%, diameter at breast height by 29 and 34%, basal area by 21 and 36%, and total volume by 25 and 28%. Fertilization of N at this level appears to be optimal based on foliar and mensurational responses. High N loadings increased tree mortality and accelerated stand development and so it could be advantageously used as a tool for managing overstocked stands.

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