Year 1 - Landscape Strategies for MPB management:  Some Stewardship Implications

Project Reference Number: 2006-15

Project Status: Complete

Led by: Doug Steventon, Wildlife Habitat Ecologist, Ministry of Forests and Range, Smithers

Research Assistance: Dave Daust, Telkwa

Funded by: Forestry Investment Account – Forest Science Program (M07-5006)

As harvest rates are dramatically increased in response to the mountain pine beetle (MPB) (Dendroctonus ponderosae) epidemic, how to conduct harvesting in a way that best respects stewardship goals is a key question.

This project proposes to build on those reviews, “testing” some of the management principles on a real landscape through simulation modelling. The opportunities for designing longer-term adaptive management experiments can also be explored through modelling prior to making substantial investments. This project builds incrementally on work already underway.