Tria-Net: Dynamics of Endemic MPB Populations in Novel Pine Habitats

Within its historic range, the dynamics of mountian pine beetle (MPB) populations are well understood, but questions persist as to how they will behave in novel pine habitats.

This project will determine if MPB will become endemic in novel habitats. This research is critical to developing operational strategies to manage MPB in novel pine habitats.

Within its historic range, the dynamics of mountian pine beetle (MPB) populations are well understood, but questions persist as to how they will behave in novel pine habitats. To date, all beetles detected in newly invaded pine habitats have exhibited epidemic behaviour as characterized by attempted mass attacks of large trees. Although it is generally accepted that similar biotic and abiotic factors occur within historic and newly invaded regions (Safranyik et al. 2010), it is unknown whether the specific suite of conditions for endemic beetles exists, and therefore whether beetles will persist in the long term, in novel pine habitats. The broad objective of the proposed research is to determine if MPB will exist in the long term in the endemic phase in novel pine habitats, and if so, under what conditions will they erupt to the epidemic phase in the future?

This research is part of a larger initiative known as Tria-Net in which four themes will be addressed:

1. Molecular Analyses
2. Population Genomics
3. Population Dynamics
4. Socioeconomic Modeling

The benefits of this larger research initiative may well safe guard Canada’s pine research and, locally, provide critical information to carry on with effective management to control the beetle.

Learn more about Tria-Net here.