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Mountain Pine BeetleKristina Hunt
What is being done to stop the rapid spread of the Mountain Pine Beetle?
History of the Pine Beetle
Two outbreaks in the Kootenay (1930 – 45 and 1980-present)
Native species
Naturally found west of the Continental Divide in the Southern Rocky Mountains
Map of Infected Areas in BC
Pine Beetle Facts
Has moved further North and East during recent outbreak
Likes likes to inhabit mature trees
There is currently an abundance of mature trees due to the prevention of forest fires by humans
Pine Beetle Facts
Mild winters in recent years has allowed the Pine Beetle to survive
Very hard to detect in early stages
Carries blue stain fungus that kill trees
Blue Stain Fungus Infected Wood
How It Effects the Forest Industry
Has killed over 50% of the volume of lodgepole pine in BC
Infected wood is being logged quickly to prevent spread
Important to use wood before it rots
Timber supply will be reduced, sawmills will close
Beetle Kill Wood Can Still Be Used
How It Can Be Stopped
A severe cold snap (-30 degrees or colder for long periods of time) will kill the pine beetle
Climate change has prevented cold snaps
There has not been a cold snap in BC for many years
How It Is Being Stopped
Burning beetle infected trees has helped stop it
Infected wood is being logged before it rots
Outbreak has become to big to become controlled, these methods are less effective
Why It Needs A Cold Snap
Larvae spend winter under bark and produce natural antifreeze
Larvae cannot survive extremely cold temperatures
Difficult to detect in this stage
Emerge as adults in the summer and spread to other trees
Cold Snap
Overall
The pine beetle is a native species that has gotten out of control
The only natural way to kill it is a cold snap
Burning and logging is becoming less effective because of the massive size of the pine beetle outbreak