Bulkley Valley Research Centre - Science in the Public Interest

Warning signals of adverse interactions between climate change and native stressors

Wednesday April 18, 2018  12:00pm-1:00pm

The Old Church (corner of King and First Ave) - Smithers, BC

About this presentation

The climate of central BC has changed over the past century, generally becoming warmer throughout the year and wetter in spring and summer. These environmental trends benefit a variety of forest disturbance agents including insects such as the mountain pine beetle and pathogens such as hard pine rusts. Our study involved an extensive survey of mid-rotation managed stands from Smithers to Mackenzie, with a focus on the extent of damage caused by disturbances and how the changing climate may be in part responsible.

About Alex J. Woods

Alex is a research forest pathologist for the Skeena Region of the FLNRORD based in Smithers. He has been investigating the behaviour and impacts of forest pathogens and the interactions between pathogens, forest management and climate change in this region and beyond for almost 24 years. His primary objective has been to bring awareness to forest managers of the impacts of forest diseases on managed forests and to ensure that the expectations placed on those forests are realistic.

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